DEF 14A: Definitive proxy statements
Published on April 11, 2005
UNITED STATES
SECURITY 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. ______ )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a-12
TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee require
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the dae of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC.
3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE, SUITE 360
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27408
PHONE: 336-292-3010
E-MAIL: tangermail@tangeroutlet.com
NYSE: SKT
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
to be held on May 13, 2005
Dear Shareholders:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I cordially invite you to attend the
2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. to be
held on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 10 o'clock a.m. at the O. Henry Hotel, 624 Green
Valley Road, Greensboro, North Carolina, (336) 854-2000, for the following
purposes:
1. To elect directors to serve for the ensuing year; and,
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.
Only common shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31,
2005 will be entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.
Information concerning the matters to be considered and voted upon at the
Annual Meeting is set out in the attached Proxy Statement. Our 2004 Annual
Report for the year ended December 31, 2004 is also enclosed.
It is important that your shares be represented at the 2005 Annual Meeting
regardless of the number of shares you hold and whether or not you plan to
attend the meeting in person. Please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy
card and return it as soon as possible in the accompanying envelope. This will
not prevent you from voting your shares in person if you subsequently choose to
attend the meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ Stanley K. Tanger
Stanley K. Tanger
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
April 11, 2005
TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC.
3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE, SUITE 360
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27408
PHONE: 336-292-3010
E-MAIL: tangermail@tangeroutlet.com
NYSE: SKT
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PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
to be held on May 13, 2005
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Board of Directors of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT), a
self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, referred to as
a REIT, is soliciting your proxy for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of the Company to be held on Friday, May 13, 2005.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term "Company" refers to Tanger
Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., the term "Board" refers to our Board of Directors,
the term "meeting" refers to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company
to be held on May 13, 2005, and the term "Operating Partnership" refers to
Tanger Properties Limited Partnership. Our factory outlet centers and other
assets are held by, and all of our operations are conducted by, the Operating
Partnership. Accordingly, the descriptions of our business, employees and
properties are also descriptions of the business, employees and properties of
the Operating Partnership. The terms "we", "our" and "us" refer to the Company
or the Company and the Operating Partnership together, as the text requires.
The proxy materials are being mailed on or about April 11, 2005 to holders
of record of our common shares, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Shares"),
on March 31, 2005. Any shareholder who does not receive a copy of the proxy
materials may obtain a copy at the meeting or by contacting Rochelle Simpson,
Secretary of our Company (phone number: 336-834-6836). Our principal executive
offices are located at 3200 Northline Avenue, Suite 360, Greensboro, North
Carolina 27408.
Date, Time and Place
We will hold the meeting on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 10 o'clock a.m. at
the O. Henry Hotel, 624 Green Valley Road, Greensboro, North Carolina, (336)
854-2000, subject to any adjournments or postponements.
Who Can Vote; Votes per share
All holders of record of the Common Shares as of the close of business on
the record date, March 31, 2005, are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.
The outstanding Common Shares are the only class of securities entitled to vote
at the meeting. Each Common Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote. At
the close of business on March 19, 2005, 27,473,416 Common Shares were issued
and outstanding.
How to Vote
Common Shares represented by a properly executed proxy will be voted as
directed on the proxy card. To be voted, proxies must be filed with the
Secretary of the Company prior to voting.
If your Common Shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or
other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of those Common Shares
and you have the right to instruct your broker, bank or other nominee how to
vote on your behalf. Brokerage firms and other nominees have the authority,
under New York Stock Exchange rules at the time of this Proxy Statement, to vote
Common Shares for the beneficial owner on certain "routine" matters for which
you do not provide voting instructions. The election of directors is considered
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a routine matter and where no specification is made on the properly executed and
returned form of proxy, the shares will be voted FOR the election of all
nominees for director. When a proposal is not a routine matter and the broker or
nominee has not received specific voting instructions from the beneficial owner
of the shares with respect to that proposal, the brokerage firm or nominee
cannot vote FOR or AGAINST the proposal for the beneficial owner. This is called
a "broker non-vote".
Quorum and Voting Requirements
Under the Company's By-Laws and North Carolina law, Common Shares
represented at the meeting by proxy for any purpose will be deemed present for
quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting. Directors will be elected by
the vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the Common Shares entitled to vote
in the election, provided that a quorum is present. Accordingly, Common Shares
which are present at the meeting for any other purpose but which are not voted
in the election of directors will not affect the election of the candidates
receiving a plurality of the votes cast by the Common Shares entitled to vote in
the election at the meeting. All other proposals to come before the meeting
require a plurality of the votes cast regarding the proposal. Accordingly,
abstentions, broker non-votes and Common Shares which are present at the meeting
for any other purpose but which are not voted on a particular proposal will not
affect the outcome of the vote on the proposal unless the North Carolina
Business Corporation Act requires that the proposal be approved by a greater
number of affirmative votes than a plurality of the votes cast.
Revocation of Proxies
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by filing a notice
of such revocation, by filing a later dated proxy with the Secretary of the
Company or by voting in person at the meeting. You cannot revoke your proxy by
merely attending the meeting. If you dissent, you will not have any rights of
appraisal with respect to the matters to be acted upon at the meeting.
Proxy Solicitation
We will bear the costs of soliciting proxies from the holders of our Common
Shares. Proxies will initially be solicited by us by mail. We have not retained
the services of a third party to assist in the solicitation of proxies. Our
directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone,
telegraph, fax, e-mail or personal interview. We will reimburse banks, brokerage
firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses
incurred by them in sending proxy material to shareholders.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's By-Laws provide that directors be elected at each Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. Pursuant to such By-Laws, our Board has fixed the
number of directors to be elected at this year's meeting at six. In August 2004,
our Board approved an expansion of its Board from five members to six members
and elected Allan L. Schuman, Chairman of the Board of Ecolab, Inc., to become a
member of our Board. Mr. Shuman was recommended to the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee by a non-management director. The persons named as proxies
in the accompanying form of proxy intend to vote in favor of the election of the
six nominees for director designated below, all of whom are presently directors
of the Company, to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until
their successors are elected and shall qualify. It is expected that each of
these nominees will be able to serve, but if any such nominee is unable to serve
for any reason, the proxies reserve discretion to vote or refrain from voting
for a substitute nominee or nominees. All directors of the Company serve terms
of one year or until the election of their respective successors.
