DEF 14A 1 proxy2021.htm DEF 14A Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________________________________________________________
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
_______________________________________________________________________________
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HERC HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Herc Holdings Inc.
27500 Riverview Center Blvd.
Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

April 2, 2021
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend our annual meeting of stockholders to be held at 9:00 a.m. (local time) on May 13, 2021, at our principal executive office located at 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34134.
As a stockholder, you play an important role in Herc Holdings and your vote is important. If you do not vote your shares, you will not have a say on the important issues to be voted on at the annual meeting. Information on how to vote is included in the enclosed proxy statement.
We are using the “Notice and Access” method of providing proxy materials to you via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com, instead of by mail. On or about April 2, 2021, we will begin mailing to our stockholders a proxy statement and related proxy materials or a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access our proxy statement and related proxy materials and how to vote online.
Thank you for the time and attention you invest in making a thoughtful voting decision.
Sincerely,


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Patrick D. CampbellLawrence H. Silber
Non-executive Chairman of the BoardPresident, Chief Executive Officer and Director





NOTICE OF 2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF HERC HOLDINGS INC.

Date and Time:
May 13, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (local time).
Place:
Our principal executive office, located at 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34134.
Proposals:
1.Election of the 11 nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve as directors until the next annual meeting of stockholders;
2.Approval, by a non-binding advisory vote, of the named executive officers’ compensation;
3.Ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021; and
4.Transaction of any other business that may properly be brought before the annual meeting.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR each director nominee and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
Record Date:
Only holders of record of Company common stock at the close of business on March 15, 2021 will be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.
How to Vote:You may vote online or by telephone by following the instructions set forth in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) and the proxy statement. If you requested a paper copy of our proxy materials, you may also vote by completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy card. If you attend the annual meeting, you may vote in person.
Date of Mailing:
This proxy statement and accompanying materials were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2021, and we expect to first mail the proxy statement and related proxy materials or the Notice to stockholders on or about April 2, 2021.

By Order of the Board of Directors,
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S. Wade Sheek
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
April 2, 2021
Bonita Springs, Florida











TABLE OF CONTENTS














PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
This proxy statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 2, 2021, and we expect to first send the proxy statement and related proxy materials or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to stockholders on or about April 2, 2021. This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.
Business Performance
We are a leading equipment rental company, committed to being the supplier, employer and investment of choice in our industry. We seek to fulfill our purpose through our 277 locations throughout North America. In 2020, a global pandemic impacted economic growth throughout our markets and our team provided critical support to enable the operations of essential businesses and industries. As the impact of COVID-19 began to be realized, we executed strategies to preserve capital, reduce the cost structure of our business and position the Company in the challenging economic environment. The actions taken were focused on the enhancement of stockholder value as we expect to leverage our assets and operations from a lower base as the economy begins to recover.
Our Adjusted EBITDA has increased at a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% since 2016 and, despite the impact of COVID-19, only decreased by 7.0% in 2020 as compared to the prior year. Additionally, we reduced our net leverage to 2.4x in 2020 through disciplined capital management and it positions us to accelerate our growth in 2021.
chart-2824cd0eb5d64744a2c1.jpgchart-1698ae9425064a3fb0f1.jpg
Adjusted EBITDA and Net Leverage are non-GAAP measures and are defined in the appendix beginning on page A-1.

Meeting Information
The Board of Directors of Herc Holdings Inc. (the “Board”) is soliciting proxies to be used at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held:
Date: May 13, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m. (local time)
Record Date: March 15, 2021
Location: 27500 Riverview Center Blvd.
                    Bonita Springs, Florida 34134
Items of Business
ProposalBoard Voting RecommendationPage Reference
1. Election of 11 Director Nominees to Serve for a One Year Term
FOR each nominee
2. Advisory Vote on Executive CompensationFOR
3. Ratification of the Company’s Auditor for 2021
FOR
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Director Nominees
The following table provides summary information (as of April 2, 2021) about each director nominee:
NameAgeDirector SincePrimary or Former OccupationOther Public Company BoardsIndependentBoard Committee Membership*
ACGF
Patrick D. Campbell
(Chairman)
68
2016
Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of 3M Company3üXCC
Lawrence H. Silber
64
2016
Chief Executive Officer and President of Herc Holdings1
James H. Browning
71
2016
Retired partner at KPMG LLP2üXCC
Shari L. Burgess
62
2020
Retired Vice President and Treasurer, Lear CorporationüXX
Jonathan Frates
38
2019
Managing Director at Icahn Enterprises LP4üX
Jean K. Holley
61
2017
Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Brambles Limited2üXX
Jacob M. Katz
68
2017
Retired National Managing Partner and Global Leader of Financial Services of Grant Thornton LLP2üCCX
Michael A. Kelly
64
2016
Retired Executive Vice President of the Electronics and Energy Business of 3M Company1üCCX
Andrew N. Langham
47
2020
General Counsel of Icahn Enterprises LP3üXX
Mary Pat Salomone
60
2016
Retired Chief Operating Officer of The Babcock & Wilcox Company 2üXX
Andrew J. Teno
36
2021
Portfolio Manager at Icahn Capital LP2üX
* A – Audit Committee; C – Compensation Committee; G – Nominating and Governance Committee; F – Finance Committee; CC – Committee Chair; X – Committee Member


Governance Highlights
Our Board is committed to good corporate governance and promoting the long-term interests of our stockholders by adopting structures, policies and practices that we believe strengthen the Board and promote responsible oversight of management. Highlights include:
Independent Chairman
10 of 11 director nominees are independent
Annual election of directors
Majority voting for directors and director resignation policy in uncontested elections
88% Board and committee attendance in 2020 by director nominees
Robust stock retention guidelines for senior executives and non-employee directors
Prohibition on directors and Section 16 officers pledging Company stock and prohibition on directors and all employees hedging Company stock
The Board generally will not nominate a non-management director for election at an annual meeting if that person has reached age 72



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How to Vote
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please vote as promptly as possible using one of the following methods:
Via Internet by following the instructions on www.proxyvote.com;
Via telephone by calling 1‑800‑690-6903 and following the instructions provided by the recorded message; or
Via mail by completing, signing and dating the proxy card (if you received printed proxy materials) and returning it to the address listed therein.
Where You Can Find Additional Information
Our website is located at http://ir.hercrentals.com. Although the information contained on or connected to our website is not part of this proxy statement, you can view additional information on our website, such as the charters of our Board committees, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Ethics and reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these documents may also be obtained free of charge by writing Herc Holdings Inc., 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, Attention: Corporate Secretary.


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PROPOSAL 1: Election of Directors
Nominees for Election to the Board
The Board has nominated each director nominee listed below for election for a one-year term beginning at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 13, 2021 (the “Annual Meeting”) and expiring at the end of the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders. Each director nominee is expected to be available for election as a director, but in the event that one or more of the nominees is not available for election due to unforeseen circumstances, the proxy will be voted for the Board’s substitute nominee or nominees.
Director Election Standards
We maintain a “majority” voting standard for uncontested elections of directors. For a nominee to be elected to our Board, the nominee must receive more “for” than “against” votes.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR the following nominees for election as directors:

Patrick D. Campbell
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
Age 68
Director of the Company Since: 2016

Committees: Nominating and Governance Committee (Chair) and Compensation Committee
Business Experience
Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of 3M Company, a diversified global technology company, from 2002 to 2011.
Former Vice President of International and Europe of General Motors Corporation, a vehicle manufacturing Company, as well as various finance functions during his 25-year tenure.
Other Public Company Directorships
Newell Brands Inc.; Stanley Black and Decker, Inc.; SPX Flow, Inc.
Former Public Company DirectorshipsSPX Corporation; Solera Holdings Inc.
QualificationsMr. Campbell’s experience as former senior vice president and chief financial officer of 3M, the current Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Newell Brands Inc. and the former Lead Director of Stanley Black and Decker, Inc. brings substantial expertise to our Board. His extensive experience as a leader of boards of directors and his knowledge of financial and accounting matters, company capitalization structures and the capital markets gained through his tenure and leadership in different industries provides him with insight into a variety of issues relevant to our growth as a Company. In addition, he was responsible for mergers and acquisitions as well as information technology in his role at 3M and offers significant expertise in each of those areas. Further, his combination of domestic and international roles in complex global businesses provides him with an understanding of diverse political and regulatory systems. Mr. Campbell serves as the Chair of our Board of Directors.


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Lawrence H. Silber
Age 64

Director of the Company Since: 2016

Committees: None
Business Experience
President and Chief Executive Officer of Herc Holdings, since 2015.
Executive Advisor at Court Square Capital Partners, LLP, a private equity firm, from 2014 to 2015.
Chief Operating Officer of Hayward Industries, one of the world’s largest swimming pool equipment manufacturers, from 2008 to 2012.
Ingersoll Rand plc, a manufacturer of industrial products and components, from 1978 to 2008.
Other Public Company Directorships
Hayward Holdings, Inc.
Former Public Company Directorships
SMTC Corporation
Qualifications
Mr. Silber has extensive expertise and a deep knowledge of our business including its operations, business development matters and financial performance. His leadership has kept us well poised to continue our strategy of being the supplier, employer and investment choice in our industry.
James H. Browning
Independent Director
Age 71
Director of the Company Since: 2016

Committees: Finance Committee (Chair) and Audit Committee
Business ExperienceKPMG LLP, an audit, tax and advisory services firm, from 1971 to 2009, including serving as Partner and Southwest Area Professional Practice Partner from 1980 to 2009; SEC Reviewing Partner; and Partner in Charge of KPMG’s New Orleans audit practice.
Other Public Company Directorships
RigNet, Inc; Texas Capital Bancshares
Former Public Company DirectorshipsEndeavor International Corporation
QualificationsMr. Browning’s extensive financial knowledge and experience brings significant expertise to our Board. His public accounting experience with various industries during his long tenure with KPMG provides him with extensive knowledge and experience in addressing financial and accounting matters. In addition, his experience as chairman of the board of RigNet, Inc., together with his roles on other public company boards, including audit committees, provides him with a broad understanding of the responsibilities of public company boards and audit committees. Mr. Browning serves as Chair of the Finance Committee.


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Shari L. Burgess
Independent Director
Age 62
Director of the Company Since: 2020

Committees: Audit Committee and Finance Committee
Business Experience
Retired Vice President and Treasurer, Lear Corporation, a global automotive supplier of seating, electrical distribution and connections systems and electronic systems, from 2002 to 2021 and served in various financial roles at Lear beginning in 1992.
Other Public Company Directorships
None
Former Public Company DirectorshipsNone
QualificationsMs. Burgess’ experience as the vice president and treasurer at Lear Corporation brings significant executive and management experience to our Board. Her deep understanding of corporate finance, corporate structure, long-term strategy objectives and transactions provides her with insight into a variety of complex issues applicable to our growth as a Company. Her experience as Lear Corporation’s chief diversity officer from 2014 to 2018 and involvement in the promotion of diversity programs in the State of Michigan brings another dimension to our Board and will be beneficial to our development as a Company in the areas of diversity and corporate citizenship.
Jonathan Frates
Independent Director
Age 38

Director of the Company Since: 2019

Committees: Finance Committee
Business ExperienceManaging Director of Icahn Enterprises L.P., a diversified holding company, since 2018; he also served as Portfolio Company Associate from 2015 to 2018.
Other Public Company Directorships

SandRidge Energy, Inc.; CVR Partners LP; Viskase Companies, Inc.; CVR Energy, Inc.
Former Public Company DirectorshipsAmerican Railcar Industries, Inc.; CVR Refining, LP; Ferrous Resources Limited
QualificationsMr. Frates’ extensive financial and investment experience, knowledge of financial matters and company capitalization structures and a strong understanding of the complex business and financial issues encountered by companies in a variety of industries is beneficial to our growth as a Company. Mr. Frates is a director nominee designated by Mr. Icahn pursuant to the Nominating and Standstill Agreement we entered into with Mr. Icahn described under “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — Agreements with Carl C. Icahn.”



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Jean K. Holley
Independent Director
Age: 61

Director of the Company Since: 2017

Committees: Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee
Business Experience
Retired Global Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Brambles Limited, the global leader in supply chain and logistics, from 2011 to 2017.
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Tellabs, Inc., a company that designs, develops, deploys and supports telecommunications around the world, from 2004 to 2011.
Other Public Company Directorships

Accord Financial Corp.; OneSpan, Inc.
Former Public Company DirectorshipsNone
QualificationsMs. Holley’s experience as a former chief operating officer and a senior leader of a global company brings significant expertise to our board. Her understanding of information technology, strategy and operations benefits our Board of Directors as we seek long-term growth strategies. Her role as a member of the board of directors of an enterprise-wide security solutions company, provides her with extensive knowledge and experience with respect to information technology systems, cybersecurity and systems migrations.
Jacob M. Katz
Independent Director
Age: 68

Director of the Company Since: 2017

Committees: Audit Committee (Chair) and Finance Committee
Business Experience

Grant Thornton LLP, an independent audit, tax and advisory firm, until 2016, including: Chairman, National Managing Partner and Global Leader of Financial Services, Northeast Region Managing Partner from 2010 to 2013, New York Office Managing Partner from 2003 to 2013, Member of the Partnership Board from 1999 to 2012.
Other Public Company Directorships
Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.; Jefferies Group LLC
Former Public Company DirectorshipsNone
QualificationsMr. Katz’s experience as a former chairman of, and holding various leadership roles with, an international accounting firm brings significant experience and extensive knowledge to our board of directors in the areas of finance and accounting. During his career, Mr. Katz served as chairman of the board of Grant Thornton’s partnership board and held various managing partner and leadership roles. Mr. Katz serves as Chair of the Audit Committee.


