hubgroupproxy2015.htm

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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Soliciting Material under Section 240.14a-12

HUB GROUP, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

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March 27, 2015


                Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Hub Group, Inc.  This meeting will be held at Hub Group’s Corporate Headquarters, located at 2000 Clearwater Drive, Oak Brook, Illinois at 10:00 a.m. Central time on Friday, May 8, 2015.

The attached Notice of 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement describes the matters to be acted upon.  The Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K is also enclosed.

We hope you will be able to attend the meeting.  However, even if you anticipate attending in person, we urge you to mark, sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure that your shares will be represented.  If you attend, you will, of course, be entitled to vote in person.
 
 
 
 
 
    Sincerely,  
       
 
 
/s/ David P. Yeager  
    DAVID P. YEAGER  
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  
       

 

 
 
 
 
 
HUB GROUP, INC.
 
NOTICE OF 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                To the Stockholders of Hub Group, Inc.:

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Hub Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), will be held at Hub Group’s Corporate Headquarters, located at 2000 Clearwater Drive, Oak Brook, Illinois on Friday, May 8, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Central time for the following purposes:

(1)  
To elect the six nominees listed in this proxy statement to the board of directors of the Company;

(2)  
To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation; and

(3)  
To transact such other business as may properly be presented at the Annual Meeting or any
 
   adjournment thereof.

A proxy statement with respect to the Annual Meeting accompanies and forms a part of this Notice.  The Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K also accompanies this Notice.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 13, 2015, as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
 
 
 

    By order of the Board of Directors,  
       
 
 
/s/ Douglas G. Beck  
    DOUGLAS G. BECK  
    Secretary   
       


Oak Brook, Illinois
March 27, 2015
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND
RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHETHER
OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of
Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting to be
Held on May 8, 2015

The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are
Available at www.hubgroup.com/proxy.html

 
 
 
 

HUB GROUP, INC.
2000 CLEARWATER DRIVE
OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60523

PROXY STATEMENT

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Hub Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Hub Group” or the “Company”), of proxies for use at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on Friday, May 8, 2015, and any adjournment thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).  This Proxy Statement and accompanying form of proxy are first being sent to stockholders on or about March 27, 2015.

The Company’s Class A common stock, $.01 par value (the “Class A Common Stock”), and Class B common stock, $.01 par value (the “Class B Common Stock,” together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”), are the only issued and outstanding classes of stock.  Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2015 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.  As of the Record Date, the Company had 36,065,071 shares of Class A Common Stock (each a “Class A Share”) and 662,296 shares of Class B Common Stock (each a “Class B Share,” and collectively with the Class A Shares, the “Shares”) outstanding and entitled to vote.

VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES

Shares represented by an effective proxy given by a stockholder will be voted as directed by the stockholder.  If a properly signed proxy form is returned to the Company and one or more proposals are not marked, it will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors on all such proposals.  A stockholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to the voting of the proxy by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company, by executing a later dated proxy or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. If your shares are held in a bank or brokerage account, you will receive proxy materials from your bank or broker, which will include a voting instruction form.  If you would like to attend the Annual Meeting and vote these shares in person, you must obtain a proxy from your bank or broker.  You must request this form from your bank or broker; they will not automatically supply one to you.

Each Class A Share is entitled to one (1) vote and each Class B Share is entitled to approximately eighty (80) votes.  The holders of Shares having a majority of the votes that could be cast by the holders of all Shares, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.  Abstentions will be treated as Shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.  If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as to certain Shares to vote on a particular matter, those Shares will be considered as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.  As of March 13, 2015, David Yeager and Mark Yeager (the “Yeager family”) own all 662,296 shares of Class B Common Stock and 594,085 shares of Class A Common Stock.  Consequently, the Yeager family controls approximately 60% of the voting power of the Company on all matters presented for stockholder action.  The Yeager family members are parties to a stockholders’ agreement pursuant to which they have agreed to vote all of their shares of Class B Common Stock in accordance with the vote of the holders of a majority of such shares.  Election inspectors appointed for the meeting will tabulate votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting and such election inspectors will determine whether or not a quorum is present.

The Board of Directors knows of no matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those set forth in the Notice of 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders enclosed herewith.  However, if any other matters do come before the meeting, it is intended that the holders of the proxies will vote thereon in their discretion.  Any such other matter will require for its approval the affirmative vote of the holders of Shares having a majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, provided a quorum is present, or such greater vote as may be required under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s By-laws or applicable law.  A list of stockholders as of the record date will be available for inspection at the Annual Meeting and for a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting at the Company’s offices in Oak Brook, Illinois.

 
 
 
 

PROPOSAL #1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The number of directors of the Company, as determined by the Board of Directors under Article III of the Company’s By-laws, is currently six.  Each director holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

The nominees for whom the enclosed proxy is intended to be voted are set forth below.  Each nominee for election as director currently serves as a director of the Company and the descriptions below discuss the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that qualify such individuals to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.  It is not contemplated that any of these nominees will be unavailable for election, but if such a situation should arise, the proxy will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the proxyholder for such person or persons as may be designated by the Board of Directors unless the stockholder has directed otherwise.

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, provided a quorum is present.  Abstentions, withholding of authority to vote in the election, or broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election.  Stockholders are not allowed to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

Nominees for Election as Directors
 
 
 
  Name
Age
Business Experience During the Past Five Years
and Other Information

 
David P. Yeager
62
David P. Yeager has served as the Company’s Chairman of the Board since November 2008 and as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since March 1995. Mr. Yeager was Vice Chairman of the Board from January 1992 through November 2008. From October 1985 through December 1991, Mr. Yeager was President of Hub Chicago. From 1983 to October 1985, he served as Vice President, Marketing of Hub Chicago. Mr. Yeager started working for Hub in 1975. Mr. Yeager received a Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago in 1987 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dayton in 1975. Mr. Yeager is the brother of Mark A. Yeager.
 
   
 
Mr. Yeager has been an employee of the Company for over 35 years and in that time has helped grow the Company from a small family business into the $3.4 billion enterprise it is today. Mr. Yeager has experience in all aspects of the business, including acting as founder and President of both the Pittsburgh Hub (1975) and St. Louis Hub (1980). Mr. Yeager’s industry experience and Company knowledge make him uniquely suited to serve as our Chairman of the Board.

 
Mark A. Yeager
50
Mark A. Yeager has been the Company’s Vice Chairman since November 2008, has served as President since January 2005 and has been the Chief Operating Officer and a director since May 2004. From July 1999 through December 2004, Mr. Yeager was President-Field Operations. From November 1997 through June 1999 Mr. Yeager was Division President, Secretary and General Counsel. From March 1995 to November 1997, Mr. Yeager was Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. From May 1992 to March 1995, Mr. Yeager served as the Company’s Vice President-Quality. Prior to joining the Company in 1992, Mr. Yeager was an associate at the law firm of Grippo & Elden from January 1991 through May 1992 and an associate at the law firm of Sidley & Austin from May 1989 through January 1991. Mr. Yeager received a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University in 1989 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University in 1986. Mr. Yeager is the brother of David P. Yeager.

   
 
Mr. Yeager has steadily assumed additional responsibility since joining the Company over 20 years ago. As President of Field Operations, Mr. Yeager recognized the need to change the Company from a geographical network to a functional organization. Mr. Yeager helped plan and implement a successful realignment which unlocked tremendous value within the Company. Mr. Yeager’s legal training and background combined with his business experience make him a valuable contributor to the Board.
 
 
Gary D. Eppen
78
Gary D. Eppen has served as a director of the Company since February 1996. Currently retired, Mr. Eppen was the Ralph and Dorothy Keller Distinguished Service Professor of Operations Management and Deputy Dean for part-time programs at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He received a Ph.D. in Operations Research from Cornell University in 1964, a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1960, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota in 1959 and an Associate in Arts degree in Pre-Engineering from Austin Junior College in 1956. He received an Honorary Doctor of Economics degree from the Stockholm School of Economics in 1998.
 
 
2
 
   
 
Mr. Eppen’s experience with operations management has been valuable as the Company has evolved from a collection of small businesses to a unified network with a significant fleet of containers and a large drayage network. Mr. Eppen’s attention to detail and familiarity with financial matters make him an effective Chair of our Audit Committee. Until February 2007, Mr. Eppen served as a Director of Landauer, Inc. Mr. Eppen has used his vast experience to help the Board identify and implement best practices. Mr. Eppen brings a wealth of both academic and business experience to his service as a Director.

 
Charles R. Reaves
76
Charles R. Reaves has served as a director of the Company since February 1996. Since 1994, Mr. Reaves has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Reaves Enterprises, Inc., a real estate development company. From April 1962 until November 1994, Mr. Reaves worked for Sears Roebuck & Company in various positions, ultimately as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sears Logistics Services, Inc., a transportation, distribution and home delivery subsidiary of Sears Roebuck & Company. Mr. Reaves received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Arkansas State University in 1961.
 
