DEF 14A
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

Filed by the Registrant  x                              Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨   Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x   Definitive Proxy Statement
¨   Definitive Additional Materials
¨   Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x   No fee required.
¨   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
  (1)  

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

     

  (2)  

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

     

  (3)  

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

     

  (4)  

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

     

  (5)  

Total fee paid:

 

     

¨   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
¨   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
  (1)  

Amount Previously Paid:

 

     

  (2)  

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

     

  (3)  

Filing Party:

 

     

  (4)  

Date Filed:

 

     

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

LOGO

CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

2020 Calamos Court

Naperville, Illinois 60563

630-245-7200

April 17, 2015

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend our annual meeting of stockholders of Calamos Asset Management, Inc. The meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at our headquarters, 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563. The attached notice of annual meeting and proxy statement describe the formal business to be transacted at the meeting.

Please sign and return the enclosed proxy card promptly in the postage-paid envelope. A majority of the voting power of our common stock must be represented, either in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum to conduct the business at the annual meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted, and stockholders who are present at the meeting may withdraw their proxies and vote in person.

Sincerely yours,

 

LOGO

John P. Calamos, Sr.

Chairman of the Board,

Chief Executive Officer and

Global Co-Chief Investment Officer


Table of Contents

LOGO

CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

2020 Calamos Court

Naperville, Illinois 60563

630-245-7200

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF

PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDERS MEETING

to be held on June 2, 2015

THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORT

TO SECURITY HOLDERS ARE AVAILABLE AT:

www.calamos.com/proxy

Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of stockholders of Calamos Asset Management, Inc. will be held at 9:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at our headquarters, 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563, for the following purposes:

1. To elect six (6) directors identified in the proxy statement to our board of directors. If elected, each director will hold office until the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders or until that person’s successor is elected and qualified or until that person’s earlier resignation, retirement, death, disqualification or removal;

2. To approve, by non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement;

3. To ratify our audit committee’s appointment of McGladrey LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as independent auditors for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2015; and

4. To transact such other business that may be raised at the annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting.

You must have owned shares at the close of business on April 10, 2015 to be entitled to receive notice of, and to vote on, all matters presented at the annual meeting. Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting in person, we ask you to please complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card.

 

By order of the board of directors,

LOGO

J. Christopher Jackson

Secretary

April 17, 2015

Naperville, Illinois


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Voting Information

     2   

Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors

     4   

Corporate Governance

     6   

Director Compensation

     11   

Security Ownership of Principal Stockholders and Management

     12   

Executive Officers of the Registrant

     13   

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     13   

Compensation Committee Report

     13   

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     14   

Proposal No. 2 Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

     25   

Report of the Audit Committee

     26   

Proposal No. 3 Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     27   

Transactions With Related Persons and Certain Control Persons

     28   

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     30   

Stockholder Proposals

     30   

Stockholder Access/Communication

     31   

Annual Report and Form 10-K

     31   

Householding

     31   

Other Matters

     32   

Appendix A

     A-1   

 

i


Table of Contents

LOGO

CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

2020 Calamos Court

Naperville, Illinois 60563

630-245-7200

PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

April 17, 2015

This proxy statement and the accompanying notice of annual meeting of stockholders are being furnished in connection with the solicitation by the board of directors of Calamos Asset Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Calamos Asset Management), of proxies for use at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders. The annual meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at our headquarters, 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563. We expect that this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy, together with a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 will be mailed on or about April 23, 2015 to each stockholder entitled to vote at the annual meeting.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our” and “company” refer to Calamos Asset Management and its consolidated subsidiaries. “Calamos Family Interests” refers to Calamos Family Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and John P. Calamos, Sr., the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer of the company.

Calamos Family Partners is wholly owned by John P. Calamos, Sr. and John P. Calamos, Jr. and their respective trusts (Calamos Principals). John P. Calamos, Sr. and his trusts hold the controlling interest in Calamos Family Partners, which holds all of our outstanding Class B common stock.

Stockholders are encouraged to keep in mind the ownership structure of our business when reviewing this proxy statement. Calamos Asset Management is a holding company. However, unlike most public holding companies, Calamos Asset Management does not own a majority economic interest in its underlying business. As of February 28, 2015, Calamos Asset Management owned approximately 22.2% of Calamos Investments LLC (Calamos Investments). Calamos Investments and Calamos Investments’ subsidiaries are the entities operating our investment advisory and distribution services business. The remaining 77.8% ownership interest in Calamos Investments is held by the Calamos Family Interests. Calamos Asset Management is the sole manager of Calamos Investments and, as a result of this control, consolidates the financial results of Calamos Investments with its own financial results. The Class A Common stock of Calamos Asset Management is listed on NASDAQ, however the reported market capitalization of Calamos Asset Management ($262 million on February 27, 2015, based on 20,529,330 shares outstanding and a closing price of $12.77) is not reflective of the size or total market capitalization of our entire business.

At the time of our initial public offering in 2004, Calamos Asset Management entered into a stockholders’ agreement with Calamos Family Partners, Calamos Investments, the Calamos Principals and family affiliates which, among other things allows Calamos Family Partners to designate two persons to attend all of our board meetings as observers. Calamos Family Partners has designated John P. Calamos, Jr. and Laura Calamos Nasir, children of John P. Calamos, Sr., as its board observers, with William J. Takahashi, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Calamos Family Partners, as an alternate board observer.


Table of Contents

VOTING INFORMATION

Who can vote?

You may vote if you held shares of our Class A or Class B common stock directly as a stockholder of record or beneficially in street name at the close of business on April 10, 2015 (the record date). As of the record date, we had 20,530,571 shares of Class A common stock outstanding and 100 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. All the shares of Class B common stock are held by Calamos Family Partners.

How many votes are needed to hold the annual meeting?

In order to take any action at the annual meeting, the record holders of shares having a majority of the voting power as of the record date must be present at the meeting. This is called a quorum.

Who may vote on each proposal?

Under our restated certificate of incorporation, the holders of our Class B common stock, voting separately, are entitled to elect two Class B directors at the annual meeting. However, the holders of Class B common stock have determined to elect only one Class B director at this time. The holders of our Class A and Class B common stock, voting together, are entitled to elect the remaining five directors. John P. Calamos, Sr. is the nominee for election by the holders of our Class B common stock. The nominees for election by the holders of our Class A and Class B common stock, voting together, are Gary D. Black, Thomas F. Eggers, Richard W. Gilbert, Keith M. Schappert and William N. Shiebler.

With respect to all other proposals, the holders of our Class A and Class B common stock, voting together, are entitled to vote on matters submitted to stockholders at the annual meeting.

How many votes per share am I entitled to?

If you hold shares of Class A common stock, you are entitled to one vote per share. Holders of shares of Class B common stock are entitled to the number of votes per share equal to: ten (10) multiplied by the sum of (A) the aggregate number of shares of Class B common stock held, and (B) (I) the product of (x) the ownership interest held in Calamos Investments by such holder, taken to eight decimal places, and (y) 100,000,000, divided by (II) the number of shares of Class B common stock held. All of the 100 outstanding shares of Class B common stock are currently held by Calamos Family Partners, which also holds approximately a 77.8% ownership interest in Calamos Investments. As a result, Calamos Family Partners is entitled to approximately 778 million votes, representing 100% of the Class B voting power and approximately 97.4% of the combined voting power of our company.

Who counts the votes?