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Information Regarding Nominees (as of March 19, 2005)
(1) Member of the Board's Audit Committee, Compensation Committee,
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Share and Unit
Option Committee.
(2) Lead Director
Vote Required. The nominees will be elected by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a plurality of those votes cast at the meeting; provided that a
quorum is present. Accordingly, abstentions, broker non-votes and Common Shares
present at the meeting for any other purpose but which are not voted on this
proposal will not affect the outcome of the vote on the nominees unless the
North Carolina Business Corporation Act requires that the nominee be approved by
a greater number of affirmative votes than a plurality of the votes cast.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR ALL OF THE NOMINEES SET FORTH ABOVE.
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Director Independence
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the listing standards of the New
York Stock Exchange require that a majority of our directors must be independent
directors and every member of the Board's Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee be independent.
Generally, independent directors are those directors who are not concurrently
serving as officers of the Company and who currently have no material
relationship to us that may interfere with the exercise of their independence
from management and the Company. Our Board has affirmatively determined that the
following nominees to our Board are independent, as that term is defined under
our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the general independence standards in
the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange: Jack Africk, William G.
Benton, Thomas E. Robinson and Allan L. Schuman. We presently have six
directors, including these four independent directors.
Attendance at Board Meetings
The Board held five regular and five special meetings during 2004. Each of
the above directors attended at least 75% of the meetings held during 2004 by
the Board and the committees of which he was a member. The non-management
directors are required to meet in executive sessions periodically, but no less
than once a year. The non-management directors have designated Mr. Jack Africk
to serve as Lead Director for purposes of presiding at the executive sessions.
The independent directors should meet in executive session at least once a year.
Our policies for non-management and independent director executive sessions were
adopted with our Corporate Governance Guidelines in 2004. The Company does not
have a formal policy of attendance for directors at our Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. All of our directors attended the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
in 2004.
Committees of the Board
Audit Committee. The Board has established an Audit Committee consisting of
our four independent directors. As restructured in February of 2004, the purpose
of the Audit Committee is (i) to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight of
the integrity of the Company's financial statements, the Company's compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of
the Company's independent registered public accountants and the performance of
the Company's independent registered public accountants and the Company's
internal audit function and (ii) to prepare any audit committee reports required
by the Securities Exchange Commission to be included in the Company's annual
proxy statement. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the
appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Company's
independent registered public accountants and approves in advance, or adopts
appropriate procedures to approve in advance, all audit and non-audit services
provided by the independent registered public accountants. The Board has
determined that each member of the Audit Committee is "financially literate", as
that term is defined in the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange,
and that each member of the committee is an "audit committee financial expert",
as that term is defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee
acts under a written charter adopted by the Board. A copy of the Audit Committee
Charter is available on our website. Mr. Africk, Mr. Benton, Mr. Robinson and
Mr. Schuman currently serve on the Audit Committee, with Mr. Africk serving as
chairman. Mr. Schuman was appointed on March 1, 2005 to serve on the Audit
Committee. During 2004, there were five meetings of the Audit Committee.
Compensation Committee. The Board has established a Compensation Committee
consisting of our four independent directors. The Compensation Committee is
charged with determining compensation for our chief executive officer and making
recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of other officers.
The Compensation Committee acts under a written charter adopted by the Board. A
copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available on our website. Mr.
Africk, Mr. Benton, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Schuman currently serve on the
Compensation Committee, with Mr. Africk serving as chairman. Mr. Schuman was
appointed on March 1, 2005 to serve on the Compensation Committee. During 2004,
there were four meetings of the Compensation Committee.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board has established a
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting of our four independent
directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee makes
recommendations to the Board of changes in the size of the Board or any
committee of the Board, recommends individuals for the Board to nominate for
election as directors, recommends individuals for appointment to committees of
the Board, establishes procedures for the Board's oversight of the evaluation of
the Board and management, and develops and recommends corporate governance
guidelines.
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates annually the
effectiveness of the Board as a whole and identifies any areas in which the
Board would be better served by adding new members with different skills,
backgrounds or areas of experience. The Board considers director candidates
based on a number of factors including: whether the Board member will be
"independent" in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines and as such
term is defined by the New York Stock Exchange listing requirements; personal
qualities and characteristics, accomplishments and reputation in the business
community; experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size
and current knowledge and contacts in the Company's industry or other industries
relevant to the Company's business; experience and understanding of the
Company's business and financial matters affecting its business; ability and
willingness to commit adequate time to Board and committee matters; the fit of
the individual's skills and personality with those of other directors and
potential directors in building a Board that is effective, collegial and
responsive to the needs of the Company; and diversity of viewpoints, background,
experience and other demographics. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee does not have a policy on the consideration of board nominees
recommended by shareholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
believes that such a policy is not necessary in that it will consider nominees
based on a nominee's qualifications, regardless of whether the nominee is
recommended by shareholders. See "Other Matters - Shareholder Proposals and
Nominations" in this Proxy Statement.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee acts under a written
charter adopted by the Board. A copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee Charter is available on our website. Mr. Africk, Mr. Benton, Mr.
Robinson and Mr. Schuman currently serve on the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, with Mr. Robinson serving as chairman. Mr. Schuman was
appointed on March 1, 2005 to serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. During 2004, there were three meetings of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee.
Share and Unit Option Committee. The Board has established a Share and Unit
Option Committee (referred to as the "Option Committee") consisting of our four
independent directors. The Option Committee administers our Incentive Award Plan
(formerly known as the Share Option Plan and the Operating Partnership's Unit
Option Plan which was merged into the Incentive Award Plan). Mr. Africk, Mr.
Benton, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Schuman currently serve on the Option Committee,
with Mr. Benton serving as chairman. Mr. Schuman was appointed on March 1, 2005
to serve on the Option Committee. During 2004, there were two meetings of the
Option Committee.
