Lennar Corporation
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
|
|
|
o Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
|
|
o Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
þ Definitive Proxy
Statement |
o Definitive
Additional Materials |
o Soliciting
Material Under Rule 14a-12 |
LENNAR CORPORATION
(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):
|
|
þ |
No fee required. |
|
o |
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: |
|
|
(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set
forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
how it was determined): |
|
|
(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
|
o |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
o |
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 date of its
filing. |
|
|
(1) |
Amount Previously Paid: |
|
|
(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
700 Northwest 107th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33172
(305) 559-4000
Notice of 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To the Stockholders of Lennar Corporation:
This is to notify you that the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Lennar Corporation will be held at our offices
at 700 Northwest 107th Avenue, Second Floor, Miami, Florida
33172 on Thursday, March 30, 2006, at 11:00 a.m.
Eastern Time, for the following purposes:
|
|
|
|
1. |
To elect two Directors to a term that expires at our 2009 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders; |
|
|
2. |
To act on two stockholder proposals; and |
|
|
3. |
To act upon any other matter that may properly come to a vote at
the meeting. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on
February 6, 2006 will be entitled to notice of and to vote
at the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.
We cordially invite you to attend the annual meeting in person.
However, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in
person, it is important that your shares are represented at the
meeting. We ask that you either vote your shares or return the
enclosed proxy card at your earliest convenience. You may revoke
your proxy at any time before its use.
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
Mark Sustana |
|
Secretary and General Counsel |
Miami, Florida
February 28, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
700 Northwest 107th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33172
(305) 559-4000
2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Proxy Statement
Solicitation of Proxies
Our Board of Directors is soliciting the accompanying proxy in
connection with matters to be considered at our 2006 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held at our offices at 700
Northwest 107th Avenue, Second Floor, Miami Florida 33172
on Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern
time. The individuals named on the proxy will vote all shares
represented by proxies in the manner designated or, if no
designation is made, they will vote in accordance with the
unanimous recommendation of our Board of Directors as follows:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
FOR each of the two nominees for Director named in this proxy
statement; |
|
|
(2) |
AGAINST each of the two stockholder proposals; and |
|
|
(3) |
In their best judgment with respect to other matters that
properly come to a vote at the meeting. |
The individuals acting as proxies will not vote shares that are
the subject of a proxy card on a particular matter if the proxy
card instructs them to abstain from voting on that matter or to
the extent the proxy card is marked to show that some of the
shares represented by the proxy card are not to be voted.
Record Date
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on
February 6, 2006 will be entitled to notice of and to vote
at this annual meeting or any adjournment of the meeting. We
are mailing this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card
on or about February 28, 2006 to all stockholders of record
on February 6, 2006.
Shares Outstanding and Voting Rights
On February 6, 2006 we had two classes of voting stock
outstanding, Class A common stock and Class B common
stock. At February 6, 2006, 126,066,959 shares of
Class A common stock were outstanding and
32,828,646 shares of Class B common stock were
outstanding. Each outstanding share of Class A common stock
entitles the holder to one vote. Each outstanding share of
Class B common stock entitles the holder to ten votes.
Counting Votes
The inspector of election appointed for the meeting will count
the votes cast by proxy or in person at the annual meeting. A
majority in voting power, and not less than one-third in number
of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by
proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
at the annual meeting. Our 401(k) plan provides that the trustee
of the 401(k) plan will vote the shares of our common stock that
are not directly voted by the participants. Abstentions and
broker shares that are voted as to any matter at the meeting
will be included in determining if a quorum is present or
represented at the annual meeting. Brokers who hold shares in
street name for customers have the authority under the rules of
the New York Stock Exchange to vote on certain matters when they
have not received instructions from beneficial owners. Brokers
that do not receive instructions are entitled to vote those
shares with respect to the election of directors. Shares for
which brokers have not received instructions, and therefore are
not voted with respect to a certain proposal are referred to as
broker non-votes. Abstentions from voting on a
proposal described in this proxy statement and broker non-votes
will not affect the outcome of the vote on that proposal.
Voting Requirements
Each Director will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast
with regard to the election of Directors by the holders of
shares of our Class A and Class B common stock, voting
together as a single class. A majority of the votes cast by the
holders of shares of our Class A and Class B common
stock, voting together as a single class, is required to approve
the stockholder proposal regarding declassifying the Board of
Directors or the stockholder proposal regarding indexed stock
options.
How to Vote
To vote by mail:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Mark, sign and date your proxy card; and |
|
(2) |
Return your proxy card in the enclosed envelope. |
To vote over the Internet:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Have your proxy card available; |
|
(2) |
Log on to the Internet and visit the website noted on your proxy
card; |
|
(3) |
Follow the instructions provided; and |
|
(4) |
Do not mail your proxy card. |
To vote by telephone:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Have your proxy card available; |
|
(2) |
Call the toll-free number listed on your proxy card; |
|
(3) |
Follow the recorded instructions; and |
|
(4) |
Do not mail your proxy card. |
To vote in person if you are a registered stockholder:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Attend our annual meeting; |
|
(2) |
Bring a valid photo identification; and |
|
(3) |
Deliver your completed proxy card or ballot in person. |
To vote in person if you hold in street name
(through a bank or broker):
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Attend our annual meeting; |
|
(2) |
Bring a valid photo identification; and |
|
(3) |
Obtain from your bank or broker a document that allows you to
vote the shares held for your benefit, attach that document to
your completed proxy card or ballot and deliver it in person. |
2
Revoking Your Proxy
You may revoke your proxy at any time before its use:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
In person at the annual meeting; |
|
(2) |
By writing, delivered to our offices before the proxy is
used; or |
|
(3) |
By a later-dated proxy delivered to our offices before the proxy
is used. |
Your presence at the meeting will not revoke your proxy, but if
you attend the meeting and cast a ballot with regard to a
matter, you will revoke your proxy as to that matter.
Cost and Method of Solicitation
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. We are soliciting
proxies by mail and, in addition, our Directors, officers and
employees may solicit proxies personally or by telephone. We
will not reimburse any Director, officer or employee for their
solicitation. We will reimburse custodians, brokerage houses,
nominees and other fiduciaries for the cost of sending proxy
materials to beneficial owners.
Principal Stockholders
The following table shows stock ownership information as of
February 6, 2006 with respect to each of our stockholders
who is known by us to be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of
either class of our outstanding common stock. To our knowledge,
and except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in this
table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature |
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Beneficial |
|
Percent of |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Title of Class |
|
Ownership |
|
Class(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stuart A.
Miller(1)
|
|
|
Class B Common Stock |
|
|
|
21,432,995 |
(2) |
|
|
65.2 |
% |
|
700 Northwest 107th Avenue
Miami, FL 33172 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management, LLC
|
|
|
Class B Common Stock |
|
|
|
2,952,760 |
(3) |
|
|
9.0 |
% |
|
725 South Figueroa Street, 39th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marsico Capital Management, LLC
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
|
|
18,100,534 |
(4) |
|
|
14.4 |
% |
|
1200 17th Street, Suite 1600
Denver, CO 80202 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management, LLC
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
|
|
8,733,260 |
(3) |
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
725 South Figueroa Street, 39th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Mr. Miller, his brother and his sister are trustees and
beneficiaries of trusts that directly or indirectly hold most of
the limited partner interests in two partnerships
(Mr. Miller, his brother and sister also directly own minor
limited partnership interests in the two partnerships), which
together own 21,204,314 of the shares of Class B common
stock reflected in this table. Mr. Miller is the sole
officer and the sole director of the corporation that owns the
general partner interests in the partnerships and
Mr. Miller has sole voting and dispositive power over these
shares. Because of that, Mr. Miller is shown as the
beneficial owner of the shares held by the partnerships, even
though he has only a limited pecuniary interest in those shares.
In addition, Mr. Miller has shared voting and investment
power with respect to 104,262 shares of Class B common
stock reflected in this table. |
(2) |
Includes 75,090 shares of Class B common stock owned
by Mr. Miller, options to purchase 43,929 shares
of Class B common stock held by Mr. Miller, which are
currently exercisable or that will become exercisable within
sixty days after February 6, 2006, and 5,400 shares of
Class B common stock that are deemed beneficially held by
Mr. Miller under our Deferred Compensation Plan. |
(3) |
Based on the stockholders Schedule 13G, dated
December 31, 2005. |
(4) |
Based on the stockholders Amendment No. 4 to
Schedule 13G, dated December 31, 2005. |
(5) |
Percent of Class is determined in accordance with
Rule 13d-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, based on the total issued
and outstanding shares of the class indicated as of
February 6, 2006. |
3
Stock Ownership of Our Management
Except as indicated below, the following table shows beneficial
ownership information as of February 6, 2006 for
(1) each of our current Directors, (2) each of the
named executive officers who are listed in the
Summary Compensation Table on page 13 of this proxy
statement and (3) all of our current Directors and
executive officers as a group. The share amounts and ownership
percentages shown for each individual in the table include
(1) shares of Class A or Class B common stock
that are not currently outstanding but which the individual may
acquire upon exercise of options held by that individual that
are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within
60 days of February 6, 2006 and (2) shares of
Class A or Class B common stock that the individual is
deemed to beneficially own under our Deferred Compensation Plan.
To our knowledge, and except as otherwise indicated, the persons
named in this table have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially
owned by them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class of Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
Class B Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and |
|
|
|
Amount and |
|
|
|
|
Nature of |
|
|
|
Nature of |
|
|
|
|
Beneficial |
|
Percent of |
|
Beneficial |
|
Percent of |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Ownership |
|
Class(15) |
|
Ownership |
|
Class(15) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Irving Bolotin
|
|
|
120,053 |
(3) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
19,288 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven L. Gerard
|
|
|
10,028 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
850 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
Bruce E. Gross
|
|
|
286,878 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
37,383 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
Jonathan M. Jaffe
|
|
|
520,873 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
50,680 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
Craig M.