The final voting results will be tallied by our transfer agent, Computershare, which also will serve as the inspector of elections. The results will be published in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

What is a proxy?

A proxy allows someone else (the proxy holder) to vote your shares on your behalf. The board of directors of Calamos Asset Management (board of directors or board) is asking you to allow any of the persons named on the proxy card (John P. Calamos, Sr., Nimish S. Bhatt and J. Christopher Jackson) to vote your shares at the annual meeting.

 

2


Table of Contents

How do I vote by proxy?

Whether you hold shares directly as a stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may vote without attending the annual meeting. You may vote by granting a proxy or, for shares held in street name, submitting voting instructions to your stockbroker or nominee. If you beneficially hold shares and do not provide voting instructions, your intermediary has the authority under applicable stock market rules to vote those shares for or against routine matters in its discretion. Proposal No. 3, Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, is the only routine matter to be voted on at the meeting. All other matters are not considered routine and shares held by your intermediary will not be voted absent specific instruction from you, which means your shares may go unvoted. For more information on these options, please see your proxy card or the information your bank, broker, or other holder of record provided to you.

Unless you indicate otherwise on your submitted proxy card, the persons named as your proxy holders on the proxy card will vote your shares “FOR” all nominees to the board of directors; “FOR” the advisory resolution approving the executive compensation; and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of McGladrey LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm (the independent auditors) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. If any other matters come before the annual meeting to be voted on, the persons named as your proxy holders on the proxy card will vote, act and consent on those matters in their discretion.

Can I change or revoke my vote after I return my proxy card?

Yes. You can change or revoke your vote by submitting another proxy with a later date before the beginning of the annual meeting. You also may revoke your proxy by attending the annual meeting and voting in person.

Can I vote in person at the annual meeting instead of voting by proxy?

Yes. However, whether you plan on attending in person or not, we encourage you to complete and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure that your shares are represented and voted.

What is the voting requirement to approve each proposal?

For the election of directors (Proposal No. 1), the nominee for the Class B director position receiving a plurality of votes of the Class B stockholders entitled to vote and each nominee for the remaining five director positions receiving a plurality of the combined votes of the Class A and Class B stockholders entitled to vote, shall be elected. Therefore, the nominee for a Class B director position and the five nominees for the remaining director positions receiving the highest number of votes cast at the meeting from their respective stockholder voting group will be elected.

For each of the remaining proposals, an affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Class A and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class, having a majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote on the matters, is necessary to approve. Shares properly voted “ABSTAIN” on a proposal will be treated as having voted “AGAINST” the applicable proposal.

Calamos Family Partners, which holds approximately 97.4% of the combined voting power of the company, has advised us that it intends to vote “FOR” all of the nominees for director; “FOR” the proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; “and “FOR” ratification of the appointment of McGladrey LLP. This would result in the election of all six director nominees and the approval of all proposals.

Who pays for this proxy solicitation?

Calamos Asset Management pays the cost of soliciting your proxy. Proxies also may be solicited by directors, officers and employees of our company, without additional compensation to those individuals. We also

 

3


Table of Contents

request persons, firms and corporations holding shares in their names, or in the name of their nominees, which are beneficially owned by others, to send proxy material to, and obtain proxies from, such beneficial owners, and we will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so.

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

General

Our board’s nominating and corporate governance committee recommended, and the board approved, all of the nominees named below for election as members of the board of directors of Calamos Asset Management. Gary D. Black, Thomas F. Eggers, Richard W. Gilbert, Keith M. Schappert and William N. Shiebler, each are current directors and are standing for re-election. John P. Calamos, Sr. is the nominee for election by the holders of our Class B common stock. The holders of our Class A and Class B common stock, voting together as a group, are entitled to vote for the election of the remaining five director positions, the nominees for which are Messrs. Black, Eggers, Gilbert, Schappert and Shiebler. If elected, each director will serve until the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, or until a successor is elected and qualified or until that person’s earlier resignation, retirement, death, disqualification or removal.

The board has affirmatively determined that the board is currently composed of a majority of independent directors and that the following nominees are independent as defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market rules: Thomas F. Eggers, Richard W. Gilbert, Keith M. Schappert and William N. Shiebler. For a director to be considered independent, the board must determine that the director does not have any direct or indirect material relationship with the company, other than his service as a director. In making the determination of independence, the board applies the objective measures and principles contained in the NASDAQ and SEC standards defining independence, considers any direct or indirect material relationships which the director has with the company, and any other relevant facts and circumstances.

Unless you mark on your proxy card to vote “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” for one or all of the director nominees, the persons named as proxy holders intend to vote “FOR” all of these nominees; however Class A stockholders are entitled to vote only with respect to Messrs. Black, Eggers, Gilbert, Schappert and Shiebler.

Recommendation of the Board

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” each of the following nominees. The voting requirements for this proposal are described in the Voting Information section.

Nominees

Listed below are the names, ages, and principal occupations for the past five years or more for the director nominees:

John P. Calamos, Sr., 74, is our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Calamos founded our predecessor company in 1977. Previously, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and ultimately earned the rank of Major. Mr. Calamos received his undergraduate degree in economics and an M.B.A. in finance from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Investment Analysts Society of Chicago. Mr. Calamos is a nominee for election by the Class B stockholders and has been a director since 2004.

As founder, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Calamos is uniquely qualified to serve on our board of directors. Mr. Calamos has been with our organization for more than 38 years and brings unparalleled knowledge of our business and experience in the investment management industry.

 

4


Table of Contents

Gary D. Black, 55, is our Executive Vice President and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer. He has held this position since August 2012. Mr. Black previously served as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and founding member of Black Capital, LLC. Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Janus Capital Group from January 2006 through July 2009, and President and Chief Investment Officer from April 2004 to January 2006. Prior to joining Janus, Mr. Black was Chief Investment Officer of Global Equities at Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM), which he joined as a partner in June 2001. Prior to this role, he headed GSAM’s U.S. distribution efforts. Previously, Mr. Black was Executive Vice President and head of Alliance Bernstein’s global institutional business. He started his investment career in 1992 at Sanford C. Bernstein where he served as a senior research analyst and was named top analyst in his sector for six consecutive years. Mr. Black earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Black’s qualifications to serve on our board include the scope and breadth of his investment and leadership experience in the financial services and investment management industry, as well as his significant experience in leading investment teams on a global basis.

Thomas F. Eggers, 62, has served on our board since January 2012, is our lead independent director and has served as our Non-Executive Vice Chairman since June 2013. From 2006 through 2008, Mr. Eggers was the Chief Executive Officer and from 2005 through 2008 the President and a board member of the Dreyfus Corporation. While at Dreyfus, he was a member of the Executive Committee of BNY Mellon Asset Management and served on the Operating Committee of The Bank of New York Mellon. For a three-year period between 2002 to 2005, Mr. Eggers was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Scudder Investments. In 1996, he was President of Dreyfus Investments while being appointed Vice Chairman of the Dreyfus Corporation in 1999 and became President in 2001. Mr. Eggers began his financial services career in 1976 at Columbia Savings, moving in 1979 to PaineWebber as a Financial Advisor and later into the asset management area. Mr. Eggers is a director and principal investor of Nextalk, Inc. and Minyanville Media, Inc. He has also held director or advisor positions in the financial services industry. He attended Marquette University as an undergraduate, completed a three-year Securities Industry Certification at the Wharton School of Business, and is a frequent guest lecturer at business and industry forums.