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Michael A. Kelly
Independent Director
Age 64
Director of the Company Since: 2016

Committees: Compensation Committee (Chair) and Nominating & Governance Committee
Business Experience
Retired Executive Vice President, Electronics and Energy Business of 3M Company, a diversified global technology company, from 2012 to 2016; he also served as Executive Vice President of the Display and Graphic Business from 2006 to 2012, and in various management positions in the U.S., Singapore, Korea and Germany.
Other Public Company Directorships
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.
Former Public Company DirectorshipsNone
QualificationsMr. Kelly’s experience as a former executive vice president at 3M’s Electronic and Energy Business, with global responsibility for all operational and strategic elements of a $6 billion business brings substantial expertise to our Board of Directors. His knowledge and experience with respect to strategic planning, restructuring and general operational matters provides him with insight into various issues of importance to our future growth as a company. In addition, his service on the board of another public company, provides him with a broad understanding of the responsibilities of public company boards. Mr. Kelly serves as Chair of the Compensation Committee.
Andrew N. Langham
Independent Director
Age 47
Director of the Company Since: 2020

Committees: Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee
Business Experience
General Counsel of Icahn Enterprises L.P., a diversified holding company, since 2014.
Other Public Company Directorships
Cheniere Energy, Inc.; Occidental Petroleum Corporation; Welbilt, Inc.
Former Public Company DirectorshipsCVR Energy, Inc.; CVR Partners LP; CVR Refining, LP; Freeport-McMoRan Inc.; Newell Brands Inc.
QualificationsMr. Langham’s experience in corporate finance transactions, business combination transactions and other corporate matters gained through his tenure with Icahn Enterprises and Latham & Watkins adds significant value to our Board. In addition, Mr. Langham’s experience on public company boards provides him with a broad understanding of the responsibilities of public company directors with respect to corporate governance and compensation. Mr. Langham is a director designated by Mr. Icahn pursuant to the Nominating and Standstill Agreement we entered into with Mr. Icahn described under “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions –– Agreements with Carl C. Icahn.”


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Mary Pat Salomone
Independent Director
Age 60
Director of the Company Since: 2016

Committees: Audit Committee and Finance Committee
Business Experience
Retired Chief Operations Officer of The Babcock & Wilcox Company, a technology innovator in power generation systems and specialty manufacturer of nuclear components, from 2010 to 2013, and also served in business development and strategic acquisition roles from 2008 to 2009.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Marine Mechanical Corporation, a manufacturer of electro-mechanical equipment, from 2001 to 2007.
Other Public Company Directorships
Intertape Polymer Group; TC Energy Corporation
Former Public Company DirectorshipsNone
QualificationsMs. Salomone’s experience as a former chief operating officer brings significant executive and management experience to our Board. Her deep understanding of operations and experience with complex government contracts, health, safety and human resources matters and strategic acquisitions provides her with insight into a variety of issues applicable to our growth as a Company. In addition, her experience as a board member of a public company traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange provides her with insight into the Canadian market, where we conduct a portion of our business.
Andrew J. Teno
Independent Director
Age 36
Director of the Company Since: 2021

Committees: Finance Committee
Business Experience
Portfolio Manager of Icahn Capital LP, the entity through which Carl C. Icahn manages investment funds, since October 2020.
Director of Fir Tree Partners, a private investment firm, from 2011 to 2020.
Other Public Company DirectorshipsCheniere Energy, Inc., FirstEnergy Corp.
Former Public Company DirectorshipsEco-Stim Energy
QualificationsMr. Teno has extensive financial and investment experience and a strong understanding of the complex business and financial issues encountered by companies in a variety of industries. His knowledge of financial matters, company capitalization structures and the capital markets gained through his tenure with investment banking firms and an M&A advisory boutique provides him with insight into issues applicable to us. Mr. Teno is a director nominee designated by Mr. Icahn pursuant to the Nominating and Standstill Agreement we entered into with Mr. Icahn described under “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions –– Agreements with Carl C. Icahn.”



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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance
Our business is managed with the oversight of our Board of Directors. Our Board is committed to good corporate governance and promoting the long-term interests of our stockholders by adopting structures, policies and practices that we believe strengthen the Board and promote responsible oversight of management. Our By-Laws, Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of each of our Board committees provide the framework for the corporate governance. A copy of our By-Laws, Corporate Governance Guidelines, as well as the charters of each Board committee, are available under the Investor Relations section of our website at http://ir.hercrentals.com.
Our Board Leadership
The Board believes it is important to retain flexibility to allocate the responsibilities of the offices of the Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Office (“CEO”) in a manner that is in the best interests of the Company, including the flexibility to determine whether these offices should be combined or separate. The Board believes the decision as to who should serve as Chair and CEO, and whether the offices should be combined or separate, should be assessed periodically by the Board, and the Board should not be constrained by a rigid policy mandating the structure of such positions. The Board currently believes the most effective and efficient leadership structure is for an independent director to serve as the non-executive Chair of the Board (“Independent Non-Executive Chair”). Mr. Campbell currently serves as the Independent Non-Executive Chair of the Board.
The Board believes that the current leadership structure benefits the Company by delineating roles of management and oversight over management. Our CEO and his management team provide the overall strategy and day-to-day leadership for our Company, and the Board, along with the Independent Non-Executive Chair, provides oversight and evaluates the performance of management. The Independent Non-Executive Chair, in consultation with the CEO, has responsibility for chairing and determining the length and frequency of Board meetings as well as setting the agenda for such meetings. The Independent Non-Executive Chair also sets the agenda for and chairs the Board’s regularly-scheduled executive sessions in which management (other than Mr. Silber) does not participate. The Board also holds regular executive sessions where only our independent directors attend. The Independent Non-Executive Chair (or, in his absence, another independent director selected by the independent directors present at such executive session) presides over the executive sessions to facilitate the discussion. In addition, the Independent Non-Executive Chair also significantly assists in evaluating and in setting the compensation of our CEO by conferring with other independent members of the Board regarding our CEO’s performance.
Board Independence
Our Board has determined that each director nominee, other than Mr. Silber, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is “independent” under our standards for determining director independence, which are specified in Annex A to our Corporate Governance Guidelines. These standards for determining director independence are consistent with the federal securities laws and applicable New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards. The Board also determined that Mr. Herbert L. Henkel, Mr. Louis J. Pastor and Mr. Nicholas F. Graziano, each of whom served as a director during 2020, were independent.
In recommending to the Board that each of those directors be classified as independent, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered whether there were any facts or circumstances that might impair the independence of each of those persons including, with respect to Messrs. Frates, Pastor, Graziano, Langham and Teno, the agreements described in “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions –– Agreements with Carl C. Icahn.”
Board Committees
Our Board has four standing committees – the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Finance Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Each committee has a written charter. Each member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee meets the independence and eligibility standards necessary for service on such committee pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the respective charter of each committee and the relevant federal securities laws and NYSE listing standards. Similarly, each member of the Finance Committee meets the director independence standards established by the NYSE listing standards. Our Board has designated Messrs. Browning and Katz and Ms. Burgess as “audit committee financial experts.”

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Membership, Meetings and Roles and Responsibilities of the Board Committees
Audit Committee
MembersRoles and Responsibilities
Katz (Chair)
Browning
Burgess
Salomone
Oversees our accounting, financial and external reporting policies and practices as well as the integrity of our financial statements.
Monitors the independence, qualifications and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm.
Oversees the performance of our internal audit function and operational policies and practices that affect our internal controls.
Monitors our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Reviews the annual internal audit plan and the commitment of internal audit resources, in each case as they relate to risk management.
Prepares our Audit Committee’s report included in our annual proxy statement.
Number of
Meetings in 2020
8


Compensation Committee
MembersRoles and Responsibilities
Kelly (Chair)
Campbell
Holley
Langham
Evaluates the performance of our CEO as it relates to all elements of compensation, as well as the goals and objectives of our senior executives.
Approves the annual incentive compensation targets and payouts and grants to our most senior executives under our long-term incentive plan.
Prepares a report on executive compensation required for inclusion in our annual proxy statement.

Number of
Meetings in 2020
8



Nominating and Governance Committee
MembersRoles and Responsibilities
Campbell (Chair)
Holley
Kelly
Langham
Assists our Board in determining the skills, qualities and eligibility of individuals recommended for membership on our Board.
Reviews the composition of our Board and its committees to determine whether it may be appropriate to add or remove individuals.
Reviews and evaluates directors for re-nomination and re-appointment to committees.
Reviews and assesses the adequacy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Directors’ Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Reviews and recommends to the Board the form and amount of compensation paid to directors.
Reviews issues related to corporate social responsibility and our relationships and visibility as a corporate citizen, both locally and globally.
Number of
Meetings in 2020
5




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Finance Committee
MembersRoles and Responsibilities
Browning (Chair)
Burgess
Frates
Katz
Salomone
Teno
• Assists our Board in its oversight of the Company’s financing policies.
• Reviews, approves and recommends to our Board matters pertaining to our financial structure, short and long-term financing in both the public and private markets, and other financial matters of importance.
• Approves certain mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.
• Reviews and recommends to our Board matters pertaining to our dividend policy and share repurchases.
• Periodically reviews funding, asset performance and strategies for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans and delegation of authority policy.
Number of
Meetings in 2020
4
Our Board's Oversight Role
Strategic Oversight
Our Board actively oversees the development and execution of our strategies. These strategies encompass both financial and operational strategies, as well as strategies focused on capital allocation, talent development and executive succession, legal, and strategic investments. Over the course of the year, management and our Board discuss the development and execution of our strategic plans as well as events that bear upon those plans. Our Board further monitors strategic execution through standing presentations at regular Board and Committee meetings and communications from management in between meetings.
Risk Oversight
The Board oversees our risk management with a focus on the most significant risks we face, including strategic, operational, financial and legal compliance risks. The Board’s risk oversight process builds upon management’s risk assessment and mitigation processes, which include an enterprise risk management program, regular internal management disclosure committee meetings, a code of conduct that applies to all employees, executives and directors, an ethics and compliance program and comprehensive internal audit processes. The Board’s risk oversight role also includes the selection and oversight of the independent auditors. The Board implements its risk oversight function both as a Board and through delegation to Board committees, which meet regularly and report back to the Board. The Board has delegated the oversight of specific risks to Board committees that align with their functional responsibilities.
Our enterprise risk management process helps us identify, prioritize and manage risks that have the potential to present the most significant obstacles to achieving business objectives. Our enterprise-wide risk management (“ERM”) committee, comprised of members of senior management, including our Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Vice President of Internal Audit and Chief Compliance Officer, meets regularly to oversee this process and efforts undertaken to identify and manage the most significant risks we face. Our Vice President of Internal Audit reports annually to our Board on this process.
Our Board, directly or through its Committees, also oversees management of the following risk areas:
Accounting Risk: The Audit Committee oversees our management of financial, accounting, and internal controls through interaction at each meeting with the Chief Financial Officer, management from our financial, accounting, and auditing functions (as appropriate) and representatives from our independent registered public accounting firm.
Financial Risk: The Finance Committee oversees our capital and liquidity risks through interaction at each meeting with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
Environmental, Social and Governance Risk: The Nominating and Governance Committee oversees risks related to Board organization, membership and structure and other corporate governance matters. The Nominating and Governance Committee also has oversight of environmental and social responsibility matters.
Legal and Compliance Risk: Our Board, both directly and through the Audit Committee, receives regular updates on various legal and compliance matters, such as developments in litigation, enterprise risks, compliance risks and our compliance program (including allegations of non-compliance). In addition, regular updates to the Audit Committee by our Vice President of Internal Audit provide insight into our risk assessment and risk management practices, policies and processes.


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Executive Compensation Program Risk: The Compensation Committee considers the extent to which the executive compensation program may create risk for us (see “Risk Considerations in our Compensation Program” below for a more detailed description).
Cybersecurity Risk: The Audit Committee oversees our cybersecurity program and management of the associated risks. The Audit Committee receives regular updates from our Chief Information Security Officer on cybersecurity matters and the related risk management program.
Risk Considerations in our Compensation Program
In 2020, we conducted a review of the risk profile of our compensation policies and practices. Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”), as independent compensation advisor to the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of management, prepared a risk profile assessment of our compensation policies and practices and presented the findings to the Compensation Committee. Based in part on such assessment, the Compensation Committee determined that our executive compensation policies and practices, in conjunction with our existing processes and controls, are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
Selecting Nominees to the Board
The Nominating and Governance Committee has the responsibility for identifying, evaluating and making recommendations about nominees to the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee:
Reviews candidates’ qualifications for membership on the Board based on the criteria approved by the Board and taking into account the enhanced independence, financial literacy and financial expertise standards that may be required under law or NYSE rules for committee membership purposes;
Assesses the performance and independence of current directors in evaluating current directors for re-nomination to the Board; and
Periodically reviews the composition of the Board in light of the current challenges and needs of the Board and the Company, and determine whether it may be appropriate to add or remove individuals after considering issues of judgment, diversity, age, skills, background, experience, independence and any other factors that may be deemed appropriate by the Committee or the Board, including governance, social and economic issues.
Each director nominee standing for election at the Annual Meeting is a current director and was elected at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, other than Ms. Burgess who was elected to the Board on December 3, 2020 and Mr. Teno who was elected to the Board of Directors on February 15, 2021.
Implementation and Assessment of Policies Regarding Director Attributes
The Nominating and Governance Committee, when making recommendations to the Board regarding director nominations, assesses the overall performance of the Board, and when re-nominating incumbent Board members or nominating new Board members, evaluates the potential candidate’s ability to make a positive contribution to the Board’s overall function. Candidates recommended by stockholders are evaluated in the same manner as candidates identified by other means.
The Nominating and Governance Committee considers the actual performance of incumbent Board members over the previous year, as well as whether the Board has an appropriately diverse membership. The Nominating and Governance Committee also takes into consideration any written arrangements for director nominations to which we are a party, including the Nomination and Standstill Agreement we entered into with Carl C. Icahn, described under “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions –– Agreements with Carl C. Icahn.” The particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of the potential candidate are assessed by the Nominating and Governance Committee to determine whether the potential candidate possesses the professional and personal experiences and expertise necessary to enhance the Board. Based on this assessment, the Nominating and Governance Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding director nominees. In its assessment of director nominees, the Nominating and Governance Committee does not take a formulaic approach, but rather considers each prospective nominee’s diversity in perspectives, personal and professional experiences and background and ability. In making director nominations, the Nominating and Governance Committee takes into account the overall diversity of the Board and evaluates the Board in light of, among other things, the attributes discussed in the section titled “Policy on Diversity” below.