Johnson(1)
|
|
|
127,722 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
13,916 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
R. Kirk Landon
|
|
|
27,300 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
2,380 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
Sidney Lapidus
|
|
|
184,409 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
17,996 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
Stuart A.
Miller(2)
|
|
|
1,802,960 |
(10) |
|
|
1.4 |
% |
|
|
21,432,995 |
(10) |
|
|
65.2 |
% |
Hervé Ripault
|
|
|
6,580 |
(11) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Donna Shalala
|
|
|
5,500 |
(12) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
200 |
(12) |
|
|
* |
|
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert J. Strudler
|
|
|
147,350 |
(13) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
20,328 |
(13) |
|
|
* |
|
Directors and Officers as a Group (15 persons)
|
|
|
3,529,356 |
(1)(14) |
|
|
2.8 |
% |
|
|
21,630,859 |
(1)(14) |
|
|
65.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Mr. Johnson is one of our named executive
officers for fiscal 2005. Mr. Johnson resigned as a
Vice President of Lennar Corporation on January 12, 2006.
He continues to serve as a Regional President for our company. |
|
(2) |
Mr. Miller, his brother and his sister are trustees and
beneficiaries of trusts that directly or indirectly hold most of
the limited partner interests in two partnerships
(Mr. Miller, his brother and sister also directly own minor
limited partnership interests in the two partnerships), which
together own 21,204,314 of the shares of Class B common
stock reflected in this table. Mr. Miller is the sole
officer and the sole director of the corporation that owns the
general partner interests in the partnerships and therefore
Mr. Miller has sole voting and dispositive power over these
shares. Therefore, Mr. Miller is shown as the beneficial
owner of the shares held by the partnerships, even though he has
only a limited pecuniary interest in those shares. In addition,
Mr. Miller has shared voting and investment power with
respect to 290,550 shares of Class A common stock and
104,262 shares of Class B common stock reflected in this
table. |
|
(3) |
Includes options to purchase 2,500 shares of
Class A common stock. |
|
(4) |
Includes, respectively, options to
purchase 5,500 shares of Class A and
200 shares of Class B common stock. |
|
(5) |
Includes, respectively, options to
purchase 104,498 shares of Class A and
5,949 shares of Class B common stock. |
4
|
|
|
|
(6) |
Includes, respectively, options to
purchase 197,856 shares of Class A and
12,785 shares of Class B common stock; also includes,
respectively, 108,000 shares of Class A and
10,800 shares of Class B common stock available under
our Deferred Compensation Plan. |
|
(7) |
Includes, respectively, 7,200 shares of Class A and
720 shares of Class B common stock available under our
Deferred Compensation Plan. |
|
(8) |
Includes, respectively, options to
purchase 5,500 shares of Class A and
200 shares of Class B common stock. |
|
(9) |
Includes, respectively, options to
purchase 5,500 shares of Class A and
200 shares of Class B common stock. |
|
|
(10) |
Includes, respectively, options to
purchase 619,290 shares of Class A and
43,929 shares of Class B common stock; also includes,
respectively, 54,000 shares of Class A and
5,400 shares of Class B common stock available under
our Deferred Compensation Plan. |
(11) |
Includes options to purchase 3,500 shares of
Class A common stock. |
(12) |
Represents, respectively, options to
purchase 5,500 shares of Class A and
200 shares of Class B common stock. |
(13) |
Includes, respectively, options to
purchase 36,000 shares of Class A and
3,600 shares of Class B common stock; also includes,
respectively, 63,000 shares of Class A and
6,300 shares of Class B common stock available under
our Deferred Compensation Plan. |
(14) |
Includes, respectively, options to
purchase 1,157,146 shares of Class A and
77,963 shares of Class B common stock; also includes,
respectively, 289,800 shares of Class A and
28,980 shares of Class B common stock available under
our Deferred Compensation Plan. |
(15) |
Percent of Class is determined in accordance with
Rule 13d-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, based on the total issued
and outstanding shares of the class indicated as of
February 6, 2006. |
Because each outstanding share of Class B common stock is
entitled to ten votes and each outstanding share of Class A
common stock is entitled to one vote, as of February 6,
2006, Mr. Miller has the power to cast 214,778,159 votes,
which is 47.3% of the combined votes that can be cast by all the
holders of Class A common stock and Class B common
stock, and all of our Directors and executive officers as a
group have the power to cast 217,133,399 votes, which is 47.8%
of the combined votes that can be cast by all the holders of
Class A common stock and Class B common stock. These
amounts exclude shares of Class A and Class B common
stock that are available under our Deferred Compensation Plan
for Mr. Miller or our other executive officers, as such
shares are deemed to be beneficially owned by, but cannot be
voted by, Mr. Miller or our other executive officers. These
amounts also exclude 188,171 shares of Class A common stock
deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Miller as of
February 6, 2006 that were issued to him after that date
and will not be voted at the annual meeting.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the
management of our business. We keep Directors informed of our
business at meetings and through reports and analyses presented
to the Board of Directors and committees of the Board. Regular
communications between the Directors and management also occur
apart from meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of
the Board.
Our Board of Directors currently consists of nine members
divided into three classes, with members of each class serving
for staggered three-year terms. In September 2005,
Dr. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld was appointed as an independent
Director and our Board of Directors increased to a total of ten
members. In January 2006, Mr. Steve Saiontz, who had served
as a Director since 1990, resigned his directorship to pursue
other business interests, resulting in our current nine-member
Board. Also in January 2006, Mr. Hervé Ripault
informed the Board that he will not stand for reelection to his
directorship, which will end at the 2006 Annual Meeting. In
connection with Mr. Ripaults decision, our Board has
determined to reduce the number of directors from nine to eight
upon the expiration of Mr. Ripaults term.
5
The table below provides information about the nominees for
Director as well as our other current Directors whose terms will
continue after the 2006 Annual Meeting. Following the table we
provide a brief biography of each of the Director nominees as
well as our other current Directors whose term will continue
after the 2006 Annual Meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
Term |
Director Nominees |
|
Age |
|
Since |
|
Expires |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven L. Gerard
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
Sidney Lapidus
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
1997 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Current Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Irving Bolotin
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
1974 |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
R. Kirk Landon
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
1999 |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
Donna E. Shalala
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
2001 |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
Stuart A.
Miller(1)
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
1990 |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
Robert J.
Strudler(1)(2)
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Member of our Executive Committee. |
(2) |
Mr. Strudler serves as the Chairman of our Board of
Directors. |
At our 2006 annual meeting, the persons named in the
accompanying proxy will vote FOR the election of Steven L.
Gerard and Sidney Lapidus, each to serve as a member of our
Board of Directors for a term of three years, expiring at our
2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Biographical Information about Our Director Nominees and Other
Current Directors
Director
Nominees
Steven L. Gerard has served as a Director of our company since
May 2000. Since October 2000, Mr. Gerard has served as the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CBIZ, Inc, a provider of
outsourced business services to small and medium-sized
companies. Before that, from July 1997 to October 2000,
Mr. Gerard served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Great Point Capital, Inc, an operations and financial
consulting firm. Before that, from September 1992 to July 1997,
Mr. Gerard served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Triangle Wire & Cable, Inc., and its successor,
Ocean View Capital, Inc, a manufacturer of residential,
commercial and industrial wire and cable products.
Mr. Gerard is also a director of Fairchild Corporation,
where he serves as a member of the Audit Committee, Timco
Aviation Services, Inc. and Joy Global, Inc.
Sidney Lapidus has served as a Director of our company since
April 1997. Mr. Lapidus is a Managing Director and Senior
Advisor of Warburg Pincus LLC, a private equity investment firm,
and has been with Warburg Pincus since 1967. Mr. Lapidus
currently serves as a director of Knoll, Inc. and The Neiman
Marcus Group, as well as a number of non-profit organizations.
Other
Current Directors
Irving Bolotin has served as a Director of our company since
1974. Mr. Bolotin is currently retired. From 1972 until his
retirement in December 1998, Mr. Bolotin served as a Senior
Vice President of our company. Mr. Bolotin also serves on
the Board of Directors of Rechtien International Trucks, Inc.
R. Kirk Landon has served as a Director of our company
since January 1999. Since 1996, Mr. Landon has served as
the President of The Kirk Foundation and President of The Kirk
A. and Dorothy P. Landon Foundation. Since 1993, Mr. Landon
has served as Chairman of Innovative Surveillance Technology, a
provider of surveillance equipment. Since 2001, Mr. Landon
has served as Chairman of Orange Clothing Company, a clothing
manufacturing company. From 1983 until 2004, Mr. Landon
served on the Board of
6
Trustees of Barry University. Mr. Landon currently serves
on the Board of Trustees of Florida International University.
Dr. Donna E. Shalala has served as a Director of our
company since April 2001. Since June 2001, Dr. Shalala has
served as the President of the University of Miami, a private
higher-education institution, as well as a Professor of
Political Science. Before that, from January 1993 until January
2001, Dr. Shalala served as the U.S. Secretary of
Health and Human Services. Before that, from 1987 until 1993,
Dr. Shalala served as a Professor of Political Science and
Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Shalala also served as a Professor of Political Science
and President of Hunter College from 1980 to 1987, and as
Assistant Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development during the Carter administration. A distinguished
political scientist, she has served widely in the areas of
education, urban housing and health policy. Dr. Shalala is
also a director of Gannett Co., Inc. and UnitedHealth Group and
a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Stuart A. Miller has served as a Director of our company since
April 1990 and has served as our President and Chief Executive
Officer since April 1997. From 1997 until 2005, Mr. Miller
served as the Chairman of the Board of LNR Property Corporation,
a company that invests in commercial real estate and real
estate-related securities, which was a former wholly-owned
subsidiary of ours until it was spun-off in October 1997.
Dr. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld has served as a Director of our
Company since September 2005. Dr. Sonnenfeld has served as
the Senior Associate Dean for Executive Programs and the Lester
Crown
Professor-in-the-Practice
of Management for the Yale School of Management since 2001. In
1989, Dr. Sonnenfeld founded the Chief Executive Leadership
Institute of Yale University, and he has served as its President
since that time.