 
   
Having served for 32 years as an executive at Sears, Mr. Reaves understands the needs of large shippers and retailers. In his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of Sears Logistics Services, Inc., Mr. Reaves gained valuable executive experience running a large transportation organization. Mr. Reaves has used this experience, as well as his industry knowledge, to effectively advise the Company in his role as a Director. As Chair of our Nominating and Governance Committee, Mr. Reaves has also used his experience at Sears to help shape the Company’s Governance Policies and oversee the succession planning process.
 
 
Martin P. Slark
60
Martin P. Slark has served as a director of the Company since February 1996. Since 1976, Mr. Slark has been employed by Molex Incorporated (“Molex”), a manufacturer of electronic, electrical and fiber optic interconnection products and systems. Mr. Slark is presently a Director and Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Molex and is also a Director of Liberty Mutual Holding Company, Inc. and Northern Trust Corporation. Mr. Slark is a Companion of the British Institute of Management and received a Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of East London in 1993 and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management Studies from Portsmouth University in 1981.
 
 
 
 
As Chief Executive Officer of a multi-national company, Mr. Slark has extensive experience running a large organization. Mr. Slark, originally from England, has worked for Molex for over 35 years in Europe, Asia and the United States. Mr. Slark’s leadership skills, experience with strategic planning and contacts have been a significant benefit to the Board. In his role as Chair of the Compensation Committee, Mr. Slark has also been instrumental in helping formulate the compensation package for the Company’s executives.
 
 
Jonathan P. Ward
60
Jonathan P. Ward has served as a director of the Company since January 2012.  Mr. Ward is an operating partner at Kohlberg & Co. and has been with that company since July 2009.  He was previously chairman of the Chicago office of Lazard Ltd. and managing director, Lazard Freres & Co., LLC, joining Lazard in November 2006.  Prior to Lazard, Mr. Ward was at The ServiceMaster Company for five years, where he began as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2001 and then became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 2002.  From 1997 to 2001, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, a commercial printing company.  During his 23 years at R.R. Donnelley, he served in a variety of other leadership positions.  He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire and also has completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
 
 
 
 
Mr. Ward is a member of the board of directors of SP Plus Corporation, where he serves as a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Ward previously served as a director of Hillshire Brands Company (and Sara Lee Corporation prior to their merger) from October 2005 to August 2014; as director of KAR Auction Services, Inc. from December 2009 to June 2014; and as a director of United Stationers Inc. from July 2011 to June 2012.
 
 
 
 
Mr. Ward’s service as an executive, combined with his leadership capabilities, make him well qualified to be a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. Having served on numerous public company boards, Mr. Ward is able to advise as to best practices across multiple industries. In addition, as a member of the Compensation Committee of SP Plus Corporation, Mr. Ward brings unique insight into other compensation models and approaches. Mr. Ward’s experience and perspective make him a valuable addition to the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
 
The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the election of each nominee for director named above.
 
 
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MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee.  During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, the full Board of Directors met four times at regularly scheduled meetings and twice at special meetings.  The Audit Committee met eight times, the Compensation Committee met five times and the Nominating and Governance Committee met twice.  During 2014, all directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees thereof on which they served.  The Company encourages each member of the Board of Directors to attend each annual meeting of stockholders.  All directors attended the Company’s 2014 annual meeting of stockholders held on May 9, 2014.

Audit Committee

The duties of the Audit Committee are to oversee the Company’s internal control structure, review the Company’s financial statements and other financial information to be included in the Company’s 10-K, select the independent auditors for the Company and its subsidiaries and review the Company’s annual audit plan.  The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Eppen (Chair), Reaves, Slark and Ward.  The Audit Committee has a written charter which is available on the Company’s website at www.hubgroup.com.  The Committee annually reviews and assesses the adequacy of the Charter.

The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Eppen, Reaves, Slark and Ward are “independent” in accordance with the applicable corporate governance listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market.  The Board of Directors has determined that the Audit Committee does not have an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.  However, the Board of Directors has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are able to read and understand fundamental financial statements within the meaning of the Nasdaq Audit Committee requirements and that at least one of its members has the financial sophistication required by Nasdaq.  The Board of Directors has determined that by satisfying the requirements of the Nasdaq listing standards with a member of the Audit Committee that has the requisite “financial sophistication” qualifications, the Audit Committee has the financial expertise necessary to fulfill the duties and the obligations of the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has concluded that the appointment of an “audit committee financial expert” is not necessary at this time.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is responsible for providing assistance to the Board in the discharge of its responsibilities relating to compensation and development of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Eppen, Reaves, Slark (Chair) and Ward.  In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews, adopts, terminates, amends or recommends to the Board the adoption, termination or amendment of equity-based employee plans, incentive compensation plans and employee benefit plans, as further described in the Compensation Committee Charter.  The Compensation Committee used Hay Group as its compensation consultant in 2014 to assist in the evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer and executive officer compensation. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant and to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms.  The Compensation Committee has a written charter which is available on the Company’s website at www.hubgroup.com.  The Committee annually reviews and assesses the adequacy of the Charter.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The duties of the Nominating and Governance Committee are to identify individuals qualified to become Board members and nominate the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders, assist the Board with succession planning and develop and recommend to the Board the corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company.  The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Messrs. Eppen, Reaves (Chair), Slark and Ward.  The Nominating and Governance Committee has a written charter which is available on the Company’s website at www.hubgroup.com.  The Committee annually reviews and assesses the adequacy of the Charter.
 
Nominations of Directors

Directors may be nominated by the Board of Directors or by stockholders in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company.  As a matter of course, the Nominating and Governance Committee will review the qualifications of various persons to determine whether they might make good candidates for consideration for membership on the Board of Directors.  The Nominating and Governance Committee will review all proposed nominees for the Board of Directors, including those proposed by stockholders, in accordance with the mandate contained in its charter.  This will include a review of the person’s judgment, experience, independence, understanding of the Company’s business or other related industries and such other factors as the Nominating and Governance Committee determines are relevant in light of the needs of the Board of Directors and the Company.  The Nominating and Governance Committee will select qualified candidates and review its recommendations with the Board of Directors, which will decide whether to invite the candidate to be a nominee for election to the Board of Directors.  While there is no formal policy on diversity, the Nominating and Governance Committee does consider diversity when identifying nominees for director.  The Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to obtain candidates who will provide a diversity of viewpoints, professional experience, education and skills that complement rather than duplicate those already existing on the Board. In addition, in selecting directors, the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider the need to strengthen the Board by providing a diversity of persons in terms of their expertise, age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, and other attributes which contribute to the Board’s diversity.

The Company has not paid a fee to any third party to identify or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees.   Each nominee for election as a director is standing for reelection.

 
 
4
 
If a stockholder desires to nominate persons for election as directors, timely written notice must be given and received, in advance of the stockholder meeting, by the Secretary of the Company at 2000 Clearwater Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60523, either by personal delivery or by United States mail.  Pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws, such notice must be received not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders or, between February 8, 2016 and March 9, 2016, for the 2016 annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the 2015 annual meeting, the notice must be received no earlier than the 90th day prior to such meeting and not later than the close of business of the later of (i) the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.  Each notice must describe the nomination in sufficient detail for the nomination to be summarized on the agenda for the meeting and must set forth: (i) the name and address, as it appears on the books of the Company, of the stockholder making the nomination, (ii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock in the Company entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present the nomination, (iii) a statement of the class and number of shares beneficially owned by the stockholder, (iv) the name and address of any person to be nominated, (v) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder, (vi) such other information regarding such nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), and (vii) the consent of such nominee to serve as a director of the Company if elected.  The presiding officer of the annual meeting of stockholders will, if the facts warrant, refuse to acknowledge a nomination not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure, and any such nomination not properly brought before the meeting will not be considered.

Leadership Structure
 
The Company is led by David P. Yeager, who has served as the Company’s Chairman of the Board since November 2008 and as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since March 1995.  Having the Chief Executive Officer also serve as Chairman of the Board is a common practice of many other public companies in the United States.  The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Yeager’s service as both Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer is in the best interest of our Company and its stockholders because this leadership structure promotes a unified vision for our Company, strengthens the ability of the CEO to develop and implement strategic initiatives and facilitates our Board’s efficient and effective functioning.
 
The Company believes that the members of the Board and the three standing Board Committees provide an appropriate framework for overseeing the Company’s management and operations and strike a sound balance with appropriate oversight.
 
The Company’s non-management directors regularly meet in executive session. Typically, these meetings are held in conjunction with every Board meeting and in 2014 each Board meeting included a non-management directors’ session. This allows directors to speak candidly on any matter of interest, without the Chief Executive Officer or other managers present.  The Company does not have a policy regarding the conduct of these sessions or which of the non-management directors leads these sessions.  We believe this structure provides consistent and effective oversight of management and the Company.
 
The Company’s directors bring a broad range of leadership experience to the boardroom and regularly contribute to the thoughtful discussion involved in overseeing the affairs of the Company. The Board is collegial and all Board members are well engaged in their responsibilities.  All Board members express their views and are open to the opinions expressed by other directors. Although we have not designated a “lead director,” our Chairman of the Board works closely with the chairs of each of our committees and our other directors.  As a result, we do not believe that appointing an independent board chairman, or a lead independent director, would improve the performance of the Board.
 
Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for overseeing risk management at the Company.  The Board has delegated to the Compensation Committee responsibility for oversight of compensation risk.  The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee various risk management responsibilities.  To fulfill these responsibilities, at each quarterly meeting the Audit Committee receives (i) a report from the Director of Internal Audit regarding internal controls and an update on Internal Audit’s annual plan, (ii) a report from the General Counsel regarding any material litigation developments or regulatory risks and (iii) a report from the Company’s independent auditors.  The Audit Committee reports the results of any material issues to the Board.  The Board has also charged the Audit Committee with the responsibility for undertaking an annual comprehensive risk review, which includes a review of the steps taken by the Company to mitigate key risks.  The list of risks is prepared by management and discussed at an Audit Committee meeting.  Any issues that arise from this discussion are then reviewed with the Board as necessary.  The Audit Committee also receives an annual report from the General Counsel highlighting certain non-business risks and the processes used to mitigate those risks.  The Board has charged the Nominating and Governance Committee with managing the risks related to succession planning.  In addition to reports from the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees, the Board periodically discusses risk management issues as necessary.  The risk oversight function is also supported by our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, whose industry leadership, tenure and experience provide a deep understanding of the risks that the Company faces. Collectively, these processes are intended to provide the Board of Directors as a whole with an in-depth understanding of risks faced by the Company. The Board of Directors believes that the combination of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer positions, who has an integral role in our day-to-day risk management processes, the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee and an experienced senior management team provide the appropriate leadership to assist in effective risk oversight by the Board of Directors.

 
 
5
 
Controlled Company

The Board of Directors has determined that the Company is a “controlled company” as that term is defined by Nasdaq since the Yeager family, pursuant to their ownership of all Class B Common Stock, control 60% of the voting power of the Company as of March 13, 2015.  Pursuant to the Yeager Family Amended and Restated Stockholder Agreement, the Yeager family members have agreed to vote all of their shares of Class B Common Stock in accordance with the vote of the holders of a majority of such shares.

Code of Ethics

Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) establishes the principles, policies, standards and conduct for professional behavior in the workplace.  The Code applies to all employees and may be found on the Corporate Governance page on the Company’s website, www.hubgroup.com.  Any wavier of the Code for executive officers of the Company requires approval of the Audit Committee and must be promptly disclosed to the Company’s stockholders.  We intend to disclose on the Investors section of our Company’s website, www.hubgroup.com, any amendments to, or waivers from, the Code that are required to be publicly disclosed under the rules of the SEC.  The Audit Committee has also established procedures for employees, officers, directors and third parties to communicate concerns over accounting or auditing matters.  Those procedures may be found on the Corporate Governance page on the Company’s website, www.hubgroup.com

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which may be found on the Corporate Governance page on the Company’s website, www.hubgroup.com.  These guidelines reflect the Board of Director’s commitment to oversee the effectiveness of policy and decision-making both at the Board and management level, with a view of enhancing stockholder value.

Communicating with the Board

Stockholders may communicate directly with the Board of Directors.  All communications should be directed to the Company’s Secretary at the address set forth herein and should prominently indicate on the outside of the envelope that it is intended for the Board of Directors or for non-management directors.  Each communication intended for the Board of Directors and received by the Secretary which is not otherwise commercial in nature will be forwarded to the specified party following its clearance through normal security procedures.

Review of Related Party Transactions

In accordance with the Company’s Related Party Employment Policy, before any related party is offered a full time permanent job, the Compensation Committee, or its designee, the Chair of the Compensation Committee, review and approve the proposed compensation package and position.  Annually in December, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves the proposed compensation (salary, bonus and restricted stock) for each Yeager related party and for any other related party who is paid more than $120,000 per year.  Bonus payouts for these related parties are then approved by the Compensation Committee in February.  The policy provides that all compensation paid to these related parties should be approved by the independent directors before being paid.  Other than the foregoing, the Company does not employ specific procedures for the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions involving directors, nominees for directors, executive officers and their immediate family members, but considers such transactions on a case-by-case basis as they arise.

 
 
6
 


OWNERSHIP OF THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY

The following table sets forth information with respect to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock beneficially owned by (i) each director of the Company, (ii) the current executive officers of the Company named in the table under “Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers--Summary Compensation Table,” (iii) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group, and (iv) based on information available to the Company and a review of statements filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), each person that owns beneficially (directly or together with affiliates) more than 5% of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, in each case as of February 28, 2015.  The Company believes that each individual or entity named has sole investment and voting power with respect to shares of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned by them, except as otherwise noted.

 
          Number (1)   
Name 
 
Class A
   
Class B
   
Percentage(2)
 
David P. Yeager (3)(4)
    222,013       662,296       2.4 %
Mark A. Yeager (3)(5)
    372,772       662,296       2.8 %
Terri A. Pizzuto
    139,000       --       *  
Donald G. Maltby (6)
    83,020       --       *  
James J. Damman
    58,296       --       *  
Gary D. Eppen
           68,954       --       *  
Charles R. Reaves
    71,575       --       *  
Martin P. Slark
    76,686       --       *  
Jonathan P. Ward
    10,845       --       *  
All directors and executive officers (14 people)
    1,417,381       662,296       5.7 %
Diamond Hill Capital Mgt., Inc. (7)
    2,617,669       --       7.1 %
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (8)
    1,994,660       --       5.4 %
BlackRock, Inc. (9)
    3,179,655       --       8.7 %
The Vanguard Group (10)
    2,347,534       --       6.4 %
FMR LLC (11)
    5,512,553       --          15.0 %
__________________________________________________
*  Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(1)
Calculated pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d) under the Exchange Act.  Under Rule 13d-3(d), shares not outstanding which are subject to options, warrants, rights, or conversion privileges exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the number and percentage owned by such person, but not deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage owned by each other person listed.

(2)
Represents percentage of total number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

(3)
The Yeager family members are parties to a stockholders’ agreement (the “Yeager Family Stockholder Agreement”), pursuant to which they have agreed to vote all of their shares of Class B Common Stock in accordance with the vote of the holders of a majority of such shares.  Except as provided in footnotes 4 and 5, each of the Yeager family members disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Class B Common Stock held by the other Yeager family members.  The Class B Common Stock represents approximately 60% of the total votes allocable to the Common Stock.  Members of the Yeager family own all of the Class B Common Stock.

(4)  
Includes 121,083 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the David P. Yeager 2011 Exempt Children’s Trust, 51,624 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the Laura C. Yeager 1994 GST Trust, 51,624 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the Matthew D. Yeager 1994 GST Trust and 51,624 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the Phillip D. Yeager 1994 GST Trust, 55,193 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by David P. Yeager Nonexempt Trust created under Philip C. Yeager 1994 Trust and 331,148 shares of Class B Common Stock as to which David P. Yeager may be deemed to have shared voting discretion pursuant to the Yeager Family Stockholder Agreement.  See Note 3.
 
(5)
Includes 87,866 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the Alexander B. Yeager 1994 GST Trust, 87,866 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the Samantha N. Yeager 1994 GST Trust, 48,715 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the Mark A. Yeager Non-Exempt Trust, and 331,148 shares of Class B Common Stock as to which Mark A. Yeager may be deemed to have shared voting discretion pursuant to the Yeager Family Stockholder Agreement.  Also includes 19,907 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the Mark A. Yeager Perpetual Trust for which Mark A. Yeager serves as sole trustee and has sole investment and voting discretion. See Note 3.

(6)
Mr. Maltby retired on January 15, 2015.

 
 
7
 
(7)
Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. (“Diamond Hill”) filed an amendment to a Schedule 13G with the Commission indicating beneficial ownership of shares of Class A Common Stock.  According to the Schedule 13G, Diamond Hill has sole dispositive power with respect to all 2,617,669 shares of Class A Common Stock and sole voting power with respect to 2,466,674 shares of Class A Common Stock.  The number of shares beneficially owned by Diamond Hill is indicated as of February 6, 2015.  The address of Diamond Hill is 325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Suite 200, Columbus, OH 43215.

(8)
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”) filed an amendment to a Schedule 13G with the Commission indicating beneficial ownership of shares of Class A Common Stock.  According to the Schedule 13G, Price Associates has sole dispositive power with respect to all 1,994,660 shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned and sole voting power with respect to 527,160 shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned. These securities are owned by various individual and institutional investors which Price Associates serves as investment advisor with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities.  For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, Price Associates is deemed the beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.  The number of shares beneficially owned by Price Associates is indicated as of February 17, 2015.  The address of Price Associates is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

(9)
BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) filed an amendment to a Schedule 13G with the Commission indicating beneficial ownership of shares of Class A Common Stock.  According to the Schedule 13G, BlackRock has sole dispositive power with respect to all 3,179,655 shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned and sole voting power with respect to 3,081,743 shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned.  The number of shares beneficially owned by BlackRock is indicated as of January 12, 2015.  The address of BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022.