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Board and Committee Evaluation Process
The Board and each Committee conducts an annual self-evaluation to determine whether it is functioning effectively. The Nominating and Governance Committee oversees the self-evaluation process, including developing the annual written questionnaire to be completed by each Board member. Topics covered by the questionnaire include roles and responsibilities, structure of Board Committees, access to information and Company employees, and meeting materials. The Chair of the Board reviews the responses to the questionnaires and discusses the results with the Board and each Committee in executive session. The self-evaluation process provides the Board and each Committee with actionable feedback to enhance its performance and effectiveness.
Succession Planning
We believe that providing for continuity of leadership at both the Board and at the senior management level is critical to our success and we place a high priority on robust talent development. The Board regularly reviews long-term succession plans for the CEO. With the assistance of the CEO and our Senior Vice President - Chief Human Resources Officer, the Compensation Committee, at least annually, formally reviews the performance of the members of senior management and succession plans for those members, including reviewing the qualifications, experience, development plans and progress of internal CEO and senior management candidates. Further, we provide opportunities for the directors to engage with key talent and employees at various levels.
The Nominating and Governance Committee regularly evaluates the composition of the Board and succession plans. The Committee considers the needs of the Board and the Company in light of the overall composition of the Board with a view of achieving a balance of skills, experience and attributes that would contribute to the Board’s overall effectiveness and oversight of management. In addition, an evaluation of the Board, its effectiveness and its needs is part of the Board’s annual self-evaluation process.
Policy on Diversity
The Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Nominating and Governance Committee charter identify a number of factors, including diversity, that the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider when evaluating directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee interprets diversity broadly to mean a variety of opinions, perspectives, personal and professional experiences and backgrounds, such as international and multicultural experience and understanding, as well as other differentiating characteristics, including race, ethnicity and gender. The Board has three directors who are women.
Director Resignation
The Board generally will not nominate a non-management director for election at an annual meeting if that person has reached age 72.
In accordance with our By‑Laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines, each director has submitted, or upon his or her nomination will submit, a contingent resignation to the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee. The resignation will become effective only if the director fails to receive a sufficient number of votes for election or re-election and the Board accepts the resignation. In the event of a contested director election, a plurality voting standard will apply.
Board Meetings and Annual Meeting Attendance
Our Board met six times in 2020. In 2020, each director nominee attended over 88% of the meetings of the Board and committees on which he or she served during the applicable period of service. Director attendance at annual meetings of stockholders is encouraged. Each director nominee then in office attended the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.
Director Stock Ownership Guidelines
Our independent directors are required to meet certain stock ownership guidelines. We believe this further aligns directors’ interests with those of our stockholders. Under these guidelines, the independent directors are expected, over a period of five years from the date they are elected as an independent director or are otherwise determined to be independent, to acquire and hold a number of shares of our common stock equivalent to five times their base annual cash retainer, currently $400,000.



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Corporate Governance Guidelines
We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that establish a common set of expectations to assist the Board and committees in performing their duties. The Corporate Governance Guidelines includes policies regarding director independence, the retirement age of directors, simultaneous service on other boards and committees of others boards, continuing education of directors and substantial changes relating to a director’s affiliation, position of principal employment or other board membership. Among other things, the Corporate Governance Guidelines establish responsibilities for meeting preparation and participation, and the evaluation of our financial performance and strategic planning.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a written Code of Ethics, which requires all employees, officers and directors to avoid conflicts of interests, and a written Directors’ Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Directors’ Code”) applicable to the Board. Our Code of Ethics and our Directors’ Code are available under the Investor Relations section of our website at http://ir.hercrentals.com. We intend to include on our website information about any amendments to, or waivers from, a provision of the Code of Ethics that apply to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller in accordance with SEC rules.
Stockholder Communications with the Board
Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to contact any of our directors or any group of directors may send written correspondence to: Herc Holdings Inc., 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Communications addressed to directors that discuss business or other matters relevant to the activities of our Board will be preliminarily reviewed by the office of the Corporate Secretary. Depending upon the nature of the communication and to whom it is directed, the Corporate Secretary will: (a) forward the communication, either in summary form or a copy of the communication, to the appropriate director or directors; (b) forward the communication to the relevant department within the Company; or (c) attempt to handle the matter directly (for example, a communication dealing with a share ownership matter).




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PROPOSAL 2: Advisory Vote To Approve Executive Compensation
We are offering you a non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”).
As detailed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we have designed our compensation programs, among other things, to:
Properly incentivize our NEOs to accomplish our short- and long-term objectives;
Be in line with similar pay practices and overall compensation levels at other, similarly-situated companies;
Reward our NEOs for overall Company performance and their individual performance; and
Attract and retain our NEOs.
Accordingly, you may cast an advisory vote on the following resolution at the 2021 annual meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Summary Compensation Table and related tabular and narrative disclosures in this proxy statement is hereby APPROVED.”
Effect of Proposal
The effect of this vote is advisory only and non-binding. The Board and Compensation Committee will consider the results of the vote in making future decisions regarding our NEOs’ compensation. The Board values the opinions of our stockholders and is committed to considering their opinions in making decisions.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR approval, by a non-binding
advisory vote, of the named executive officers’ compensation.



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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Introduction
The Compensation Committee believes our compensation philosophy and executive compensation program should align with our business strategy and objectives and our business purpose. We believe that our pay-for-performance driven executive compensation program links our executive officer compensation with delivering results that support our business strategy and objectives.
Our named executive officers (“NEOs”) for 2020 are:
Lawrence H. Silber, our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and President;
Mark H. Irion, our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”);
Aaron Birnbaum, our Chief Operating Officer (“COO”);
Christian J. Cunningham, our Chief Human Resources Officer; and
Tamir Peres, our Chief Information Officer.
Executive Summary
Fiscal 2020 was a challenging year due to the disruptive impact COVID-19 had on the global economy. Our team quickly responded to the economic crisis and implemented new operating procedures and cost-control initiatives to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. As part of our response, we mobilized to ensure the safety of our employees and our customers by implementing new safety precautions related to social distancing and use of protective personal equipment in order to continue to meet the needs of our customers are providing essential services in the communities we serve.
In determining 2020 executive compensation, the Compensation Committee considered our response to the economic crisis and the strong operating performance achieved in an uncertain environment, as well as individual performance.
Throughout 2020, the Compensation Committee monitored the economic environment and reviewed our compensation programs and practices to ensure they remained aligned with our business strategy and objectives and our business purpose. In the second quarter, we froze salaries for senior executives and paused and later cancelled our annual merit review for 2020. Following the second quarter, we re-established earnings guidance as the economic outlook began to stabilize. In connection with the reissuance of guidance, the Compensation Committee updated the 2020 Executive Incentive Plan (“EICP”) and approved threshold and target performance levels that aligned with the guidance and our revised annual operating plan for the remainder of the year. In recognition of the economic environment and the aforementioned updates to the EICP, the Compensation Committee eliminated the opportunity to earn an above-target payout and capped the maximum potential payout of the 2020 EICP at 90% of the participant’s target award, excluding the individual performance factor. The Compensation Committee believed the structure of the 2020 EICP appropriately incentivized the achievement of our business strategy and objectives for the remainder of the year while recognizing the adverse impact COVID-19 had on our financial performance.
In 2018, the Compensation Committee granted performance share unit awards (“PSUs”) for the 2018 to 2020 performance period (the “2018 PSUs”). After the first quarter of 2020, we projected that the 2018 PSUs would achieve a payout of approximately 181% based on our return on invested capital (“ROIC”) performance for the first nine quarters of the twelve quarter performance period. However, our ROIC performance was significantly impacted by the economic crisis over the final three quarters of the performance period. The Compensation Committee determined not to exercise discretion to reflect the impact of the economic crisis for the 2018 PSUs. The Compensation Committee certified actual performance of 130.8% for the 2018 to 2020 performance period.
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Executive Compensation Practices
The Compensation Committee has developed our compensation philosophy and our executive compensation program to closely align with our business purpose, including our commitment to stockholder value creation, which is articulated in our Vision, Mission and Values:
image1.jpg

We believe our compensation structure for executives demonstrates our strong commitment to linking compensation to Company performance, strategy and business purpose. The Compensation Committee reviews on an ongoing basis our executive compensation program to evaluate whether it supports our executive compensation philosophy and objectives and is aligned with our business purpose, including the creation of stockholder value. In 2020, stockholders overwhelmingly approved our advisory executive compensation proposal with approximately 94.4% of the votes cast in favor. In light of stockholders’ support, our 2020 executive compensation program remained largely unchanged from 2019, other than the change in the EICP implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Compensation Committee believes that as we continue to advance our long-term strategy, it is important to have stable compensation programs that can be clearly understood and fully transparent to the participants and stockholders. We believe our executive compensation program continues to align well with market practices within our compensation peer group and provides a strong link between performance achieved and compensation delivered.


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As illustrated in the charts below, the mix of total target compensation granted in 2020 to our NEOs was heavily weighted towards performance-based and long-term incentive compensation, with long-term incentive awards making up approximately 44.3% of total target compensation for our NEOs in aggregate.
chart-ccc6846de67b4e2a9941.jpgchart-7fd0e5a8ae374726b2e1.jpg
Our executive compensation practices include the following, each of which the Compensation Committee believes reinforces our executive compensation objectives:
Our Executive Compensation Practices
üSignificant percentage of target total compensation is performance based
üLong-term objectives designed to be aligned with the creation of stockholder value
üMarket comparison of executive compensation against an industry and size appropriate peer group
üUse of an independent compensation consultant reporting directly to the Compensation Committee
üDouble-trigger vesting for equity awards in the event of a change in control
üStock ownership guidelines
üClawback policy
üAnnual say-on-pay vote
ûWe do not have tax gross-ups
ûWe do not have excessive severance benefits
ûWe do not allow dividends or dividend equivalents on unearned or unvested awards
ûWe do not allow repricing of underwater stock options without stockholder approval
û
We do not allow hedging, short sales or pledging of our securities
Executive Compensation Program – Decision-Making Process
Compensation Philosophy and the Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews and establishes the executive compensation program for our senior executives, including the NEOs. The Compensation Committee is committed to creating incentives for our senior executives that reward them for the Company’s, as well as their individual, performance. The executive compensation philosophy is based on guiding principles:
The compensation program should be aligned with our financial performance: The Compensation Committee believes that creating goals that are aligned with our financial performance will focus executives on the long-term interests of our stockholders.
The compensation design should be simple, transparent and clearly articulated to participants and our stockholders: The Compensation Committee believes that our executive compensation program should be clear (i) to participants in order to motivate achievement of business goals that we believe support the long-term success


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of the Company and (ii) to our stockholders who can assess whether the program supports our long-term performance. 
The compensation program should provide short- and long-term components to drive performance over the long run: Long-term results are important to our stockholders and the Compensation Committee believes that a compensation program that rewards annual and multi-year results provides a framework for superior long-term performance.
The compensation program should be competitive and market-based to attract and retain senior executives: The Compensation Committee believes our executive compensation program should provide compensation at a level and using a combination of incentives that will allow us to attract, retain and reward talented individuals at every position.
The compensation program should responsibly balance incentives with prudent risk management: The Compensation Committee believes that responsible use of different types of incentives with appropriate goals and caps will create and foster a culture of growth that is sustainable and appropriate for us.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
Meridian provides executive compensation consulting services to the Compensation Committee. Meridian is retained by and reports directly to the Compensation Committee. Meridian is prohibited from performing any services for management outside of services needed in connection with advising the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has assessed Meridian’s independence and concluded that Meridian’s work for the Compensation Committee does not raise any conflict of interest.
Role of the CEO
Our CEO provides input to the Compensation Committee on topics related to business and executive officer performance. As part of this process, our CEO reviews and makes observations regarding performance and provides additional data and detail for the Compensation Committee to consider regarding the overall compensation program and with respect to executive compensation decisions. While our CEO provides a perspective on Company performance as well as the performance of our other senior executives, the Compensation Committee makes final determinations regarding compensation.
Competitive Market Review
A key objective of our executive compensation program is to provide competitive and market-based compensation to attract and retain executive officers. For 2020, the Compensation Committee considered market pay practices when setting executive compensation to assess the overall competitiveness and reasonableness of our executive compensation program. The Committee, however, did not target the specific compensation elements or total compensation against the market data. The Compensation Committee believes that compensation decisions are complex and require a deliberate review of a number of factors, including Company and individual performance, the executive’s experience, including number of years in the role, the scope of the role, criticality of the role to the Company, internal equity, peer compensation levels and compensation received from prior employers.
The Compensation Committee believes that our peer group should reflect the markets in which we compete for business and executive talent. Accordingly, our peer group includes equipment rental and leasing companies and distributors whose primary market is North America and whose revenue ranges from approximately $573 million to $8.5 billion. The median revenue, market capitalization and total assets of this peer group, as reported by Meridian, was $2.0 billion, $3.7 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively. The peer group used for evaluating 2020 compensation decisions consisted of the companies below, which is the same peer group that was used for evaluating 2019 compensation decisions.
Aggreko plcH&E Equipment ServicesRitchie Bros Auctioneers Inc.
Applied Industrial Tech Inc.KAR Auction Services Inc.Triton International Ltd.
Ashtead Group plcMcGrath RentcorpUnited Rentals, Inc.
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
Mobile Mini, Inc.(1)
Watsco Inc.
Fastenal CompanyNOW Inc.
GATX Corp.Pool Corp.
(1)    Data for Mobile Mini is prior to the merger with WillScot Corporation


