After the dust of year end settles, it's time to turn our thoughts from 2012 to 2013.  Join this session for a rapid fire session of ten things to think about in 2013.  From the impact of tax changes, to insights on participant thoughts on their equity plans, to an undercover analysis of performance awards and whether they really work, Emily Cervino, CEP, from Fidelity Investments, will lead an insightful and educational session on topics that are sure to cross your desk in 2013.  

The Phoenix NASPP Chapter would like to invite you and a guest to the Seventh Annual Phoenix NASPP Holiday Party. Come join local industry colleagues and friends for an evening of drinks, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and fun at Snell & Wilmer Law Offices in downtown Phoenix.  

Please park in the garage between 3rd & 5th on Fillmore

Please RSVP by November 22nd.  If you plan on attending and bringing a guest, please include your guest's name in your reply.

We look forward to seeing you at the Seventh Annual Phoenix NASPP Holiday Party!

“A Plethora of Performance Perplexities”

• How plans are designed
• What factors go into design of performance plans
• Why companies choose one type of performance vehicle over another, or over a time based grant
• What are the considerations for valuation and expensing under ASC 718
• System and administration considerations
• Issues with communicating performance grant - at grant, during the performance period, during vesting
• Case Studies of successful – and not so successful – performance grant programs

Bio:

Jim Vincent is the Manager of the Consulting group at E*TRADE Financial Corporate Services.  His team provides custom Equity Compensation solutions for Clients who need assistance with Mergers/Acquisitions, ASC 718, IFRS 2, systems and file automation, and other complex projects.

Jim has over 17 years of experience in the equity compensation industry.  He regularly speaks on a range of Equity Compensation topics including compliance, valuation, expensing, global mobility, Mergers/Acquisitions, automation, and financial disclosure. He has been a frequent speaker at the local and national levels of E*TRADE’s Directions and NASPP conferences.

Jim earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics from California State University Long Beach, and has been a Certified Equity Professional since 1996. He currently is the President of the Sacramento chapter of NASPP.

Mitigating Audit Risk in Valuation:  Best Practices in 2012

Key components will include:

·       Improper Use of SEC Simplified Method (Discuss Results of Equity Methods’ Research Results)

·       Limitations of Software as a Service (Discuss Results of Equity Methods’ Expected Term Study)

·       Monte Carlo Key “Gotchas”

·       Dealing with Increased Volatility in Equity Markets

·       SEC’s calling out companies on improper use of Black-Scholes to value warrants

·       Improper use of TCMs as zero-coupon rates

·       Top 10 Questions Every CFO should Know the Answer to Regarding Equity Compensation Valuation

BIO:

Nathan O’Connor

Managing Consultant and Head of Valuation Services Group

Equity Methods

Nathan O’Connor is Managing Consultant and Head of the Valuation Services Group at Equity Methods.  In his role as the national valuation practice leader, Nathan oversees all client delivery, operations, and R&D in support of more than 200 valuation clients.  Nathan also works closely with the Financial Reporting Group and Business Development team at Equity Methods, and is responsible for formulating the firm’s policy positions on all technical topics related to equity compensation valuation.  As a Certified Base SAS programmer, Nathan has regularly contributed to the firm’s intellectual property through the design, development, and testing of new valuation models and processes.  He also has authored or served as a contributing author to many of Equity Methods’ white papers and industry practice alerts. 

Nathan is a nationally recognized speaker at industry events and frequently leads instructional webinars on industry best practices and recent trends in equity compensation valuation.  As an expert in the valuation of equity compensation instruments, he has directly consulted senior executives at several Fortune 50 companies and more than 100 companies of all sizes on the compliance requirements of ASC Topic 718.  Prior to joining Equity Methods, Nathan trained in the doctoral program in finance at the University of Arizona, where he lectured in investment securities and financial management and actively participated in consulting and research projects.  He brings a background of experience in financial analysis, programming, instruction, and data management to Equity Methods.  His interests include econometrics and the application of Bayesian methods to economic problems.  Nathan holds a B.A. in International Relations from Purdue University, an M.B.A. in Derivative Securities from Loyola University Chicago, and an M.S. in Finance from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona.