(10)
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (“Vanguard”) filed an amendment to a Schedule 13G with the Commission indicating beneficial ownership of shares of Class A Common Stock.  According to the Schedule 13G, Vanguard has sole dispositive power with respect to 2,302,635 shares of Class A Common Stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 44,899 shares of Class A Common Stock and sole voting power with respect to 47,699 shares of Class A Common Stock.  The number of shares beneficially owned by Vanguard is indicated as of February 9, 2015.  The address of Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.
 
(11)
FMR LLC (“FMR”) filed an amendment to a Schedule 13G with the Commission indicating beneficial ownership of shares of Class A Common Stock.  According to the Schedule 13G, FMR has sole dispositive power with respect to all 5,512,553 shares of Class A Common Stock and sole voting power with respect to 482,516 shares of Class A Common Stock.  The number of shares beneficially owned by FMR is indicated as of February 13, 2015.  The address of FMR is 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210.

 
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company.  Officers, directors, and greater than ten-percent stockholders are required by Commission regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, during the Company’s 2014 fiscal year all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements were complied with by the officers, directors, and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners.
 
 
 

 
 
8
 

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Overview of Compensation Program

Our Compensation Committee has the responsibility for determining the compensation that is paid or awarded to our Company’s executive officers.  Our Compensation Committee consists of the four independent members of the Board.  Our Compensation Committee ensures that the total compensation paid to our executive officers is fair, reasonable, competitive and drives behavior that increases stockholder value over the long-term.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Our Company’s compensation philosophy is designed to link executive performance to long-term stockholder value, connect pay with individual performance, maintain a compensation system that is competitive with industry standards and attract and retain outstanding executives.  We seek to incent our executives through both short term and long term awards, with a goal of rewarding superior Company performance. Our ultimate objective is to improve stockholder value.

Our Compensation Committee evaluates both performance and compensation to ensure that our Company maintains its ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions and that compensation provided to key employees remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly situated executives of our peer companies. To that end, our Compensation Committee believes executive compensation packages provided to our executives should include both cash and stock-based compensation that reward performance as measured against pre-established goals.

Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

 
Our Compensation Committee, with input and recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer and President, makes all compensation decisions for the executive officers and approves recommendations of equity awards to all executive officers of the Company. The Chief Executive Officer does not play any role in the Compensation Committee’s determination of his compensation.  The Chief Executive Officer and President annually review the performance of the executive officers. The conclusions reached and recommendations based on these reviews, including salary adjustments and annual stock and cash award amounts, are presented to the Compensation Committee.  Our Compensation Committee can exercise its discretion in modifying any recommended adjustments of stock or cash awards to executives.

Setting Executive Compensation

Based on the foregoing objectives, our Compensation Committee has structured the Company’s annual and long-term incentive-based cash and non-cash executive compensation to motivate executives to achieve the business goals set by the Company and reward the executives for achieving such goals.

Compensation Consultant.   To help the Company achieve its compensation objectives, our Compensation Committee engaged Hay Group, Inc. as its independent compensation consultant for 2014.  Hay Group has been the compensation consultant to the Compensation Committee since 2004.  The consultant’s role is to advise our Compensation Committee on all executive compensation matters. The Compensation Committee asked the consultant to provide relevant market data and evaluate the Company’s total compensation system relative to the compensation systems employed by comparable companies in the transportation industry and the overall U.S. industrial market. The consultant also provides an additional measure of assurance that the Company’s executive compensation program is a reasonable and appropriate means to achieve our objectives.  Except for its work for the Compensation Committee, Hay Group does not provide any compensation consulting services to the Company.


Market Benchmarking.  A benchmark group of publicly-traded companies in the transportation industry is chosen based on comparable revenue, market capitalization and number of employees.  The peer group is used annually by our Compensation Committee to ensure that Hub Group’s compensation programs offer competitive total compensation opportunities and reflect best practices in compensation plan design.  For 2014, the companies comprising the “Compensation Peer Group” were:
 
Arkansas Best Corporation
Celadon Group, Inc.
Con-way, Inc.
Covenant Transportation Group, Inc.
Heartland Express, Inc.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
Knight Transportation, Inc.
Landstar System, Inc.
Marten Transport, Ltd.
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
 
 
9
 
Ryder System, Inc.
Saia, Inc.
Universal Truckload Services, Inc.
XPO Logistics, Inc.
YRC Worldwide, Inc.

In addition, information on annual base salary increases and compensation data for the U.S. general industrial markets is provided by our Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President develop pay recommendations for the Company’s executives based on (i) the aforementioned market data, (ii) each executive’s individual performance and functional responsibilities as determined by the Chief Executive Officer and President and (iii) Company performance, both financial and non-financial.  Our Compensation Committee reviews and approves these pay recommendations with the advice of its independent compensation consultant.  Our Compensation Committee also sets the base salary and incentive opportunities for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer based on (i) the aforementioned market data, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer’s individual performance and responsibilities and (iii) Company performance, both financial and non-financial.

Our Compensation Committee generally seeks to set the base salary for executive officers at a competitive level compared to similarly situated executives according to survey data from the Hay Group Executive Compensation Report (the “Hay Group survey”).  Our Compensation Committee also considers, on a secondary basis, the executive compensation disclosure included in the proxy statements of the companies comprising the Compensation Peer Group. Variations to this objective do occur as dictated by the experience level of the individual, personal performance and market factors.

There is no pre-established policy or target for the allocation between either cash and non-cash or short-term and long-term incentive compensation. Rather, our Compensation Committee reviews information provided by our compensation consultant to determine the appropriate level and mix of incentive compensation.  Pay for such incentive compensation is awarded as a result of the performance of the Company or the individual, depending on the type of award, compared to pre-established goals.  Our Compensation Committee noted that Hub’s stockholders approved the Company’s 2013, 2012 and 2011 compensation for named executive officers with 99% approval ratings each year.  For 2014, our Compensation Committee has continued with this same general compensation structure since the Committee believes it is a successful structure and has been consistently supported by our stockholders.

 
2014 Executive Compensation Components

The Company’s executive compensation program has three components--base salary, annual incentives, and long-term incentives.  Base salary and annual incentives are primarily designed to reward current and past performance. Long-term incentives are primarily designed to provide strong incentives for long-term future Company growth.

 
Base Salary.  To attract and retain qualified executives, base salary is provided to our executive officers.  The base salary is determined based on position and responsibility using competitive criteria within the transportation industry.  During its review of base salaries for the executives, our Compensation Committee primarily considers (i) market data provided by our outside consultants, (ii) an internal review of the executive’s compensation, both individually and relative to other officers, and (iii) individual performance of the executive.  Salary levels are typically reviewed annually as part of our annual performance review process as well as upon a promotion or other change in job responsibilities.  Increases are based on increases in the cost of living, individual performance and market data.  For 2014, the Compensation Committee determined that there would be no increases in salaries for executive officers.

Annual Cash Incentive.  The Company’s annual cash incentive recognizes and rewards executives for taking actions that build the value of the Company and generate competitive total returns for stockholders.  Our annual cash incentive is determined with the assistance of the Hay Group survey referred to above and the value of the target award is generally set at 70% of the executive’s annual base salary.  This incentive is based solely on earnings per share (“EPS”) for our Chief Executive Officer and President.  For our other executive officers, this incentive is based on a combination of EPS (80%) and on individual performance compared against certain pre-determined personal goals (20%).  The personal goals vary by officer.  For 2014, the personal goals for officers responsible for each of our service lines were generally tied to specific financial metrics for the service line managed by the executive.   For our other executives, the personal goals were generally tied to specific objectives within their area of responsibility.  The personal goals are generally set at a level that is believed to be achievable with superior personal performance.

Ms. Pizzuto’s 2014 personal goals required her to get the financial statements closed within 7 business days (50%) and improve DSO by 3 days with upside potential of 200% if over 6 days (50%).  Ms. Pizzuto’s target incentive related to personal goals was $53,207, with a target incentive of $26,604 for the financial statement goal and $26,604 for the DSO goal.  Ms. Pizzuto earned 100% or $26,604 related to her financial statement goal and 0% related to the DSO goal.  Ms. Pizzuto’s total bonus related to personal goals was therefore $26,604.

Mr. Maltby’s 2014 personal goals for the first half of 2014 required him to meet the Unyson service line plan (50%), and meet the service line plan for Truck Brokerage (50%).  Mr. Maltby’s personal goals for the second half of 2014 required him to implement the strategic plan (100%).  Mr. Maltby’s target incentive related to personal goals was $46,865, with a target incentive of $11,716 for the Unyson service line plan, $11,716 for the Truck Brokerage service line plan and $23,433 for implementing the strategic plan.  Mr. Maltby earned 80% or $9,373 related to the Unyson service line goal, 175% or $20,503 related to the Truck Brokerage service line plan goal and 100% or $23,433 related to the goal to implement the strategic plan.  Mr. Maltby’s total bonus related to personal goals was therefore $53,309.
 