Mr. Egger’s qualifications to serve on our board include his extensive experience in numerous senior executive positions in the financial services industry, his prior role as an independent trustee for a mutual fund complex, and his investment management expertise and intelligence.

Richard W. Gilbert, 74, has served on our board since 2005. From June 4, 2002 to January 28, 2005, Mr. Gilbert served as a member of the Calamos Family Partners advisory board. In addition to serving on the board of Calamos Asset Management, he served as an independent director for the Principal Mutual Funds from 1984 to 2012 and is an independent director of the Horton Insurance Agency. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Gilbert was Chairman and director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. He also has served as a director of Bulkley Capital, L.P. since 1996. Before retiring from active management in 1994, Mr. Gilbert was Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Pioneer Press Newspapers in suburban Chicago; President and Chief Operating Officer of Park Communications, a media company in Ithaca, New York; and President of the Des Moines Register, a family-owned communications company. Mr. Gilbert graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

Mr. Gilbert’s qualifications to serve on our board include his vast experience in numerous senior executive positions held throughout his career, his role as an independent director at the Principal Funds, and his investment management and communications insight.

Keith M. Schappert, 64, has served on our board since 2012. Since 2008, Mr. Schappert has operated his own consulting business and has served as director on a number of financial industry boards including MetLife Series Trust, Commonfund, Trilogy Global Advisors and Mirae Asset Management. Mr. Schappert spent nearly

 

5


Table of Contents

thirty years at JP Morgan Investment Management, advancing from Fixed Income Portfolio Manager to President and Chief Executive Officer. In 2001, Mr. Schappert became President and Chief Executive Officer of Federated Investment Advisory Companies, later moving to Credit Suisse as Regional Head of the Americas for Asset Management. Mr. Schappert is a 1973 graduate of Harvard College.

Mr. Schappert’s qualifications to serve on our board include his far-reaching experience in the financial services industry consisting of numerous directorship and senior executive positions together with his direct knowledge and skill in portfolio management.

William N. Shiebler, 73, has served on our board since 2012. From 2002 to 2007, Mr. Shiebler was Chief Executive Officer of the Americas for Deutsche Asset Management, a division of Deutsche Bank, until his retirement. Prior thereto, Mr. Shiebler served as Senior Managing Director of Putnam Investments and President and Chief Executive Officer of Putnam Mutual Funds. He also spent twelve years at Dean Witter Reynolds, departing as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Intercapital Division and the firm’s mutual fund business. Mr. Shiebler has served on a number of corporate and non-profit boards in the U.S. and Europe and is currently active with a variety of business, community and charitable organizations. He was a Trustee of Scudder Mutual Funds, was a member of the Presidential Commission on Medicaid, is a Trustee of the United States Ski and Snowboard Team, the Director of SLM Corporation and its subsidiary, Salle Mae Bank and is the Chairman of an Advisory Board for medical research at the University of Utah.

Mr. Shiebler’s qualifications to serve on our board include his comprehensive senior executive officer experience in the financial industry complemented by the breadth and depth of his domestic and global experience from serving with a variety of asset management and banking organizations.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Calamos Asset Management regularly monitors regulatory developments and reviews its policies, processes and procedures in the area of corporate governance to respond to such developments. As part of those efforts, we review laws affecting corporate governance, as well as rules adopted by the SEC and NASDAQ. Additional corporate governance information, including our corporate governance guidelines and committee charters, is located under the Corporate Governance link on the CLMS Investor Relations section of our website at www.calamos.com/investors.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The board adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (Code of Conduct), which applies to all employees and directors of Calamos Asset Management. The Code of Conduct is posted under the Corporate Governance link on the CLMS Investor Relations section of our website at www.calamos.com/investors and is available in print to stockholders who send a written request addressed to: Secretary, Calamos Asset Management, Inc., 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or a waiver of, a provision of the Code of Conduct by posting such information on our website.

Board Structure

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules because more than 50% of our voting power is held by Calamos Family Partners. As a controlled company, we are not subject to the NASDAQ listing requirements that would otherwise require us to have: (i) a board of directors comprised of a majority of independent directors; (ii) compensation of our executive officers determined by a majority of the independent directors or a compensation committee composed solely of independent directors; and (iii) director nominees selected, or recommended for the board’s selection, either by a majority of the independent directors or

 

6


Table of Contents

a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors. However, since our public offering in 2004, we have chosen to structure our board with a majority of independent directors and to have only independent directors on the audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees.

Our founder and controlling stockholder (through Calamos Family Interests), John P. Calamos, Sr., has served in the combined role of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since we went public in 2004. We believe the combined role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer does not dilute the influence or effectiveness of our independent directors or our board as a whole. As described below, our Non-Executive Vice Chairman and each of our committees has significant and meaningful authority and duties.

Non-Executive Vice Chairman

We designated Thomas F. Eggers as our lead independent director in August 2012 and as our Non-Executive Vice Chairman in June 2013. The responsibilities of our Non-Executive Vice Chairman include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

assist the Chairman in respect of the responsibilities for the management, development and effective functioning of the board;

 

   

advise the Chairman and management as to the scope, quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information from the company’s management;

 

   

recommend to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer the retention of consultants who report directly to the board;

 

   

assist in assuring compliance with the corporate governance policies and recommend revisions to those policies as appropriate;

 

   

communicate to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer the views of the independent directors and the board committees;

 

   

serve as board’s liaison to Chief Executive Officer between meetings;

 

   

facilitate non-management director communications with each other and management;

 

   

serve as a liaison between the board and stockholders;

 

   

consult with the Chairman of the Board and other members of the board as to recommendations on membership and chairpersons of all the board committees and discuss such recommendations with the nominating and corporate governance committee and the board;

 

   

work with the Chief Executive Officer in guiding the nominating and corporate governance committee and the other non-management directors in conducting management succession planning;

 

   

assist and provide advice to the Chief Executive Officer in the identification and review of significant strategic, organizational and financial issues and performance and the development of effective strategies to deal with such issues; and

 

   

assist and provide advice to the Chief Executive Officer in the implementation of strategic planning, key corporate initiatives and succession planning.

Risk Oversight

The board has overall responsibility for risk oversight but has delegated the primary role of assisting the board in ensuring the company has an appropriate risk oversight process to our audit committee. Our compliance and internal audit departments are significantly involved in risk management and have designed programs to help assess, monitor and manage the risks and exposures faced by the company. The company’s enterprise risk management committee, with delegates from the major operational functions, helps ensure that risk management decisions are aligned with the company’s strategies, made on an informed basis and shared across the organization.

 

7


Table of Contents

With respect to overall employee compensation policies and practices, our compensation committee considers whether these policies and practices support reasonable risk-taking consistent with our strategic objectives. We believe our compensation program for all employees maintains an appropriate linkage between creating and maintaining value for our stockholders and motivating and rewarding our employees. Our incentive compensation plan encourages a long-term view of company growth and success and mitigates some of the risks typically associated with managing for short-term results. Based on the foregoing, we do not believe risks arising from our compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company.

Committee Membership and Meetings

The table below provides current membership information for the audit, compensation and the nominating and corporate governance committees.