Please join us for an Update on the Use of 10b5-1 Plans: For many companies, 10b5-1 Plans are critically important to their executives. With the evolution of the securities laws and trading restrictions imposed by companies, many executives find it extremely difficult to sell any shares without these plans. During our meeting we will give you a brief background on 10b5-1 Plans, discuss issues that arise under these Plans and give you an update on important regulatory and judicial decisions impacting these Plans.

*Please feel free to bring a guest  - No fee for the first time attendees.

Please click here if you would like to RSVP: http://new.evite.com/new.evite.com/#view_invite:eid=03D1NC2ZTL7RSYASIEPBKIDFYGWD3I

Full Description:

Please join us for an Update on the Use of 10b5-1 Plans: For many companies, 10b5-1 Plans are critically important to their executives. With the evolution of the securities laws and trading restrictions imposed by companies, many executives find it extremely difficult to sell any shares without these plans. During our meeting we will give you a brief background on 10b5-1 Plans, discuss issues that arise under these Plans and give you an update on important regulatory and judicial decisions impacting these Plans.

*Please feel free to bring a guest  - No fee for the first time attendees.

BIOS:

Bucky Swift, Partner, Snell & Wilmer

Bucky Swift is a partner in the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice and has spent his entire career n the ERISA employee benefits area. Bucky partners with Boards of Directors, employers and individuals to design, draft and implement successful and responsible compensation plans and arrangements.

Bucky develops solutions on a broad range of benefits and compensation issues, including qualified and non-qualified retirement planning, compensation and benefits strategies for successful reductions-in-force, merger and acquisition compensation and benefits planning, and welfare benefit programs including issues under the new Health Care Reform law. Bucky concentrates in the executive compensation area and works with Boards of Directors, employers, individuals to develop executive compensation and incentive programs in both the privately-held and publicly-traded sectors. Bucky represents Boards of Directors, employers and executives alike in negotiating and drafting executive-level employment and change in control agreements and navigates his clients through the complicated rules affecting those arrangements, including Internal Revenue Code Sections 162(m), 280G and 409A. Bucky also works with employers and Compensation Committee of Boards of Directors to design and develop equity compensation arrangements.

Bucky often speaks locally, regionally and nationally on a variety of employee benefits and executive compensation issues.

Jeff Beck, Partner, Snell & Wilmer

Jeff Beck's practice is concentrated in business and finance, with a focus on SEC reporting and compliance, mergers and acquisitions, bond and credit financing transactions, and corporate governance and securities law compliance. He assists public and private companies in raising capital through high yield bond transactions, secured and unsecured credit facilities, and common and preferred stock issuances. Prior to attending law school, Jeff was a senior audit manager at KPMG LLP in Phoenix, Arizona and audited some of the largest public companies in Arizona.

Melissa Sallee, Associate, Snell & Wilmer

Melissa Sallee is an associate at Snell & Wilmer whose practice is concentrated in general corporate and securities law with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, securities regulatory compliance, public and private offerings, and commercial agreements. She assists public and private companies in raising capital through secured and unsecured debt facilities and other structured finance offerings and common and preferred stock issuances.

This  meeting is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.  RSVPs are required and should be received by no later than Monday,  February 20th.
Please make checks payable to "NASPP-Phoenix"
Send Checks to:
PetSmart, Inc.
19601 N 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Attn: Janet Truog

PayPal:
www.paypal.com and make a payment to phoenix@naspp.com

Thank you.

The Phoenix NASPP Chapter would like to invite you and a guest to the Sixth Annual Phoenix NASPP Holiday Party. Come join local industry colleagues and friends for an evening of drinks, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and fun at Snell & Wilmer Law Offices in downtown Phoenix.  

Please park in the garage between 3rd & 5th on Fillmore

Please RSVP by December 2nd.  If you plan on attending and bringing a guest, please include your guest's name in your reply.

We look forward to seeing you at the Sixth Annual Phoenix NASPP Holiday Party!

Managing Risk while Managing your Share Plan 

A look at things that should and shouldn’t be keeping you up at night.  Industry veteran Carine Schneider will discuss the risks associated with Data Privacy, Outsourcing, Plan Interpretation, Plan Set-Up and SAS 70s.

Please click here if you would like to RSVP:new.evite.com/#view_invite:eid=03D1AAPMT7NZ5QB5CEPA5PBRDNDK7Q

Thank you.