Robert J. Strudler has served as the Chairman of our Board of
Directors since December 2004. Before that, from May 2000 until
December 2004, Mr. Strudler served as the Vice Chairman of
our Board of Directors and our Chief Operating Officer. Before
joining us, from May 1986 until May 2000, Mr. Strudler
served as Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of
U.S. Home Corporation, a national homebuilder that we
acquired in May 2000. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Strudler
served as Chairman of the High Production Home Builders Council
of the National Association of Home Builders. In 2000,
Mr. Strudler was inducted into the National Association of
Home Builders Hall of Fame.
Corporate Governance
Meeting
Attendance
Our Board of Directors normally meets quarterly, but holds
additional meetings as required. Under our Corporate Governance
Guidelines, each Director is required to attend substantially
all meetings of the Board. During fiscal 2005, the Board of
Directors met five times. Each Director attended at least 75% of
the meetings of the Board of Directors held while that Director
was serving on our Board, and at least 75% of the total number
of meetings of each committee of the Board on which he or she
was serving. All of the members of our Board attended last
years annual meeting, except for Dr. Sonnenfeld who
was not a member of our Board at the time of last years
annual meeting.
Independent
Directors
Our Board of Directors has unanimously determined that six of
our Directors, Messrs. Bolotin, Gerard, Landon, Lapidus,
Dr. Shalala and Dr. Sonnenfeld, who together constitute a
majority of our Board of Directors, are independent
Directors, pursuant to the Director Qualification Standards set
forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are
consistent with the New York Stock Exchange Corporate Governance
Standards. In making this determination, the Board of Directors
has affirmatively determined, considering broadly all relevant
facts and circumstances regarding each independent Director,
that none of the
7
independent Directors has a material relationship with us
(either directly, or as a partner, stockholder, officer or
affiliate of an organization that has a relationship with us),
other than as a member of our Board of Directors.
Mr. Lapidus serves as our Lead Director. In this capacity,
Mr. Lapidus presides over Board meetings in the absence of
our Chairman and presides at all meetings of our independent
Directors. In connection with our regularly scheduled board
meetings, our independent Directors regularly meet in executive
sessions that exclude our non-independent Directors and
management. Mr. Lapidus presides over these executive sessions.
Any interested party who would like to discuss matters of
concern with our Lead Director or independent Directors as a
group may send correspondence to the Office of the General
Counsel at Lennar Corporation, 700 Northwest 107th Avenue,
Miami, Florida 33172.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a
Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, an Executive Committee and an Independent Directors
Committee. We provide information about each of these committees
below.
Audit
Committee
The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Landon
(Chairperson), Bolotin and Gerard. Our Board of Directors has
determined that all the members of the Audit Committee are
independent, and meet all other qualifications for service on
our Audit Committee under the New York Stock Exchange Corporate
Governance standards and the applicable rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Our Board of Directors has also
determined that Mr. Gerard is an audit committee financial
expert, as that term is defined in
Regulation S-K
under the Securities Exchange Act. The Audit Committee met
twelve times during fiscal 2005.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the Audit
Committee. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on
our website at www.lennar.com and is available in print
to any stockholder who requests a copy from us. Also, a copy of
the Audit Committee Charter is attached as an appendix to this
proxy statement. Under its charter, the principal functions of
the Audit Committee are:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
to oversee the integrity of our financial statements, our
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, our
independent registered public accounting firms
qualifications, independence and performance and the performance
of our internal auditors; |
|
|
(2) |
to prepare the report that appears in our annual meeting proxy
statement; and |
|
|
(3) |
to provide an open line of communication among our independent
registered public accounting firm, our internal auditors, our
management and our Board of Directors. |
The Audit Committees responsibilities also include direct
supervision of our internal auditors; selecting and determining
the compensation of our independent registered public accounting
firm; pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided to
us by our independent registered public accounting firm; meeting
regularly with our independent registered public accounting
firm, our management and our internal auditors; reviewing any
issues regarding accounting or internal control over financial
reporting, including any significant deficiencies in our
internal control over financial reporting reported to the Audit
Committee by our Chief Executive Officer or our Chief Financial
Officer; and receiving and reviewing complaints regarding
accounting, internal control over financial reporting or
auditing matters, including anonymous submissions by employees
and others regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
8
Compensation
Committee
The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Gerard
(Chairperson), Bolotin and Landon. Our Board of Directors has
determined that all the members of the Compensation Committee
are independent under the New York Stock Exchange Corporate
Governance Standards. The Compensation Committee met two times
during fiscal 2005.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the
Compensation Committee. A copy of the Compensation Committee
Charter is available on our website at www.lennar.com and
is available in print to any stockholder who requests a copy
from us. Under its charter, the Compensation Committees
principal functions are:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
to recommend to the full Board of Directors the compensation of
our principal executive officer; |
|
|
(2) |
to set compensation policies and review management decisions
regarding compensation of our senior executives, other than our
principal executive officer; and |
|
|
(3) |
to prepare the Compensation Committee Report that appears in our
annual meeting proxy statement. |
In addition, the Compensation Committee makes recommendations to
the Board of Directors regarding incentive-compensation plans
and equity-based plans that will apply to our senior management.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of
Dr. Shalala (Chairperson), Messrs. Bolotin, Ripault
and Dr. Sonnenfeld. Mr. Ripaults service on the
committee will end when his directorship expires at our 2006
Annual Meeting. Our Board of Directors has determined that all
the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
are independent under the New York Stock Exchange Corporate
Governance Standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee met two times during fiscal 2005.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee. A copy of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee Charter is available on our
website at www.lennar.com and is available in print to
any stockholder who requests a copy from us. Under its charter,
the principal functions of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee are:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
to identify individuals qualified to serve on the Board; |
|
|
(2) |
to recommend the persons the Board should nominate for election
at our annual meeting of stockholders; |
|
|
(3) |
to develop and recommend to our Board corporate governance
guidelines applicable to us; and |
|
|
(4) |
to oversee the evaluation of the Board and management. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies and
evaluates director nominees from many sources, including
nominees recommended by stockholders in accordance with the
procedures described below. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee reviews the personal characteristics and
professional competencies of director candidates with the Board
members to ensure that the nominees selected are those best
suited, from a corporate governance standpoint, to join our
Board and oversee our strategies and operations.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board
of Directors have determined that a Director should have the
following characteristics, as set forth in our Corporate
Governance Guidelines:
|
|
|
|
|
Ability to comprehend our strategic goals and to help guide us
towards the accomplishment of those goals; |
|
|
|
A history of conducting his/her own personal and professional
affairs with the utmost integrity and observing the highest
standards of values, character and ethics; |
9
|
|
|
|
|
Time availability for in-person participation and to be present
at the annual meeting of stockholders; |
|
|
|
Willingness to demand that our officers and employees insist
upon honest and ethical conduct throughout the company; |
|
|
|
Knowledge of, and experience with regard to at least some of the
following: (a) real estate properties, loans and
securities, including any lending and financing activities
related thereto; (b) public company regulations imposed by
the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock
Exchange, amongst others; (c) portfolio and risk
management; (d) the major geographic locations within which
we operate; (e) sound business practices; and
(f) accounting and financial reporting; and |
|
|
|
If applicable, ability to satisfy the criteria for independence
established by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
New York Stock Exchange, as they may be amended from
time-to-time. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider
candidates recommended by stockholders. If a stockholder wishes
to recommend a nominee for director, the stockholder should mail
a recommendation to us containing the following information:
|
|
|
|
|
The recommending stockholders name and contact information; |
|
|
|
The candidates name and contact information; |
|
|
|
A brief description of the candidates background and
qualifications; |
|
|
|
The reasons why the recommending stockholder believes the
candidate would be well suited for the Board; |
|
|
|
A written statement by the candidate that the candidate is
willing and able to serve on the Board; |
|
|
|
A written statement by the recommending stockholder that the
candidate meets the criteria established by the Board; and |
|
|
|
A brief description of the recommending stockholders
ownership of our common stock and the period during which such
shares have been held. |
In making its determination whether to recommend that the Board
of Directors nominate a candidate who has been recommended by a
stockholder, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
will consider, among other things, the appropriateness of adding
another Director to the Board and the candidates
background and qualifications. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee may conduct an independent investigation of
the background and qualifications of a candidate recommended by
a stockholder, and may request an interview with the candidate.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will not
determine whether to recommend that the Board nominate a
candidate until the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee completes what it believes to be a reasonable
investigation, even if the recommendation is delayed until after
it is too late for the candidate to be nominated for election at
a particular meeting of stockholders. When the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee determines not to recommend that
the Board nominate a candidate recommended by a stockholder, or
the Board determines to nominate or not to nominate a candidate,
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will notify
the recommending stockholder and the candidate of the
determination.
Executive
Committee
Our By-Laws provide that the Board of Directors may establish an
Executive Committee, which has all authority to act on behalf of
the Board of Directors, except as that power is limited by the
corporate laws of the State of Delaware, where our company is
incorporated, and except as our Board of Directors otherwise
provides. During fiscal 2005, our Executive Committee consisted
of Messrs. Miller, Saiontz and Strudler. Following
Mr. Saiontzs resignation from our Board in January
2006, Messrs. Miller and Strudler comprise the Executive
Committee. The Executive Committee took action by unanimous
written consent 89 times during fiscal 2005.
10
Independent
Directors Committee
Our By-Laws require that an Independent Directors Committee
review and approve certain ventures and transactions that we
enter into with LNR Property Corporation (LNR) and
significant transactions between LNR and us or any of our
subsidiaries. Also, at the request of the full Board of
Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial
Officer, the Independent Directors Committee may review or
investigate any transaction or matter involving the company or
any subsidiary of the company, whether or not the transaction or
matter involves LNR. The Independent Directors Committee
consists of Directors who are not employees of our company.
Mr. Lapidus, our Lead Director, serves as Chairperson of
the Independent Directors Committee. The Independent Directors
Committee met four times during fiscal 2005.