 
10
 
Mr. Damman’s 2014 personal goals required him to improve DSO by 1 day with upside potential of 200% if over 2 days (25%), bring on ten new agents with a $1.0 million revenue run rate (25%) and meet the Mode service line plan (50%).  Mr. Damman’s target incentive related to personal goals was $50,614, with a target incentive of $12,654 for the DSO goal, $12,654 for bringing on ten new agents with a $1.0 million revenue run rate and $25,307 for meeting the Mode service line plan.  Mr. Damman also had the opportunity to earn more than his target incentive if he exceeded his goals.  Mr. Damman did not improve DSO by 1 day and therefore received 0% of his target incentive for this goal.  The goal to add ten new agents with a $1.0 million revenue run rate was measured with a sliding scale under which Mr. Damman would not earn any incentive if Mode did not add at least two agents with a $1.0 million revenue run rate and 100% of his target incentive if Mode added ten agents with a $1.0 million revenue run rate.  Mr. Damman brought on eight new agents with a run rate in excess of $1.0 million and received 75% of his target incentive or $9,491 for this goal.  The Mode service line goal was measured by a sliding scale under which Mr. Damman would not earn any incentive if service line profitability did not reach $15.3 million, 100% if service line profitability reached $17.1 million and 200% if service line profitability reached $18.9 million.  Mode service line profitability was $19.3 million and therefore Mr. Damman received 200% of his target incentive or $50,614.  Mr. Damman’s total bonus related to personal goals was therefore $60,105.

Each year our Compensation Committee sets an EPS target for our Company.  Once the year is completed, Hub Group’s earnings per share is compared against the EPS target.  If we meet the EPS target, we pay the EPS portion of the award.  If we do not meet our EPS target, we do not pay any cash incentive related to EPS or we pay a reduced incentive based on a sliding scale.  In the same way, our executives can earn, also on a sliding scale, up to twice their EPS target incentive if we substantially exceed our EPS target.  For 2014, our sliding scale started at $1.92 and our EPS target for 2014 was set at $2.02.  Our executives could earn twice their EPS target incentive if we earned $2.12 per share.  During 2014 we earned $1.40 per share according to generally accepted accounting practices.  Based on our pre-approved sliding scale, our executives therefore received 0% of their EPS target incentive.

Mr. David Yeager’s target incentive related to EPS was $485,625 for 2014.  Mr. David Yeager received 0% of this targeted amount in accordance with the sliding scale previously approved by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Mark Yeager’s target incentive related to EPS was $395,500 for 2014.  Mr. Mark Yeager received 0% of this targeted amount.  Ms. Pizzuto’s target incentive related to EPS was $212,828 for 2014.  Ms. Pizzuto received 0% of this targeted amount.  Mr. Maltby’s target incentive related to EPS was $187,460 for 2014.  Mr. Maltby received 0% of this targeted amount.  Mr. Damman’s target incentive related to EPS was $202,457 for 2014.  Mr. Damman received 0% of this targeted amount.

All cash compensation is approved by our Compensation Committee before it is paid to our executive officers.

Long-Term Equity Incentives.  The Company’s Long-Term Equity Incentive Program serves to reward executive performance that successfully executes the Company’s long-term business strategy and builds stockholder value.  The program allows for the awarding of options and stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance units.  The Long-Term Equity Incentive Program encourages participants to focus on long-term Company performance and provides an opportunity for executive officers and certain designated key employees to increase their ownership stake in the Company through grants of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.   The Company has adopted the Hub Group, Inc. 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan in connection with its long-term equity incentive program.

The Company has historically made an annual grant of restricted stock to its executive officers.  Our Compensation Committee generally keeps the number of shares granted annually fixed for three years so that executives, like stockholders, will be directly impacted by changes in our stock price. In 2014 we granted the same number of restricted shares to our named executive officers as we did in 2013 and 2012.  Our restricted stock grants for employees vest over five years.

In 2014, our Compensation Committee delegated to our Chief Executive Officer the ability to grant up to 50,000 shares of restricted stock in the aggregate to non-executive officers each year.  Our Chief Executive Officer grants this stock from time to time to new hires or in connection with a promotion or outstanding performance by current employees.  The Company has not granted any stock options since 2003.

Perquisites and Other Compensation
 
Our Company provides executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that the Company and our Compensation Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. Our Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to named executive officers.
 
All of our named executive officers participated in our 401(k) plan and received matching funds up to the federally allowed maximum match.  We maintain $50,000 of life insurance on all of our executive officers.  The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan and provides a matching contribution to participants.  The Company makes available to its executive officers an annual physical at a local hospital.  The Company allows personal use of its fractional airplane interests by certain executive officers.  Personal use of our aircraft interests requires approval by the Chief Executive Officer.  Our executives must reimburse the Company for their personal use of our aircraft interests at the Standard Industry Fare Level plus either 20% or 30% depending on the aircraft.
 
Retirement and Other Benefits

Pension Benefits
 
We do not provide pension arrangements or subsidized post-retirement health coverage for our executives or employees.
 
 
11
 
 
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
 
Our executive officers, in addition to certain other key managerial employees, are entitled to participate in the Hub Group, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.  Pursuant to this plan, eligible employees can defer certain compensation on a pre-tax basis.  The Hub Group, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan is discussed in further detail under the heading “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.”
 
Other Post-Employment Payments

All of our executive officers are employees-at-will and as such do not have employment contracts with us.  Certain payments will be made upon a change of control.  These payments are discussed in further detail under “Potential Payouts upon Termination or Change of Control.”

Ownership Guidelines
 
To directly align the interests of executive officers with the interests of the stockholders, our Board adopted a policy that requires each executive officer to maintain a minimum ownership interest in the Company.  Each executive officer, other than the Chief Executive Officer, must own Company stock with a value of at least two times his or her base annual salary.  The Chief Executive Officer must own Company stock with a value of at least three times his base salary.   Each executive officer has five years to meet this requirement.  Until they do, executive officers must retain a minimum of 25% of the stock granted to them in any one year.  Our independent directors have also agreed to maintain stock valued at twice their annual retainer.
 
Tax and Accounting Implications
 

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), limits the Company’s deduction for compensation paid to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table to $1 million each unless certain requirements are met.  The policy of our Compensation Committee with respect to section 162(m) is to establish and maintain a compensation program which will optimize the deductibility of compensation.  Our Compensation Committee, however, reserves the right to use its judgment, where merited by our Compensation Committee’s need to respond to changing business conditions or by an executive officer’s individual performance, to authorize compensation which may not, in a specific case, be fully deductible to the Company.

Section 274(e) of the Code limits the Company’s deduction for expenses allocated to certain personal use of its fractional airplane interests.  For 2014, such expenses, less amounts reimbursed to the Company, were not deductible for federal income tax purposes.


Compensation Committee Report

This report is submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in this Proxy Statement.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Martin P. Slark, Chairman
Gary D. Eppen
Charles R. Reaves
Jonathan P. Ward

 
 
12
 
2014 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

           The following table sets forth a summary of the annual, long-term and other compensation for services rendered to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012  paid or awarded to those persons who were: (i) the Company’s chief executive officer at December 31, 2014, (ii) the Company’s chief financial officer at December 31, 2014 and (iii) the Company’s three most highly compensated executive officers other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer (collectively, together with the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, the “Named Executive Officers”).

Name and Principal Position              
 
Year
   
Salary ($)
   
Bonus  ($)
   
Stock Awards ($)(1)
   
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensa-tion(2) ($)
   
Change in Pension Value and Nonquali-fied Deferred Compensation Earnings(3) ($)
   
All Other Compensa- tion (4)  ($)___
   
Total  ($)
 
David P. Yeager               
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
   
2014
 2013
 2012
     
693,750
 693,750
 625,000
     
--
 --
 --
     
865,260
 755,700
 713,460
     
--
 242,813
 310,625
     
--
 --
 --
     
160,076
173,724
139,243
(5)
 
 
   
1,719,086
 1,865,987
 1,788,328
 
                                                                 
Mark A. Yeager               
Vice Chairman, President
and Chief Operating Officer
   
2014
 2013
 2012
     
565,000
 565,000
 500,000
     
--
 --
 --
     
786,600
 687,000
 648,600
     
--
 197,750
 248,500
     
--
 --
 --
     
110,034
178,143
142,779
(6)
 
 
   
1,461,634
 1,627,893
 1,539,879
 
                                                                 
Terri A. Pizzuto                  
 Executive Vice President,  
CFO and Treasurer
   
2014
 2013
 2012
     
380,050
 380,050
 335,000
     
--
 --
 --
     
589,950
 515,250
 486,450
     
26,604
 138,325
 180,096
     
--
 --
 --
     
18,261
19,088
17,440
(7)
 
 
   
1,014,865
 1,052,713
 1,018,986
 
                                                                 
Donald G. Maltby             
Chief Strategy Officer
    2014       334,750       --       471,960       53,309       --       20,358 (8)     880,377  
                                                                 
James J. Damman            
President,
Mode Transportation, LLC
   
2014
 2013
 2012
     
361,530
 361,530
 351,000
     
--
 --
 --
     
593,318
 543,507
 424,333
     
60,105
 332,073
 364,947
     
--
 --
 --
     
6,894
7,686
7,394
(9)
 
 
   
1,021,847
 1,244,796
 1,147,674
 

(1) Consists of the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards made by our Company to our executives in 2014, 2013 and 2012 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.  The amounts expensed in 2014, 2013 and 2012 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 with respect to restricted stock awards made by our Company to our executives each with a vesting period of five years are $696,174, $623,124 and $578,630, respectively, for Mr. David Yeager; $640,801, $570,984 and $524,996, respectively, for Mr. Mark Yeager; $451,735, $388,498 and $347,316, respectively, for Ms. Pizzuto; $377,853 for Mr. Maltby; and $369,220, $233,813 and $128,443, respectively, for Mr. Damman.