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Elements of Executive Compensation Program
Principal Elements of the 2020 Executive Compensation Program
Element
Type
How and Why We Pay It
Salary

Fixed Cash

Paid throughout the year to attract and retain senior executives

Sets the baseline for bonus and certain retirement programs
Annual Cash Bonus




Performance-Based Cash




Paid annually in cash to reward achievement of goals

Designed to align senior executives’ interests with our stockholders’ interests, reinforce key strategic initiatives and encourage superior individual performance
Long-Term Equity



PSUs
RSUs

Granted annually

Designed to align senior executives’ interests with stockholders’ interests and drive key performance goals
We place a significant emphasis on performance-based compensation (short- and long-term) so that a substantial percentage of each NEO’s total direct target compensation is contingent on the successful achievement of our strategic goals, in accordance with our compensation philosophy. In 2020, the CEO's target compensation was comprised of 78.2% at risk compensation and the average of all other NEO's target compensation was comprised of 66.4% at risk compensation.
We also based a significant portion of each NEO's target compensation on Company stock to further align our executives with stockholders. In 2020, 56.5% of the CEO's target compensation was equity based and an average of 41.2% of all other NEO's target compensation was equity based. If the share price decreases, so will the value of the equity award realized compared to the original grant value. When the stock price increases, the stockholder is rewarded, and the value of the long-term grant reflects the higher stock price.
Annual Cash Compensation
Salary
The Compensation Committee establishes NEO salaries and determines any NEO salary increases after reviewing individual performance, conducting internal compensation comparisons and reviewing competitive compensation information. It also takes into account other factors such as an individual’s experience, number of years in the role, total mix and scope of job responsibilities versus market comparables, internal equity and time elapsed since last increase. The Compensation Committee approved a salary increase for Mr. Irion in 2020 to reflect his strong performance.
2020 Salary2019 SalaryIncrease
Name($)($)(%)
Mr. Silber925,000 925,000 — 
Mr. Irion475,000 450,000 5.6 
Mr. Birnbaum (1)
450,000 — — 
Mr. Peres430,000 430,000 — 
Mr. Cunningham420,000 420,000 — 
(1)    Mr. Birnbaum was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer effective January 1, 2020.



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2020 Annual Cash Incentive Award Program
Our annual cash incentive award program is designed to motivate and reward executive officers for achieving short-term performance objectives. The EICP provides participants, including the NEOs, with annual cash incentive award opportunities for the achievement of pre-established performance goals that were designed by the Compensation Committee to support long-term stockholder value creation. Individual EICP payouts are calculated as follows:
Base Salary
X
Target Percentage
X
Company Performance Score
X
Individual Performance Score
=
EICP Award
Historically, the EICP provides target payout opportunities that are expressed as a percentage of a participant’s base salary, with potential payouts ranging from 0% to 200% of target. In 2020, the Compensation Committee revised the potential payout opportunities under the company performance component of the EICP to 0% to 90% of target in recognition of the adverse impact COVID-19 had on our financial performance.
Target Percentage
The Compensation Committee generally considers the experience, responsibilities, internal pay equity, competitive market data and historical performance of each NEO when determining target awards. For 2020, the Compensation Committee did not make changes to the target opportunities, as a percentage of base salary, for any NEO.
Target Award as a % of 2020 SalaryTarget Award
Named Executive Officer(%)($)
Mr. Silber100925,000 
Mr. Irion75356,250 
Mr. Birnbaum75337,500 
Mr. Cunningham75315,000 
Mr. Peres 75322,500 
Company Performance Score
The Company Performance Score is a combination of financial metrics and management business objectives (“MBOs”) selected by the Compensation Committee. For 2020, the financial metrics represent 70% of target award and the MBOs represent 20% of the target award, providing each NEO a total payout opportunity of 90% of the NEO’s target EICP award.
Financial Metrics
The financial metrics are broadly aligned with key elements of our annual business plan. Development of our annual business plan is a robust process that is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee selected the financial metrics as they are viewed as core drivers of our performance and long-term stockholder value creation.
In February 2020, prior to the time the Committee could have anticipated the impact of COVID-19, the Committee established the following financial metrics and weightings:

Adjusted EBITDA(1) (in millions)
Return on Revenue Earning Equipment(1)
Equipment Rental Revenue Growth
Free Cash Flow (in millions)
Threshold(2)
$726.0 18.5 %2.1 %$125.0 
Target$779.0 19.9 %3.5 %$150.0 
Maximum$883.0 21.5 %4.6 %$175.0 
Weighting50 %30 %10 %10 %




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Following the second quarter, we re-established earnings guidance as the economic outlook began to stabilize. In connection with the reissuance of guidance, the Compensation Committee updated the 2020 EICP and approved threshold and target performance levels that aligned with the guidance and our revised annual operating plan for the remainder of the year. The Compensation Committee believed the structure of the 2020 EICP appropriately incentivized the achievement of our business strategy and objectives for the remainder of the year while recognizing the adverse impact COVID-19 had on our financial performance. The 2020 financial metrics and weightings are:
Adjusted EBITDA(1) (in millions)
Return on Revenue Earning Equipment(1)
Equipment Rental Revenue Growth
Free Cash Flow (in millions)
Threshold(2)
$625.0 16.6 %(12.1)%$305.0 
Target(3)
$649.3 17.1 %(11.5)%$329.8 
Weighting50 %30 %10 %10 %
(1)    Adjusted EBITDA and Return on Revenue Earning Equipment are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
(2)    Any performance results that are below the threshold receive a 0% multiplier. Linear interpolation is used to determine level of achievement for results that are between the threshold and target performance levels.
(3)    Performance results that equal or exceed the target performance level are capped at the 70% payout.

Management Business Objectives
The MBOs are strategic objectives selected by the Compensation Committee that are aligned with our business purpose and are considered important to our long-term financial and operational performance and the health and safety of our employees. The MBOs selected by the Compensation Committee for 2020 were: (i) Safety—targets to exceed prior-year performance and industry average; (ii) Finance—efficiencies and governance; (iii) Operations—focused effort to reduce transportation costs; (iv) Information Technology—modernization and transformation of our information technology systems; and (v) People and Culture—reduce turnover, increase internal promotions rate, and increase engagement.
The Compensation Committee did not assign relative weights to the individual MBO factors and considers the aggregate performance in determining the level of achievement. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to remove an MBO in assessing performance. The Compensation Committee did not exercise such discretion for 2020.
Actual Company Performance vs. Target Goals
The table below shows our actual performance compared to the targets pre-established by the Compensation Committee:
($ in millions)TargetActualPerformance a % of TargetWeighted Score
Adjusted EBITDA$649.3 $689.4 106.2 %110.2%
Return on Revenue Earning Equipment17.1 %18.4 %107.6 %
Equipment Rental Revenue Growth(11.5)%(9.3)%119.1 %
Free Cash Flow$329.8 $424.5 128.7 %
TargetPerformance as % of TargetWeighted Score
MBOs(1) Safety; (2) Finance; (3) Operations; (4) Information Technology; and (5) People and Culture100 %100%
Company Performance Score90%
Even though we achieved an above target Company Performance Score, the Compensation Committee capped the maximum EICP payout at the target payout of 90%. If the Compensation Committee had not updated the 2020 EICP, we would have achieved an EICP payout of approximately 36%.



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Individual Performance Score
In determining each NEO's EICP award, the Compensation Committee considers individual performance for the year. The NEO's individual performance score may range from 0-150% (the “Individual Performance Score”). In evaluating the appropriate Individual Performance Score, the Compensation Committee considered various qualitative factors, such as the NEO’s:
performance in his or her principal area of responsibility;
degree of success in leading the Company to meet its strategic objectives; and
championing of the values and competencies that are important to our success.
The Compensation Committee did not assign relative weights to any individual factors. Based on its assessment of individual performance and taking into account the recommendations of the CEO for each of the other NEOs, the Compensation Committee approved Individual Performance Scores of 110% for each NEO to reflect the significant team-based efforts of each NEO to achieving results driving this extraordinary year.
Long‑Term Equity Incentives
Long-term equity incentive compensation comprises a significant portion of the total compensation paid to our senior executives and is deemed by the Compensation Committee to be critical to aligning our NEO’s compensation with our business purpose, including long-term stockholder value creation. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, our equity incentive program is more heavily weighted toward performance based awards. Performance share units (“PSUs”) comprise 70% of the annual equity award and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) comprise 30% of the award.
Summary of 2020 Annual Award Structure
In February 2020, the Compensation Committee awarded long-term equity incentive compensation under the Herc Holdings Inc. 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended to date, the “2018 Omnibus Plan”). The Compensation Committee has the flexibility to make equity awards based on our common stock, including time- and performance-based awards of RSUs, PSUs, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and deferred stock units.
In determining the target value of the awards, the Compensation Committee considered the competitive pay practices at companies within the peer group and individual performance. For PSUs, the target vesting level was designed to be achievable with significant effort and strong Company performance, while vesting at the maximum level was designed to be difficult to achieve.
For 2020, the Committee selected average return on invested capital (“Average ROIC”) as the performance measure for PSUs because it is one of the primary metrics used to analyze investment decisions, measuring both profitability and capital efficiency. PSUs will vest at the end of the three-year performance period and the NEO will earn a number of shares based upon achievement of the Average ROIC during the performance period. RSUs vest ratably over a three-year period following the grant date.
In 2020, the Committee granted Mr. Peres a special PSU for the 2020 to 2022 performance period. The Committee selected the achievement of certain strategic initiatives as the performance measure under the award. The special PSUs will vest at the end of the three year performance period, subject to the achievement of the performance objectives.
For more information about the 2020 PSU and RSU awards, see the “2020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below.



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2018 PSUs
In order to more closely align our performance with the equipment rental industry, the Compensation Committee established the performance metric for 2018-2020 PSUs based on Average ROIC.
3-Year Average ROIC(1)
ROICPayout Percentageas a % of Target
Threshold6.0 %50 %82 %
Target7.3 %100 %100 %
Maximum8.6 %200 %118 %
Actual Performance7.7 %130.8 %105.5 %
(1)    Average ROIC is a financial performance measure. Refer to Appendix A for a calculation of Average ROIC for the performance period.
The following table shows the target PSUs granted and PSUs earned.
Named Executive OfficerTarget Granted PSUs
(#)
2018–2020 PSUs Earned
(#)
Mr. Silber24,149 31,587 
Mr. Irion9,016 11,793 
Mr. Birnbaum3,150 4,120 
Mr. Cunningham4,358 5,700 
Mr. Peres3,150 4,120 

Other Compensation Elements
Retirement Programs
We maintain a qualified defined contribution plan in which our NEOs are eligible to participate on the same basis as other eligible employees. In addition, we maintain non-qualified retirement plans. As of December 31, 2020, certain of our NEOs participated in Herc Rentals Supplemental Income Savings Plan (the “Supplemental Plan”), a non-qualified deferred compensation plan and none of our NEOs participated in any defined benefit plan.
Perquisite Policy
We provide perquisites and other personal benefits to our senior management that the Compensation Committee believes are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation program. These perquisites consist of (i) a Company-provided vehicle, (ii) tax and financial planning with a value of up to $7,500 annually and (iii) executive medical benefits providing for a comprehensive physical examination and related services with value of up to $6,000 annually.
We use leased corporate aircraft for the purpose of encouraging and facilitating business travel by our CEO, other senior executives authorized by our CEO, and directors, generally for travel in the United States and, less frequently, Canada. In addition, the Compensation Committee has authorized our CEO to use our leased corporate aircraft for personal air travel, up to a maximum annual value of $100,000. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews our perquisite policies.
Severance and Change in Control Policy
We maintain a severance and change in control policy (the “Severance Policy”) for our senior executives. In adopting the Severance Policy, it was the intention of the Compensation Committee to provide senior executives with severance arrangements that they would view as appropriate in light of their existing arrangements, while at the same time considering the terms of arrangements provided by peer companies. The Severance Policy and the treatment of equity awards upon a termination of employment or a change in control are described below under “Potential Payments Upon a Termination or a Change in Control.”