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for our Directors,
officers and employees is available on our website at
www.lennar.com and is available in print to any
stockholder who requests a copy from us.
Corporate
Governance Guidelines
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website
at www.lennar.com and are available in print to any
stockholder who requests a copy from us.
If you would like to request copies of any of our committee
charters, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or our
Corporate Governance Guidelines, please send your request to the
Office of the General Counsel at Lennar Corporation, 700
Northwest 107th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33172.
Director Compensation
On March 29, 2005, our Board of Directors approved a
revised compensation program for our non-employee Directors.
Under this program, non-employee Directors are paid annual fees
of $50,000 per year, payable on a quarterly basis, 50% in
cash and 50% in shares of our common stock. These shares will
not be transferable (other than to the Directors estate)
until three years after the last day of the quarter in which the
shares are issued. In addition to the annual fees, each
non-employee Director will receive $3,000 for each board meeting
and $1,000 for each committee meeting, other than Audit
Committee meetings, attended in person (but only one fee for all
Board or committee meetings attended on a single day), and $500
for each Board meeting and $250 for each committee meeting
attended by teleconference. Audit Committee members receive an
additional $3,000 and the Audit Committee Chairperson receives
an additional $5,000 for each Audit Committee meeting attended.
Audit Committee fees are paid in addition to fees for other
meetings attended on the same day. A Director may elect to defer
payment of both the cash and stock portion of fees until he or
she no longer serves as a Director of our company, and may elect
to receive the deferred payments in cash or in shares of our
Class A common stock.
In addition to the fees described above, each year, on the date
of our annual meeting of stockholders, each non-employee
Director receives options to purchase 2,500 shares of
our Class A common stock at an exercise price equal to the
fair market value of our Class A common stock on that date.
These options become exercisable in full on the first
anniversary of the grant date and expire on the third
anniversary of the grant date.
Our Lead Director receives an additional $15,000 per year
for his services in that capacity.
Directors who are also our employees receive no additional
remuneration for their service as a Director.
11
Executive Compensation
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The following statement is furnished by the Compensation
Committee of Lennar Corporation and is not incorporated by
reference into any document that we file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
Committee) presents this report to describe the
compensation procedures it applied with regard to the
compensation of the Companys executive officers for fiscal
2005, and the basis for the compensation of Stuart A. Miller,
who served as the Companys President and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) during fiscal 2005.
The Committee reviews the compensation of the Companys
employees whose combined salary and bonus equals or exceeds
$500,000. This review includes managements recommendations
as to salary, bonus and long-term, stock-based compensation for
the upcoming year. Salaries for the Companys employees are
generally determined by considering the employees
performance and prevailing levels of compensation in areas in
which a particular employee works. Bonuses for employees are
generally based on bottom-line profitability, return on capital
or net assets, customer satisfaction, overall company growth,
corporate governance, adherence to policies and procedures and
other factors that vary depending on an employees
responsibilities. The long-term compensation structure is
intended to align the performance of the Companys
employees with the Companys long-term performance for its
stockholders.
The Committee reviews in greater depth the compensation of the
CEO and the Companys four other most highly compensated
executive officers. This review includes proposed salaries,
bonuses and long-term, stock-based compensation. In November
2002, the Committee engaged an independent consulting firm,
Hewitt Associates LLC, to conduct a study of the Companys
program for compensating its senior executives, including the
CEO. This study compared the Companys compensation levels
both with that of other members of the homebuilding industry
peer group, and with that of companies with revenues similar to
the Companys. The study analyzed salaries, bonuses and
long-term, stock-based compensation. In September 2003, Hewitt
Associates conducted a further analysis of the CEOs
compensation and in March 2005, Hewitt Associates conducted a
further analysis of CEO bonus payments. The Committee considered
the results of these studies as part of its determination as to
what it believed would be a fair compensation program in view of
the Companys earnings, returns and other corporate goals.
At a meeting in December 2004 and at subsequent meetings during
fiscal 2005, the Compensation Committee reviewed
Mr. Millers compensation. The Committee discussed the
contributions Mr. Miller has made as the Companys
CEO, and his expected future contributions. The Committee
decided that, as in past years, Mr. Millers bonus
should be based on a percentage of the Companys pre-tax
earnings, with the percentage for 2005 depending on the
Companys return on capital (from 0.5% if return on capital
is below 17% to a high of 1% if return on capital equals or
exceeds 22%). However, in order to reach the maximum percentage
of pre-tax earnings, a specified customer satisfaction rating
and earnings per share must be achieved. Because in fiscal 2005,
the Companys return on capital exceeded 22% and the
Company exceeded the customer satisfaction rating and earnings
per share goals, the bonus percentage for fiscal 2005 was 1%,
which is the maximum percentage that could have been achieved.
This is the same percentage that was achieved in fiscal 2004.
Because the Companys pre-tax earnings grew from
$1.5 billion in fiscal 2004 to $2.2 billion in fiscal
2005, Mr. Millers bonus eligibility increased from
$15.2 million in 2004 to $21.8 million in 2005.
Mr. Millers bonus is paid half in stock and half in
cash. Mr. Miller and some of the Companys other
employees agreed with the Company to reduce their bonus payments
in order to increase amounts available under the Companys
bonus pool. The amount by which Mr. Miller agreed to reduce his
bonus was $250,000. Mr. Miller also received stock options
and restricted stock that reward him on the basis of the
Companys long-term performance and benefit to the
Companys stockholders.
|
|
|
Compensation Committee: |
|
Steven L. Gerard, Chairperson; |
|
Irving Bolotin; |
|
R. Kirk Landon |
12
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth compensation information for each
of our last three fiscal years with regard to our Chief
Executive Officer and our other four most highly compensated
executive officers during fiscal 2005, to whom we refer
collectively as the named executive officers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
Restricted |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Underlying |
|
All Other |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary($) |
|
Bonus(1)($) |
|
Awards($)(2) |
|
Options(#) |
|
Compensation(8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stuart A. Miller
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
21,519,600 |
|
|
|
6,331,500 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
15,190,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
12,070,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400,000 |
(3)(4) |
|
|
7,600 |
|
Robert J.
Strudler(5)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
Chairman of our |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
7,595,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
Board of Directors |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
6,035,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
(3)(4) |
|
|
7,600 |
|
Jonathan M.
Jaffe(6)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
10,684,800 |
|
|
|
6,331,500 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
5,012,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
3,983,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
(3)(4) |
|
|
7,600 |
|
Bruce E. Gross
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
1,595,000 |
|
|
|
3,798,900 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
1,320,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
1,200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
(3)(4) |
|
|
7,600 |
|
Craig M.
Johnson(7)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
330,000 |
|
|
|
792,000 |
|
|
|
633,150 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
Vice President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
320,000 |
|
|
|
768,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
305,000 |
|
|
|
654,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
(3)(4) |
|
|
7,600 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Annual bonus represents amount earned during the year. Actual
payments may be made in stock or cash, with interest, over
subsequent years. |
(2) |
The restricted stock granted in fiscal 2005 was valued based on
the market price on the date of the grant. At November 30,
2005, a total of 724,000 restricted shares of our common stock,
with an aggregate market value of $41,723,510 on that day, had
been awarded to employees under our 2003 Stock Option and
Restricted Stock Plan. The shares vest over four years. Holders
of restricted shares are entitled to the dividends on the shares
and can vote the shares. The restricted shares outstanding at
November 30, 2005 included 100,000 shares for Stuart
A. Miller (with a market value on that day of $5,768,000),
100,000 shares for Jonathan M. Jaffe (with a market value
on that day of $5,768,000), 60,000 shares for Bruce E.
Gross (with a market value on that day of $3,460,800) and
10,000 shares for Craig M. Johnson (with a market value on
that day of $576,800). |
(3) |
Option amounts have been adjusted to give effect to our
two-for-one stock split in January 2004. |
(4) |
Because of a stock dividend in 2003, upon exercise of these
options, holders will also be entitled to receive one share of
Class B common stock for each ten shares of Class A
common stock for which the options are exercised. |
(5) |
During 2004, Mr. Strudler served as the Vice Chairman of
our Board of Directors and the Chief Operating Officer of our
company. Effective December 1, 2004, Mr. Strudler
resigned these positions and accepted the position of Chairman
of our Board of Directors. |
(6) |
During 2004, Mr. Jaffe served as a Vice President and as a
Director of our company. He resigned his Directorship on
June 22, 2004 and accepted the position of Chief Operating
Officer of our company, effective December 1, 2004. |
(7) |
Mr. Johnson resigned as a Vice President of Lennar
Corporation on January 12, 2006. He continues to serve as a
Regional President for our company. |
(8) |
Consists of matching payments by us under the 401(k) aspect of
our Employee Stock Ownership/401(k) Plan, term life insurance
premiums paid by us and long-term disability insurance premiums
paid by us as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term |
|
|
|
|
401(k) |
|
Term Life |
|
Disability |
|
|
|
|
Match($) |
|
Insurance($) |
|
Insurance($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stuart A. Miller
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
6,300 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
6,100 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
700 |
|
Robert J. Strudler
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
6,300 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
6,100 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
700 |
|
Jonathan M. Jaffe
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
6,300 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
6,100 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
700 |
|
Bruce E. Gross
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
6,300 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
6,100 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
700 |
|
Craig M. Johnson
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
6,300 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
6,100 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
700 |
|
13
Option Grants In Last Fiscal Year
The following table sets forth information about options to
purchase our Class A common stock that were granted to our
named executive officers during fiscal 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual Grants | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of | |
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value at | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Total | |
|
|
|
Assumed Annual Rates of Stock | |
|
|
Securities | |
|
Options | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Price Appreciation for | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
or Base | |
|
|
|
Option Term | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Granted(#) | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
($/Sh) | |
|
Date | |
|
5%($) | |
|
10%($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Stuart A. Miller
|
|
|
198,182 |
|
|
|
12.5 |
% |
|
|
55.00 |
|
|
|
12/16/2009 |
|
|
|
3,011,472 |
|
|
|
6,654,565 |
|
Stuart A. Miller
|
|
|
1,818 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
% |
|
|
60.50 |
|
|
|
12/16/2009 |
|
|
|
17,626 |
|
|
|
51,046 |
|
Robert J. Strudler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jonathan M. Jaffe
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
% |
|
|
55.00 |
|
|
|
12/16/2009 |
|
|
|
1,519,549 |
|
|
|
3,357,805 |
|
Bruce E. Gross
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
% |
|
|
55.00 |
|
|
|
12/16/2009 |
|
|
|
759,774 |
|
|
|
1,678,903 |
|
Craig M. Johnson
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
% |
|
|
55.00 |
|
|
|
12/16/2009 |
|
|
|
151,955 |
|
|
|
335,781 |
|
The options reflected in the table above were granted under our
2003 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan. These options vest
over four years and expire five years from the date of grant.