 

     Audit    Compensation    Nominating and
Governance

Thomas F. Eggers

      M    M

Richard W. Gilbert

   C    M    M

Keith M. Schappert

   M    C    M

William N. Shiebler

   M    M    C

 

M — Member

C — Chairman

Below is a description of each standing committee of the board. The board has affirmatively determined that each standing committee consists entirely of independent directors pursuant to rules established by NASDAQ and promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee has the following responsibilities, among other functions:

 

   

identifying individuals qualified to serve as our directors;

 

   

recommending qualified individuals for election to our board of directors;

 

   

recommending to our board the directors to serve on each of our board committees; and

 

   

developing and recommending corporate governance guidelines to the board.

The nominating and corporate governance committee charter is posted under the Corporate Governance link on the CLMS Investor Relations section of our website at www.calamos.com/investors. A copy of the charter also may be obtained by making a written request to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.

Criteria for board nomination.    The committee considers the appropriate balance of experience, skills and other characteristics required of board members; seeks to ensure that at least a majority of the directors are independent under NASDAQ rules; and requires that members of the audit committee meet the financial literacy requirements under NASDAQ rules. Nominees for director are selected on the basis of their depth and breadth of experience, wisdom, integrity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, understanding of our business and willingness to devote adequate time to board duties. We do not have any formal policy regarding diversity in identifying nominees for a director position but consider diversity among the other noted qualities and characteristics.

 

8


Table of Contents

Board nomination process.    The process for identifying and evaluating nominees to the board of directors is initiated by identifying a slate of candidates who meet the above-referenced criteria for selection as a nominee and have the specific qualities or skills being sought based upon input from board members. The committee generally considers re-nomination of incumbent directors provided that they continue to meet the board’s qualification criteria. New director candidates may be identified by members of the board as well. Candidates are evaluated by their biographical information, qualifications and references. Qualified nominees are interviewed by the board chairman and members of the committee. The committee evaluates which of the prospective candidates is qualified to serve as a director and whether the committee should recommend a candidate to the board. The board selects nominees to be presented for the approval of the stockholders or for election to fill a vacancy. Although the committee prefers to consider nominees identified by the board, the committee will consider stockholder recommendations of proposed director nominees that are received timely. The committee uses a similar process to evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders.

To recommend a prospective nominee for the committee’s consideration, please submit the candidate’s name and qualifications to our Secretary at our principal executive offices. Submissions must include (A) as to each proposed nominee: (1) the name, age, business and residence addresses and principal occupation or employment of the proposed nominee, (2) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the company, if any, which are beneficially owned or owned of record by the proposed nominee, and (3) any other information relating to the proposed nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (B) as to the stockholder giving notice: (1) the name and record address of the stockholder, (2) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the company that are beneficially owned or owned of record by the stockholder, (3) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by the stockholder, (4) a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the person(s) named in its notice and (5) any other information relating to the stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee. Recommendations must be received between March 5, 2016 and April 4, 2016 to be considered for nomination at the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders.

Audit Committee

The audit committee is responsible for assisting the board’s oversight of:

 

   

the quality and integrity of financial statements and related disclosure and systems of internal controls;

 

   

the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence;

 

   

the performance of the internal audit function; and

 

   

compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The audit committee is a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the audit committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the independent auditors, including approval of all services and fees of the independent auditors. The audit committee meets with the independent auditors and reviews the scope of their audit, reports and recommendations.

The audit committee operates under a written charter adopted by the board, a copy of which is posted under the Corporate Governance link on the CLMS Investor Relations section of our website at www.calamos.com/investors. A copy of the charter also may be obtained by written request to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.

 

9


Table of Contents

Each current member of the audit committee (1) meets the heightened independence standards for audit committee members under SEC rules currently in effect and (2) has the accounting or financial management expertise required for audit committee members under NASDAQ rules. The board has determined that Mr. Shiebler is qualified as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the SEC rules.

Compensation Committee

The compensation committee has the following responsibilities, among other functions:

 

   

reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives to serve as the basis for the chief executive officer’s compensation, evaluating the chief executive officer’s performance in light of the goals and, based on such evaluation, determining the chief executive officer’s compensation;

 

   

determining the total compensation for our named executive officers (as reflected in the summary compensation table below);

 

   

with respect to our equity-based compensation plans, approving the grants of stock options and other equity-based incentives for employees as permitted under our compensation plans;

 

   

reviewing and making recommendations to our board regarding new employment, consulting, retirement and severance agreements and arrangements proposed for our senior executives; and

 

   

recommending the compensation of our directors, including equity-based compensation, to our board for approval.

The compensation committee charter is posted under the Corporate Governance link on the CLMS Investor Relations section of our website at www.calamos.com/investors. A copy of the charter may also be obtained by making a written request to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.

Information on the committee’s processes and procedures for consideration of executive compensation are addressed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis below.

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings and Annual Meeting of Stockholders

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, the board and audit committee each held ten meetings, the compensation committee held seven, and the nominating and corporate governance committee held six. Each director and committee member serving at the time attended at least 75% of all of their respective board and committee meetings.

Under the company’s corporate governance guidelines, directors are expected to prepare for and use reasonable efforts to participate in all board and committee meetings. To promote open discussion among the directors who are not officers or employees of our company, these non-management directors, who also serve as members of each of the board’s committees, generally meet in executive session after regularly scheduled meetings. The board has a policy encouraging director attendance at annual meetings of stockholders. Our 2014 stockholder meeting was attended by all the current director nominees.

 

10


Table of Contents

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Director Compensation Table for 2014

The following table provides compensation information for non-employee directors of the company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Name

   Fees Earned or
Paid  in Cash
($)
     Stock
Awards(1)(2)
($)
     Option
Awards
($)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
     Total
($)
 

Thomas F. Eggers

     250,000         48,006                         298,006   

Richard W. Gilbert

     110,000         48,006                         158,006   

Keith M. Schappert

     105,000         48,006                         153,006   

William N. Shiebler

     105,000         48,006                         153,006   

 

(1)

Represents the aggregate grant date fair value, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are set forth in footnote 14 to the company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which are included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2015.

 

(2)

On March 5, 2015, each non-employee director at the time received 3,783 restricted stock units (RSUs). Mr. Gilbert held an aggregate of 8,621 RSU’s and 19,406 stock options at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, Messrs. Schappert and Shiebler each held an aggregate of 8,621 RSU’s and Mr. Eggers held an aggregate of 12,524 RSUs.

Our non-employee directors receive an annual retainer fee of $100,000, payable in quarterly installments. In addition, there are annual supplemental retainers (payable quarterly) of: $150,000 for the non-executive vice chairman; $10,000 for the chairperson of the audit committee; and $5,000 each for the chairpersons of the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee. Non-employee directors have also been awarded RSUs and stock options pursuant to the company’s incentive compensation plan. Directors who are officers or employees of Calamos Asset Management do not receive additional compensation for serving as a director. We reimburse all directors for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties as directors.