Shareholder Communications with Directors
Any shareholder may send communications to the Board and individual members
of the Board by sending a letter by mail addressed to the Board of Directors (or
an individual director) c/o Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., 3200 Northline
Avenue, Suite 360, Greensboro, North Carolina 27408, Attn: Corporate Secretary.
Compensation of Directors
Our independent directors are paid an annual compensation fee of $20,000
and a per meeting fee of $1,000 ($500 for telephone meetings) for each Board
meeting and each committee meeting attended. In addition, the chairman of each
committee, except the Audit Committee, is paid an annual compensation fee of
$2,500. The chairman of the Audit Committee is paid an annual compensation fee
of $5,000. Effective January 1, 2005, the chairman of each committee, except the
Audit Committee, will be paid an annual compensation fee of $5,000 and the
chairman of the Audit Committee will be paid an annual compensation fee of
$7,500.
Upon the initial election to the Board and on each of the first two
anniversaries thereof, each independent director receives an option to purchase
6,000 Common Shares at an exercise price per Common Share equal to the Fair
Market Value (as defined in the Incentive Award Plan) of a Common Share on the
date of the option grant; 20% of such options become exercisable on each of the
first five anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the independent
director's continued service as a director. Our employees who are also directors
will not be paid any director fees and will not receive any options for their
services as directors of the Company.
Upon approval of the entire Board, we may from time to time under the
Incentive Award Plan grant to any independent director additional options,
restricted or deferred shares, dividend equivalents or other awards. On April
23, 2004, the Board made grants of restricted share awards to each of Mr.
Africk, Mr. Benton and Mr. Robinson with a value of approximately $15,000 to
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vest in three annual installments or, alternatively, at the time the
directorship is terminated if other than by reason of voluntary resignation or
removal for cause. On April 26, 2004, the Board granted to each of Mr. Africk,
Mr. Benton and Mr. Robinson options to purchase 10,000 Common Shares pursuant to
the Incentive Award Plan at an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value as
of such option grant dates. On November 1, 2004, the Board granted to Mr.
Schuman options to purchase 6,000 Common Shares pursuant to the Incentive Award
Plan at an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value as of such option grant
date. On each of the first five anniversaries of the date of grant, 20% of these
options become exercisable subject to the director's continued service as a
director.
On March 24, 2005, based on the advice and recommendations of an
independent compensation consultant retained by the Compensation Committee, the
Board approved an annual restricted share award of 2,000 Common Shares for each
independent director in addition to the cash compensation described above. The
initial 2,000 restricted shares were granted on March 24, 2005 and each
subsequent grant will occur automatically without any further action by the
Board. For each grant, the restricted shares will vest and the restrictions will
cease to apply on one-third of the restricted shares on each December 31st
following the date of grant. Dividends are paid on the restricted shares whether
vested or unvested.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee has provided the following report:
During 2004, we reviewed with the Company's Chief Financial Officer and
internal auditor and the Company's independent registered public accounting
firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC"), the scope of the annual audit and
audit plans, the results of internal and external audit examinations, the
evaluation by the auditors of the Company's system of internal control, the
quality of the Company's financial reporting and the Company's process for legal
and regulatory compliance. We also monitored the progress and results of the
testing of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Management is responsible for the Company's system of internal control, the
financial reporting process and the assessment of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting. PwC is responsible for performing an
integrated audit and issuing reports and opinions on the following:
1. the Company's consolidated financial statements;
2. the Company's internal control over financial reporting; and
3. management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal
control over financial reporting.
As provided in our Charter, our responsibilities include monitoring and
overseeing these processes.
Consistent with this oversight responsibility, PwC reports directly to us.
We appointed PwC as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm
and approved the compensation of the firm. We reviewed and approved all
non-audit services performed by PwC during 2004 and determined that the
provision of the services was compatible with maintaining PwC's independence.
PwC provided to us the written disclosures required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees),
and we discussed with PwC its independence.
We reviewed and discussed the 2004 consolidated financial statements and
management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control
over financial reporting with management and PwC. We also discussed the
certification process with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer. Management represented to us that the Company's consolidated financial
statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and that the Company's internal control
over financial reporting was effective. We discussed with PwC the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61
(Communication with Audit Committees).
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Based on these discussions and reviews, we recommended to the Board of
Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 for
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The following is a summary of the fees billed to the Company by the PwC for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003:
2004 2003
----- -----
Audit fees $215,000 $264,265
Audit-related fees 185,996 116,065
Tax fees 246,154 213,362
All other fees --- ---
The audit fees for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003,
respectively, were for professional services rendered for the audits of our
consolidated financial statements and also included, for 2003 only, services
related to the issuance of comfort letters and assistance with the review of
documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The audit-related fees for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003,
respectively, were for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ,
assurances and related services associated with the implementation of new
accounting pronouncements and consultation services regarding our joint
ventures, and for 2003 only, consultation and special audit work for the
acquisition of real estate.
The tax fees for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, were for tax
compliance and tax research and planning services, including tax return
preparation and tax advice regarding acquisitions and joint ventures.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Jack Africk (Chairman)
William G. Benton
Thomas E. Robinson
Allan L. Schuman
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 19, 2005, or
such other date as indicated in the notes thereto, available to us with respect
to our Common Shares, and of units of partnership interests in the Operating
Partnership (the "Units") (i) held by those persons known by us to be the
beneficial owners (as determined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the "SEC") of more than 5% of such shares, (ii) held individually by
the directors and our executive officers named elsewhere in this Proxy
Statement, and (iii) held by our directors and all of our executive officers as
a group.
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* Less than 1%
(1) The ownership of Common Shares reported herein is based upon filings with
the SEC and is subject to confirmation by us that such ownership did not
violate the ownership restrictions in our Articles of Incorporation.
(2) Represents shares that may be acquired upon the exchange of Units
beneficially owned for Common Shares. Units held by the Tanger Family
Limited Partnership (the "TFLP") and Units that may be acquired upon the
exercise of options to purchase Units may be exchanged for our Common
Shares on a two-for-one basis.