Aggregated Option Exercises In Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal
Year-End Option Values
The following table sets forth information about option
exercises during fiscal 2005 and options held as of the end of
that year by our named executive officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
Value of Unexercised In-the- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options at |
|
Money Options at |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year-End(#) |
|
Fiscal Year-End($)(2) |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
Value |
|
Exercisable(E)/ |
|
Exercisable(E)/ |
Name |
|
Exercise(#) |
|
Realized($)(1) |
|
Unexercisable(U) |
|
Unexercisable(U) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stuart A. Miller
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
353,290(E)/846,000(U) |
|
|
|
12,318,237(E)/13,891,094(U) |
|
|
Class B Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,329(E)/28,600(U) |
|
|
|
1,678,921(E)/1,532,674(U) |
|
Robert J. Strudler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
|
82,000 |
|
|
|
1,980,793 |
|
|
|
12,000(E)/246,000(U) |
|
|
|
424,320(E)/4,005,060(U) |
|
|
Class B Common Stock |
|
|
6,200 |
|
|
|
310,248 |
|
|
|
1,200(E)/6,600(U) |
|
|
|
64,308(E)/353,694(U) |
|
Jonathan M. Jaffe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
|
80,002 |
|
|
|
3,891,100 |
|
|
|
123,798(E)/376,200(U) |
|
|
|
4,511,589(E)/7,571,432(U) |
|
|
Class B Common Stock |
|
|
7,999 |
|
|
|
418,789 |
|
|
|
10,879(E)/14,120(U) |
|
|
|
582,995(E)/756,691(U) |
|
Bruce E. Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
|
112,850 |
|
|
|
4,974,786 |
|
|
|
43,498(E)/226,000(U) |
|
|
|
1,427,481(E)/4,097,660(U) |
|
|
Class B Common Stock |
|
|
11,284 |
|
|
|
621,818 |
|
|
|
3,350(E)/8,599(U) |
|
|
|
179,516(E)/460,820(U) |
|
Craig M. Johnson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
|
53,942 |
|
|
|
1,595,235 |
|
|
|
600(E)/70,000(U) |
|
|
|
22,147(E)/1,491,700(U) |
|
|
Class B Common Stock |
|
|
5,194 |
|
|
|
264,175 |
|
|
|
60(E)/4,200(U) |
|
|
|
3,215(E)/225,078(U) |
|
|
|
(1) |
Based upon the difference between the exercise price of the
option and the market prices of our Class A common stock or
Class B common stock on the dates on which the stock
options were exercised. |
(2) |
Based upon the difference between the exercise price of the
option and the last reported sale prices of our Class A
common stock or Class B common stock on November 30,
2005. |
14
Compensatory Plans and Arrangements
Equity
Plans
The Lennar Corporation 2003 Stock Option and Restricted Stock
Plan provides for the granting of up to ten million shares of
Class A or Class B common stock that may be issuable
upon the exercise of stock options or stock appreciation rights,
or that may be awarded as shares of restricted common stock, to
key officers, employees and Directors. The exercise prices of
stock options and stock appreciation rights may not be less than
the market value of the common stock on the date of the grant.
No options granted under the 2003 Plan may be exercised until at
least six months after the date of the grant. Thereafter,
options become exercisable in installments determined when
options are granted. Each stock option and stock appreciation
right will expire on a date determined at the time of the grant,
but not more than ten years after the date of the grant.
Restricted stock grants vest over four years from the date of
issuance.
After we adopted the 2003 Stock Option and Restricted Stock
Plan, we made all equity-based awards to key officers, employees
and Directors under the 2003 Plan and ceased making grants under
prior plans. However, we provide the following information
regarding our prior plans because some awards issued under those
plans remain outstanding.
The Lennar Corporation 2000 Stock Option and Restricted Stock
Plan provided for the granting of Class A stock options and
stock appreciation rights and awards of restricted common stock
to key officers, employees and Directors. No options granted
under the 2000 Plan may be exercised until at least six months
after the date of the grant. Thereafter, options become
exercisable in installments determined when options are granted.
Each stock option and stock appreciation right expires on a date
determined at the time of the grant, but not more than ten years
after the date of the grant. Restricted stock grants vest over
five years from the date of issuance.
The Lennar Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan provided for the
granting of Class A stock options and stock appreciation
rights to key employees of the company to purchase shares at
prices not less than the market value of the common stock on the
date of the grant. No options granted under the 1997 Plan may be
exercised until at least six months after the date of the grant.
Thereafter, exercises are permitted in installments determined
when options are granted. Each stock option and stock
appreciation right granted will expire on a date determined at
the time of the grant, but not more than ten years after the
date of the grant.
The Lennar Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan provided for the
granting of Class A stock options to key employees of the
company to purchase shares at prices not less than the market
value of the common stock on the date of the grant. No options
granted under the 1991 Plan may be exercised until at least six
months after the date of the grant. Thereafter, exercises are
permitted in installments determined when options are granted.
Each stock option granted will expire on a date determined at
the time of the grant, but not more than ten years after the
date of the grant.
Deferred
Compensation Plan
Under our Deferred Compensation Plan, a member of senior
management can elect to defer cash compensation or return to us
restricted shares before they vest and receive in exchange our
agreement to (1) pay at a later date the amount of cash
compensation deferred, plus a return on the cash compensation
based on hypothetical investments selected by the person or
(2) issue shares of Class A or Class B common
stock equal to the number of shares of restricted stock that are
returned.
Compensation Committee Interlocks And Insider Participation
During fiscal 2005, Messrs. Bolotin, Gerard and Landon
served on our Compensation Committee. Mr. Bolotin, who was
elected to the Compensation Committee in January 2002, was our
Senior Vice President
15
from 1972 until his retirement in December 1998. During fiscal
2005, none of our executive officers served on the compensation
committee of any other entity, any of whose directors or
executive officers served either on our Board of Directors or on
our Compensation Committee.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total
return of our Class A common stock with the Dow Jones
U.S. Total Market Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Home
Construction Index. The graph assumes $100 invested on
November 30, 2000 in our Class A common stock, the Dow
Jones U.S. Total Market Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Home
Construction Index, and the reinvestment of all dividends.
Because of our dividend of Class B common stock in April
2003, our returns for the fiscal years ended November 30,
2005, 2004 and 2003 are based on the sale price of one share of
our Class A common stock and one-tenth of the sale price of
one share of our Class B common stock.
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return
Fiscal Year Ended November 30
(2000=$100)
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
requires our Directors, officers and persons who own more than
10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file
reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such securities
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. They are required
to furnish us with copies of the reports they file pursuant to
Section 16(a). Based on our review of the copies of reports
we have received, we believe that our Directors, officers and
greater than 10% beneficial owners made all required filings on
a timely basis.
16
Related Party Transactions
Transactions
with LNR Property Corporation
In 1997, we transferred our commercial real estate investment
and management business to LNR Property Corporation, and
spun-off LNR to our stockholders. As a result, LNR became a
publicly-traded company, and the family of Stuart A. Miller, our
President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director, which had
voting control of us, became the controlling shareholder of LNR.
At the time of the spin-off, we entered into an agreement which,
among other things, prevented us, in some circumstances, from
engaging through December 2002 in any of the businesses in which
LNR was engaged, or anticipated becoming engaged, at the time of
the spin-off, and prohibited LNR from engaging, at least through
December 2002, in any of the businesses in which we were
engaged, or anticipated becoming engaged, at the time of the
spin-off (except in limited instances in which our then
activities or anticipated activities overlapped with LNR). This
agreement was extended through November 30, 2005 and
expired on that date.
Since the spin-off, we have entered into a number of joint
ventures and other transactions with LNR. Many of the joint
ventures were formed to acquire and develop land, part of which
was subsequently sold to us or other homebuilders for
residential building and part of which was subsequently sold to
LNR for commercial development. Because LNR was controlled by
Mr. Miller and his family, all significant transactions we
or our subsidiaries engaged in with LNR or entities in which it
had an interest were reviewed and approved by the Independent
Directors Committee of our Board of Directors.
In January 2004, a company of which we and LNR each own 50%
acquired The Newhall Land and Farming Company for approximately
$1 billion. In connection with the acquisition, we agreed
to purchase 687 homesites, and received options to purchase
an additional 623 homesites, from Newhall. On November 30,
2004, we and LNR each transferred our interests in most of our
joint ventures to the jointly-owned company that had acquired
Newhall, and that company was renamed LandSource Communities
Development LLC.
In February 2005, LNR was acquired by a privately-owned entity.
Although Mr. Millers family acquired a 20.4% interest
in that privately-owned entity, neither Mr. Miller nor
anybody else in his family is an officer or director, or
otherwise is involved in the management, of LNR or its parent.
Nonetheless, because the Miller family has a 20.4% interest in
LNRs parent, significant transactions with LNR or entities
in which it has an interest are still reviewed and approved by
the Independent Directors Committee of our Board of Directors.
During our fiscal year ended November 30, 2005, we paid
$66.6 million to purchase properties from entities we owned
jointly with LNR, and we were paid management fees and general
contractor fees totaling $8.9 million by entities we owned
jointly with LNR.