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Policies and Practices for Recovering Bonuses in the Event of a Restatement
We maintain a clawback policy to promote responsible risk management and to help ensure that the incentives of management are aligned with those of our stockholders. The clawback policy applies to all of our employees who are at the director level and above, including the NEOs, and covers:
All annual incentives;
Long-term incentives;
Equity-based awards; and
Other performance-based compensation arrangements.
The policy provides that a repayment obligation is triggered if the Compensation Committee determines that the employee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct caused or contributed to the need for a restatement of our financial statements within three years of the issuance of such financial statements. In addition, our equity award agreements include clawback provisions.
Stock Ownership Guidelines and Hedging Policy
Stock Ownership Guidelines
We have established stock ownership guidelines for senior executives and non-employee directors. The guidelines require the following target ownership levels: 
Equity equal to five times base salary for our CEO;
Equity equal to three times base salary for our CFO and senior vice presidents;
Equity equal to one times base salary for our other senior executives; and
Equity equal to five times the annual cash retainer for non-employee directors.
Senior executives and non-employee directors have five years to reach the target ownership levels. The value of unvested RSUs and the value of unvested PSUs (at target) are counted toward the target ownership level even if the service requirement has not been met. Non-employee directors are permitted to count towards the target ownership levels shares owned outright and the value of phantom shares. Each NEO and non-employee director is in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines.
Pledging and Hedging Policy
We prohibit employees and directors from entering into any type of arrangement, contract or transaction that has the effect of hedging the value of our common stock. Directors and officers subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are also prohibited from pledging our common stock and other employees are strongly discouraged from doing so.


26



COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in this proxy statement and, based on such review and discussion, recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Michael A. Kelly (Chair)
Patrick D. Campbell
Jean K. Holley
Andrew N. Langham



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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
2020 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Salary
Bonus
Stock
Awards
(1)
Option Awards
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
(2)
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (3)
All Other
Compensation
(4)
Total
Name and Principal Position
Year
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
Lawrence H. Silber
2020960,577 — 2,400,049 — 915,750 — 181,346 4,457,722 
Chief Executive Officer
2019908,173— 2,400,060— 692,825— 182,2094,183,267
2018850,962— 2,400,096— 1,419,300— 157,4054,827,763
Mark H. Irion
2020488,942 — 800,042 — 352,688 — 35,834 1,677,506 
Chief Financial Officer
2019450,000— 800,047— 278,066— 35,8801,563,993
2018216,346 40,000 1,700,068 — 292,731 — 17,106 2,266,251 
Aaron D. Birnbaum
2020461,543 — 600,041 — 334,125 47,800 125,932 1,569,441 
Chief Operating Officer
Tamir Peres
2020446,538 — 800,042 — 319,275 — 69,952 1,635,807 
Chief Information Officer
2019426,538— 400,044— 289,863— 42,8091,159,254
2018399,231 — 300,016 — 525,338 — 37,350 1,261,935 
Christian J. Cunningham2020436,154 — 450,011 — 311,850 — 50,226 1,248,241 
Chief Human Resources Officer2019416,539 — 450,024 — 271,325 — 37,268 1,175,156 
2018387,058 — 415,087 — 551,950 — 39,620 1,393,715 
(1)    The amounts reported in this column represent the grant date fair value of RSUs and PSUs granted in the applicable year calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“FASB ASC Topic 718”). The amounts included in 2020 for the PSUs are calculated based on the closing stock price and the probable satisfaction of the performance conditions for such awards as of the date of grant. Assuming the highest level of performance is achieved for the 2020 PSUs, calculated as 200% of target, the maximum value of these awards at the grant date would be as follows: Mr. Silber—$3,360,030; Mr. Irion—$1,120,036; Mr. Birnbaum—$840,026; Mr. Peres—$960,020; and Mr. Cunningham—$630,000. See Note 14 to the Audited Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Audited Financial Statements”) for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts.
(2)    The amounts reported for 2020 represent the NEOs’ 2020 EICP awards.
(3) Amounts include annual changes in the actuarial present value of accumulated pension benefits. The present value was determined using the same assumptions applicable for valuing pension benefits for purposes of our financial statements. See Note 13 to the Audited Financial Statements for relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts.
(4)    Represents the following for 2020:
Name 
Personal Use
of Car
($)
(a)
Life
Insurance
Premiums
($)

Executive Health Premiums
($)
(b)
 Company 401(k) Matching Contribution and
Deferred Compensation Contributions
($)
Tax & Financial Planning
($)(c)
 Personal Aircraft Usage
($)
(d)
Relocation ($)(e)
Total
Perquisites
and Other
Compensation
($)
Mr. Silber18,153 3,168 6,000 66,093 7,500 80,432 — 181,346 
Mr. Irion13,250 684 6,000 11,400 4,500 N/A— 35,834 
Mr. Birnbaum9,170 648 6,000 25,206 1,975 N/A82,933 125,932 
Mr. Peres8,621 619 6,000 25,954 15,000 N/A13,758 69,952 
Mr. Cunningham10,063 1,048 6,000 25,615 7,500 N/A— 50,226 
(a)    This amount reflects the annual lease value and fuel reimbursement for company-provided cars.
28




(b)    Our NEOs are eligible to receive $6,000 per year for executive medical benefits, including Company-paid physicals. For healthcare privacy reasons, we have assigned the maximum benefit to each NEO even if such NEO did not utilize such benefits during 2020.
(c)    The tax and financial planning amount for Mr. Peres reflects reimbursement of multiple years' expenses which were paid in 2020.
(d)    The CEO is eligible for personal use of corporate aircraft. Occasionally, a spouse or other guest may be a passenger on the corporate aircraft when the aircraft is already scheduled for business purposes and can accommodate additional passengers. In those cases, there is no aggregate incremental cost to the Company, and as a result, no amount is included in this column for those flights.
(d)    Amount represents the costs to the Company for relocation assistance.
2020 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table shows all plan-based awards granted to the NEOs during 2020. This table is supplemental to the Summary Compensation Table and is intended to complement the disclosure of equity awards and grants made under non-equity incentive plans in the Summary Compensation Table.
Estimated possible payouts under non-equity incentive plan awardsEstimated future payouts under equity incentive plan awards
All Other Stock Awards (#)
All Other Option Awards (#)
Exercise Price of Option Awards ($/Sh.)
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards(1) ($)
Name
Grant DateThreshold ($)Target ($)Max ($)Threshold (#)Target (#)Max (#)
Lawrence H. Silber
EICP(2)
— 462,500 925,000 1,850,000 — — — — — — — 
RSUs(3)
02/25/20— — — — — — 18,746 — — 720,034 
PSUs(4)
02/25/20— — — 21,870 43,739 87,478 — — — 1,680,015 
Mark H. Irion
EICP(2)
— 178,125 356,250 712,500 — — — — — — — 
RSUs(3)
02/25/20— — — — — — 6,249 — — 240,024 
PSUs(4)
02/25/20— — — 7,290 14,580 29,160 — — — 560,018 
Aaron D. Birnbaum
EICP(2)
— 168,750 337,500 675,000 — — — — — — — 
RSUs(3)
02/25/20— — — — — — 4,687 — — 180,028 
PSUs(4)
02/25/20— — — 5,468 10,935 21,870 — — — 420,013 
Tamir Peres
EICP(2)
— 161,250 322,500 645,000 — — — — — — — 
RSUs(3)
02/25/20— — — — — — 3,125 — — 120,031 
PSUs(4)
02/25/20— — — 3,645 7,290 14,580 — — — 280,009 
PSUs(5)
02/25/20— — — — 10,414 — — — — 400,002 
Christian J. Cunningham
EICP(2)
— 157,500 315,000 630,000 — — — — — — — 
RSUs(3)
02/25/20— — — — — — 3,515 — — 135,011 
PSUs(4)
02/25/20— — — 4,101 8,201 16,402 — — — 315,000 
(1)    The amounts reported represent the grant date fair value associated with the 2020 grants of RSUs and PSUs, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. In the case of the PSUs, the grant date fair value is calculated based on the closing stock price on the date of grant and the probable satisfaction of the performance conditions for such awards as of the date of grant. See Note 14 to the Audited Financial Statements for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts.
(2)    These amounts represent threshold, target and maximum cash award levels for the EICP award. The amount actually earned by each NEO is reported as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation in the Summary Compensation Table.
(3)    Represents RSU awards granted under the 2018 Omnibus Plan. RSUs generally vest in one-third annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment through the applicable vesting date.
(4)    Represents the threshold, target and maximum PSUs granted under the 2018 Omnibus Plan. The PSUs generally vest upon the completion of a three-year performance period. The receipt of the shares subject to the award is subject to achievement of the performance goals as certified by the Compensation Committee, and continued employment. Please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for further information regarding the 2020 PSU awards.
(5) Represents PSUs awarded to Mr. Peres under the 2018 Omnibus Plan. The PSUs vest on December 31, 2022, subject to the achievement of the performance goals as certified by Compensation Committee, and continued employment.


29



2020 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT YEAR-END
Option AwardsStock Awards
 
 
Grant date
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
Exercisable
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
Unexercisable
Option
exercise
price
Option
expiration
date
Number of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
Market value
of shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
(1)
Equity
incentive
plan awards:
number of
unearned
shares, units
or other
rights that
have not
vested
Equity
incentive
plan awards:
market or
payout value
of unearned
shares, units
or other
rights that
have not
vested
(1)
Name
(#)
(#)
($)
(#)
($)
(#)
($)
Lawrence H.
06/01/201526,714 — (2)58.76 06/01/2025— — — — 
  Silber03/01/2018— — — — 24,149 1,603,735 (3)— — 
08/16/2018— — — — 1,375 91,314 (3)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — — — 41,177 (3)2,734,565 
02/25/2020— — — — — — 43,739 (3)2,904,707 
03/01/2018— — — — 3,519 233,697 (4)— — 
08/16/2018— — — — 201 13,348 (4)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — 11,825 785,298 (4)— — 
02/25/2020— — — — 18,746 1,244,922 (4)— — 
Mark H. Irion
06/25/2018— — — — 9,016 598,753 (3)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — — — 13,726 (3)911,544 
02/25/2020— — — — — — 14,580 (3)968,258 
06/25/2018— — — — 1,314 87,263 (4)— — 
06/25/2018— — — — 6,256 415,461 (4)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — 3,942 261,788 (4)— — 
02/25/2020— — — — 6,249 414,996 (4)— — 
Aaron D. 03/01/2011629 — (2)43.59 03/01/2021— — — — 
  Birnbaum02/17/20151,278 — (2)70.14 02/17/2025— — — — 
08/18/20166,141 — (2)33.19 08/18/2023— — — — 
03/01/2018— — — — 3,150 209,192 (3)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — — — 5,148 (3)341,879 
02/25/2020— — — — — — 10,935 (3)726,193 
03/01/2018— — — — 459 30,482 (4)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — 1,479 98,220 (4)— — 
02/25/2020— — — — 4,687 311,264 (4)— — 
Tamir Peres
03/01/2018— — — — 3,150 209,192 (3)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — — — 6,863 (3)455,772 
02/25/2020— — — — — — 7,290 (3)484,129 
02/25/2020— — — — — — 10,414 (5)691,594 
03/01/2018— — — — 459 30,482 (4)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — 1,972 130,961 (4)— — 
02/25/2020— — — — 3,125 207,531 (4)— — 
Christian J.02/17/20156,607 — (2)70.14 02/17/2025— — — — 
  Cunningham08/18/201617,895 — (2)33.19 08/18/2023— — — — 
03/01/2018— — — — 4,358 289,415 (3)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — — — 7,721 (3)512,752 
02/25/2020— — — — — — 8,201 (3)544,628 
03/01/2018— — — — 636 42,237 (4)— — 
02/26/2019— — — — 2,218 147,297 (4)— — 
02/25/2020— — — — 3,515 233,431 (4)— — 


30



(1)    These values are based on the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2020 of $66.41.
(2)    These options are fully vested.
(3)    Represents PSUs that are scheduled to vest based on achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee for the applicable 3-year performance period. The amounts reported in this column are based on achieving target vesting levels.
(4)    Represents RSUs, which vest in one-third installments on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment through the applicable vesting date.
(5)    Represents PSUs granted to Mr. Peres that are scheduled to vest based on achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee for the applicable 3-year performance period.

2020 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table sets forth the details of stock awards that vested and stock options exercised in 2020.
Option AwardsStock Awards
 
 
Number of shares acquired on exerciseValue realized on exerciseNumber of shares acquired on vestingValue realized on vesting
Name(#)($)(#)($)
Lawrence H. Silber70,176 2,291,948 74,646 1,638,060 
Mark H. Irion— — 9,288 279,223 
Aaron D. Birnbaum— — 8,721 192,482 
Tamir Peres— — 10,396 420,429 
Christian J. Cunningham— — 12,057 267,582 

2020 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the details of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan in which certain of our NEOs participated during 2020.
Executive Contributions
 in Last FY
Registrant Contributions
in Last FY
Aggregate Earnings
in Last FY
Aggregate Withdrawals/
Distributions
Aggregate Balance at FYE
Name($)($)($)($)
($)(1)
Lawrence H. Silber68,420 54,736 88,148 — 749,893 
Mark H. Irion— — — — — 
Aaron D. Birnbaum27,611 13,806 9,550 — 154,294 
Tamir Peres18,192 14,554 238 — 82,848 
Christian J. Cunningham17,769 14,215 20,278 — 145,597 
(1)    Amounts in this column include the following amounts that were previously reported in the Summary Compensation Table as compensation: Mr. Silber—$206,815; Mr. Peres—$22,276 and Mr. Cunningham—$36,188.

We offer our employees, including the NEOs, participation in a defined contribution plan. Under our qualified 401(k) savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”) participants are eligible to receive a matching employer contribution to their 401(k) Plan account equal to (i) 100% of employee contributions (up to 3% of compensation) and (ii) 50% of employee contributions (up to the next 2% of compensation), with the total amount of such matching employer contribution to be completely vested, subject to applicable limits under the Code on compensation that may be taken into account.