 

11


Table of Contents

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the Class A common stock beneficially owned as of February 28, 2015, by (1) the Calamos Family, which includes Calamos Family Partners, John P. Calamos, Sr. (a director nominee and named executive officer) and John P. Calamos, Jr., (2) each non-management director, (3) each other management director, (4) each other named executive officer, (5) each other stockholder known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our total outstanding Class A common stock and (6) all director nominees and executive officers as a group. All of our outstanding Class B common stock is held by Calamos Family Partners. Further note that Class A common stock purchased under our share repurchase program are purchased and held by Calamos Investments and not directly by the individual, personal accounts of John P. Calamos, Sr.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership**
(Shares)
    Percent of
Class  A
Common Stock
    Percent of Class A
Common Stock
Assuming Full
Exchange(1)
 

Calamos Family Interests:

      

Calamos Family Partners

     73,241,999        6.22     78.64

Calamos Investments

     2,010,688        9.48     2.16
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     75,252,687 (2)      15.70     80.80

Non-Management Directors:

      

Thomas F. Eggers

                     

Richard W. Gilbert

     30,841 (3)      *        *   

Keith M. Schappert

                     

William N. Shiebler

                     

Other Management Director:

      

Gary D. Black

                     

Other Named Executive Officers:

      

Nimish S. Bhatt

     83,249 (4)      *        *   

Other 5% Beneficial Owners:

      

BlackRock, Inc.

     1,659,393        8.1 %(5)      1.79

Total outstanding Class A Shares

       20,529,330        92,452,321   

All director nominees and executive officers as a group (7 persons)

     74,978,794 (6)      14.89     81.10

 

  *

Less than 1%.

 

**

Unless otherwise indicated, beneficial ownership means the sole power to vote and dispose of shares.

 

(1)

Assumes the Calamos Family Partners: (i) exchange its ownership in Calamos Investments for shares of our Class A common stock, and (ii) convert their shares of our Class B common stock for shares of our Class A common stock. See footnote 2 below.

 

(2)

Includes (i) ownership interest in Calamos Investments and 100 shares of our Class B common stock which are exchangeable and convertible, respectively, on demand for our Class A common stock, which represents 71,922,991 Class A common shares; 447,747 Class A common shares and 475,995 vested, unexercised options held by John P. Calamos, Sr.; 7,283 Class A common shares held by John P. Calamos, Sr.’s spouse; and 181,346 Class A common shares and 206,637 vested, unexercised options held by John P. Calamos, Jr.; and (ii) approximately 77.8% ownership interest in Class A common stock held by Calamos Investments, which represents 2,010,688 Class A common shares. Under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable to Calamos Family Interests upon an exchange of any or all of their interests in Calamos Investments will be determined by reference to a value of Calamos Asset Management’s shares and assets, as determined by a majority of the independent directors of our board. This board valuation of shares may be different from a value based on NASDAQ Global Select Market closing price if, for example, it is determined that the share price is not fully reflective of the assets other than Calamos Asset Management’s interest in Calamos Investments (Other Assets). Therefore, the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable in such an exchange will involve subjective estimates and judgments based on prevailing facts and circumstances. The maximum number of Class A common stock that could be issued to the Calamos Family Interests upon exchange was approximately 71.9 million shares as of February 28, 2015, which was based on our outstanding share count and percentage ownership in Calamos Investments at year end. Specifically, the number of our outstanding shares was divided by our percentage ownership in Calamos Investments, and then the result was multiplied by Calamos Family Interests’ percentage ownership in Calamos Investments. As a general matter if the closing price of our shares is deemed to fully reflect the value of our Other Assets, this would result in fewer shares issuable upon an exchange, and vice versa. The mailing address for each of Calamos Family Partners, John P. Calamos, Sr. and John P. Calamos, Jr. is c/o Calamos Asset Management, Inc., 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563.

 

12


Table of Contents
(3)

Includes 13,806 vested, unexercised options.

 

(4)

Includes 34,667 vested, unexercised options.

 

(5)

Based on information disclosed in a Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock, Inc. with the SEC on January 23, 2015. BlackRock, Inc.’s mailing address is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022.

 

(6)

With the exception of John P. Calamos, Jr., includes the holdings described in footnote 2 above, 520,647 Class A common shares and 524,468 unexercised options which are or will vest in the next 60 days.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Listed below is the name, age, and principal occupation for our executive officer who does not serve as a director:

Nimish S. Bhatt, 51, is our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bhatt served as our Senior Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer from May 2011 until November 2011. Before taking on the additional role of Interim Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Bhatt was our Senior Vice President and Director of Operations since 2004.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS

AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The current members of the compensation committee are Thomas F. Eggers, Richard W. Gilbert, Keith M. Schappert and William N. Shiebler, none of whom ever served as an officer or employee of the company or any of its subsidiaries.

None of the executive officers of the company have served on the board of directors or on the compensation committee of any other entity that has or had executive officers serving as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

We have reviewed and discussed with management the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis section. Based on that review and discussion, the compensation committee recommended to the board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and be incorporated by reference in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Respectfully submitted:

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Keith M. Schappert (Chairman)

Thomas F. Eggers

Richard W. Gilbert

William N. Shiebler

The Compensation Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference or filed into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

13


Table of Contents

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This section discusses the principles underlying our policies and decisions relating to the executive officers’ compensation for 2014. This information describes the manner and context in which compensation is earned by and awarded to our executive officers and provides perspective on the tables and narrative that follows.

Ownership Structure

As noted at the outset of this proxy statement, stockholders are encouraged to keep in mind the economic realities of our ownership structure. Calamos Asset Management is a holding company; our executive officers and other employees are employed by Calamos Investments and its subsidiaries. As a result, the cost of compensating our executive officers and employees is incurred by Calamos Investments. Because Calamos Investments is owned approximately 77.8% by the Calamos Family Interests and 22.2% by Calamos Asset Management, more than 77% of these cost are, from an economic standpoint, borne by the Calamos Family Interests, while less than 23% are borne by Calamos Asset Management and its stockholders. However, in keeping with applicable rules, the amounts set forth in the tables below represent the total amounts paid or provided to the named executive officers and not just a portion borne by Calamos Asset Management.

Overview of Our Executive Compensation Program

Our guiding business principle is to exceed client expectations in delivering risk-adjusted investment performance. Our corporate culture places a high value on teamwork, delivering in-depth fundamental research, seeking continuous improvement and delivering outstanding client service. We believe adherence to this principle and maintenance of this culture will contribute to long-term success for our company and growth in stockholder value.

Our compensation philosophy and performance-based compensation program is designed to be in line with our business principles. Our compensation program helps us recruit, motivate and retain executive officers who will advance our business principles, embrace our values and help us meet or exceed our strategic objectives with the overall objective of improving long-term stockholder value.

With respect to overall employee compensation policies and practices, our compensation committee considers whether these policies and practices support reasonable risk-taking consistent with our strategic objectives. We believe our compensation program for all employees maintains an appropriate linkage between creating and maintaining value for our stockholders and motivating and rewarding our employees. We believe our incentive compensation plan encourages a long-term view of company growth and success and mitigates some of the risks typically associated with managing for short-term results. Based on the foregoing, we do not believe the risks arising from these compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company.

Executive Summary — 2014 Performance and Executive Compensation

Core to our business performance is our assessment of the economic outlook and expectations for investment returns across the various asset classes, as these guide the decisions we make in managing assets for the funds and clients we serve. Although the investment performance of most of our investment strategies improved relative to 2013, a continued net outflow of assets under management (AUM), combined with expenses associated with the expansion of our investment teams, caused operating income and non-GAAP net income for 2014 to be significantly less than the prior year.

We anticipated these headwinds when we set our financial and strategic goals for the year. We performed well against some of these objectives and made progress with respect to several strategic initiatives which we believe position the company for future growth. These achievements included the following:

 

   

positive flows into the alternative strategies;

 

   

expanded the number of investment products;

 

14


Table of Contents
   

continued our share repurchase program;

 

   

increased quarterly dividend by 20% to 15 cents per share; and

 

   

maintained balance sheet strength, with high levels of liquidity relative to debt.