(3) Includes 278,062 Common Shares owned by the TFLP, of which Stanley K.
Tanger is the general partner and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner,
and 6,066,610 Common Shares which may be acquired upon the exchange of
Units owned by TFLP. Also includes 335,546 Common Shares and 40,000 Common
Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable
options to purchase Units owned by Stanley K. Tanger individually and 2,000
Common Shares owned by Stanley K. Tanger's spouse. Does not include 80,000
Common Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options to
purchase Units, which are presently unexercisable, owned by Stanley K.
Tanger individually.
(4) Includes 28,000 Common Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of
presently exercisable options to purchase Units. Does not include 278,062
Common Shares owned by TFLP and 6,066,610 Common Shares which may be
acquired upon the exchange Units owned by the TFLP (Steven B. Tanger is a
limited partner of the Tanger Investments Limited Partnership, which is a
limited partner of TFLP) for Common Shares. Does not include 56,000 Common
Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options to purchase Units
which are presently unexercisable. Does not include 335,546 Common Shares
actually owned or 280,062 Common Shares which may be deemed beneficially
owned by Steven B. Tanger's father, Stanley K. Tanger.
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(5) We have received a copy of Schedule 13G as filed with the SEC by Barclays
Global Investors, NA ("BGI") and Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA")
reporting ownership of these shares as of December 31, 2004. As reported in
said Schedule 13G, (i) BGI has sole dispositive power for 1,667,083 of such
shares and sole voting power for 1,461,686 of such shares; and (ii) BGFA
has sole dispositive power for 333,636 of such shares and sole voting power
for 312,380 of such shares.
(6) We have received a copy of Schedule 13G as filed with the SEC by Neuberger
Berman, Inc. ("NBI"), Neuberger Berman Realty Income Fund Inc. ("NBRIF"),
Neuberger Berman, LLC ("NBLLC") and Neuberger Berman Management Inc.
("NBMI") reporting ownership of these shares as of December 31, 2004. As
reported in said Schedule 13G, (i) NBI has shared dispositive power for
1,396,200 of such shares, sole voting power for 24,000 of such shares and
shared voting power for 1,368,400 of such shares; (ii) NBRIF has shared
dispositive power for 809,400 of such shares and shared voting power for
809,400 of such shares; (iii) NBLLC, the sub-advisor of NBRIF, has shared
dispositive power for all of the shares reported and (iv) NBMI, the
investment manager of NBRIF, has shared dispositive power for all of the
shares reported.
(7) Includes 38,000 presently exercisable options to purchase our Common
Shares.
(8) Includes 14,000 presently exercisable options to purchase our Common
Shares.
(9) Includes 4,000 presently exercisable options to purchase our Common Shares.
(10) Amounts shown as Common Shares exchangeable for Units represent Common
Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable
options to purchase Units.
(11) Includes 236,840 Common Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of
presently exercisable options to purchase Common Shares or Units. Does not
include 318,000 Common Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of
options to purchase Common Shares or Units which are presently
unexercisable.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation earned for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 with respect to our CEO and our four (4)
most highly compensated executives other than our CEO whose cash compensation
exceeded $100,000 during such year.
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(1) At December 31, 2004, an aggregate of 147,000 shares of restricted,
unvested Common Shares were held by the named executive officers with an
aggregate value at such date (based on the closing price of our Common
Shares on the New York Stock Exchange of $26.46) of $3,889,620 as follows:
Mr. Stanley Tanger, 84,000 shares valued at $2,222,640; Mr. Steven Tanger,
56,000 shares valued at $1,481,760; and Mr. Marchisello, 7,000 shares
valued at $185,220. Prior to vesting, the recipients are entitled to vote
and receive dividends with respect to the restricted Common Shares.
(2) Number of Common Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options
to purchase Units in the Operating Partnership.
(3) A portion of the salaries of Stanley K. Tanger and Steven B. Tanger is paid
by the Company for services to the Company and the remainder is paid by the
Operating Partnership.
(4) For the year 2004, Stanley K. Tanger earned an annual bonus of $470,000 and
a special award related to the sale of two of our operating properties
during such year of $38,588. For the year 2003, Stanley K. Tanger earned an
annual bonus of $342,229 and a special award related to the sale of two of
our operating properties during such year of $192,750. In lieu of receiving
the 2003 annual bonus amount in cash, Mr. Tanger was granted an award of
120,000 restricted shares in 2004. 15% of the award vested on June 15, 2004
and the remaining shares will vest annually on December 15th of each year
through the year 2008. Dividends are paid on the restricted shares. For the
year 2002, Mr. Tanger received an annual bonus of $323,450 and a special
award related to the sale of two of our operating properties during such
year of $406,047.
(5) We reimbursed Stanley K. Tanger $17,500 in 2004, 2003, and 2002 for
premiums paid towards a term life insurance policy. In addition, the
Company provided $2,563 during 2004 and $2,563 during 2003 and 2002 as a
Company match under the employee 401(k) Plan.
(6) For the year 2004, Steven B. Tanger earned an annual bonus of $400,000 and
a special award related to the sale of two of our operating properties
during such year of $12,863. For the year 2003, Steven B. Tanger earned an
annual bonus of $298,816 and a special award related to the sale of two of
our operating properties during such year of $64,250. In lieu of receiving
the 2003 annual bonus amount in cash, Mr. Tanger was granted an award of
80,000 restricted shares in 2004. 15% of the award vested on June 15, 2004
and the remaining shares vest annually on December 15th of each year
through the year 2008. Dividends are paid on the restricted shares. For the
year 2002, Mr. Tanger received an annual bonus of $282,919 and a special
award related to the sale of two of our operating properties during such
year of $135,349.
(7) We provide term life insurance to Steven B. Tanger. Annual premiums paid by
us in 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $12,970. In addition, we provided $2,563
during 2004 and $2,500 during 2003 and 2002 as a Company match under the
employee 401(k) plan.
