STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” to account for the Company’s stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award and is recognized over the employees’ requisite service period. The Company recorded stock compensation expense of $1,082 and $167 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to fully-vested stock awards, restricted stock awards, and performance unit awards. At March 31, 2018, unrecognized compensation expense for awards that the Company expects to vest approximated $5,713. The Company will recognize this expense over the upcoming 4 years through March 2022.

Shares issued as a result of vested stock-based compensation generally will be from previously issued shares that have been reacquired by the Company and held as treasury stock or authorized and previously unissued common stock.

Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Unit Awards

Under the 2006 Omnibus Plan, the Company grants eligible employees restricted stock and performance unit awards. The forfeitable restricted stock awards granted prior to March 2015 generally time-vest after a four-year period, and those granted subsequent to March 2015 generally time-vest ratably over a three-year period, unless indicated otherwise by the underlying restricted stock agreement. Performance unit awards are offered annually under separate three-year long-term incentive programs. Performance units are subject to forfeiture and will be converted into common stock of the Company based upon the Company’s performance relative to performance measures and conversion multiples, as defined in the underlying program. If the Company’s estimate of the number of performance stock awards expected to vest changes in a subsequent accounting period, cumulative compensation expense could increase or decrease. The change will be recognized in the current period for the vested shares and would change future expense over the remaining vesting period.

Since May 1, 2017, non-employee directors have been permitted to defer receipt of annual stock awards and equity elected to be received in lieu of quarterly cash compensation. If so elected, these deferred stock units will be issued as common stock six months after the separation from their service on the Board of Directors.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Compensation Committee approved the 2018 Performance Share Unit Program and the Executive Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (consisting of cash and equity components). The Compensation Committee also certified the actual performance achievement of participants in the 2015 Performance Share Unit Program. Actual performance resulted in no payout relative to the 2015 Performance Share Unit Program target performance metrics.

The following table summarizes the restricted stock award, deferred stock units, and performance unit award activity for the period ended March 31, 2018:



	Restricted Stock		Deferred Stock Units	Performance Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	186,806		26,860	181,341		$	16.53
Granted	47,905		2,230	62,714		27.02
Vested	(35,946	)	—	—		28.27
Adjustment for incentive awards expected to vest	—		—	(2,406	)	15.68
Cancelled and forfeited	(14,425	)	—	(11,880	)	15.60
Outstanding at March 31, 2018	184,340		29,090	229,769		$	18.43