Aircraft
Time-Sharing Agreement
In August 2005, Mr. Miller entered into a Time-Sharing
Agreement with U.S. Home Corporation, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of our Company, relating to the use by
Mr. Miller of a private aircraft, which is leased by
U.S. Home. The agreement provides that U.S. Home may
sub-lease the aircraft and its flight crew to Mr. Miller
for non-business purposes. Under the agreement, Mr. Miller
will pay to U.S. Home, out of a $100,000 prepayment fund
established in connection with this agreement, the aggregate
incremental cost of each flight based on a list of expenses
authorized by federal regulations. U.S. Home retains sole
discretion to determine what flights may be scheduled by
Mr. Miller, and the Companys prior planned use of the
aircraft will take precedence over Mr. Millers
non-business use.
17
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP audited our financial statements
for our fiscal year ended November 30, 2005.
Deloitte & Touche has been our independent registered
public accounting firm since fiscal 1994. Our Audit Committee is
in the process of selecting our independent registered public
accounting firm for fiscal 2006. We expect representatives of
Deloitte & Touche to be present at our 2006 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. These representatives will have the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are
expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The fees billed by Deloitte & Touche for various types
of professional services and related expenses during the years
ended November 30, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees during the year ended |
|
Fees during the year ended |
Type of Services |
|
November 30, 2005 |
|
November 30, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees
|
|
$ |
2,387,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,275,000 |
|
Audit-related Fees
|
|
$ |
119,000 |
|
|
$ |
184,000 |
|
Tax Fees
|
|
$ |
702,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,229,000 |
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
3,208,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,688,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit services include the audit of our annual financial
statements, reviews of our quarterly financial information and
consents and comfort letters related to our issuances of debt
securities. Audit-related services include the audits of our
employee benefit plans, assistance in understanding and applying
financial accounting and reporting standards, accounting
assistance with proposed transactions and other services related
to compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Tax services are tax planning, tax compliance services and tax
return preparation.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee Charter requires that the Audit Committee
pre-approve all auditing services (including providing comfort
letters in connection with securities offerings) and non-audit
services (including tax services) provided to us or our
subsidiaries by our independent registered public accounting
firm, except for non-audit services covered by the
de minimus exception in Section 10A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. During fiscal 2005, the Audit Committee
pre-approved all services provided by Deloitte & Touche.
Auditor Independence
Our Audit Committee has been informed of the types of services
that Deloitte & Touche has provided to us and has
determined that Deloitte & Touche providing those
services to us is compatible with Deloitte & Touche
maintaining its independence from us.
18
Report of the Audit Committee
The following statement is furnished by the Audit Committee
of Lennar Corporation and is not incorporated by reference into
any document that we file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Management has the primary responsibility for producing the
Companys financial statements and for implementing the
Companys financial reporting process, including the
Companys system of internal control over financial
reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm is
responsible for performing an independent audit of the
Companys financial statements in accordance with the
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States) and issuing a report thereon. The Audit
Committees responsibility is to assist the Board of
Directors in its oversight of the Companys financial
statements. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the
Audit Committee reviewed the Companys audited financial
statements for the year ended November 30, 2005 with
management, including a discussion of the quality, not just the
acceptability, of accounting principles, the reasonableness of
significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the
financial statements.
During the course of fiscal 2005, management completed the
documentation, testing and evaluation of the Companys
system of internal control over financial reporting in response
to the requirements set forth in Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related regulations. The Audit Committee
was kept apprised of the progress of the evaluation and provided
oversight and advice to management during the process. In
connection with this oversight, the Audit Committee received
periodic updates provided by management and Deloitte &
Touche LLP at each Audit Committee meeting. At the conclusion of
the process, the Audit Committee reviewed the report of
management contained in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended November 30, 2005, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as
Deloitte & Touche LLPs Reports of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm included in the Companys
Annual Report on
Form 10-K related
to its audits of: (i) the consolidated financial
statements, (ii) managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and
(iii) the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting. The Audit Committee continues to oversee the
Companys efforts related to its internal control over
financial reporting and managements preparations for the
evaluation in fiscal 2006.
The Audit Committee has discussed with the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as
amended. The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the
written disclosures and the letter from the independent
registered public accounting firm required by the Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions
with Audit Committees, as amended, and has discussed with
Deloitte & Touche LLP the firms independence. The
Audit Committee has also considered whether the providing of
audit-related and other non-audit services by
Deloitte & Touche LLP to the Company is compatible with
maintaining the firms independence.
The Audit Committee has evaluated the independent registered
public accounting firms role in performing an independent
audit of the Companys financial statements in accordance
with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States) and applicable professional and firm
auditing standards, including quality control standards. The
Audit Committee has received assurances from the independent
registered public accounting firm that the audit was subject to
its quality control system for its accounting and auditing
practice in the United States. The independent registered public
accounting firm has further assured the Audit Committee that its
engagement was conducted in compliance with professional
standards and that there was appropriate continuity of personnel
working on the audit and availability of national office
consultation to conduct the relevant portions of the audit.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the
Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors and the
Companys management that the audited financial statements
be included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
Companys fiscal year ended November 30, 2005 that was
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By
recommending to the Board of Directors and the Companys
management that the audited financial statements be so included,
the Audit Committee is not opining on the accuracy, completeness
or presentation of the information contained in the audited
financial statements.
|
|
|
Audit Committee: |
|
R. Kirk Landon, Chairperson; |
|
Irving Bolotin; |
|
Steven L. Gerard |
19
Proposal 1: Election of Directors
Our Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee, has designated the persons
named below as nominees for election as Directors, for a term of
three years expiring at our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Both nominees are currently serving as Directors of our company.
Each Director is elected by a plurality of the votes cast with
regard to the election of Directors. The persons named in the
enclosed proxy will vote the proxies they receive for the
election of the nominees named below, unless a particular proxy
card withholds authorization to do so or provides contrary
instructions. Each of the nominees has indicated that he is
willing and able to serve as a Director. If, before the Annual
Meeting, either nominee becomes unable to serve, an event that
is not anticipated by the Board of Directors, the proxies will
be voted for the election of such nominees as the Board of
Directors may designate. Beginning on page 6 of this document,
we provide biographical information about each nominee for
Director under the heading Biographical Information about
Our Director Nominees and Other Current Directors.
Nominees For Director:
Steven L. Gerard
Sidney Lapidus
* * * *
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR
the election of each of the nominees for Director named above.
Proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary
instructions are indicated on the proxy.
Proposal 2: Stockholder Proposal Regarding
Declassifying the Board of Directors
This stockholder proposal is sponsored by the Board of Trustees
of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Pension
Benefit Fund. Its address and the number of voting securities
held will be provided to any stockholder upon oral or written
request made to the General Counsel of Lennar Corporation.
Lennar Corporation is not responsible for the content of this
stockholder proposal or the statement in support of the proposal.
The Proposal
Resolved, that the stockholders of Lennar Corporation
(the Company) urge that the Board of Directors take
the necessary steps to declassify the Board of Directors for the
purpose of establishing annual elections for directors. The
Board of Directors declassification shall be done in a manner
that does not affect the unexpired terms of directors previously
elected.
Supporting Statement: In our opinion, the election of
corporate directors is a primary avenue for stockholders to
influence corporate affairs and ensure management is accountable
to the Companys stockholders. However, under the
classified voting system at the Company, individual directors
face election only once every three years, and stockholders only
vote on roughly one-third of the Board of Directors each year.
In our opinion, such a system serves to insulate the Board of
Directors and management from stockholder input and the
consequences of poor financial performance.
By eliminating the classified Board of Directors, we believe
stockholders can register their views annually on the
performance of the Board of Directors and each individual
director. We feel this will promote a culture of responsiveness
and dynamism at the Company, qualities necessary to meet the
challenge of increasing stockholder value.
20
We submit that by introducing annual elections and eliminating
the classified Board of Directors at the Company, management and
the Board of Directors will be more accountable to stockholders.
We believe that by aligning the interest of the Board of
Directors and management with the interests of stockholders, our
Company will be better equipped to enhance stockholder value.
For the above reasons, we urge a vote FOR the resolution.
Board Recommendation
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote
AGAINST this stockholder proposal for the
following reasons:
The Companys Articles of Incorporation and By-laws provide
for a Board of Directors that is divided into three classes,
with directors elected to staggered three-year terms. Staggered
elections are designed to prevent a sudden change in the entire
composition of the Board in any one year and thus, the Board
believes, ensures continuity and stability in the management of
the business and affairs of the Company, since a majority of the
directors will have prior experience as directors and in-depth
knowledge of the Company and its business and strategies.
Further, the Board believes that continuity on the Board is
integral to developing, refining and executing a long-term
strategic plan.
The Board also believes continuity provides directors with a
historical perspective of the Company that enhances their
ability to make fundamental decisions that are best for the
Company and its stockholders. Staggered terms give new directors
an opportunity to gain knowledge about the Companys
business from continuing directors. If all directors were
elected annually, all of the directors could be replaced each
year, which could result in directors who are unfamiliar with
the Company and its business strategies. This could jeopardize
the Companys long-term strategies and growth plans.
Maintaining three-year terms for directors also assists the
Company in attracting director candidates who are interested in
long-term involvement with the Company.
The Board does not believe that the benefits of a classified
board structure come at the cost of directors
accountability to stockholders. All directors are required to
uphold their fiduciary duties to the Company and its
stockholders, regardless of the length of their term of office.
The Board of Directors is committed to good governance practices
and has implemented a variety of measures, including those
described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are
available on the Companys website, to ensure a strong
governance structure. The Board and its Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee evaluate the Companys corporate
governance practices to ensure that such practices remain in the
best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Accordingly,
the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote
against this stockholder proposal.
* * * *
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a
vote AGAINST the stockholder proposal regarding
declassifying the Board of Directors. Proxies executed and
returned will be so voted unless contrary instructions are
indicated on the proxy.
Proposal 3: Stockholder Proposal Regarding Indexed
Options
This proposal is sponsored by the Massachusetts Laborers
Pension Fund. Its address and the number of voting securities
held will be provided to any stockholder upon oral or written
request made to the General Counsel of Lennar Corporation.