(2) In addition to salary, our Compensation Committee provides an annual cash incentive.  Our annual cash incentive is determined with the assistance of the Hay Group survey and the value of the target award is generally set, starting in 2012, at 70% of the executive’s annual salary.  This incentive is based solely on EPS for our Chief Executive Officer and President.  For our other executive officers, 80% of this incentive is based on EPS and 20% is based on individual performance compared against certain predetermined personal goals.  For both 2012 and 2013, Mr. Damman’s annual cash incentive includes $200,000 which was earned under the Mode Special Bonus program.

(3) Represents above market earnings on deferred compensation.
 
(4) Personal use of our aircraft requires approval by the Chief Executive Officer.  Our executives must reimburse the Company for their personal use of our aircraft interest at the Standard Industry Fare Level plus either 20% or 30% depending on the aircraft.  We value the personal use of our aircraft interests as the difference between the amount paid by the executive to the Company for use of the plane and the aggregate incremental cost of using the plane.  The incremental cost includes the hourly flight fee, all fuel charges, overnight fees, on-board catering, landing fees, parking fees, certain taxes and passenger ground transportation.  We do not include in incremental costs the fixed costs that do not change based on personal usage, such as monthly management fees or the purchase or lease costs of our fractional interest in aircraft.

(5) Represents our Company’s matching contribution to the Section 401(k) plan of $6,870, the value of insurance premiums paid by the Company for term life insurance equal to $36, the match made to Mr. Yeager’s account in our current Deferred Compensation Plan equal to $20,813 and the value of an executive physical equal to $3,450.  Also represents Mr. Yeager’s personal use of our Company’s fractional airplane interests equal to $128,908.
 
(6) Represents our Company’s matching contribution to the Section 401(k) plan of $6,852, the value of insurance premiums paid by the Company for term life insurance equal to $36 and the match made to Mr. Yeager’s account in our current Deferred Compensation Plan equal to $16,950.  Also represents Mr. Yeager’s personal use of our Company’s fractional airplane interests equal to $86,197.

 
 
13
 
(7) Represents our Company’s matching contribution to the Section 401(k) plan of $6,823, the value of insurance premiums paid by the Company for term life insurance equal to $36 and the match made to Ms. Pizzuto’s account in our current Deferred Compensation Plan equal to $11,402.

(8) Represents our Company’s matching contribution to the Section 401(k) plan of $6,829, the value of insurance premiums paid by the Company for term life insurance equal to $36, the match made to Mr. Maltby’s account in our current Deferred Compensation Plan equal to $10,043 and the value of an executive physical equal to $3,450.

(9) Represents our Company’s matching contribution to the Section 401(k) plan of $6,858 and the value of insurance premiums paid by the Company for term life insurance equal to $36.
 
 
14
 

2014 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
     
Estimated Future Payouts
 Under Non-Equity
 Incentive Plan Awards
 
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan
 Awards
 
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or
 
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying
 
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
 
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
 
          Name        
Grant  Date    
 
Threshold
 ($)
 
Target
 ($)
 
Maximum
 ($)
 
Threshold 
($)
 
Target 
($)
 
Maximum 
($)
 
Units
 (#)(1)
 
Options
  (# )
 
($/Sh)
 
($)
 
David P. Yeager
Restricted Stock
 
1/2/2014
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
22,000
   
--
   
--
   
865,260
 
Annual Cash Incentive       --     485,625      971,250                                            
                                                                 
Mark A. Yeager
Restricted Stock
 
1/2/2014
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
20,000
   
--
   
--
   
 786,600
 
 Annual Cash Incentive        --     395,500      791,000                                            
                                                                 
Terri A. Pizzuto
Restricted Stock
 
1/2/2014
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
 15,000
   
--
   
--
   
589,950
 
Annual Cash Incentive        --       266,035      505,467                                            
                                                                 
Donald G. Maltby
Restricted Stock
 
1/2/2014
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
12,000
   
--
   
--
   
471,960
 
 Annual Cash Incentive        --      234,325      468,651                                            
                                                                 
James J. Damman
Restricted Stock
Restricted Stock
 
1/2/2014
2/22/2014
   
--
 --
   
--
 --
   
--
 --
   
--
 --
   
--
  --
   
--
 --
   
10,000
  4,983
(2)
 
--
 --
   
--
 --
   
393,300
 200,018
 
 Annual Cash Incentive       --     253,071     493,490                                            

(1) Restricted stock that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.

(2) These shares were granted under the Mode Special Bonus program based on Mode’s 2013 performance.

Narrative Description for Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Tables

As part of the annual compensation package, our Compensation Committee grants restricted Class A Common Stock to our executive officers.  These awards are generally based on merit and the Hay Group survey and vest over five years.  The Company has historically made an annual grant of restricted stock to its executive officers.  Our Compensation Committee generally keeps the number of shares granted annually fixed for three years so that executives, like stockholders, will be directly impacted by changes in our stock price. In 2014 we granted the same number of restricted shares to our named executive officers as we did in 2013 and 2012.  Our restricted stock grants for employees vest over five years.  These restricted shares are entitled to dividends to the same extent as ordinary shares, but the dividends are restricted to the same extent as the underlying security.  Once the restricted stock vests, any dividends paid on that stock also vest.  We do not have employment agreements with our executive officers.
 
 
15
 
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2014

   
Option Awards
   
Stock Awards
 
   
Number
of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
   
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
   
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options
   
Option Exercise Price
   
Option Expiration
   
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
   
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
   
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
   
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
 
          Name        
 
Exercisable
   
Unexercisable
      (#)          
($)
   
Date
      (#)      
($)
      (#)          
($)
 
David P. Yeager
    --       --       --       --       --      
22,000
17,600
13,200
7,404
3,702
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
   
837,760
670,208
502,656
281,944
140,972
      --       --  
                                                                         
Mark A. Yeager
    --       --       --       --       --      
20,000
16,000
12,000
6,664
3,332
532
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
   
761,600
 609,280
 456,960
 253,765
 126,883
 20,259
      --       --  
                                                                         
Terri A. Pizzuto
    --       --       --       --       --      
15,000
12,000
9,000
4,146
2,073
266
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
   
571,200
 456,960
  342,720
 157,880
 78,940
10,129
      --       --  
                                                                         
Donald G. Maltby
    --       --       --       --       --      
12,000
9,600
7,200
3,332
1,666
1,099
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(7)
   
456,960
 365,568
 274,176
 126,883
 63,441
  41,850
      --       --  
                                                                         
James J. Damman
    --       --       --       --       --      
10,000
8,000
6,000
3,332
4,983
4,235
1,692
(1)
(2)
(3)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
   
380,800
304,640
228,480
126,883
189,753
161,269
64,431
      --       --  
                                                                         
(1) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2014 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(2) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2013 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(3) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2012 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(4) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2011 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(5) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2010 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(6) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on April 20, 2011 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(7) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 14, 2011 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(8) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on April 1, 2011 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(9) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on February 22, 2014 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(10) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on February 22, 2013 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
(11) Restricted stock remaining from a grant made on February 22, 2012 that vests ratably annually on the date of grant over five years.
 
 
16
 

2014 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

   
Option Awards
   
Stock Awards
 
   
Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Exercise
   
Value Realized
On Exercise
   
Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Vesting
   
Value Realized
on Vesting
 
                   Name                 
    (#)             
($)
      (#)             
($)
 
David P. Yeager
    --       --       19,906       782,903  
Mark A. Yeager
    --       --       18,262       719,183  
Terri A. Pizzuto
    --       --       12,352       486,274  
Donald G. Maltby
    --       --       10,348       408,675  
James J. Damman
    --       --       7,289       289,107  


 
 
17
 


      2014 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

   
Executive Contributions in Last FY
   
Registrant Contributions in Last FY
   
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY
   
Aggregate Withdrawals/
Distributions
   
Aggregate Balance
at Last
FYE
 
                     Name                    
 
($)(1)
   
($)(2)
   
($)(3)
   
($)
   
($)(4)
 
David P. Yeager
    152,625       20,813       78,585       --       2,825,829  
Mark A. Yeager
    90,683       16,950       120,243       --       1,769,750  
Terri A. Pizzuto
    38,005       11,402       34,569       --       566,427  
Donald G. Maltby
    26,119       10,043       29,635       --       381,590  
James J. Damman (5)
    --       --       12,355       --       387,910  

(1) Executive contributions are included in Salary in the Summary Compensation Table.

(2) Our Company contributions are a match made subject to a cliff vesting requirement as more fully explained below.  Our Company contributions are included in All Other Compensation in the Summary Compensation Table.

