Summary
Dover Corporation (DOV) filed an 8-K on November 8, 2006, detailing changes to its non-employee director compensation structure, effective January 1, 2007. The annual compensation for non-employee directors will increase from $120,000 to $140,000, with the stock and cash split remaining at 60% and 40%, respectively. This change reflects an adjustment to align director compensation with market standards and incentivize long-term alignment with shareholder interests. Furthermore, the filing outlines increased retainers for committee chairs, including a rise for the Audit Committee Chair from $10,000 to $15,000, and the introduction of new annual retainers for the Compensation Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee Chairs at $7,500 each. A significant shift in how directors are compensated for subsidiary board service is also noted; instead of meeting fees, directors will receive an annual retainer of $15,000 for serving on a subsidiary board. The company also implemented a new stock ownership guideline requiring directors to hold at least five years' worth of their stock retainers, net of taxes, to further promote alignment with shareholder value.
Key Highlights
- 1Annual compensation for non-employee directors increased from $120,000 to $140,000, effective January 1, 2007.
- 2Stock portion of director compensation remains 60%, cash portion remains 40%.
- 3Additional annual retainer for the Audit Committee Chair increased from $10,000 to $15,000.
- 4New annual retainers of $7,500 established for the Compensation Committee Chair and Governance and Nominating Committee Chair.
- 5Directors will receive an annual retainer of $15,000 for serving on a Subsidiary board, replacing meeting fees.
- 6New policy requires directors to hold at least five years' worth of their stock retainers (net of assumed 30% withholding tax).
- 7These changes are intended to better align director compensation with market practices and shareholder interests.