Lennar Corporation is not responsible for the content of this
stockholder proposal or the statement in support of the proposal.
21
The Proposal
Resolved, that the stockholders of Lennar Corporation
(the Company) request that the Board of Directors
adopt an executive compensation policy that all future stock
option grants to senior executives shall be performance-based.
For the purposes of this resolution, a stock option is
performance-based if the option exercise price is indexed or
linked to an industry peer group stock performance index so that
the options have value only to the extent that the
Companys stock price performance exceeds the peer group
performance level.
Statement of Support: As long-term stockholders of the
Company, we support executive compensation policies and
practices that provide challenging performance objectives and
serve to motivate executives to achieve long-term corporate
value maximization goals. While salaries and bonuses compensate
management for short-term results, the grant of stock and stock
options has become the primary vehicle for focusing management
on achieving long-term results. Unfortunately, stock option
grants can and do often provide levels of compensation well
beyond those merited. It has become abundantly clear that stock
option grants without specific performance-based targets often
reward executives for stock price increases due solely to a
general stock market rise, rather than to extraordinary company
performance.
Indexed stock options are options whose exercise price moves
with an appropriate peer group index composed of a
companys primary competitors. The resolution requests that
the Companys Board ensure that future senior executive
stock option plans link the options exercise price to an
industry performance index associated with a peer group of
companies selected by the Board, such as those companies used in
the Companys proxy statement to compare five year stock
price performance.
Implementing an indexed stock option plan would mean that our
Companys participating executives would receive payouts
only if the Companys stock price performance was better
then that of the peer group average. By tying the exercise price
to a market index, indexed options reward participating
executives for outperforming the competition. Indexed options
would have value when our Companys stock price rises in
excess of its peer group average or declines less than its peer
group average stock price decline. By downwardly adjusting the
exercise price of the option during a downturn in the industry,
indexed options remove pressure to reprice stock options. In
short, superior performance would be rewarded.
At present, stock options granted by the Company are not indexed
to peer group performance standards. As long-term owners, we
feel strongly that our Company would benefit from the
implementation of a stock option program that rewarded superior
long-term corporate performance. In response to strong negative
public and stockholder reactions to the excessive financial
rewards provided executives by non-performance based option
plans, a growing number of stockholder organizations, executive
compensation experts, and companies are supporting the
implementation of performance-based stock option plans such as
that advocated in this resolution. We urge your support for this
important governance reform.
Board Recommendation
The Board of Directors of Lennar Corporation unanimously
recommends a vote AGAINST this stockholder
proposal for the following reasons:
The Board believes that its present approach to executive
compensation, of which stock options is one important component,
is performance-based. The Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors, which consists of three independent, non-management
directors, reviews and approves the compensation of the
Companys senior executive officers. This includes review
and approval of managements recommendations as to salary,
bonus and long-term, equity-based compensation, including stock
options, for each fiscal year. Notably, as described in the
Compensation Committee Report included in this Proxy Statement,
in granting long-term, equity-based compensation, the
Compensation Committee attempts to align executive performance
with the Companys long-term performance for its
stockholders. Thus, the Board believes that its stock options
are inherently performance-based.
22
The Compensation Committee regularly examines the compensation
practices of similar companies as well as companies in different
industry groups to assure the appropriateness, from a
competitive standpoint, of executive compensation, including
stock options. Indeed, twice, in the last five years the
Compensation Committee has engaged an outside independent
consulting firm to study the Companys program for
compensating its senior executive officers, including its Chief
Executive Officer. The Company believes that it must offer a
competitive compensation program to attract and retain the most
qualified executives to manage its business. Most of the
companies with which the Company competes offer compensation in
the form of stock options. If the Company implemented an indexed
stock option plan, as called for in the stockholder proposal,
the Company believes its stock option program would compare less
favorably to the programs of other comparable companies, and
that the Company would be disadvantaged in the competition to
attract and retain qualified senior executives.
Finally, the proposal fails to state that, if adopted, its
implementation could have serious and adverse accounting
implications for the Company. Under the proposal, the exercise
price of the indexed options would not be known on the date of
grant. As a result, the Company would be required to
periodically remeasure the compensation expense of such options
and report the revised expense in its quarterly earnings until
the exercise price of the options is known. Consequently, the
use of indexed options could have a material impact on the
Companys calculation of compensation expense related to
the grant of stock options, which in turn, could affect the
Companys net earnings and earnings per share. In years
when the Companys stock performed well compared with its
peers, its earnings could be hurt. In years when the
Companys stock performed poorly compared to its peers, its
earnings could be helped. The Board does not believe that this
inverse result is appropriate.
The Board believes that the Companys existing executive
compensation program, including its methods of granting and
pricing stock options, is in the best interest of the Company.
The Board believes that the proposal would undermine stockholder
interests both by adversely affecting the Companys ability
to attract and retain qualified executives and by resulting in
an accounting change that could lead to irrational fluctuations
in the Companys net earnings and earnings per share.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that
you vote against this stockholder proposal.
* * * *
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a
vote AGAINST the stockholder proposal regarding indexed
options. Proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless
contrary instructions are indicated on the proxy.
Other Matters
Our management does not know of any matters other than those
described in this proxy statement that will be presented to the
stockholders for a vote at the annual meeting. If any other
matters properly come before the annual meeting, or any
adjournments of the annual meeting, the persons voting the
management proxies will vote them in accordance with their best
judgment.
Our Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K for our
fiscal year ended November 30, 2005, is being mailed to our
stockholders with this proxy statement. A copy of our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K may be
obtained, without charge, by writing to us at Lennar
Corporation, 700 Northwest 107th Avenue, Miami, Florida
33172, or by visiting our website at www.lennar.com.
Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for Director
Any stockholder who wishes to present a proposal for action at
our next annual meeting of stockholders or wishes to nominate a
director candidate for our Board of Directors, must submit such
proposal or nomination in writing to the Office of the General
Counsel at Lennar Corporation, 700 Northwest 107th Avenue,
23
Miami, Florida 33172. Stockholder nominations for Director
should comply with the information requirements as set forth in
our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Stockholders interested in
submitting a proposal for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for
the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may do so by following
the procedures prescribed in
Rule 14a-8 under
the Exchange Act. To be eligible for inclusion in our 2007
Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, stockholder proposals must be
received by our Office of the General Counsel at the above
address no later than October 27, 2006.
In addition, we must receive notice of any stockholder proposal
to be submitted at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (but
not required to be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2007
Annual Meeting of Stockholders) by January 10, 2007, or
such proposal will be considered untimely pursuant to
Rule 14a-4 and
14a-5(e) under the
Exchange Act and the persons named in the proxies solicited by
management may exercise discretionary voting authority with
respect to such proposal.
Stockholder Communication with the Board of Directors
Any stockholder who wishes to communicate with the Board of
Directors, a committee of the Board, the independent Directors
as a group or any member of the Board, may send correspondence
to the Office of the General Counsel at Lennar Corporation, 700
Northwest 107th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33172. The General
Counsel will compile and submit on a periodic basis all
stockholder correspondence to the entire Board of Directors, or,
if and as designated in the communication, to a committee of the
Board, the independent Directors as a group or an individual
Director, as applicable.
As set forth in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, we
require our employees to maintain the highest level of integrity
in their dealings on behalf of our company and its subsidiaries.
We are dedicated to the utmost ethical standards and through our
corporate charters and guidelines, we remain committed and
accountable to our stockholders, employees, customers and the
communities in which we operate. Concerns or complaints
regarding financial, accounting, auditing, code of conduct and
related matters can be submitted confidentially and anonymously
to the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors in the
following manner:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Email: |
|
lennar@tnwinc.com |
|
|
|
Phone: |
|
1-800-503-1531 |
|
|
|
Address: |
|
The Network
Attention: Lennar Corporation
333 Research Court
Norcross, GA 30092 |
Also, concerns about our operations, our financial reporting,
our business integrity, or any other matter related to our
Company, can be submitted confidentially and anonymously to the
non-management directors of our Board of Directors in the
following manner:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Email: |
|
feedback@lennar.com |
|
|
|
Phone: |
|
1-800-503-1534 |
24
Appendix A
LENNAR CORPORATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Purpose
The Audit Committee (Committee) is appointed by the
Board of Directors (Board) of Lennar Corporation
(the Company). Its primary functions are to:
|
|
|
|
|
Assist Board oversight of (i) the integrity of the
Companys financial statements, (ii) the
Companys compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, (iii) the independent auditors
qualifications and independence, (iv) the performance of
the people responsible for the Companys internal audit
function and (v) the performance of the Companys
independent auditors; |
|
|
|
Prepare the report that Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) rules require be included in the
Companys annual proxy statement; and |
|
|
|
Provide an open avenue of communication among the Companys
independent auditors, its internal auditors, its management and
its Board of Directors. |
Organization
|
|
|
|
|
The Committee will be composed of at least three directors, each
of whom is financially literate (i.e., able to read and
understand financial statements and aware of the functions of
auditors for a company) or, in the judgment of the Board, able
to become financially literate within a reasonable period of
time after his or her appointment to the Committee. |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning not later than August 1, 2003, at least one
member of the Committee will be a person who meets the
financial expert criteria as provided under
Item 401 of Regulation S-K. |
|
|
|
Committee Members shall be appointed and removed by the Board.
All members of the Committee must be independent, as
such term is defined under the Corporate Governance Standards of
the New York Stock Exchange, as such standards may be amended
from time to time. |
|
|
|
The Board will designate a member of the Committee to be the
chairman of the Committee. |
|
|
|
The Committee will follow the rules of procedure of the Board,
as such rules are set forth in the Companys By-laws,
including rules regarding notice of meetings, quorum and voting. |
|
|
|
The Committee may create subcommittees to perform particular
functions, either generally or in specific instances. |
Powers
The Committee will have the authority to engage independent
counsel, accounting and other advisors, as it determines
necessary to carry out its duties. The Company will provide
appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, in its
capacity as a committee of the Board, for payment of
compensation (a) to the public accounting firm employed by
the Company to audit its financial statements and (b) to
any advisors employed by the Committee.