(3) None of these earnings are included in the Summary Compensation Table as these are earnings on investments made in various commonly available investment vehicles.

(4) The amount of compensation in the aggregate balance that was reported as compensation in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table is $173,438 for Mr. David Yeager, $107,633 for Mr. Mark Yeager, $49,407 for Ms. Pizzuto and $109,802 for Mr. Maltby.  The amount of compensation in the aggregate balance that was reported as compensation in the 2013 Summary Compensation Table is $173,438 for Mr. David Yeager, $101,700 for Mr. Mark Yeager and $49,407 for Ms. Pizzuto.  The amount of compensation in the aggregate balance that was reported as compensation in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table is $0 for Mr. David Yeager, $100,125 for Mr. Mark Yeager and $43,550 for Ms. Pizzuto.

(5) Mr. Damman participates in the Mode Plan (as defined below).


We adopted our current non-qualified deferred compensation plan effective January 1, 2005 (the “Current Plan”).  We allowed a select group of management and highly compensated employees to make contributions to our Current Plan beginning in 2005.  We also adopted a non-qualified deferred compensation plan effective April 1, 2011 in connection with the Mode acquisition (“Mode Plan”).  The Mode Plan was created to allow certain key Mode employees to continue deferring into a non-qualified plan for the remainder of 2011.  Of our current named executive officers, only Mr. Damman participates in the Mode Plan.  On December 31, 2011, the Mode Plan was closed and there will be no new contributions made into the Mode Plan.

Our Current Plan is funded and does not provide for a fixed rate of return.  Each participating employee selects from a range of investment options.  We then provide an investment return equal to the return from the selected investment options.  The investment options which may be selected by the participating employees track commonly available investment vehicles, including mutual funds, bond funds and money market funds.  Participating employees can contribute up to 50% of their base salary and up to 90% of their annual cash incentive under the Current Plan.

The Current Plan also includes a match by our Company.  The match is equal to 50% of the first 6% of contributions to the plan with a maximum match equivalent to 3% of base salary.   The match vests over three years on a cliff basis.  The Company match, if vested, and earnings thereon are paid out seven months after separation from service in either a lump sum or over a period of up to ten years, at the employee’s election.  The employee’s contributions and earnings thereon are paid out upon separation from service or at a predetermined date and may be paid out in a lump sum or over a period of up to ten years.  The match is subject to forfeiture if the participant leaves the Company and goes to work for a competitor.

 
18
 
 
Our Mode Plan is also funded and does not provide for a fixed rate of return. Each participating employee selects from a range of investment options.  We then provide an investment return equal to the return from the selected investment options.  The investment options which may be selected by the participating employees track commonly available investment vehicles, including mutual funds, bond funds and money market funds.  Participating employees can contribute up to 100% of their compensation.  The Mode Plan included a match by our Company equal to 50% of the first 10% of contributions to the plan with a maximum match equivalent to 5% of compensation.  The match was fully vested once made.  The Company match and earnings thereon are paid out seven months after separation from service in either a lump sum or over a period of up to fifteen years, at the employee’s election.  The employee’s contributions and earnings thereon are paid out upon separation from service or at a predetermined date and may be paid out in a lump sum or over a period of up to fifteen years.

Potential Payouts Upon Termination or Change of Control

As required, in the following section we disclose the amount that would have been earned by our named executive officers assuming a change of control on December 31, 2014.

David P. Yeager, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Change of Control

Mr. Yeager has been granted various awards of restricted stock under our Long-Term Incentive Plans.  Pursuant to his award agreements, this restricted stock vests upon a change of control.  As of December 31, 2014, Mr. Yeager owned 63,906 shares of restricted stock.  Assuming the triggering event took place on the last business day of 2014, the value of the restricted stock would have been $2,433,540.

Mr. Yeager is a participant in our Current Deferred Compensation Plan.  Our Current Plan provides for the vesting of the Company match and any earnings thereon upon a change of control.  Assuming a change of control as defined under this plan occurred on December 31, 2014, a total of $20,093 worth of Company matching contributions and interest or earnings thereon would have vested.

Mark A. Yeager, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer

Change of Control

Mr. Yeager has been granted various awards of restricted stock under our Long-Term Incentive Plans.  Pursuant to his award agreements, this restricted stock vests upon a change of control.  As of December 31, 2014, Mr. Yeager owned 58,528 shares of restricted stock.  Assuming the triggering event took place on the last business day of 2014, the value of the restricted stock would have been $2,228,747.

Mr. Yeager is a participant in our Current Deferred Compensation Plan.  Our Current Plan provides for the vesting of the Company match and any earnings thereon upon a change of control.  Assuming a change of control as defined under this plan occurred on December 31, 2014, a total of $37,139 worth of Company matching contributions and interest or earnings thereon would have vested.
 
Terri A. Pizzuto, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Change of Control

Ms. Pizzuto has been granted various awards of restricted stock under our Long-Term Incentive Plans.  Pursuant to her award agreements, this restricted stock vests upon a change of control.  As of December 31, 2014, Ms. Pizzuto owned 42,485 shares of restricted stock.  Assuming the triggering event took place on the last business day of 2014, the value of the restricted stock would have been $1,617,829.

Ms. Pizzuto is a participant in our Current Deferred Compensation Plan.  Our Current Plan provides for the vesting of the Company match and any earnings thereon upon a change of control.  Assuming a change of control as defined under this plan occurred on December 31, 2014, a total of $24,232 worth of Company matching contributions and interest or earnings thereon would have vested.

 
 
19
 
Donald G. Maltby, Chief Strategy Officer

Change of Control

Mr. Maltby has been granted various awards of restricted stock under our Long-Term Incentive Plans.  Pursuant to his award agreements, this restricted stock vests upon a change of control.  As of December 31, 2014, Mr. Maltby owned 34,897 shares of restricted stock.  Assuming the triggering event took place on the last business day of 2014, the value of the restricted stock would have been $1,328,878.

As of December 31, 2014, Mr. Maltby was a participant in our Current Deferred Compensation Plan.  Our Current Plan provides for the vesting of the Company match and any earnings thereon upon a change of control.  Assuming a change of control as defined under this plan occurred on December 31, 2014, a total of $12,251 worth of Company matching contributions and interest or earnings thereon would have vested.

James J. Damman, President Mode Transportation

Change of Control

Mr. Damman has been granted various awards of restricted stock under our Long-Term Incentive Plans.  Pursuant to his award agreements, this restricted stock vests upon a change of control.  As of December 31, 2014, Mr. Damman owned 38,242 shares of restricted stock.  Assuming the triggering event took place on the last business day of 2014, the value of the restricted stock would have been $1,456,256.

Definition of “Change of Control”

For purposes of the foregoing discussion, a change of control is defined as a change in the beneficial ownership of the Company’s voting stock or a change in the composition of the Board which occurs as follows: (i) Any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) who is not as of the date of this grant but later becomes a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of stock of the Company representing 30 percent or more of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding stock; or (ii) A tender offer (for which a filing has been made with the SEC which purports to comply with the requirements of Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act and the corresponding SEC rules) is made for the stock of the Company, which has not been negotiated and approved by the Board. In case of a tender offer described in this paragraph, the change in control will be deemed to have occurred upon the first to occur of (A) any time during the offer when the person (using the definition in (i) above) making the offer owns or has accepted for payment stock of the Company with 25 percent or more of the total voting power of the Company’s stock, or (B) three business days before the offer is to terminate unless the offer is withdrawn first, if the person making the offer could own, by the terms of the offer plus any shares owned by this person, stock with 50 percent or more of the total voting power of the Company’s stock when the offer terminates; or (iii) Individuals who were the Board’s nominees for election as directors of the Company immediately prior to a meeting of the stockholders of the Company involving a contest for the election of directors shall not constitute a majority of the Board following the election.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation for services rendered to the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 for the Company’s independent directors.
 
Fees Earned or
Paid in
Cash
Stock
Awards
Option
Awards
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
All Other
Compensation
Total
             Name             
           ($)          
    ($)(1)     
       ($)      
           ($)           
       Earnings       
          ($)         
       ($)       
Gary D. Eppen
75,000
196,650
--
--
--
2,250(2)
273,900
Charles R. Reaves
75,000
196,650
--
--
--
--
271,650
Martin P. Slark
75,000
196,650
--
--
--
2,250(2)
273,900
Jonathan P. Ward
75,000
196,650
--
--
--
--
271,650
 
(1)  Consists of the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards made by our Company in 2014 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.  The amounts expensed in 2014 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 with respect to restricted stock awards made by our Company each with a vesting period of three years are $176,850 for Messrs. Eppen, Reaves, Slark and Ward.

(2)  Mr. Eppen and Mr. Slark contributed to our Deferred Compensation Plan in 2014 and both received a match of $2,250 for 2014.
 
As of December 31, 2014, Messrs. Eppen, Reaves and Slark each had 5,000 shares of restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2014 that vests ratably over three years, 3,333 shares of restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2013 that vests ratably over three years and 1,666 shares of restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2012 that vests ratably over three years.  As of December 31, 2014, Mr. Ward had 833 shares of restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2012 that vests ratably over three years, no restricted stock units remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2013 and 5,000 shares of restricted stock remaining from a grant made on January 2, 2014.  No directors have options.

