UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 16, 2016
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 001-06033 | 36-2675207 | ||
| Delaware | 001-10323 | 74-2099724 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) | ||
| 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL | 60606 | |||
| 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL | 60606 | |||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||
(872) 825-4000
(872) 825-4000
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On August 18, 2016, United Continental Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Andrew C. Levy was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company to be effective on Monday, August 22, 2016. Upon such effective date, Gerald Laderman, the Company’s acting Chief Financial Officer, will return to his position as the Company’s Senior Vice President – Finance, Procurement and Treasurer.
Mr. Levy, age 47, has served since January 2015 as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of AML Ventures, LLC, an investment and advisory firm specializing in the airline industry. Previously, Mr. Levy held leadership roles at Allegiant Travel Company (“Allegiant”) for thirteen years, including as Chief Operating Officer and a Director from September 2013 to October 2014; President from September 2009 to October 2014; Chief Financial Officer from October 2007 to May 2010; and Managing Director, Planning & Treasurer from April 2001 to October 2010. Prior to joining Allegiant, Mr. Levy worked at Mpower Communications, Inc., Savoy Capital, and ValuJet Airlines, Inc. He holds a law degree from Emory University and a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Levy and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as an officer of the Company. Mr. Levy does not have any family relationship with any director or other executive officer of the Company, and there are no transactions in which Mr. Levy has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Compensation Committee”) approved the terms of Mr. Levy’s compensation, to be effective upon his commencement of employment with the Company. Under such terms, the Company will provide Mr. Levy an annual base salary of $675,000, a 2016 annual target incentive compensation equal to 100% of his pro-rated 2016 base salary, and a 2016 long-term incentive opportunity equal to 335% of his pro-rated 2016 base salary. In addition, upon his employment effective date, Mr. Levy will receive a sign-on award of 86,000 stock options. The stock options will vest over a three year period on each anniversary of the grant date and will have a seven year term. The 2016 long-term incentive awards consist of (i) restricted shares, (ii) performance-based RSUs (with a return on invested capital metric), and (iii) performance-based RSUs (with a relative pre-tax margin metric).
Mr. Levy will be an eligible participant in the United Continental Holdings, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides Mr. Levy certain payments and benefits upon termination of employment. In the event he is terminated by the Company without “cause” or he terminates for “good reason” (as defined in the Plan), Mr. Levy will receive a cash severance payment equal to two times the sum of his annual base salary and target annual incentive compensation opportunity as in effect immediately prior to termination and continued coverage pursuant to the Company’s or an affiliate’s welfare benefit plans for 24 months following termination. The Plan provides that all termination payments and obligations of the Company or its affiliates are subject to receipt of a signed and irrevocable release agreement relating to certain legal claims and liabilities against the Company or its affiliates. Under the terms of the Company’s restricted share agreements, Mr. Levy will be subject to post-termination restrictive covenants during a limited time period relating to solicitation or hiring of any employee of the Company or its affiliates and certain non-competition obligations (except upon involuntary or good reason termination). In addition, he will be bound by obligations of confidentiality and non-disparagement for an indefinite duration with respect to the Company and its affiliates.
In connection with his return to the position of Senior Vice President – Finance, Procurement and Treasurer, the Compensation Committee approved a retention award for Mr. Laderman. The retention award consists of a $500,000 cash payment and an award of 45,000 restricted stock units that will vest over a three year period and will settled in cash based on the 20 day average closing price of the Company’s common stock prior to the vest date. The cash portion of the retention award will be subject to a clawback provision under which Mr. Laderman will be required to pay back 50% of the cash portion of the retention award if he leaves the Company within two years following the payment date. The retention award was approved effective August 16, 2016. The $40,000 monthly stipend previously approved for Mr. Laderman for his service as acting Chief Financial Officer will terminate beginning as of the first calendar month following Mr. Levy’s effective date.