The Hottest Topics in Stock Compensation Today

What's hot and what's not when it comes to stock compensation? This presentation will provide a run-down of the most pressing concerns and cutting-edge issues companies are dealing with for their stock plans.  We'll discuss the following topics and more:

·         How Say-on-Pay and the Dodd-Frank act are changing the landscape for stock compensation

·         The latest hot-button issues for the IRS and nagging tax-related challenges for stock plans

·         The budget crisis many states are experiencing and why that impacts stock plan administration

·         IFRS 2: hot or not?

·         What we learned from the first year of Section 6039 filings

·         The latest and greatest trends in the design and administration of stock plans

Speakers

·         Barbara Baksa, CEP, Executive Director, NASPP
Barbara Baksa has over fifteen years experience in equity compensation and currently serves as Executive Director for the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals.  She is a frequent speaker on equity compensation related topics, has contributed chapters to four books on equity compensation, and authored “Accounting for Equity Compensation,” published by the National Center for Employee Ownership.  Barbara also serves as editor of The NASPP Advisor and co-editor of The Corporate Executive and is a member of the CEP Advisory Board.

·         Robyn Shutak, CEP, Education Director, NASPP
Robyn is the Education Director for the NASPP. Her responsibilities include implementing new educational programs and coordinating webcasts on industry-related developments. Prior to joining the NASPP, Robyn was the Senior Manager of Equity Compensation for Entropic Communications, Inc. where she managed all aspects of the company's global equity programs. Robyn is a Certified Equity Professional (CEP). She holds a Bachelors degree in English Literature from San Diego State University and a Paralegal Certificate from the ABA Paralegal Program at the University of San Diego. She served as the Programming Director for the San Diego Chapter of the NASPP for more than seven years and has been a member of the curriculum committee of the CEP Institute for four years.

Join us for our August meeting as we take on a new format, the interactive roundtable. Moderated by Pam Ellis and Sara Shoaf of Solium Capital, we’ll cover several key issues in today’s equity compensation world and work together to come up with real-life solutions. In preparation for this meeting, we ask our members to submit questions and topics that are most relevant and intriguing to you. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1)      Common or complex administrative problems that you’ve encountered

2)      Trends in stock plans – what’s on the horizon that will make a direct impact on your work

3)      Case studies where your company or client faced a particularly messy challenge

4)      Ethics situations where there is no black and white answer

Please take this opportunity to submit your ideas and solicit the advice of your industry peers - think of this as your very own sounding board! Every suggestion submitted will earn you an entry into a prize drawing, so the more ideas you have, the more chances to win. In addition, the topics that are selected for the roundtable discussion will also earn prizes. To make your submission, please click on the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GQS8PMY. All entries must be received by Friday, August 5.

You’ve heard of the phrase “seasoned” equity professional.  You hear of that one person who got the promotion, who got the raise, or who got the job. Who are these people and how do you get on that train?   In order to advance your career, ensure continuous status advancement and salary increases, and maintain an exciting professional life, you must take charge of your future and direct the outcome. 

• Learn how to measure your value. 
• Learn how to communicate your value.
• Learn how to communicate the value of your department.
• Develop self-marketing skills.
• Understand how to develop and implement a career plan and develop specific strategies for career advancement.
• Learn the path to increase your value.
• List of skill sets that are field-related - those skills that are obtained through experience and those that are acquired through academic learning.
• List of management skills that are sure to increase your salary.
• Know where to find education and career development resources.
  • Three separate job descriptions, one each for the Equity Professional for administrator, analyst, and manager
  • On-line college classes in the city/county that offer related academic coursework
  • 150 different equity compensation tasks that are a “must” to know
  • List of publications for our field
  • Review the CEP certification through the CEPI

Learn to speak "accounting" and improve your relationship with your finance department! You will walk away with a solid understanding of what the finance department does, why they ask for specific data, how they use that data and your role in the overall process. Our experienced panel will also provide tips, tricks and best practices for establishing a good working relationship with your finance group. 

