8-KShareholder Matters

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER CO INC 8-K Report, Shareholder Vote Results (Apr 27, 2011)

Filed April 27, 2011For Securities:AEP

Summary

This Form 8-K filing from American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) reports on the outcomes of its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 26, 2011. The primary focus for investors is the approval of key corporate governance and business matters presented to shareholders. Shareholders overwhelmingly re-elected all thirteen director nominees and ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2011. Additionally, an advisory vote on executive compensation was approved, and shareholders favored holding this advisory vote annually. The results indicate strong shareholder confidence in the current board and the company's auditor, as well as support for transparency in executive pay practices.

Key Highlights

  • 1All thirteen director nominees were re-elected to the Board of Directors by shareholder vote.
  • 2Shareholders approved the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2011.
  • 3An advisory vote on executive compensation received shareholder approval.
  • 4Shareholders voted in favor of holding the advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis.
  • 5The Board of Directors has determined that the advisory vote on executive compensation will be conducted annually, aligning with shareholder preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main proposals voted on were the election of thirteen directors to the Board, the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditor for fiscal year 2011, an advisory vote on executive compensation, and an advisory vote on the frequency of future executive compensation votes.

All thirteen director nominees presented by the Company were elected to the Board of Directors, with a significant majority of votes cast in favor for each nominee.

The advisory vote on executive compensation being held annually, as supported by shareholders and adopted by the Board, means that shareholders will have a yearly opportunity to voice their opinion on the company's compensation policies for its executives. This is a common corporate governance practice aimed at increasing transparency and accountability.

Shareholders strongly indicated a preference for the advisory vote on executive compensation to be held annually. While there were votes for two and three years, the '1 Year' option received the highest number of votes.