(8) Mr. Marchisello received an award of 10,000 restricted shares in 2004. 15%
of the award vested on June 15, 2004 and the remaining shares vest annually
on December 15th of each year through the year 2008. Dividends are paid on
the restricted shares.
(9) Company match under employee 401(k) plan.
(10) Joseph H. Nehmen is the son-in-law of Stanley K. Tanger and brother-in-law
of Steven B. Tanger.
11
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table provides information on option grants to our CEO or
our other four (4) most highly compensated executives during 2004.
(1) Represents the number of Common Shares which may be acquired upon the
exercise of options to purchase Units of limited partnership interest in
the Operating Partnership. The options vest ratably over five years and
have a 10-year term. The exercise price represents the fair market value of
the Units at the time of grant, assuming such Units were exchanged for
Common Shares of the Company as provided for in the partnership agreement
of the Operating Partnership. Each Unit acquired upon the exercise of
option may be exchanged for two Common Shares of the Company.
(2) Assumed annual rates of share price appreciation for illustrative purposes
only. Actual share prices will vary from time to time based upon market
factors and the Company's financial performance. No assurance can be given
that such rates will be achieved.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table provides information on option exercises in 2004 by our
CEO and our other four (4) most highly compensated executives and the value of
each such officer's unexercised options at December 31, 2004.
12
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following Report of the Compensation Committee and the performance
graph included elsewhere in this Proxy Statement do not constitute soliciting
material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any
other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), except to the
extent the Company specifically incorporates this report or the performance
graph by reference therein.
The Compensation Committee has provided the following report on executive
compensation:
Except as expressly described below, references to compensation (or
policies with respect thereto) paid by the Company refer to compensation paid by
both the Company and the Operating Partnership.
The purposes and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee of the
Board (the "Committee") include the following:
o Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the
compensation of the CEO, evaluate the CEO's performance and approve
the CEO's compensation level,
o Make recommendation to the Board with respect to compensation of
officers and directors other than the CEO,
o Periodically review the Company's incentive-compensation and
equity-based plans and approve any new or materially amended
equity-based plan, and
o Oversee, with management, regulatory compliance with respect to
compensation matters including the Company's compensation policies
with respect to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(the "Code").
Each of the members of the Committee is independent within the meaning of
the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines and the listing standards of the
New York Stock Exchange.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee is authorized to
engage, and has engaged, outside advisers to consult with it as the Committee
deems appropriate.
The Committee believes that the Company's success is attributable in large
part to the management and leadership efforts of its executive officers. The
Company's management team has substantial experience in owning, operating,
managing, developing and acquiring interests in factory outlet centers. Stanley
K. Tanger, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Steven B.
Tanger, President and Chief Operating Officer, provide us with strategic
business direction.
Under the guidance of the Committee, the Company is committed to developing
and maintaining compensation policies, plans and programs which will provide
additional incentives for the enhancement of cash flows, and consequently real
property and shareholder values, by aligning the financial interests of the
Company's senior management with those of its shareholders. In addition, the
Committee engages the services of an independent compensation consultant from
time to time to help design programs that will foster excellence and encompass
long-term incentives that enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate its
top executives.
The primary components of the Company's executive compensation program are:
(1) base salaries, (2) performance based annual bonuses and (3) share-based
awards. The Committee evaluates discretionary bonus payments and discretionary
share-based awards made to each of the Company's executives (including the
Company's CEO) in the context of the executive's total overall compensation. The
Company's business is most competitive and the Committee believes that it is
extremely desirable for the Company to maintain employment contracts with its
senior executives. The Company currently has employment contracts with each of
the named executives on page 10 of this Proxy Statement. See "Employment
Contracts" in this Proxy Statement.
Base salaries for each of the named executive officers are approved by the
Committee; provided, however, under their employment agreements, annual base
salaries shall not be less than the annual base salary for the previous contract
13
year. In setting the annual base salaries, the Committee takes into account
several factors which include (1) salaries paid to officers by companies in the
Company's select peer group and other REITS, (2) the nature of the position and
(3) the contribution and experience of the officer.
The employment agreements for Stanley Tanger, Steven Tanger and Frank
Marchisello, the Company's three most senior executives, provide for annual cash
bonuses to be determined by the Board (or, in the case of the CEO, the
Committee). The Board and the Committee approved a bonus plan for 2004 providing
a bonus for each executive in a maximum amount equal 100% of the executive's
annual base salary (or, in the case of Mr. Marchisello, 60% of the executive's
annual base salary). Seventy-five percent (75%) of the maximum bonus was payable
upon the achievement of Company Performance Criteria, 25% upon the achievement
of Individual Performance Criteria and 10% upon the subjective determination of
the Committee. The Company Performance Criteria included funds from operations
growth, dividends, lease renewals, increase in tenant base rents, occupancy and
tenant sales relative to targeted levels established by the Committee. The
Company may also consider the award of cash bonuses and awards to any executive
officers and key employees if certain performance criteria are met.
Share-based compensation is also an important element of the Company's
compensation program. In contrast to bonuses, which are paid for prior year
accomplishments, grants of options to purchase Common Shares and other
share-based awards may be structured as incentives tied to future share
appreciation. The Company maintains the Incentive Award Plan for the purpose of
attracting and retaining our directors, executive officers and certain other
employees. The Share and Unit Option Committee of the Board determines in its
sole discretion, subject to the terms and conditions of the plan, the specific
terms of each award granted to an employee of the Company or Operating
Partnership based upon its subjective assessment of the individual's
performance, responsibility and functions and how this performance may have
contributed or may contribute in the future to the Company's performance. The
Committee also approved the amendment and restatement of the Incentive Award
Plan, which was approved by shareholders at the annual meeting on May 14, 2004,
to add restricted shares and other share-based grants to the Incentive Award
Plan and to amend the Incentive Award Plan in certain other respects to promote
greater flexibility with respect to the types of incentive awards available to
our employees and directors. The Compensation Committee believes awards pursuant
to the amended and restated Incentive Award Plan align the interests of the
Board and management with those of the Company's shareholders.