Even with these accomplishments, we did fall short of our goals in several financial measures, resulting in an overall score of 59.2% under our short-term incentive plan. While this level of performance was better than 2013, and would have merited increased short-term incentive payments to our named executives officers, the committee kept 2014 short-term incentive awards at the 2013 level.

What are the objectives of the company’s executive compensation program?

Our compensation program for our executive officers meets the following objectives:

 

   

attract and retain top-tier talent within the investment management industry;

 

   

link total compensation to individual, team and company performance; and

 

   

align executives’ interests with the company’s stockholders.

Our compensation program reflects the compensation practices of the asset management industry. Base salaries in our industry typically represent a smaller portion of overall compensation than other industries. Asset management firms similar to ours focus a substantial amount of total compensation on performance-based short-term (annual) cash bonuses and on long-term equity-based compensation. The compensation earned by our Chief Executive Officer for 2014 reflects this approach as shown by the following breakdown:

 

BASE SALARY

 

SHORT-TERM (ANNUAL) INCENTIVE

 

LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE

 

OTHER

16%   35%   44%   5%

What is the company’s executive compensation program designed to reward?

Our compensation philosophy calls for a strong alignment between the interests of our executive officers and the company’s goals to ensure that our executive compensation program supports the company’s strategies. Our executive compensation program is designed to reward ongoing contributions to our success. Executives who perform at superior levels in achieving the company’s key corporate objectives receive superior levels of compensation. The total compensation package rewards past performance and encourages future contributions to achieving the company’s strategic goals and enhancing stockholder value.

We emphasize incentive compensation in our overall compensation package for executives. Our short-term incentive program ties non-equity incentive plan compensation opportunities to our annual performance against goals based on our strategic objectives. Our long-term incentive program uses RSUs to focus the long-term compensation opportunity squarely on the value of our stock over time.

Who is responsible for administering the company’s executive compensation program?

Our executive compensation program is administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors. See the Nominees section for information on the committee members and the Corporate Governance section for additional information on the committee’s other responsibilities.

What process has the committee followed to implement the executive compensation program?

The committee convenes meetings throughout the year to discuss and review compensation matters. Further, the committee conducts an annual review of the compensation program for our executive officers.

 

15


Table of Contents

In the annual review, the committee reviews: (i) an analysis of compensation survey data specific to the investment management industry, (ii) the company’s existing program, as described in tally sheets, summarizing compensation packages for the company’s executive officers, and (iii) our incentive compensation plan and our employment agreements. The committee also seeks and receives input on our executive compensation program from the Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers and the human resources team. Decisions on annual short-term incentive plan payments are made based on year-end results. Overall target compensation and equity awards for the current year are typically determined and made at the beginning of the year.

The survey data reviewed by the committee at the beginning of the year compares the company’s levels of executive compensation against a group of public companies in the asset management industry, as compiled by McLagan, a leading industry consultant. For 2014, the group was as follows:

 

Affiliated Managers Group

  

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Alliance Bernstein L.P.

  

Invesco Ltd.

Black Rock, Inc.

  

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

Artisan Partners

  

Lazard

BNY Mellon

  

Legg Mason

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

  

State Street Corp.

Eaton Vance Corp.

  

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

Federated Investors, Inc.

  

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

Franklin Resources, Inc.

  

Waddell & Reed

Although all of these companies are larger than our company, the committee believes the data relating to the group to be appropriate for purposes of informing the committee with respect to market compensation levels and practices as we compete with these firms for clients and talent. We refer to this group as the “industry peer group.”

With respect to survey and industry peer group data, the committee recognizes that reported positions in the compiled data will not exactly match the positions at our company. For example, we only have three executive officers, and Mr. John P. Calamos, Sr. serves a dual role as our Chief Executive Officer and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer. As a result, when reviewing the data, the committee factors into its review the authority, experience, performance and responsibilities of each executive.

What other information does the committee consider when making executive compensation decisions?

In addition to survey and other data relating to the competitive landscape, the committee also reviews tally sheets which set forth detailed information relating to the compensation of each executive officer and a comparison of the individual elements of compensation against the industry peer group. The committee takes this information into account as it makes determinations on an executive’s current compensation. Other information provided to the committee includes the expense of compensation and benefits. The committee is provided information related to the anticipated costs that will be incurred as a result of the actions under consideration, as well as performance measures of the company.

What are the individual components of the executive compensation program and why does the company choose to pay them? How are the amounts for each component of executive compensation determined?

As noted earlier, our executive compensation program is designed to reward ongoing contributions to our success and emphasize incentive compensation. The compensation for an executive is principally determined by the company’s: overall investment performance, net flows of AUM, financial performance and execution on strategic initiatives. The primary components of our compensation program are described below and consist of base salary, short-term incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation.

 

16


Table of Contents

Salary.    Salaries are set and reviewed annually with reference to industry peer group data, the authority, experience, and responsibilities of the executives, as well as the executive’s performance. As noted below, the committee also considers the employment agreements we entered into with John P. Calamos, Sr. and Gary D. Black. Further, in the case of John P. Calamos, Sr., his base salary also recognizes the fact that he serves a dual role as both the Chief Executive Officer and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer.

Salaries are also influenced by our performance. In 2014, no increases were made to the base salaries of the named executive officers.

The base salary of John P. Calamos, Sr. was last changed to $820,000 in February 2007; however Mr. Calamos continued his voluntary base salary reduction in 2014 resulting in an annual base salary of $720,000.

Mr. Black’s starting and current salary remained at $500,000.

Mr. Bhatt’s annual salary was last increased to $300,000 after his promotion to Chief Financial Officer (from interim Chief Financial Officer) in November 2011.

The Summary Compensation Table provides information on salaries earned by the named executive officers in 2014.

Short-Term Incentives.    Each of the executive officers participates in the company’s short-term incentive compensation program. Those officers with employment agreements have a target payout opportunity expressed as a percentage of annual salary. Our other executive officer participates in the program with payout opportunities based on competitive market data and internal pay considerations. In keeping with asset management industry practice, the annual incentive payout opportunity is a significant portion of the total compensation package. For example, for those CEOs in our industry peer group who received base salary and bonuses in 2013, the median bonus was approximately seven times the annual base salary. The committee uses variously weighted key corporate objectives and consideration of individual achievement as the performance metrics for determining annual bonuses.

For 2014, the key corporate objectives and weightings for our executive officers were:

 

   

30% — portfolio performance, as measured by asset-weighted percentile rank of Calamos mutual funds relative to their peer group;

 

   

30% — distribution effectiveness, as measured by net sales excluding closed products;

 

   

20% — financial performance, as measured by non-GAAP earnings per share and operating margin; and

 

   

20% — execution of strategic initiatives, as measured by the committee.

The committee also weighs discretionary factors based on evaluation of an executive’s performance, including performance on special projects, dedication and efforts, experience, and expectations for future contributions in achieving the company’s strategic goals and enhancing stockholder value.

Long-Term Incentives.    The committee believes that long-term equity-based incentives are an important part of the overall compensation package and are a crucial part of the pay-for-performance approach. Typically, annual grants are approved at the beginning of the year following our year-end earnings announcement. Under the employment agreements, the executive is eligible for awards made under our incentive compensation plan and is eligible for an expected minimum annual award expressed as a multiple of his base salary. The committee also has made grants at other times, primarily in connection with promotions or new hires.