 
 
20
 
Directors who are not our employees received $75,000 for serving as a director during 2014. Directors who are our employees do not receive additional compensation for such services.  Both employee and non-employee directors are reimbursed for their travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Directors or committees thereof.   In connection with their 2014 compensation package, on January 2, 2014, Messrs. Eppen, Reaves, Slark and Ward each received a grant of 5,000 shares of restricted Class A Common Stock with a value on the date of grant of $196,650.  The restricted stock vest ratably over a three-year period.

Transactions with Related Persons

In accordance with the Company’s Related Party Employment Policy, all compensation paid to related parties is reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee.  Mr. Timothy Wood, who is the brother-in-law of Mr. Mark Yeager, previously served as our Vice President of Applications Development.  Mr. Jude Troppoli, who is the brother-in-law of Mr. David Yeager, serves as our Director of Documentation.  Mr. Phillip Yeager and Mr. Matthew Yeager, who are both sons of Mr. David Yeager, serve as our Vice President of Account Management and Business Development and Vice President Specialized Intermodal Services, respectively.  Ms. Shannon Neumayer, who is the daughter of Mr. Jim Gaw, our Executive Vice President of Sales, serves as our Director of Financial Planning and Analysis.  Mr. Chris Neumayer, who is the son-in-law of Mr. Jim Gaw, serves as our Regional Sales Manager.  Each of Mr. Wood, Mr. Troppoli, Mr. Neumayer, Messers. Yeager and Ms. Neumayer earned in excess of $120,000 in salary and bonuses for 2014.  Each individual’s compensation is comparable to other employees with equivalent qualifications, experience and responsibilities at the Company.  All compensation for the foregoing individuals was approved by our Compensation Committee.

Audit Committee Report

Management has primary responsibility for the Company’s internal control and financial reporting process, and for making an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Ernst & Young LLP is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s (i) consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and (ii) the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and to issue an opinion on those financial statements and internal control over financial reporting.  The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s quarterly and annual audited financial statements with management and with Ernst & Young LLP, the Company’s independent public accountants.  The Company has also discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, as adopted by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  The Audit Committee has also received from Ernst & Young LLP the written communication and the letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Ernst & Young LLP’s communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence.  The Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP their independence and considered whether the provision of non-audit services referred to under “Independent Public Accountants” below is compatible with maintaining their independence.  Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the December 31, 2014 audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2014.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Gary D. Eppen, Chairman
Charles R. Reaves
Martin P. Slark
Jonathan P. Ward



 
 
21
 


 
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP as the independent accountant of the Company. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.  They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The fees billed by Ernst & Young in 2013 and 2014 for services provided to us were as follows:

   
2014
   
2013
 
             
Audit Fees (1)
  $ 1,434,568     $ 1,330,000  
Audit-Related Fees (2)
    181,022       134,100  
Tax Fees (3)
    111,333       42,040  
All Other Fees
    --       --  
                 
TOTAL
  $ 1,726,923     $ 1,506,140  
                 

(1)           “Audit Fees” are the aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the audit of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during 2014 and 2013, and consultation with respect to various accounting and financial reporting matters during 2014 and 2013.

(2)           “Audit-Related Fees” include fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit and not included in the “audit fees” described above.  The 2014 Audit-Related Fee related to a potential acquisition and the 2013 Audit-Related Fee related to a potential acquisition.
 
 
(3)           “Tax Fees” are fees for tax services billed by Ernst & Young.

The Audit Committee must pre-approve any audit or any permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Company’s independent auditors, and has established pre-approval policies and procedures for such services. Permissible non-audit services are those allowed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee may approve certain specific categories of permissible non-audit services within an aggregated budgeted dollar limit. The Audit Committee must approve on a project-by-project basis any permissible non-audit services that do not fall within a pre-approved category, or pre-approved permissible non-audit services that exceed the previously approved fees. All services provided by Ernst & Young during 2014 were approved by the Audit Committee and were permissible under applicable laws and regulations and will continue to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee.



 
 
22
 


PROPOSAL #2: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 
At last year’s annual meeting, the Company provided stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote regarding the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting.  At our 2014 Annual Meeting, our stockholders overwhelmingly approved the proposal, with more than 99% of the votes cast voting in favor of the proposal.  In light of the high level of approval that we received in 2014, we concluded that no changes to our compensation policies and practices were warranted. Our Board has elected to hold a stockholder say on pay vote annually.  Accordingly, this year the Company again seeks your advisory vote on our executive compensation programs. The Company asks that you support the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the accompanying tables contained in this Proxy Statement. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board or the Company. However, the Board will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.

 
We encourage stockholders to review the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. We believe our compensation program strikes the appropriate balance between using responsible pay practices and appropriately incentivizing our executives to creating value for our stockholders. This balance is evidenced by the following:
 
     
 
•  
A meaningful part of executive compensation is performance based, including our annual cash incentive, which is based primarily on EPS.
     
 
•  
We have a five year vesting period for our restricted stock grants to executive officers.
     
 
•  
We respond to economic conditions appropriately, such as freezing various base salaries during the recent economic downturn.
     
 
•  
We do not provide tax gross-ups to our named executive officers.
     
 
•  
We have no employment, severance or golden parachute agreements with any of our named executive officers and therefore, no excise tax gross-ups.
 
 
The Board strongly endorses the Company’s executive compensation program and recommends that the stockholders vote in favor of the following resolution:

 
RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as described in this proxy statement under “Executive Compensation,” including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the tabular and narrative disclosure contained in this proxy statement.

 
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Company’s executive compensation.


 
 
23
 

PROXY SOLICITATION EXPENSE

The Company will pay the expense of any proxy solicitation.  In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mail, solicitation also may be made by telephone or personal interview by directors, officers, and regular employees of the Company, none of whom will receive additional compensation for any such solicitation.  The Company will, upon request, reimburse brokers, banks, and similar organizations for out-of-pocket and reasonable clerical expenses incurred in forwarding proxy material to their principals.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Proposals of stockholders must be received in writing by the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company no later than November 27, 2015, in order to be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the next annual meeting of stockholders.

The Company anticipates that its next annual meeting of stockholders will be held in May 2016.  If a stockholder desires to submit a proposal for consideration at the next annual meeting of stockholders, written notice of such stockholder’s intent to make such a proposal must be given and received by the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company either by personal delivery or by United States mail no earlier than February 8, 2016 nor later than March 9, 2016.  Each notice must describe the proposal in sufficient detail for the proposal to be summarized on the agenda for the annual meeting of stockholders and must set forth:  (i) the name and address, as it appears on the books of the Company, of the stockholder who intends to make the proposal; (ii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at such meeting to present such proposal; and (iii) the class and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned by the stockholder.  In addition, the notice must set forth the reasons for conducting such proposed business at the annual meeting of stockholders and any material interest of the stockholder in such business.  The presiding officer of the annual meeting of stockholders will, if the facts warrant, refuse to acknowledge a proposal not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure, and any such proposal not properly brought before the annual meeting of stockholders will not be considered.
 
 

    By order of the Board of Directors,  
       
 
 
/s/ Douglas G. Beck  
    DOUGLAS G. BECK  
    Secretary  
       

 

Oak Brook, Illinois
March 27, 2015


Each stockholder, whether or not he or she expects to be present in person at the Annual Meeting, is requested to MARK, SIGN, DATE, and RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY in the accompanying envelope as promptly as possible.  A stockholder may revoke his or her proxy at any time prior to voting.

 
 
24
 
HUB GROUP, INC.
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 8, 2015
The undersigned hereby appoints David P. Yeager and Mark A. Yeager, or either of them, proxies for the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Hub Group, Inc., to be held on May 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, and at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting, and to vote as specified in this Proxy all of the Class A Common Stock of the Company which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present. This Proxy when properly executed will be voted in accordance with your indicated directions. If no direction is made, this Proxy will be voted FOR the election of each of the nominees for the Board of Directors and FOR the compensation of the named executive officers.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the nominees for the Board of Directors and FOR the compensation of the named executive officers.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT! PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND
RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side)
 
 
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
HUB GROUP, INC.
May 8, 2015
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILTY OF PROXY MATERIAL:
The Annual Report to Stockholders, Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card
are available at www.hubgroup.com/proxy.html
Please sign, date and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED AS DESCRIBED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE X

1. Election of Directors
Nominees:
 
___ For All Nominees
___ Withhold Authority For All Nominees
___ For All Except (see instructions below)
___ David P. Yeager
___ Mark A. Yeager
___ Gary D. Eppen
___ Charles R. Reaves
___ Martin P. Slark
___ Jonathan P. Ward
INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "FOR ALL EXCEPT" and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: X
2. The approval of the compensation of the named executive officers.
___ FOR
___ AGAINST
___ ABSTAIN
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Proxy Statement and Form 10-K.

Signature of Stockholder________________________Date ______Signature of Stockholder_____________________Date________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.