Stanley K. Tanger, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, was paid
compensation for 2004 as follows:
o Mr. Tanger's annual base salary for 2004 was $470,000. His employment
contract provides that the annual base salary will be fixed each fiscal
year by agreement between Mr. Tanger and the Committee; provided, however,
that the annual base salary shall not to be less than Mr. Tanger's annual
base salary for the previous contract year.
o Pursuant to the bonus plan adopted by the Committee for 2004, the Committee
determined that the Company Performance Criteria and Individual Performance
Criteria had been achieved and also made a subjective award providing Mr.
Tanger with a total annual bonus of $470,000 for the year.
o Additionally, Mr. Tanger was granted options to purchase Units which may be
exchanged for 100,000 Common Shares and was also awarded the shares of
restricted stock described in the charts below.
Consistent with the advice and recommendations of the compensation
consultant retained by the Committee, the following restricted shares awards
were made during 2004 under the Incentive Award Plan approved by shareholders:
Name and Position Dollar Value (1) Number of Shares
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Stanley K. Tanger, CEO $2,329,800 120,000
Steven B. Tanger, COO 1,553,200 80,000
Frank C. Marchisello, Jr., CFO 194,150 10,000
---------------- -----------
Total executive group $4,077,150 210,000
============== ========
- --------
(1) Based on the closing price of our Common Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange on April 26, 2004, the date of the grant, of $19.415.
14
These restricted shares have vested and will vest in the following
percentages and on the following dates if the executive does not terminate his
employment with us prior to that date:
DATE OF VESTING PERCENTAGE OF SHARES
======================== ===========================
6-15-04 15%
12-15-04 15%
12-15-05 15%
12-15-06 15%
12-15-07 20%
12-15-08 20%
======================== ===========================
The Company paid 20% of Mr. Tanger's 2004 annual base salary. The Operating
Partnership paid the remainder of his annual base salary. Based on Mr. Tanger's
demonstrated leadership, skills and contributions to the growth of the Company,
the Committee believes that Mr. Tanger's total compensation to him for fiscal
year 2004 is reasonable and appropriate in light of the Company's performance
against established short- and long-term performance goals.
Subject to certain limited exemptions, Section 162(m) of the Code denies an
income tax deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to a
"covered employee" (which is defined as the Chief Executive Officer and each of
the Company's other four most highly compensated officers) to the extent that
such compensation in any taxable year of the employee exceeds $1 million. In
addition to salaries, bonuses payable to the Company's executives under their
present employment contracts and compensation attributable to the exercise of
options and other share-based awards that may be granted under the amended and
restated Incentive Award Plan, constitute compensation subject to the Section
162(m) limitation. The Incentive Award Plan permits, but does not require,
share-based awards to qualify as "performance-based compensation" which is
exempt from application of the Section 162(m) limitation. It is the Company's
policy to take account of the implications of Section 162(m) among all factors
reviewed in making compensation decisions. However, the Committee, while
considering tax deductibility as one of its factors in determining compensation,
will not limit compensation to those levels or types of compensation that will
be deductible, and accordingly, some portion of the compensation paid to a
Company executive may not be tax deductible by the Company under Section 162(m).
The Committee will, of course, consider alternative forms of compensation,
consistent with its compensation goals, that preserve deductibility.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Jack Africk (Chairman)
William G. Benton
Thomas E. Robinson
Allan L. Schuman
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Compensation Committee of the Board, which is composed entirely of
independent directors, is charged with determining compensation for our
executive officers. Mr. Africk, Mr. Benton, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Schuman
currently serve on the Compensation Committee, with Mr. Africk serving as
chairman. No executive officer of the Company served as a member of the board of
directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has one or more
executive officers serving as a member of the Board or the Compensation
Committee.
15
Share Price Performance
The following share price performance chart compares our performance to
the S&P 500, the index of equity REITs prepared by the National Association of
Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") and the SNL Shopping Center REIT index
prepared by SNL Financial. Equity REITs are defined as those that derive more
than 75% of their income from equity investments in real estate assets. The
NAREIT equity index includes all tax qualified real estate investment trusts
listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ
National Market System.
All share price performance assumes an initial investment of $100 at
the beginning of the period and assumes the reinvestment of dividends. Share
price performance, presented for the five years ended December 31, 2004, is not
necessarily indicative of future results.
Total Return Performance
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE WITH THE FOLLOWING PLOT POINTS]
16
Employment Contracts
Each of Stanley K. Tanger and Steven B. Tanger will receive annual cash
compensation in the form of salary and bonus pursuant to a three-year employment
contract effective as of January 1, 2004. The employment contracts will be
automatically extended for one additional year on January 1 of each year unless
the executive's employment is terminated, or we give written notice to the
executive within 180 days prior to such January 1 that the contract term will
not be automatically extended. The base salary provided for in such contracts
may be increased each year.
Upon termination of employment, Stanley K. Tanger has agreed not to compete
with us for the remainder of his life. Upon termination of employment, Steven B.
Tanger has agreed not to compete with us for one year (or three years if
severance compensation is received) within a 50 mile radius of the site of any
commercial property owned, leased or operated by us or within a 50 mile radius
of any commercial property which we negotiated to acquire, lease or operate
within the six month period prior to termination. Each executive's covenant not
to compete mandates that, during the term of his employment contract and during
the effective period of the covenant, such executive direct his commercial real
estate activities through us, with exceptions for development of properties
which were owned collectively or individually by them, by members of their
families or by any entity in which any of them owned an interest or which was
for the benefit of any of them prior to the Company's initial public offering
(including the three factory outlet centers with a total of 105,068 square feet
in which Stanley K. Tanger is a 50% partner and a single shopping center in
Greensboro, North Carolina with a total of 24,440 square feet (the "Excluded
Properties")). In no event will either of the Tangers engage in the development,
construction or management of factory outlet shopping centers or other competing
retail commercial property outside of the Company or the Operating Partnership
during the effective period of the covenant not to compete (with the exception
of the Excluded Properties). See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions" in this Proxy Statement.
In addition, each executive will not engage in any active or passive
investment in property relating to factory outlet centers or other competing
retail commercial property, with the exception of the ownership of up to one
percent of the securities of any publicly traded company.