31



We also maintain the Supplemental Plan. The Supplemental Plan allows eligible employees, including the NEOs, to defer part of their compensation. The Supplemental Plan is a deferred compensation plan that provides benefits that cannot be provided in the 401(k) Plan due to Code limitations on compensation. For any deferral elections, we match an amount generally equal to (i) 100% of employee contributions (up to 3% of the compensation that cannot be taken into account under the 401(k) Plan) and (ii) 50% of employee contributions (up to the next 2% of compensation that cannot be taken into account under the 401(k) Plan). The match under the Supplemental Plan is in addition to the match under the 401(k) Plan. The total match that any participant may receive under the 401(k) Plan and the Supplemental Plan (other than with respect to transition credits) may not exceed the maximum 4% match. Accounts under the Supplemental Plan may be invested in a variety of mutual funds and are distributed upon a separation from service.
2020 PENSION PLAN TABLE
The following table sets forth for Mr. Birnbaum, the only NEO who participates in a pension plan, the plans in which he participated in 2020, the number of years of credit services in each plan at December 31, 2020, the present value of the accumulated benefit in each plan at December 31, 2020, and the payments, if any, received from such plan during 2020:

NamePension Plan
Number of years credited service(1) (#)
Present value of accumulated benefit(2) ($)
Payments during last fiscal year ($)
Aaron BirnbaumHerc Rentals Qualified Pension Plan26398,900
Aaron BirnbaumHerc Rentals Non-Qualified Pension Plan1922,400
(1) Mr. Birnbaum's actual years of service on December 31, 2020 is 32.
(2) The present value calculations use the same assumptions (except for retirement and pre-retirement decrements) used for financial reporting purposes and reflect current compensation levels. The assumptions used in the calculations are as follows:    

Discount Rate Qualified Plan2.3%
Discount Rate Non-Qualified Plan2.5%
Retirement Age65 or current age if older (earliest unreduced retirement age)
Pre-retirement DecrementsNone assumed

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
Severance Policy
We maintain a Change in Control Severance Agreement (the “Severance Agreement”) that provides, upon a change in control and a qualifying termination of employment (a “double trigger” provision), the CEO with cash severance payment calculated as two-and-one-half times base salary and target bonus and each other NEO with cash severance payment calculated as two times the NEO’s base salary and target bonus. NEO offer letters and our general severance policy provide that, upon an involuntary termination of employment, the CEO will be entitled to a cash severance payment calculated as two times base salary and target bonus and each other NEO will be entitled to a cash severance payment equal to the NEO’s base salary and target bonus.
Health and welfare benefits will be provided for the number of years equivalent to the applicable multiple received, on the same basis as active employees. The Severance Agreement, NEO offer letters and our general severance policy do not contain tax gross-up provisions on any golden parachute excise taxes. These severance payments and benefits under the Severance Agreement are in lieu of any severance payments or benefits otherwise due in these circumstances under any previous agreement, offer letter or policy.
Equity Awards
Our equity awards provide for accelerated or pro rata vesting upon a termination due to death or disability and pro rata vesting upon a termination due to retirement or involuntary termination without cause. The Severance Agreement provides that, if the equity awards are not honored or assumed or alternate awards are not provided in connection with a change in control, then the equity awards will vest upon a qualifying termination (a “double trigger” provision) after the change in control, with the PSUs vesting at target.
The following tables outline the value of payments and benefits that each NEO would receive under the various termination scenarios described as if (i) the termination occurred on December 31, 2020; (ii) all stock awards that vest were paid out at $66.41, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2020; (iii) for the applicable change in control, the termination occurred following the change in control (“double trigger”); and (iv) the Compensation Committee took no further actions for any given award except as set forth under the applicable plan. In addition, the participant’s 401(k) Plan and Supplemental Plan amounts are excluded from the tables below.


32



Lawrence H. Silber
Termination for CauseTermination Without CauseTermination by reason of RetirementTermination by reason of Death, DisabilityTermination following a Change in ControlChange in Control
Benefit($)($)($)($)($)($)
Severance Payment— 3,700,000 — — 4,625,000 — 
Continued Benefits(1)
— 19,020 — — 24,599 — 
Outplacement— 25,000 — — 25,000 — 
Payment for Outstanding RSUs(2)
— 866,717 — 1,817,641 1,817,641 — 
Payment for Outstanding PSUs(2)
— 4,063,628 — 4,063,628 7,334,321 — 
Total— 8,674,365 — 5,881,269 13,826,561 — 

(1)    The executive is entitled to receive health and welfare benefits continuation for two years for a termination without cause and 30 months for a qualifying termination of employment following a change in control.
(2)    Represents the incremental vesting value of outstanding awards, which vest in the event of the specified termination event in accordance with the terms of Mr. Silber’s offer letter with respect to a termination without cause and in accordance with the Severance Policy and equity award agreements with respect to the other termination scenarios.
Mark H. Irion
Termination for CauseTermination Without CauseTermination by reason of RetirementTermination by reason of Death, DisabilityTermination following a Change in ControlChange in Control
Benefit($)($)($)($)($)($)
Severance Payment— 831,250 — — 1,662,500 — 
Continued Benefits(1)
— 4,778 — — 9,910 — 
Outplacement— 25,000 — — 25,000 — 
Payment for Outstanding RSUs(2)
— 470,249 — 1,179,508 1,179,508 — 
Payment for Outstanding PSUs(2)
— 1,324,946 — 1,324,946 2,478,555 — 
Total— 2,656,223 — 2,504,454 5,355,473 — 

(1)    The executive is entitled to receive health and welfare benefits continuation for one year for a termination without cause and two years for a qualifying termination of employment following a change in control.
(2)    Represents the incremental vesting value of outstanding awards, which vest in the event of the specified termination event in accordance with the terms of the Severance Policy and the equity award agreements.
Aaron D. Birnbaum
Termination for CauseTermination Without CauseTermination by reason of RetirementTermination by reason of Death, DisabilityTermination following a Change in ControlChange in Control
Benefit($)($)($)($)($)($)
Severance Payment— 787,500 — — 1,575,000 — 
Continued Benefits(1)
— 9,287 — — 19,372 — 
Outplacement— 25,000 — — 25,000 — 
Payment for Outstanding RSUs(2)
— 86,466 — 439,966 439,966 — 
Payment for Outstanding PSUs(2)
— 201,754 — 608,250 1,277,264 — 
Total— 1,110,007 — 1,048,216 3,336,602 — 



33



(1)    The executive is entitled to receive health and welfare benefits continuation for one year for a termination without cause and two years for a qualifying termination of employment following a change in control.
(2)    Represents the incremental vesting value of outstanding awards, which vest in the event of the specified termination event in accordance with the terms of the Severance Policy and the equity award agreements.
Tamir Peres
Termination for CauseTermination Without CauseTermination by reason of RetirementTermination by reason of Death, DisabilityTermination following a Change in ControlChange in Control
Benefit($)($)($)($)($)($)
Severance Payment— 752,500 — — 1,505,000 — 
Continued Benefits(1)
— 11,914 — — 24,792 — 
Outplacement— 25,000 — — 25,000 — 
Payment for Outstanding RSUs(2)
— 136,871 — 368,974 368,974 — 
Payment for Outstanding PSUs(2)
— 802,698 — 802,698 1,840,687 — 
Total— 1,728,983 — 1,171,672 3,764,453 — 

(1)    The executive is entitled to receive health and welfare benefits continuation for one year for a termination without cause and two years for a qualifying termination of employment following a change in control.
(2)    Represents the incremental vesting value of outstanding awards, which vest in the event of the specified termination event in accordance with the terms of the Severance Policy and the equity award agreements.
Christian J. Cunningham
Termination for CauseTermination Without CauseTermination by reason of RetirementTermination by reason of Death, DisabilityTermination following a Change in ControlChange in Control
Benefit($)($)($)($)($)($)
Severance Payment— 735,000 — — 1,470,000 — 
Continued Benefits(1)
— 11,839 — — 24,477 — 
Outplacement— 25,000 — — 25,000 — 
Payment for Outstanding RSUs(2)
— 160,381 — 422,965 422,965 — 
Payment for Outstanding PSUs(2)
— 737,948 — 737,948 1,346,795 — 
Total— 1,670,168 — 1,160,913 3,289,237 — 

(1)    The executive is entitled to receive health and welfare benefits continuation for one year for a termination without cause and two years for a qualifying termination of employment following a change in control.
(2)    Represents the incremental vesting value of outstanding awards, which vest in the event of the specified termination event in accordance with the terms of Mr. Cunningham's offer letter with respect to a termination without cause and in accordance with the Severance Policy and the equity award agreements with respect to the other termination scenarios.


34



PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE
As required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we are providing the following disclosure about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees to the annual total compensation of Mr. Silber, our CEO.  Consistent with our executive officer compensation program, our broad-based compensation program is designed to be competitive in terms of both the position and the geographic area in which the employee is located.  Accordingly, our pay structures vary amongst employees based on position and geographic location, with significant consideration given to competitive market practices.
Ratio
For 2020,
The median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees, other than Mr. Silber, was $75,668.
Mr. Silber’s annual total compensation was $4,467,625, which is the amount reported in the “Total” column of the 2020 Summary Compensation Table with the addition of our contributions to broad-based health and welfare programs.
Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Silber to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was estimated to be 59 to 1.
Identification of Median Employee
As permitted under the SEC executive compensation disclosure rules, we had elected to use the same median employees for year 2017, 2018 and 2019 disclosures given that there were no significant changes to our employee population or employee compensation arrangements that would have significantly impacted the pay ratio disclosure.

For 2020, we have recalculated the median employee in line with the disclosure rules.

We selected November 2, 2020 as the date on which to determine our new median employee. As of that date, we had approximately 4,710 employees in the U.S. and Canada. We did not exclude any employees and approximately 4,240 employees in the United States and 470 employees in Canada were considered for identifying the median employee.

For purposes of identifying the median employee, we chose 2020 total earnings, as compiled from our payroll records, as our consistently applied compensation measure.  Earnings were annualized only for employees who were hired in 2020. For purposes of this disclosure, any compensation paid in foreign currencies was converted to U.S. dollars based on a monthly average exchange rate for the relevant period.
Using this methodology, we determined that our median employee was a full-time employee working in the United States.  In determining the annual total compensation of the median employee, such employee’s compensation was calculated in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, as required pursuant to the SEC executive compensation disclosure rules. This calculation is the same calculation used to determine total compensation for purposes of the 2020 Summary Compensation Table with respect to each of the NEOs, with the addition of our contribution to broad-based health and welfare programs.


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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Board believes that a significant portion of non-employee director compensation should align director interests with the interests of our stockholders. The Board has approved the Herc Holdings Inc. Directors Compensation Policy, pursuant to which our non-employee directors are entitled to the following compensation:
Board/CommitteeNon- Employee Director Compensation
Board• Annual Cash Retainer:$80,000
• Annual RSU Grant:$105,000
Audit• Annual Chair Fee:$20,000• Annual Member Fee:$10,000
Compensation• Annual Chair Fee:$15,000• Annual Member Fee:$7,500
Nominating and Governance• Annual Chair Fee:$10,000• Annual Member Fee:$5,000
Finance• Annual Chair Fee:$10,000• Annual Member Fee:$5,000
The Chairman of the Board is entitled to receive an additional annual fee of $130,000, payable in the form of shares of our common stock.
The RSUs are granted to directors after the annual stockholder meeting and have a fair market value equivalent to the dollar amount noted above on the date of grant. These RSUs vest on the business day immediately preceding the next annual meeting of stockholders. These RSUs also vest in full upon such director’s death or disability or a change in control of the Company.
Directors may elect to receive Company stock in lieu of cash. Also, directors may elect to defer their equity and cash compensation into phantom stock units that vest after the director leaves the Board (or earlier in the event of a change in control); provided that if a director’s equity compensation is deferred, the vesting period otherwise applicable to the RSUs is not changed.
Occasionally, the Compensation Committee may grant off-cycle equity awards to non-employee directors to reward them for additional significant time on Board matters.
Our Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and determining the form and amount of our non-employee director compensation from time to time, which is then recommended to our Board for approval.
2020 Non-Employee Director Compensation Table
For the year ended December 31, 2020, our non-employee directors received the following compensation:
Name
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1)
($)
Stock Awards(2)
($)
Total
($)
Patrick D. Campbell95,833 162,356 258,189 
James H. Browning101,667 105,006 206,673 
Shari L. Burgess(3)
5,133 46,352 51,485 
Jonathan Frates85,000 105,006 190,006 
Nicholas F. Graziano(3)
90,067 105,006 195,073 
Herbert L. Henkel(3)
90,064 235,027 325,091 
Jean K. Holley93,334 105,006 198,340 
Jacob M. Katz101,667 105,006 206,673 
Michael A. Kelly97,500 105,006 202,506 
Andrew N. Langham56,667 105,006 161,673 
Louis J. Pastor(3)
30,833 — 30,833 
Mary Pat Salomone96,666 105,006 201,672 

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(1)    Mr. Graziano elected to defer 50% of his cash compensation into phantom stock units pursuant to the Directors Compensation Policy, as described above.
(2)    In 2020, each non-employee director was granted an award of RSUs that will vest on the day immediately preceding the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Browning, Ms. Burgess, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Frates, Mr. Graziano, Ms. Holley, Mr. Katz, and Ms. Salomone elected to defer their 2020 equity compensation into phantom stock units pursuant to the Directors Compensation Policy described above. The amounts reported in this column are valued based on the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 14 to the Audited Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts. As of December 31, 2020, each non-employee director had the following number of RSUs and phantom stock units outstanding with respect to the Company’s equity: Mr. Browning, 9,657 phantom stock units; Ms. Burgess, 760 phantom stock units; Mr. Campbell, 8,291 phantom stock units; Mr. Frates, 6,819 phantom stock units; Mr. Graziano, 6,902 phantom stock units and 4,819 RSUs; Ms. Holley, 9,101 phantom stock units; Mr. Katz, 7,397 phantom stock units; Mr. Kelly, 4,819 RSUs; Mr. Langham, 4,819 RSUs; and Ms. Salomone, 14,218 phantom stock units.
(3)    Mr. Henkel retired from the Board on December 3, 2020; Mr. Pastor did not stand for reelection at 2020 annual meeting of stockholders; Mr. Graziano retired from the Board on February 15, 2021; and Ms. Burgess was appointed to the Board on December 3, 2020.