Since the economic downturn in 2008, the committee has granted equity-based awards using RSUs under our stockholder approved incentive compensation plan. Each RSU equals a share of common stock. RSUs vest if

 

17


Table of Contents

the recipient remains employed by the company for a prescribed period of time. Prior to 2013, the vesting period had generally been six years, with one-third vesting per year beginning four years from the grant date, and full vesting occurring at the end of the sixth year following the date of grant. Since 2013, the time period has been four years with one-fourth of the RSUs vesting on each of the second and third anniversary date of grant, with the remaining one-half vesting on the fourth anniversary of the grant date.

The committee uses RSUs because it believes RSUs provide a greater incentive for retention of our executive officers than stock options or awards with performance-based vesting provisions given the volatility of our performance and stock price. In addition, because RSUs deliver economic value tied to long-term changes in our stock price, the RSUs reinforce focus on long-term value creation and create an incentive for the holder to remain with the company.

See the tables on Summary Compensation, Grants of Plan-Based Awards, Outstanding Equity Awards, and Option Exercises and Stock Vested for more information on RSUs and stock options granted to the Chief Executive Officer and the other named executive officers.

Retirement Benefits.    All the executive officers participate in the company’s 401(k) profit sharing plan as do other employees of the company.

Executive Perquisites.    The company provides the executive officers with perquisites that the committee believes are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program. The committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites provided to executive officers. See the Summary Compensation Table for information regarding the perquisites received by our named executive officers.

Severance and Change in Control Benefits.    Our employment agreements and plans have provisions which obligate us to pay severance or other benefits upon termination of employment or in the event of a change in control. We have included these provisions in furtherance of the retention value of these agreements and programs.

See the Potential Payments section below for a discussion of potential payments due to our named executive officers in the event of termination of employment or a change in control.

When determining compensation, the committee considers the employment agreements entered into by the company with John P. Calamos, Sr. and Gary D. Black. These agreements provide the executive certainty with respect to his positions, duties, responsibilities and authority, as well as compensation and provisions relating to termination of employment. Under the employment agreements, the executive officer has agreed that while employed and for certain periods after termination of employment:

 

   

not to use or disclose any confidential information relating to our company;

 

   

not to be involved in any investment management business other than ours or provide any investment management services with or for any person, entity or organization other than our company, except as may be permitted by a vote of our independent directors;

 

   

except as required by law, not to use or refer to the Calamos name or the name of any of our funds or accounts, or the investment performance of any of our funds or accounts, in any public filing, advertising or marketing materials relating to any product or service that competes with any of our products or services; and

 

   

not to solicit any of our clients or solicit or retain any of our employees.

As a condition to the receipt of certain incentive compensation, the committee has required restrictive covenants for our other executive officer.

 

18


Table of Contents

What decisions were made with respect to 2014?

During the first quarter of 2014, the committee conducted its annual review of compensation. The committee determined base salaries, performance goals for the short-term incentive plan and long-term incentive awards. The salaries and long-term incentive awards are reflected in the tables that follow. The compensation committee did not increase the base salaries of the Chief Executive Officer or other named executive officers for 2014. Due to reduced financial performance in 2014, the long-term incentive awards for Messrs. Calamos, Bhatt and Black were 60%, 33% and 100% of target award levels, respectively.

As part of its year-end process, the committee approved the payment of 2014 short-term non-equity incentive (annual bonus) awards. The committee noted that the company was at or near three of its four target measures. Each measure was comprised of two or more components which were weighted and scored based on 2014 results as follows:

 

   

Portfolio performance, as measured by asset-weighted percentile rank of our Calamos mutual funds relative to their peer group: The 1-year asset-weighted performance was 53%, 3-year asset-weighted performance was 59%, and 5-year asset-weighted performance was 55%; which resulted in a combined outcome of 55.6%. The 1-year asset-weighted performance was 39% for the Calamos Growth Fund, 4% for the Calamos Global Growth and Income Fund, 3% for the Calamos Global Equity Fund, 9% for the Calamos International Growth Fund, and 14% for the Calamos Convertible Fund; which resulted in a combined outcome of 68.4%. The combined outcomes of 55.6% and 68.4 % each compared to a target of 25th percentile (meaning performance in the top 25% of the peer group). This produced an overall portfolio performance score of 17.7% out of a target score of 30% for this component;

 

   

Distribution effectiveness, as measured by net sales (excluding closed products); net sales of a negative $3.4 billion fell far below our thresholds and resulted in zero scoring out of a 30% target score for this component;

 

   

Financial performance, as measured by non-GAAP1 earnings per share and operating margin: The Company fell just below its target measure of Non-GAAP earnings per share and exceeded its target measure for operating margin. Non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.84 compared to a target of $0.86 and operating margin of 24.4% compared to a target of 22.5% resulted in a score of 21.5%; slightly above the 20% target score for this component; and

 

   

Execution of strategic initiatives, as evaluated by the committee at the end of the year based on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the maximum achievement: Based upon achievements relating to expansion of investment products offered and growth in net flows to new and alternative products, the company achieved a 3.5 rating which was equal to its target measure, resulting in a score of 20%.

Combining these scores produced an overall score of 59.2%.

In accordance with their employment agreements and consistent with asset management industry practice, the target annual incentive for Messrs. Calamos and Black was 600% and 300% of their base salary, respectively. In determining the 2014 short-term incentive for Mr. Calamos, the committee noted that although the overall score of 59.2% was an improvement from 2013, there nonetheless was a decline in the company’s operating income and non-GAAP net income compared to 2013. As a result, the committee approved a 2014 short-term incentive equal to his 2013 annual incentive or approximately 32% of his target incentive. For Mr. Black, the committee considered Mr. Calamos’ evaluation of Mr. Black’s performance and his recommendation for an annual incentive award reflecting Mr. Black’s continued efforts and accomplishments in building our investment team, improving performance of many of our investment products and execution of our strategic initiatives. Based on these considerations, the committee approved a 2014 annual incentive for Mr. Black of approximately 83% of his target, also equal to his 2013 annual incentive.

For 2014, Mr. Bhatt was eligible to receive an annual incentive within a range of 0% to 125% of base salary. Based upon Mr. Calamos’ evaluation of Mr. Bhatt’s performance, which noted Mr. Bhatt’s continued success as our chief financial officer and leadership in certain operational areas, the committee approved an annual incentive of approximately 73% of his target, equal to his 2013 annual incentive.

 

1 

See Appendix A for a more detailed description of non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of such adjusted measures to the most related GAAP financial measures.

 

19


Table of Contents

Summary Compensation Table for 2014

The following table provides compensation information for our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and our Global Co-Chief Investment Officer who served in such capacity at year end 2014 (collectively, our named executive officers).

 

Name and Principal Position

  Fiscal
Year
    Salary
($)
    Bonus
($)
    Stock
Awards(1)
($)
    Option
Awards
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
    All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 

John P. Calamos, Sr.