If the employment of either of the Tangers terminates without Cause, as
defined in the agreement, or such employment is terminated by the executive with
Good Reason, as defined in the agreement, the terminated executive shall receive
a severance benefit equal to 300% of the sum of (a) his annual base salary, (b)
the higher of (i) the prior year's annual bonus or (ii) the average annual bonus
for the preceding three years, and (c) his automobile allowance for the current
year. Share based awards under the Company's Incentive Award Plan are included
in the calculation of the prior year's annual bonus and average annual bonus. If
employment terminates by reason of death or disability, the executive or his
estate shall receive a lump sum amount equal to (a) his annual base salary that
would have been paid for the remaining contract term if employment had not
terminated, plus (b) the executive's annual bonus which would have been paid
during the year of termination had employment not terminated, multiplied by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in the year prior to
termination and the denominator of which is 365.
The employment contracts with Stanley K. Tanger and Steven B. Tanger also
grant them certain registration rights with respect to the Common Shares that
they beneficially own.
Frank C. Marchisello, Jr. has an employment contract expiring December 31,
2006. Mr. Marchisello's contract will be automatically extended for one
additional year on January 1 of each year unless the executive's employment is
terminated, or we give written notice to the executive within 180 days prior to
such January 1 that the contract term will not be automatically extended. The
contract established a base salary for calendar year 2004 of $275,000. Mr.
Marchisello's base salary for subsequent years will be set by the Compensation
Committee.
If Mr. Marchisello's employment is terminated by reason of death or
disability, he or his estate will receive as additional compensation an amount
equal to his annual base salary and a pro rata portion of the annual bonus
earned for the contract year in which the termination occurs. Further, if Mr.
Marchisello's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, or by Mr.
Marchisello for Good Reason, as those terms are defined in the agreement, Mr.
Marchisello will receive a severance payment equal to 300% of the sum of (a) his
annual base salary for the current contract year and (b) the higher of (i) the
prior year's annual bonus or (ii) the average annual bonus for the preceding
17
three years, to be paid monthly over the succeeding 36 months. Share based
awards under the Company's Incentive Award Plan are included in the calculation
of the prior year's annual bonus and average annual bonus.
Willard A. Chafin has an employment contract expiring December 31, 2007.
Mr. Chafin's contract may be extended by an additional three year period by
mutual written agreement between the executive and us. This contract established
a base salary for calendar year 2005 of $280,783. The base salaries for
subsequent years will be set by the Compensation Committee in amounts not less
than the 2005 salary.
If the employment of Mr. Chafin is terminated by reason of death or
disability or if we materially breach the employment agreement, Mr. Chafin or
his estate will be paid as additional compensation an amount equal to the annual
base salary for the contract year in which the termination occurs. Further, if
we elect not to extend the term of employment for Mr. Chafin for an additional
one or more years, the executive will receive a severance payment equal to the
greater of $125,000 or one-half of the annual base salary payable for the last
contract year of the contract term.
Joseph H. Nehmen has an employment contract expiring December 31, 2005. Mr.
Nehmen's contract will be automatically extended for one additional year on
January 1 of each year unless the executive's employment is terminated, or we
give written notice to the executive within 180 days prior to such January 1
that the contract term will not be automatically extended. The contract
established a base salary for calendar year 2003 of $231,525. Mr. Nehmen's base
salary for subsequent years was and will continue to be set by the Compensation
Committee.
If Mr. Nehmen's employment is terminated by reason of death or disability,
he or his estate will receive as additional compensation an amount equal to his
annual base salary for the contract year in which the termination occurs.
Further, if Mr. Nehmen's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause,
or by Mr. Nehmen for Good Reason, as those terms are defined in the agreement,
Mr. Nehmen will receive a severance payment equal to 300% of his annual base
salary for the current contract year, to be paid monthly over the succeeding 36
months.
During the respective term of employment and for a period of one year
thereafter (three years in the case of Mr. Marchisello and Mr. Nehmen if the
executive receives a severance payment of 300% of his annual base salary), each
of Mr. Marchisello, Mr. Chafin and Mr. Nehmen is prohibited from engaging
directly or indirectly in any aspect of the factory outlet business within a
radius of 50 miles (100 miles in the case of Mr. Chafin) of, or in the same
state as, any factory outlet center owned or operated by us
Stanley K. Tanger and Steven B. Tanger are employed and compensated by both
the Operating Partnership and the Company. The Committee believes that the
allocation of such persons' compensation as between the Company and the
Operating Partnership reflects the services provided by such persons with
respect to each entity. The remainder of the employees are employed solely by
the Operating Partnership.
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2004 with
respect to compensation plans under which the Company's equity securities are
authorized for issuance:
18
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
During 2004, we managed for a fee three factory outlet centers owned by
joint ventures with a total of 105,068 square feet, in which Stanley K. Tanger
and a third party each have a fifty percent interest. As a result, certain
conflicts of interest may arise between Mr. Tanger's duties and responsibilities
to us and his duties and responsibilities to the joint ventures in ensuring the
adequate provision of services. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise
over the allocation of management resources between our properties and the joint
venture properties. However, the arrangement under which we provide services to
the joint ventures can be terminated by either party, with or without cause,
upon 30 days' notice. In addition, two of the joint venture properties were sold
in February 2005, leaving one remaining center with 64,288 square feet. To
minimize potential conflicts of interest, all significant transactions between
us and the joint ventures, including continuing the arrangement for providing
management services, will be approved by a disinterested majority of the Board.
As a general matter, we do not expect to engage in any other transactions with
any member of management in his or her individual capacity. Revenues from
managing the joint ventures accounted for less than one-tenth of one percent of
our revenues in 2004.
Other Matters
Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit
Committee has appointed the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to audit the
accounts of the Company with respect to its operations for the fiscal year
ending on December 31, 2005 and to perform such other services as may be
required. Should the firm be unable to perform these services for any reason,
the Audit Committee will appoint other independent registered public accountants
to perform these services. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as our independent
registered public accountants for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. There
are no affiliations between the Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, its
partners, associates or employees, other than its engagement as an independent
registered public accounting firm for the Company. Representatives of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the meeting, will have
an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available
to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders. See the Report of the
Audit Committee, included in this Proxy Statement, for information relating to
the fees billed to the Company by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.