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PROPOSAL 3: Ratification of the Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers
Our Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021. Our Audit Committee believes that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is well-qualified.
We are asking our stockholders to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm as a matter of good corporate practice. The Audit Committee will consider, but is not obligated to abide by, the outcome of this vote in determining whether to engage PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for all of 2021 or another independent registered public accounting firm without submitting the matter to our stockholders. Further, even if stockholders ratify this selection, the Audit Committee may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time if, in the Audit Committee’s sole discretion, the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.
A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the annual meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and to respond to appropriate questions.
The Board and the Audit Committee unanimously recommend
a vote FOR ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021.


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AUDITOR INFORMATION
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
The amounts in the table below reflect the amounts paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, for services during 2020 and 2019.
20202019
Audit fees(1)
$3,145,050 $4,615,218 
Audit-related fees— — 
Tax fees— — 
All other fees(2)
— — 
Total$3,145,050 $4,615,218 
(1) In 2020 and 2019, audit fees were for services billed for each of the fiscal years for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements, reviews of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, attestation of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, and providing comfort letters in connection with our financing transactions.
(2) Fees related to due diligence services provided in connection with strategic matters.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
Our Audit Committee’s charter requires the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm; however, the Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to the Chair of the Audit Committee (up to a limit of $100,000 during the period between Audit Committee meetings), who must then provide a report to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All audit and non-audit services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.



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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management of the Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company, the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Audited Financial Statements”).
The Audit Committee has discussed with PwC the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management, PwC and the internal auditor, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, management’s assessment thereof, and PwC’s report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee has: (i) considered whether non-audit services provided by PwC are compatible with its independence; (ii) received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding PwC’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence; and (iii) discussed with PwC its independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Audited Financial Statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 for filing with the SEC.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Jacob M. Katz, Chair
James H. Browning
Shari L. Burgess
Mary Pat Salomone




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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
The following table sets forth information as of March 17, 2021, unless another date is specified below, with respect to the ownership of our common stock by:
Each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock;
Each of the directors and director nominees of the Company;
Each of the NEOs; and
All of the Company’s directors and executive officers as a group.
As of March 17, 2021, there were 29,600,826 shares of our common stock outstanding.
Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, each of the beneficial owners listed has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated shares of common stock.
Shares Beneficially Owned
Name of Beneficial Owner
NumberPercent %
Carl C. Icahn(1)
4,494,789 15.2 %
GAMCO Investors, Inc.(2)
3,829,200 12.9 %
The Vanguard Group(3)
2,178,144 7.4 %
Blackrock, Inc.(4)
2,243,101 7.6 %
Named Executive Officers(5)
Lawrence H. Silber151,763 *
Aaron D. Birnbaum24,287 *
Christian Cunningham56,996 *
Mark. H. Irion18,543 *
Tamir Peres19,158 *
Directors and Director Nominees (excluding Mr. Silber)(6)
James H. Browning16,718 *
Shari L. Burgess760 *
Patrick D. Campbell15,112 *
Jonathan Frates6,819 *
Jean K. Holley12,543 *
Jacob M. Katz11,143 *
Michael A. Kelly14,218 *
Andrew N. Langham4,819 *
Mary Pat Salomone(7)
14,650 *
Andrew J. Teno— *
All directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons)378,838 1.3 %
* Less than 1%
(1)     Based on Amendment No. 10 to Schedule 13D filed on August 15, 2017 by Carl C. Icahn, which disclosed that Carl C. Icahn and various entities associated with Carl C. Icahn beneficially owned 4,494,789 shares of common stock as of August 15, 2017, as follows: (i) Icahn Partners LP had sole voting and dispositive power over 2,133,096 shares of common stock; (ii) Icahn Partners Master Fund LP had sole voting and dispositive power over 1,462,736 shares of common stock; and (iii) High River Limited Partnership had sole voting and dispositive power over 898,957 shares of common stock. Mr. Icahn is in a position indirectly to determine the investment and voting decisions made by each of the reporting persons because he is the sole stockholder of (i) Barberry Corp., which is the sole member of Hopper Investments LLC, which is the general partner of High River Limited Partnership and (ii) Beckton Corp., which is the sole stockholder of Icahn Enterprises G.P. Inc., which is the general partner of Icahn Enterprises Holdings L.P., which is the sole member of IPH GP LLC, which is the general partner of Icahn Capital LP, which is the general partner of Icahn


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Offshore LP and Icahn Onshore LP. Icahn Offshore LP is the general partner of Icahn Partners Master Fund LP and Icahn Onshore LP is the general partner of Icahn Partners LP. Each of the foregoing persons, other than the reporting persons, disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock. The principal business address of (i) Mr. Icahn is c/o Icahn Associates Holding LLC, is 767 Fifth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 1015, and (ii) each of the entities noted above is White Plains Plaza, 445 Hamilton Avenue — Suite 1210, White Plains, NY 10601.
(2)     Based on Amendment No. 22 to Schedule 13D filed on March 18, 2021 by GAMCO Investors, Inc., which disclosed that Mario J. Gabelli and various entities which he directly or indirectly controls or for which he acts as chief investment officer beneficially owned 3,829,200 shares of common stock as of March 17, 2021, as follows: (i) GAMCO Asset Management Inc. beneficially owned 2,913,952 shares of common stock; (ii) Gabelli Funds, LLC beneficially owned 890,248 shares of common stock; (iii) Mario J. Gabelli beneficially owned 1,000 shares of common stock; (iv) Teton Advisors, Inc. beneficially owned 6,500 shares of common stock; (v) GGCP, Inc. beneficially owned 2,000 shares of common stock; (vi) Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. beneficially owned 750 shares of common stock; (vii) Associated Capital Group, Inc. beneficially owned 50 shares of common stock; (viii) Gabelli Foundation, Inc. beneficially owned 200 shares of common stock; and (ix) MJG Associates, Inc. beneficially owned 14,500 shares of common stock. Each of the reporting persons disclosed has the sole power to vote or direct the vote and sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of the shares reported for it, either for its own benefit or for the benefit of its investment clients or its partners, as the case may be, except that (i) GAMCO Asset Management Inc. does not have the authority to vote 96,000 of the reported shares; (ii) Gabelli Funds, LLC has sole dispositive and voting power with respect to the shares held by certain funds it advises so long as the aggregate voting interest of all reporting persons does not exceed 25% of their total voting interest in the Company, and, in that event, the proxy voting committee of each fund shall respectively vote that fund's shares; (iii) at any time, the proxy voting committee of each such fund may take and exercise in its sole discretion the entire voting power with respect to the shares held by such fund under special circumstances such as regulatory considerations; and (iv) the power of Mario Gabelli, GAMCO Investors, Inc., Associated Capital Group, Inc. and GGCP, Inc. is indirect with respect to shares beneficially owned directly by other reporting persons. The principal business address of (i) GAMCO Asset Management Inc., Gabelli Funds, LLC, GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Teton Advisors, Inc. is One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580; (ii) Gabelli Foundation, Inc. is 165 West Liberty Street, Reno, NV 89501; and (iii) Associated Capital Group, Inc., Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc., GGCP, Inc. and MJG Associates, Inc. is 191 Mason Street, Greenwich, CT 06830.
(3)    Based on Amendment No. 7 to Schedule 13G filed on February 10, 2021 by The Vanguard Group, which disclosed that The Vanguard Group beneficially owned 2,178,144 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020, and had (i) shared voting power over 28,958 shares of common stock, (ii) sole dispositive power over 2,127,637 shares of common stock and (iii) shared dispositive power over 50,507 shares of common stock. The principal business address of The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.    
(4)    Based on Amendment No. 3 to the Schedule 13G filed on January 29, 2021 by Blackrock, Inc., which disclosed that Blackrock, Inc. beneficially owned 2,243,101 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020, and had (i) sole voting power over 2,119,740 shares of common stock and (ii) sole dispositive power over 2,243,101 shares of common stock. The principal business address of BlackRock Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.
(5)    Shares shown as beneficially owned by the executive officers include shares underlying stock options which are exercisable or may be exercised within 60 days as follows: 26,714 shares for Mr. Silber, 7,419 for Mr. Birnbaum and 24,502 for Mr. Cunningham.
(6)    Shares shown as beneficially owned by the directors include compensation deferred into phantom stock units that vest after the director retires from the Board as follows: 9,657 units for Mr. Browning; 760 units for Ms. Burgess; 6,819 units for Mr. Frates; 8,291 units for Mr. Campbell; 9,101 units for Ms. Holley; 7,397 units for Mr. Katz; and 14,218 units for Ms. Salomone.
(7)     Of the shares indicated, 366 shares are held indirectly by a trust established for Ms. Salomone’s estate planning purposes.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Based on a review of reports filed by our directors, executive officers and beneficial holders of 10% or more of our outstanding common stock, and upon representations from certain of those persons, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to these reporting persons were timely met during the year ended December 31, 2020.



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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions
Our Board has adopted a written policy requiring the Nominating and Governance Committee to review certain Company transactions in which any director, director nominee, executive officer, beneficial owner of greater than 5% of our common stock or any of their immediate family members (collectively, “related persons”) has a direct or indirect material interest, as determined by the Nominating and Governance Committee. This policy covers, without limitation, financial transactions, arrangements or relationships, indebtedness and guarantees of indebtedness and transactions involving employment (with certain exceptions) and similar relationships, but excludes certain transactions deemed not to involve a material interest on the part of the related person. The policy requires directors, director nominees and executive officers to promptly notify the Chief Legal Officer, the Chief Compliance Officer or the Chief Financial Officer in writing of any transaction involving us and a related person so that it can be reviewed by the Nominating and Governance Committee to determine whether the related person has a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction. If the Nominating and Governance Committee so determines, it considers all relevant information to assess whether the transaction is in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of us and our stockholders. Prior to any renewal of a previously approved related person transaction, the Nominating and Governance Committee will again review the transaction to determine whether it should be renewed.
The Directors’ Code is applicable to all Board members and provides guidance for handling unforeseen situations which may arise, including conflicts of interest. Pursuant to the Directors’ Code, a conflict of interest may arise when a Board member’s private interest interferes in any way - or even appears to interfere - with the interests of the Company as a whole. The Directors’ Code specifies that a conflict of interest may include, among other things, the following:
when a Board member or a member of his or her family takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult for the Board member to make decisions on behalf of the Company objectively and effectively;
where a Board member or a member of his or her family has a financial interest in, or is engaged, directly or indirectly, in the management of an organization that deals with the Company as a supplier, contractor, purchaser or distributor of the Company’s products or services, or is a competitor; and
where a Board member renders services to another organization or individual as an employee, agent, consultant or director if the organization or individual is doing or seeking to do business with the Company or is a competitor.
Pursuant to the Directors’ Code, any member of our Board who believes he or she has an actual or potential conflict of interest with the Company should notify the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee as promptly as practicable. That member should not participate in any decision by our Board, or any committee of our Board, that in any way relates to the matter that gives rise to the conflict or potential conflict of interest until the issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Nominating and Governance Committee or the Board.
The Code of Ethics is applicable to all employees and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Code of Ethics generally prohibits employees from maintaining outside business or financial interests or engaging in outside business or financial activity that conflicts with the interests of the Company.
The following is a description of certain relationships and transactions that existed or that we have engaged in with directors, executive officers, major stockholders and certain other related persons, in each case since January 1, 2020.
Agreements with Carl C. Icahn
We entered into the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, dated September 15, 2014 (the “Nomination and Standstill Agreement”), with Carl C. Icahn and certain related entities and individuals. In connection with their appointments to the Board, each of Messrs. Frates, Pastor, Graziano, Langham and Teno (collectively, the “Icahn Designees,” and, together with Carl C. Icahn and the other parties to the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, the “Icahn Group”) executed a Joinder Agreement agreeing to become bound as a party to the terms and conditions of the Nomination and Standstill Agreement (such Joinder Agreements, together with the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, are collectively referred to herein as the “Icahn Agreements”).
Pursuant to the Icahn Agreements, the Icahn Designees were appointed to our Board. So long as an Icahn Designee is a member of our Board, the Board will not be expanded without approval from the Icahn Designees then on the Board. In addition, pursuant to the Icahn Agreements, subject to certain restrictions and requirements, the Icahn Group will have certain


43



replacement rights in the event an Icahn Designee resigns or is otherwise unable to serve as a director (other than as a result of not being nominated by the Board to stand for election at an annual meeting).
In addition, until the date that no Icahn Designee is a member of the Board (or otherwise deemed to be on the Board pursuant to the terms of the Icahn Agreements), the Icahn Group agrees to vote all of its shares of Company common stock in favor of the election of all of our director nominees at each annual or special meeting of stockholders and, subject to limited exceptions, the Icahn Group further agrees to (i) adhere to certain standstill obligations, including the obligation to not solicit proxies or consents or influence others with respect to the same, and (ii) not acquire or otherwise beneficially own more than 20% of our outstanding voting securities.
Pursuant to the Icahn Agreements, we will not create a separate executive committee of the Board so long as an Icahn Designee is a member of the Board.
Under the Icahn Agreements, if the Icahn Group ceases to hold a “net long position,” as defined in the Nomination and Standstill Agreement, in at least (A) 1,900,000 shares of our common stock, the Icahn Group will cause one Icahn Designee to promptly resign from the Board; (B) 1,520,000 shares of our common stock, the Icahn Group will cause two Icahn Designees to promptly resign from the Board; and (C) 1,266,667 shares of our common stock, the Icahn Group will cause all of the Icahn Designees to promptly resign from the Board and our obligations under the Icahn Agreements will terminate.
In addition, pursuant to the Icahn Agreements, we entered into a registration rights agreement, effective June 30, 2016 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), with certain entities related to Carl C. Icahn, on behalf of any person who is a member of the “Icahn group” (as such term is defined therein) who owns applicable securities at the relevant time and is or has become a party to the Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement provides for customary demand and piggyback registration rights and obligations.
Indemnification Agreements
We are a party to indemnification agreements with each of our directors. The indemnification agreements provide the directors with contractual rights to the indemnification and expense advancement rights provided under our By‑laws, as well as contractual rights to additional indemnification regarding expenses as provided in the indemnification agreements.
Other Relationships
In connection with our equipment rental businesses, we enter into millions of rental transactions every year involving hundreds of thousands of customers. In order to conduct that business, we also procure goods and services from thousands of vendors. Some of those customers and vendors may be affiliated with members of our Board or management team. We believe that all such rental and procurement transactions have been conducted on an arm’s length basis, involved terms no less favorable to us than those that we believe we would have obtained in the absence of such affiliation and not related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest in such transactions.