On August 18, 2016, the Company also announced that James Compton, Vice Chairman and Chief Revenue Officer, will retire from the Company, effective December 31, 2016. In connection with his departure, Mr. Compton will receive the benefits under the Plan that are provided upon an involuntary termination without “cause” and his outstanding long-term incentive awards will receive the treatment applicable to retirement eligibility, as provided for pursuant to the terms of the award agreements. The benefits payable under the Plan were previously described in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement under the heading “Executive Compensation – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.” The terms of Mr. Compton’s departure were reviewed with and approved by the Compensation Committee on August 16, 2016. Mr. Compton will continue to serve as Vice Chairman of the Company through December 31, 2016 and will remain eligible to receive a payout under the 2016 annual incentive plan, based on actual performance during 2016.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| (a) - (c) | Not applicable. | |
| (d) | Exhibits: | |
| Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit | |
| 99.1 | Press Release issued by the Company on August 18, 2016. | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. UNITED AIRLINES, INC. | ||||||
| By: | /s/ Jennifer L. Kraft | |||||
| Name: | Jennifer L. Kraft | |||||
| Title: | Deputy General Counsel and Secretary | |||||
| Date: August 18, 2016 | ||||||
| Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit | |
| 99.1 | Press Release issued by the Company on August 18, 2016. | |
Exhibit 99.1
| News Release
United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations 872.825.8640 media.relations@united.com |
|
United Appoints New Senior Leaders
Andrew Levy Named Chief Financial Officer; Julia Haywood Named Chief Commercial Officer
CHICAGO, August 18, 2016 - United Continental Holdings, Inc. (UAL) today announced the addition of two key members to the company’s executive leadership team with the appointment of Andrew Levy as executive vice president and chief financial officer and Julia Haywood as executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
Gerry Laderman, who has been serving as acting chief financial officer, will continue in his previous role as senior vice president, finance, procurement and treasurer. Jim Compton, who currently serves as chief revenue officer and vice chairman of United, will retire at the end of the year, after supporting the transition.
Levy comes to United following more than thirteen years of leadership at Allegiant Travel Company, a highly successful ultra-low cost carrier. Levy brings a comprehensive airline background to United, having held the roles of president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer.
“Andrew is the ideal candidate to join United. His deep experience in not only finance, but airline operations is critical as we are redefining all aspects of our business to build a truly great airline,” said Oscar Munoz, president and CEO. “Gerry’s leadership over the last year has been invaluable. He is a trusted advisor and I look forward to continuing to work with him as a member of the executive leadership team.”
Haywood joins United from The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she served as partner and managing director. Most recently, Haywood was a partner on BCG’s revenue and network transformation team at United.
“I have spent the last few months working with Julia as she has been partnering with our revenue and network teams, and her expertise in global consumer travel will be a tremendous addition to drive United’s strategic direction,” said Munoz. “I can’t thank Jim enough for his leadership during his years at United. The entire United team wishes him well on his upcoming retirement and recognizes the significant contributions he has made to our business in his years at the company.”
United Appoints New Senior Leaders/ PAGE 2
Munoz continued, “Julia and Andrew bring a powerful combination of industry perspective and experience to our leadership team.”
During his time at Allegiant, Levy initially led the efforts to successfully restructure and assume ownership control of the company. Levy then had a leading role in the development and execution of the innovative plan that resulted in Allegiant’s success, including responsibility for strategy, planning, finance and operations. Prior to Allegiant, he held several leadership positions at MPower Communications, serving as vice president of network development and network planning. Levy is currently on the board of Copa Airlines. Levy has a bachelor’s degree from Washington University and a juris doctor from Emory University.
Haywood has been at BCG for twelve years, where she has ascended to lead the firm’s airline transformation practice globally, with specific expertise in commercial strategy and execution, network planning and revenue growth. Throughout her career she has worked with more than a dozen airlines ranging from ultra-low cost carriers to large global network carriers, including a series of complex multi-year transformations for airlines on three continents. Prior to BCG, Haywood served in various roles for the International Olympic Committee, focusing on strategy and operations. She has a bachelor’s degree from Laurentian University and an MBA from Melbourne Business School.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2015, United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have the world’s most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 720 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737 NGs, 787s and 777s. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.
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