Keeping On Top of International Equity Compliance Issues:  Best Practices and Hot Topics

SPEAKER: Valerie H. Diamond, Partner, Baker & McKenzie

RSVP at Evite: new.evite.com/

or directly to phoenix@naspp.com

Pennies from Heaven – turning your umbrella upside down in the stormiest of times

MEETING SPONSOR: Wells Fargo

TOPIC: The Secret Life and Novel Applications of Employee Stock Purchase Plans
The trends and future of registered and unregistered investment plans including their use in providing special purpose and cost effective non-qualified ESPP alternatives, restricted share compensation and capital raising potential for the company.

SPEAKER;  James J. Volpe, Vice President and Product Manager, Investment Plan Services, Wells Fargo

Jim is the product manager for direct stock purchase plans, dividend reinvestment services, employee plans and equity compensation plan services.  He is responsible for determining product strategy, revenue and profitability, and providing consultative sales support.  He works with team members in administration, legal, operations, and technology to develop and implement new products and enhancements.

Jim is recognized as the primary architect, subject matter expert, and driving force in the development and implementation of direct stock purchase plans and the direct registration system the U.S. securities industry operates under today.  He is a frequent speaker at trade association meetings and is often sought by the media for industry-related comment.  Jim has been very active in industry associations including the NASPP, NIRI, STA, and ASCS.

Prior to Wells Fargo, Jim served as VP/Product Manager of Mellon Investor Svcs where he lead the strategic development of investment plan services and direct registration initiatives.  Earlier, he held similar positions at J.P. Morgan, First Chicago, BankOne and Equiserv.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
This luncheon meeting is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.  Checks and RSVPs should be received no later than noon, Friday, June 18th.

Please make checks payable to: "NASPP-Phoenix" or use the PayPal link on the Evite site  to pay with a credit card.

Send checks to:
PetSmart, Inc.
19601 N 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Attn: Janet Truog

We invite you to a panel discussion to explore how companies approached  new proxy disclosure requirements in 2010 based on initial research of early proxy filers, and the likely impact on 2011 compensation planning. Presenters will focus on key areas of proxy disclosure that were expanded in the latest proxy filings, including:

• Compensation-Related Risk
• Grant Date Fair Value in Summary Compensation Tables (SCT)
• Use of Compensation Consultants
• Director and Nominee Experience and Qualifications
• Board Leadership 
• Board's Role in Risk Oversight

Meeting Sponsored by: E*TRADE Corporate Services

Mobile Employees-Practical Considerations

Embracing ESPP

Emily Cervino, CEP, Director of the CEP Institute and Loren Rodgers, Project Director at NCEO will be sharing the survey results and what it means for the future of your ESPP.  With responses from 350 companies, presenters will discuss trends in ESPP design (discounts, offering periods, look-back features), rates of employee participation, plan satisfaction, and changes expected in 2010.

About the Speakers:

Loren Rodgers, Project Director, NCEO
Loren Rodgers is a project director at the National Center for Employee Ownership, where he specializes in research, communications, and best practices for employee ownership companies. Active in the field since 1995, he works with firms on technical training, group norms, survey assessment, plan design, and communicating about transactions. He speaks extensively and writes for academic, trade, and employee-ownership publications in the US and abroad on topics including employee motivation, plan design, open-book management, corporate governance, ESOP education, organization dynamics, and business literacy.

Emily Cervino, CEP, Director, Certified Equity Professional Institute, Santa Clara University

As Director of the Certified Equity Professional Institute (CEPI) at Santa Clara University, Emily leverages her 12 years of experience in the equity compensation field to develop and promote the rigorous standards of the CEPI. Emily coordinates program marketing and development to grow the CEP program and the professional recognition. She also coordinates an extensive volunteer base in defining course curriculum, test development, and standard setting to comply with the rigorous certification standards. Under Emily's leadership, the CEPI launched a research agenda focusing on risks and controls for equity compensation. Emily is a frequent speaker at equity compensation events, including the NASPP, Global Equity Organization, the NCEO, and, of course, the CEPI. Emily holds a BS from Santa Clara University and obtained her CEP designation in 1998. 

Avoiding Legal Landmines: Purchase and Sale of Securities by Insiders

Topics to be covered:

Insiders and Insider Trading

Public securities market transactions

Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans

Restricted Securities

Responsiblity to transfer shares

Section 16 - trading by insiders

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Civil and criminal penalties

Regulation FD

Speaker:

Martin J. Erzinger, CIMA

Director – Wealth Management

Senior Advisor, Citi Family Office

Corporate Client Group Director

Corporate Services Group

Martin Erzinger is a Director and Senior Advisor in the Citi Family Office and a Corporate Client Group Director.  Based in Denver, the Palmer Erzinger Group serve the needs of the affluent, including officers, directors and founders of both public and private companies.  joined Smith Barney as Senior Vice President of Investments in 1994.  Mr. Erzinger’s focus is serving the needs of Corporations, Foundations and High Net Worth individuals. 