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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Purpose of the Annual Meeting
At the annual meeting, stockholders will act upon the following matters:
1.Election of the 11 nominees named in this proxy statement to serve as directors until the next annual meeting of stockholders;
2.    Approval, by a non-binding advisory vote, of the named executive officers’ compensation;
3.    Ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021; and
4.    Transaction of any other business that may properly be brought before the annual meeting.
Our senior management will be available at the meeting to answer questions from stockholders.
Stockholders Entitled to Vote at the Annual Meeting
Our Board has established the record date for the annual meeting as March 15, 2021. Only holders of record of common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at the annual meeting. On March 15, 2021, 29,589,247 shares of our common stock were outstanding.
Voting Procedures
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote as follows:
Voting by Internet: Follow the instructions on www.proxyvote.com.
Voting by Telephone: Call 1‑800‑690-6903 and follow the instructions provided by the recorded message.
Voting by Mail: Complete, sign, date and return the proxy card included in the printed proxy materials.
Voting in Person: Attend the meeting and vote in person.
If you hold your shares beneficially in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, you must follow the instructions provided by your broker or nominee to vote your shares.
Procedures for Attending the Annual Meeting
For those stockholders who wish to attend the annual meeting, you will need the following:
Photo identification; and
Proof of stock ownership as of the record date.
Please note that no cameras or recording devices are allowed at the annual meeting. Seating for the annual meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. (local time) and the annual meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. (local time).
If you hold your shares beneficially in “street name” through a broker or other nominee and you intend to vote your shares at the meeting, you will need a proxy from your bank or nominee. Please contact your bank or nominee if you hold your shares in “street name” and wish to vote your shares at the meeting.
Voting Options; Quorum
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” each director nominee and “FOR” each of Proposals 2 and 3. Below is a summary of the vote required for adoption of each proposal and the respective effect of abstentions and broker non-votes.
ProposalVote Required for AdoptionEffect of AbstentionsEffect of Broker Non-Votes
1. Election of 11 Director Nominees to Serve for a One Year Term
Majority of shares castNo effectNo effect
2. Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Majority of shares presentVote “against”No effect
3. Ratification of the Company’s Auditor for 2021
Majority of shares presentVote “against”N/A
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The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting constitutes a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee, such as a broker holding shares in “street name” for a beneficial owner, does not vote on a proposal because that nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to a proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.
If you hold your shares beneficially in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, and you would like to instruct your broker or nominee how to vote your shares, you should follow the directions provided by your broker or nominee. Under NYSE rules, your broker is permitted to vote on Proposal 3 even if it does not receive instructions from you. However, under NYSE rules, your broker does not have discretion to vote on any other proposal if it does not receive instructions from you.
Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote and stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes for the election of directors. We will vote your shares as you specify when providing your proxy. If you do not specify how you want your shares voted when you provide your proxy, we will vote them in accordance with the Board’s recommendation with respect to the matters set forth in this proxy statement. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the annual meeting.
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
We are permitted to furnish proxy materials, including this proxy statement and our annual report to stockholders for 2020, to our stockholders by providing access to such documents on the Internet at www.proxyvote.com instead of mailing printed copies. Our stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless they are requested. Instead, the Notice will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the proxy materials on the Internet. It will also instruct you as to how you may submit your proxy on the Internet. If you would like to receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials in the Notice. If you receive more than one Notice, it generally means that some of your shares are registered differently or are in more than one account. Please provide voting instructions for each Notice you receive.
Revocation of Proxies
Even if you voted by telephone or on the Internet, or if you requested paper proxy materials and signed and returned the proxy card, you may revoke your proxy before it is voted at the annual meeting by submitting a new proxy, dated later than your first proxy, or by a later-dated vote by telephone or on the Internet. You may also revoke your proxy by delivering a signed revocation letter to our Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary at Herc Holdings Inc., 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34134. If you are attending the annual meeting in person, you may revoke your proxy by voting in person at the annual meeting. Your attendance at the annual meeting will not by itself revoke your proxy. If you hold your shares beneficially in “street name” through a broker or other nominee and you have previously directed your broker or nominee to vote your shares, you should instruct your broker or nominee to change or revoke your vote if you wish to do so. If you hold your shares beneficially in “street name” through a broker or other nominee and wish to cast your vote in person at the annual meeting, you should obtain a proxy to vote your shares from your broker or nominee.
Solicitation of Proxies
Proxies may be solicited on behalf of our Board by mail or telephone, on the Internet or in person, and we will pay the solicitation costs. The proxy statement and related proxy materials and the Notice will be supplied to brokers, dealers, banks and voting trustees, or their nominees, for the purpose of soliciting proxies from beneficial owners, and we will reimburse those record holders for their reasonable expenses.
Householding Rules
The SEC’s proxy rules permit companies and intermediaries, such as brokers and banks, to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing an address by delivering a single set of proxy materials. This procedure reduces the amount of duplicate information that stockholders receive and lowers printing and mailing costs for companies.
Therefore, only one copy of the Notice and/or this proxy statement may have been delivered to multiple stockholders sharing a single address. If you wish to opt out of this procedure and receive a separate Notice and/or set of proxy materials in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one, you should contact your broker or other nominee, or the Company or its agent at the address and telephone number below.


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A separate copy of the Notice and this proxy statement will be promptly delivered upon request to either our agent by telephone at 1-800-579-1639 or by email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com, or to the Investor Relations Department by telephone at 1-239-301-1024, by email to investor@hercrentals.com, or by written request to Herc Holdings Inc., 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Additional Information
Our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (“2020 Annual Report”) is filed with the SEC and may also be obtained via a link posted on the “Investor Relations” portion of our website, http://ir.hercrentals.com. Copies of the 2020 Annual Report, or any exhibits thereto, will be sent within a reasonable time without charge upon written request to Herc Holdings Inc., 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
OTHER BUSINESS
Our Board is not aware of any other matters to be presented at the annual meeting. If any other matter proper for action at the meeting is properly presented, the holders of the accompanying proxy will have discretion to vote the shares represented by the proxy on such matter in accordance with their best judgment. If any matter not proper for action at the meeting should be presented, the holders of the proxy will vote against consideration of the matter or the proposed action.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF
PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING
We have sent or are sending the Notice, which indicates that that our proxy materials and annual report to stockholders for 2020 will be made available on the Internet at www.proxyvote.com. If you wish to receive paper or e‑mail copies of any of these materials, please follow the instructions on your Notice.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2022 ANNUAL MEETING
We will review for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement stockholder proposals received by December 2, 2021. Proposals should be sent, along with proof of ownership of our common stock in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 14a-8(b)(2), to the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of the Company at 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34134. We strongly encourage any stockholder interested in submitting a proposal to contact our Chief Legal Officer in advance of this deadline to discuss the proposal. Stockholders may want to consult knowledgeable counsel with regard to the detailed requirements of applicable securities laws. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee that we will include it in our proxy statement.
Stockholder proposals, including nominations for directors, not included in next year’s proxy statement may be brought before the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who has given a written notice to the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary containing certain information specified in our By‑laws and who was a stockholder of record at the time such notice was given. Such notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the address in the preceding paragraph no earlier than January 13, 2022 and no later than February 12, 2022, except that if the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders is held before April 13, 2022 or after July 22, 2022, such notice must be delivered at the address in the preceding paragraph no earlier than 120 days prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which a public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made.
Our By‑laws require that stockholder recommendations for nominees to the Board must include the name of the nominee or nominees, information regarding the nominee or nominees that would be required to be included in a proxy statement for the election of directors and a consent signed by the nominee or nominees evidencing consent to be named in the proxy statement and willingness to serve on the Board, if elected.
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2020
Our annual report to stockholders for the year 2022 is being made available on or about April 2, 2021 to persons who were stockholders of record as of March 15, 2021, the record date for the annual meeting.


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APPENDIX
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Return on Revenue Earning Equipment
In addition to results calculated according to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), we have provided certain information in this proxy statement that is not calculated according to GAAP (“non-GAAP”), including Adjusted EBITDA, Return on Revenue Earning Equipment and Return on Invested Capital. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP and, as calculated, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate operating performance and period-over-period performance of our core business without regard to potential distortions, and believes that investors will likewise find these non-GAAP measures useful in evaluating our performance. These measures are frequently used by security analysts, institutional investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry.
Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA (the sum of net income (loss); provision (benefit) for income taxes; interest expense, net; depreciation of rental equipment; and non-rental depreciation and amortization) plus the sum of merger and acquisition related costs, restructuring and restructuring related charges, spin-off costs, non-cash stock based compensation charges, loss on extinguishment of debt (which is included in interest expense, net), impairment charges, gain (loss) on disposal of a business and certain other items.

Return on Revenue Earning Equipment represents Adjusted EBITDA divided by the average original equipment cost of revenue earning equipment (based on American Rental Association guidelines, which is calculated as the cost of the asset at the time it was first purchased plus additional capitalized refurbishment costs, with the basis of refurbished assets reset at the refurbishment date).

The following is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and the calculation of the Return on Revenue Earning Equipment:
Years ended December 31,

(in millions)
20202019201820172016
Net income73.7 $47.5 $69.1 160.3(20.5)
Income tax provision (benefit)20.4 16.1 (0.3)(224.7)15.6
Interest expense, net92.6 173.5 137.0 140.084.2
Depreciation of rental equipment403.9 409.1 387.5 378.9350.5
Non-rental depreciation and amortization62.5 61.0 57.3 51.544.8
EBITDA653.1 707.2 650.6 506.0474.6
Restructuring 0.7 7.7 5.0 5.54.0
Restructuring related— — 0.3 2.9
Spin-off costs0.6 0.5 14.4 35.249.2
Non-cash stock-based compensation charges16.4 19.5 13.4 10.15.5
Loss on sale of business2.8 — — 
Impairment15.4 5.1 — 29.7
Other (1)
0.4 1.0 1.1 (1.1)
Adjusted EBITDA$689.4 $741.0 $684.8 $585.4 $536.2 
Average Revenue Earning Equipment at OEC$3,753.2 $3,844.2 $3,828.9 3,654.7 3,507.8 
Return on Revenue Earning Equipment18.4 %19.3 %17.9 %16.0 %15.3 %
___________
(1)Comprised primarily of a cash separation benefit paid to our former Chief Operating Officer as part of a separation agreement for the year ended December 31, 2019.
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Net Leverage Ratio

Net Leverage Ratio is defined as net debt, as calculated below, divided by adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve-month period. This measure should be considered supplemental to and not a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s definition of this measure may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Years ended December 31,
20202019201820172016
Long-term debt, net$1,651.5 $2,051.5 $2,129.9 $2,137.1 $2,178.6 
(Plus) Current maturities of long-term debt12.2 27.0 26.9 22.7 15.7 
(Plus) Unamortized debt issuance costs7.2 7.9 10.6 14.5 21.0 
(Less) Cash and cash equivalents(33.0)(33.0)(27.8)(41.5)(24.0)
Net debt1,637.9 2,053.4 2,139.6 2,132.8 2,191.3 
Trailing twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA$689.4 $741.0 684.8585.4536.2
Net Leverage2.4x2.8x3.1x3.6x4.1x

Return on Invested Capital

Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC") is a performance ratio that aims to measure the percentage return that investors in a company are earning from their invested capital. The ratio is one of the primary metrics used to analyze investment decisions, measuring both profitability and capital efficiency. ROIC is generally calculated as net operating profit after tax divided by invested capital. Average Return on Invested Capital (“Average ROIC") for the purposes of our long-term equity incentive plan is defined as the average return on invested capital for the performance period; provided, however, in the event of any (i) material acquisitions or dispositions, (ii) currency fluctuations, (iii) changes in law or accounting standards or (iv) other nonrecurring or infrequently occurring events or items reflected in our audited financial statements or notes thereto, which occur during the performance period, the Compensation Committee shall make appropriate adjustments to the performance incentive threshold, target and maximum criteria and/or the determination of Average ROIC, in accordance with any applicable provisions of the Plan.

The calculation of Average ROIC for the performance period from 2018-2020 is below:
PeriodROIC
20187.4 %
20198.3 %
20207.2 %
Average ROIC7.7 %


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