Reference is hereby made to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2004 and the Company's Annual Report delivered
together with this Proxy Statement, and such documents incorporated herein by
reference for financial information and related disclosures required to be
include herein.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reports. Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), requires our officers and
directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of
our equity securities, to file reports of the ownership and changes in the
ownership (Forms 3, 4 and 5) with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange.
Officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than ten percent of our Common
Shares are required by the SEC's regulations to furnish us with copies of all
such forms which they file.
Based solely on our review of the copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and the
amendments thereto received by us for the period ended December 31, 2004, or
written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that no Forms
3, 4 or 5 were filed delinquently, except that Mr. Steven B. Tanger filed one
Form 5 to report 13 transactions late, Ms. Carrie Warren filed one Form 4 to
report one day's transactions late, and Mr. Thomas Robinson filed one Form 4 to
report one transaction late.
Shareholder Proposals and Nominations. This Proxy Statement and form of
proxy will be sent to shareholders in an initial mailing on or about April 11,
2005. Proposals of shareholders pursuant to Regulation 14a-8 of the Exchange Act
intended to be presented at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in
2006 must be received by us no later than December 12, 2005. Such proposals must
comply with the requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC for
such proposals in order to be included in the proxy statement. A shareholder who
wishes to make a proposal pursuant to Regulation 14a-8 of the Exchange Act at
our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2006 without including the
proposal in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that
meeting must notify the Company in writing no later than February 12, 2006. If a
shareholder fails to give notice by February 12, 2006, then the persons named as
proxies in the proxies solicited by the Board for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held in 2006 may exercise discretionary voting power with
19
respect to any such proposal. Pursuant to the Company's By-Laws, to be properly
considered at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2006, all
shareholder proposals, generally, must be received by the corporate secretary
not earlier than 120 days and not later than 90 days prior to the anniversary of
this year's meeting.
Shareholders may nominate an individual for election as a director of the
Company in conformity with the requirements of the Company's By-Laws. Generally,
to be properly considered at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in
2006, written notice of the nomination must be delivered to the corporate
secretary not earlier than 120 days and not later than 90 days prior to the
anniversary of this year's meeting. Such shareholder's notice shall set forth as
to each person whom the shareholder nominates for election or reelection as a
director all information relating to such person that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election
contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under
the Securities Exchange Act (including such person's written consent to being
named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if
elected). In addition, such shareholder notice must provide, as detailed in the
Company's By-Laws, information about the shareholder's beneficial ownership of
the Company's Common Shares.
Board Committee Charters, Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics. Each of the Board's Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operate under
written charters adopted by the Board. The Board has also adopted written
Corporate Governance Guidelines in accordance with listing requirements of the
New York Stock Exchange and a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that
applies to directors, management and employees of the Company. We have made
available copies of our Board Committee Charters, Corporate Goverance Guidelines
and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on the Company's website at
www.tangeroutlet.com. Copies of these documents may also be obtained by sending
a request in writing to Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., 3200 Northline
Avenue, Suite 360, Greensboro, North Carolina 27408, Attn: Corporate Secretary.
Documents Incorporated by Reference. This Proxy Statement incorporates
documents by reference which are not presented herein or delivered herewith.
These documents (except for certain exhibits to such documents, unless such
exhibits are specifically incorporated herein) are available upon request
without charge. Requests may be oral or written and should be directed to the
attention of the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of
the Company. In addition, the Company's Web site is located at
http://www.tangeroutlet.com. On the Company's website you can obtain, free of
charge, a copy of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or
furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as
reasonably practicable after we file such material electronically with, or
furnish it to, the SEC.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the date of
the Meeting shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement
and shall be deemed a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any
statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Proxy Statement to the
extent that a statement contained herein (or subsequently filed document which
is also incorporated by reference herein) modifies or supersedes such statement.
Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part
of this Proxy Statement, except as so modified or superseded.
Other Business. All Common Shares represented by the accompanying proxy
will be voted in accordance with the proxy. We know of no other business which
will come before the meeting for action. However, as to any such business, the
persons designated as proxies will have authority to act in their discretion.
20
[FRONT SIDE OF CARD]
PROXY
TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC.
Appointment of Proxy for Annual Meeting on May 13, 2005
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned shareholder of TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC., a North
Carolina corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints Stanley K. Tanger and
Rochelle G. Simpson, and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution
to act for the undersigned and to vote the shares which the undersigned may be
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of such corporation
on May 13, 2005, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, as instructed
on the reverse side upon the proposals which are more fully set forth in the
Proxy Statement of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. dated April 11, 2005
(receipt of which is acknowledged) and in their discretion upon any other
matters as may properly come before the meeting, including but not limited to,
any proposal to adjourn or postpone the meeting. Any appointment of proxy
heretofore made by the undersigned for such meeting is hereby revoked.
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. recommends a vote FOR all Nominees listed in
Proposal 1.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
(SEE REVERSE (SEE REVERSE
SIDE) SIDE)
[BACK SIDE OF CARD]
DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL
[X] Please mark votes as
in this example.
The shares represented hereby will be voted in accordance with the directions
given in this appointment of proxy. If not otherwise directed herein, shares
represented by this proxy will be voted FOR Proposal 1.
1. To elect Directors to serve for the ensuing year. Nominees:
(1) Stanley K. Tanger, (2) Steven B. Tanger,
(3) Jack Africk, (4) William G. Benton
(5) Thomas E. Robinson and (6) Allan L. Schuman
FOR WITHHELD
ALL FROM ALL
NOMINEES [ ] [ ] NOMINEES
[ ] ---------------------------------
For all nominees except as written above
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT [ ]
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL PROMPTLY IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE ENCLOSED.
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, give full title as such. If a corporation, sign in full
corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, sign
in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature: Date: Signature: Date:
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