The Committee may require any officer or employee of the Company
or the Companys outside counsel or independent auditors to
attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members
of, or consultants
A-1
to, the Committee. The Committee may also meet with the
Companys investment bankers or with financial analysts who
follow the Company.
Responsibilities
The Committee will from time to time adopt any policies or
procedures it deems necessary to ensure that the accounting and
reporting practices of the Company are of the highest quality.
While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set
forth in this Charter, it is not the Committees
responsibility to certify the Companys financial
statements or to guarantee the auditors report.
To fulfill its responsibilities, the Committee will:
Independent
Auditors
|
|
|
|
1. |
Pre-approve all auditing services (including providing comfort
letters in connection with securities offerings) and non-audit
services (including tax services) provided to the Company or its
subsidiaries by the Companys independent auditors, except
for non-audit services covered by the De Minimus Exception in
Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
Committee may delegate to one or more of its members who is an
independent director the authority to grant pre-approvals. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
Be directly responsible for the appointment, termination,
compensation, and oversight of the work, of any public
accounting firm employed by the Company (including resolution of
disagreements between management and the auditor regarding
financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an
audit report or related work. Each such public accounting firm
will report directly to the Committee. |
|
|
3. |
Have the sole authority to approve all audit engagement fees and
terms, as well as all significant non-audit engagements of the
Companys independent auditors. |
|
|
4. |
In order to evaluate the independent auditors
qualifications, performance and independence, at least annually
obtain and review a report by the independent auditors
describing: the firms internal quality-control procedures;
any material issues raised by the most recent internal
quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any
inquiry or investigation by government or professional
authorities within the preceding five years, regarding one or
more independent audits carried out by the firm, and any steps
taken to deal with any such issues; and (to assess the
auditors independence) all relationships between the
independent auditors and the Company. This evaluation should
include review of the partner in the independent auditing firm
who has principal responsibility for its audits of the
Companys financial statements and should take into account
the opinions of management and the Companys internal
auditors. |
|
|
5. |
Present to the Board its conclusions regarding the independent
auditors qualifications, performance and independence as a
result of the evaluation described in the preceding paragraph. |
|
|
6. |
Meet regularly with the Companys independent auditors so
that they can report on (a) all critical accounting
policies and practices the Company uses or expects to use; and
(b) all alternative treatments of material financial
information within generally accepted accounting principles that
have been discussed with management officials of the Company,
ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and
treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent
auditors. |
|
|
7. |
Review with the Companys independent auditors any audit
problems or difficulties and managements response,
including any restrictions on the scope of the independent
auditors activities and any disagreements with management,
and, if applicable, also including any accounting adjustments
that were noted or proposed by the auditors but were
passed (including similar |
A-2
|
|
|
|
|
adjustments that were passed because individually they were not
material); any communications between the audit team and the
audit firms national office regarding auditing or
accounting issues presented by the engagement; any
management or internal control letter
issued, or proposed to be issued, by the audit firm to the
Company; and all other material written communications between
the independent auditors and the management of the Company. |
|
|
8. |
Instruct the independent auditors that the Board and the
Committee are the auditors client. |
|
|
|
|
9. |
Ensure that the lead audit partner does not serve in that
capacity for more than five years. Consider whether the audit
firm itself should be changed periodically. |
|
|
|
|
10. |
Meet separately, periodically, with management, with the
internal auditors and with the independent auditors. |
|
|
11. |
Report regularly to the Board. |
|
|
12. |
Set clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of
the independent auditors. |
Internal
Audit
|
|
|
|
1. |
Review the appointment and replacement of the senior internal
auditing executive. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
Review the organization, plan and results of the activities of
the Internal Audit department. |
|
|
3. |
Review any significant changes in the planned scope of the
internal audit function. |
Accounting
and Reporting Process
|
|
|
|
1. |
Review any major issues regarding accounting principles and
financial statement presentations, including any significant
changes in the Companys selection or application of
accounting principles. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
Review major issues as to the adequacy of the Companys
internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light
of material control deficiencies. |
|
|
3. |
Review analyses prepared by management and/or the independent
auditors setting forth significant financial reporting issues
and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the
Companys financial statements, including analyses of the
effects of alternative GAAP methods on the Companys
financial statements and the effect of regulatory and accounting
initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures on the
financial statements of the Company. |
|
|
4. |
Review the audited financial statements and discuss them with
management and the independent accountants. Based on that
review, and the reviews performed by the Committee as described
in paragraphs 1 through 3, make a recommendation to the Board
relative to the inclusion of the Companys audited
financial statements in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K. |
|
|
5. |
Obtain reports from management, the Companys senior
internal auditing executive and the independent auditors, as
necessary, that the Companys subsidiaries are conforming
to applicable legal requirements and the Companys Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics, including disclosures of insider
and affiliated party transactions. |
|
|
6. |
Review with management and the independent auditors any
correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any
employee complaints or published reports which raise material
issues regarding the Companys financial statements or
accounting policies. |
A-3
Other
|
|
|
|
1. |
Discuss the annual audited financial statements and quarterly
financial statements with management and the independent
auditors, including the Companys disclosures under
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
Meet with the CEO and CFO, prior to their certification of each
annual or quarterly report filed by the Company with the SEC,
and receive those officers disclosures of (a) all
significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls which could adversely affect the Companys ability
to record, process, summarize and report financial data and
identify any material weakness in internal controls, and
(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
Companys internal controls. |
|
|
3. |
Review generally earnings press releases issued by the Company
(paying particular attention to any use of pro
forma, or adjusted non-GAAP, information), as
well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to
analysts and rating agencies. |
|
|
4. |
Discuss and review policies with respect to risk assessment and
risk management, including guidelines and policies to govern the
process by which risk assessment and risk management is
undertaken. |
|
|
5. |
Establish procedures for (a) the receipt, retention, and
treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters;
and (b) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees
of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters. |
|
|
6. |
Conduct an annual evaluation of its own performance. |
|
|
7. |
Conduct an annual review of this Charter and recommend to the
Board any changes the Committee deems appropriate. |
A-4
LNA-PS-06
700 Northwest 107th
Avenue
Miami, Florida 33172
Proxy
for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
This Proxy is
Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of Lennar
Corporation
By signing this proxy, the undersigned stockholder of Lennar Corporation appoints Stuart
A. Miller, Bruce E. Gross and Mark Sustana, or any one or more of them present, with full power of
substitution, as attorneys and proxies of the undersigned stockholder, to appear at the 2006
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Lennar Corporation, to be held at 700 Northwest 107th Avenue,
Second Floor, Miami, Florida at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 30, 2006, and at any
and all adjournments of that meeting, and to act on behalf of the stockholder and vote all shares
of Class A common stock (LEN) and Class B common stock (LEN.B) of Lennar Corporation standing in
the name of the stockholder, with all the powers the stockholder would possess if personally
present at the meeting, as indicated on the reverse side of this proxy.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned
stockholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of both nominees
for Director and AGAINST Proposals #2 and #3, each as set forth on the other side of this proxy,
and in the best judgment of the proxies named herein as to any other matter that properly comes to
a vote at the annual meeting.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, the Proxy Statement and the Lennar Corporation 2005 Annual Report.
|
|
|
|
|
SEE REVERSE
SIDE
|
|
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
|
|
SEE REVERSE
SIDE |
|
|
|
|
LENNAR CORPORATION
C/O COMPUTERSHARE
P.O.
BOX 8694
EDISON, NJ
08818-8694
CONSIDER RECEIVING FUTURE LENNAR CORPORATION PROXY MATERIALS VIA THE INTERNET!
Consider receiving future Lennar Corporation Annual Report and Proxy Materials in
electronic form rather than in printed form. While we have not fully implemented
electronic distribution of stockholder communications, your advance consent will
assist us in preparing materials for electronic distribution in the future. While
voting via the Internet, just click the box to give your consent. Accessing Lennar
Corporation Annual Report and Proxy Materials via the Internet may result in charges
to you from your Internet service provider and/or telephone companies.
Your vote is important. Please vote immediately.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vote-by-Internet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Log on to the Internet and go to
http://www.eproxyvote.com/lennar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vote-by-Telephone
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Call toll-free
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you vote over the Internet or by telephone, please do not mail your proxy card.
|
|
|
|
|
x
|
|
Please mark
votes as in
this example.
|
|
#LNA |
|
|
|
1.
|
|
Election of Directors: Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the
election of both of the nominees for Director named below. Proxies executed and returned will be so
voted unless contrary instructions are indicated on this proxy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Nominees: (01) Steven L. Gerard (02) Sidney Lapidus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
ALL
NOMINEES
|
|
o
|
|
|
|
o
|
|
WITHHELD
FROM ALL
NOMINEES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For all nominees except as noted above
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.
|
|
Stockholder Proposal Regarding Declassifying the Board
of Directors: Our Board of Directors unanimously
recommends a vote AGAINST the stockholder proposal
regarding declassifying the Board of Directors.
Proxies executed and returned will be so
voted unless contrary instructions are indicated on
this proxy.
|
|
FOR
o
|
|
AGAINST
o
|
|
ABSTAIN
o |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
|
|
Stockholder Proposal Regarding Indexed Options: Our
Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote AGAINST
the stockholder proposal regarding indexed options.
Proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless
contrary instructions are indicated on this proxy.
|
|
FOR
o
|
|
AGAINST
o
|
|
ABSTAIN
o |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. |
|
The proxies named herein are authorized to vote in their best judgment with
regard to any other matter that properly comes to a vote at the annual meeting. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT |
|
o |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please sign your name exactly as it appears at left. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When shares are held by joint tenants,
both should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give your title. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate
name by an authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership
name by an authorized person. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature:
|
|
|
|
Date:
|
|
|
|
Signature:
|
|
|
|
Date: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|