Martin Erzinger has 28 years of experience on Wall Street, starting out in the New York headquarters of Kidder Peabody in Institutional sales in 1980.  Marty also served as the manager of the Kidder Peabody Park Avenue office from 1985 to 1990.  When Kidder Peabody was purchased by General Electric, he was assigned to the Corporate Service integration team and was sent to the prestigious GE Management Institute where he ranked as #1 in his class.  In addition, he was elected Chairman of the GE New York chapter of the Elfun Society.

Mr. Erzinger speaks frequently about equity compensation plans and the U.S. Securities laws to Boards of Directors and at Smith Barney training meetings.  Additionally, he has been a featured speaker to the University of Colorado Foundation (Alternative Equity Strategies), Colorado Treasury Management Association, Association of Professional Investment Consultants, and Denver Treasurers Association.

RSVP:
This luncheon meeting is $15 for members and $25 for non-members.  Checks and RSVP's should be received no later than Friday, May 1st. 

Please make checks payable to:
"NASPP-Phoenix" or use the PayPal link on this page

Send checks to:
PetSmart, Inc.
19601 N 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Attn: Janet Truog

Speakers

Kathi Myers is a Director in the Compensation consulting practice for Buck Consultants.  Her primary areas of expertise include executive compensation, broad-based employee pay programs, and equity compensation.  Kathi received her Master of Labor and Human Resources from The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business and a B.A., Psychology, The Ohio State University.

Kiran Sahota is a Consultant in the Human Capital Management consulting practice at Buck Consultants.  Her areas of expertise include cash and equity compensation, change management, and organization development.  Kiran received her B.A. degrees in Economics and Legal  Studies.
 

This luncheon meeting is $15 for members and $25 for non-members.  RSVP’s are required and can be done either via Evite (URL listed below) or to Janet Truog at the e-mail listed above.

Checks and RSVP’s should be received no later than Friday, February 6th.
Please make checks payable to:
“NASPP-Phoenix”
Send to:
PetSmart, Inc.
19601 N 27th Avenue,
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Attn: Janet Truog 

We look forward to seeing you at the Third Annual Phoenix NASPP Holiday Party. 

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Platinum:  Fidelity Investments

Gold: Charles Schwab, SunGard, E*TRADE Financial Corporate Services

Speakers:

Elizabeth Dodge

Vice President, Product Management, Stock & Option Solutions, Inc.

Elizabeth runs Product Management for Stock & Option Solutions, Inc., an equity compensation consulting firm based in San Jose, CA. Her responsibilities include monitoring new developments in the equity compensation arena, performing market research, and defining the product roadmap and system requirements for SOS.

SPEAKER

What methods are available and allowable under FAS 123(R) for estimating forfeiture? For applying those estimates to your company's expense? How and when should you true up to actual forfeitures? 

• Which methods for calculating, applying, and truing up estimated forfeitures match with each other...and which methods don't
• Case studies: what has prompted certain companies to switch methodologies
• The basis of the prevailing calculations used, along with rationale
• Where some of the methods used for calculating, applying and truing up forfeitures are appropriate, and where they might not be
• Simplification of some of the more complex calculations and applications
• Guidelines for choosing one method over another

SPEAKER

Meeting sponsored by E*TRADE Financial

This luncheon meeting is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. RSVP’s are required. Checks and RSVP’s should be received no later than Friday, April 27th. Cancellations should be made at least 48 hours in advance. Please make checks payable to: “NASPP-Phoenix” Send to: PetSmart, Inc. 19601 N 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027 Attn: Janet Truog

This luncheon meeting is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. RSVP’s are required. Checks and RSVP’s should be received no later than Monday, February 12th. Cancellations should be made at least 48 hours in advance. Please make checks payable to: “NASPP-Phoenix” Send to: PetSmart, Inc. 19601 N 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027 Attn: Janet Truog