    2014        720,000               2,000,003               1,574,400        231,203 (2)      4,525,606   

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer

    2013        720,000               1,500,005               1,574,400        140,210        3,934,615   

and Global Co-Chief

    2012        720,000               1,150,001               2,700,000        175,117        4,745,117   

Investment Officer

               

Nimish S. Bhatt

    2014        300,000               125,008               275,000        47,022 (3)      747,030   

Senior Vice President,

    2013        300,000               125,009               275,000        32,245        732,254   

Chief Financial Officer

    2012        300,000               150,011               253,125        46,217        749,353   

Gary Black(4)

    2014        500,000               1,500,009               1,250,000        29,427 (5)      3,279,436   

Executive Vice President

    2013        500,000               1,000,010               1,250,000        22,031        2,772,041   

and Global Co-Chief

    2012        166,667        1,000,000                             130        1,166,797   

Investment Officer

               

 

(1)

Represents the aggregate grant date fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are set forth in footnote 14 to the company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which are included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2015.

 

(2)

Includes, among other items, $149,888 dividend equivalent payment for RSUs; $52,194 for personal aircraft usage and $28,917 for 401(k) profit sharing and matching contributions. For 2014, the aggregate incremental cost for personal use of corporate aircraft is determined by using the full charter cost on a per-flight basis (including costs related to fuel, on-board catering, landing and parking fees, navigation fees, crew accommodations and meals and similar trip-related items). Where an executive’s family member accompanies an executive on business travel, only the excess cost associated with the family member is included as incremental cost.

 

(3)

Includes, among other items, $17,595 dividend equivalent payment for RSUs; and $28,917 for 401(k) profit sharing and matching contributions.

 

(4)

Employment commenced on August 31, 2012.

 

(5)

Includes $28,917 for 401(k) profit sharing and matching contributions.

 

20


Table of Contents

Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2014

During 2014, awards of non-equity incentive plan compensation and stock awards were granted pursuant to our incentive compensation plan to our named executive officers, as indicated in the table below. With respect to the non-equity incentive plan awards, the table shows the range of possible payouts.

 

     Grant
Date
    Estimated Possible Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
    All  Other
Stock
Awards:
Number  of
Shares of
Stock or
Units(1)
(#)
    All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
    Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
Per Share
($)
    Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards(2)
($)
 

Name

    Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
         

John P. Calamos, Sr.

             4,920,000        7,380,000           
    03/03/14              169,062            2,000,003   
                              

Nimish S. Bhatt

             375,000        375,000           
    03/03/14              10,567            125,008   
                              

Gary D. Black

             1,500,000        1,500,000           
    03/03/14              126,797            1,500,009   
                              

 

(1)

Represents restricted stock unit awards, which vest at a rate of 25% on March 3, 2016, March 3, 2017 and 50% on March 3, 2018 (subject to continual employment, except in certain circumstances) and acceleration upon a change in control.

 

(2)

Represents the aggregate grant date fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are set forth in footnote 14 to the company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which are included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2015.

 

21


Table of Contents

Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End 2014

The following table provides information regarding unexercised options and other equity incentive plan awards for our named executive officers outstanding as of December 31, 2014. The awards vest as provided in the footnotes, subject to continued employment, except in certain circumstances, and acceleration of vesting upon a change in control.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
     Option
Exercise
Price
($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
     Number  of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested(7)
($)
 

John P. Calamos, Sr.

     112,500                 28.76         02/14/15                  
     133,362                 35.43         02/14/16                  
     168,603                 27.58         02/14/17                  
     174,030                 19.79         02/14/18                  
                 27,563 (1)      367,139   
                 60,511 (2)      806,007   
                 86,990 (3)      1,158,707   
                 93,496 (4)      1,245,367   
                 142,586 (5)      1,899,246   
                 169,062 (6)      2,251,906   

Nimish S. Bhatt

     3,375                 17.80         02/14/16                  
     11,507                 17.80         02/14/17                  
     19,785                 19.79         02/14/18                  
                 2,437 (1)      32,461   
                 9,156 (2)      121,958   
                 10,969 (3)      146,107   
                 12,196 (4)      162,451   
                 11,883 (5)      158,282   
                 10,567 (6)      140,752   

Gary D. Black

                                     95,058 (5)      1,266,173   
                                     126,797 (6)      1,688,936   

 

(1)

RSUs vest at the rate of 33 1/3% per year, with vesting dates of May 7, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

 

(2)

RSUs vest at the rate of 33 1/3% per year, with vesting dates of February 9, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

 

(3)

RSUs vest at the rate of 33 1/3% per year, with vesting dates of February 15, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

 

(4)

RSUs vest at the rate of 33 1/3% per year, with vesting dates of February 15, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

 

(5)

RSUs vest at the rate of 33 1/3% per year, with vesting dates of February 14, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

 

(6)

RSUs vest at the rate of 25% on March 3, 2016 and March 3, 2017 and 50% on March 3, 2018.

 

(7)

Based on the NASDAQ Global Select Market closing price of $13.32 for the company’s Class A common stock on December 31, 2014, the last trading date of 2014.

 

22


Table of Contents

Option Exercises and Stock Vested During 2014

The following table provides information on option exercises and vesting of stock in fiscal year 2014 by our named executive officers.

 

     Options Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)
     Value Realized  on
Exercise
($)
     Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
     Value Realized on
Vesting(1)
($)
 

John P. Calamos, Sr.

                     77,156         897,874   

Nimish S. Bhatt

                     9,213         106,300   

Gary D. Black

                               

 

(1)

Based on the NASDAQ Global Select Market closing price of $11.18, $11.55 and $12.20 for the company’s Class A common stock on February 7, 2014, February 14, 2014 and May 6, 2014, respectively.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

As noted in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, we have entered into employment agreements and maintain plans which obligate us to make payments and provide benefits to certain named executive officers in the event of termination of employment or a change in control. A summary of the terms of those employment and transition agreements and the potential payments is provided below.

Employment Agreements

John P. Calamos, Sr.    We entered into an employment agreement with John P. Calamos, Sr., effective October 26, 2004. Mr. Calamos serves as our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer. On January 1, 2006, and on each subsequent January 1, Mr. Calamos’ agreement renewed or will renew for a three-year term, unless notice of non-renewal is given by the company or Mr. Calamos prior to any such January 1. The agreement, as amended, provides Mr. Calamos with a minimum annual base salary of $820,000, an annual discretionary target bonus of at least 600% of base salary and a maximum annual bonus opportunity of at least 150% of his target bonus. Mr. Calamos voluntarily reduced his annual base salary to: $250,000 for 2009; $425,000 for 2010; and $720,000 for 2011-2014. Mr. Calamos participates in the benefit plans and programs generally available to our other senior executive officers. Under the agreement, Mr. Calamos is eligible to receive annual equity awards under our incentive compensation plan at the discretion of our compensation committee. Under the agreement, Mr. Calamos is expected to receive annual awards with a value equal to 400% of his base salary. Mr. Calamos’ employment agreement was amended effective as of January 1, 2009, through an Omnibus Amendment to comply with code section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations and other guidance issued thereunder.

Mr. Calamos is entitled to receive the following severance payments if we terminate his employment without “cause” or he terminates his employment for “good reason”:

 

   

any accrued base salary, bonus, vacation and unreimbursed expenses;

 

   

base salary for 36 months; and

 

   

continued health care coverage for 36 months at employee rates.

These severance benefits are subject to Mr. Calamos signing a release of claims against us, and complying with the restrictive covenants in his employment agreement. In the event Mr. Calamos accepts other full-time employment during his severance period, as specified in his employment agreement, the only remaining obligation of the company to Mr. Calamos (other than accrued base salary, bonus, vacation and unreimbursed expenses) will be to pay Mr. Calamos 50% of his remaining base salary payments, which will be paid in a lump sum. “Cause” is defined as: (i) willful breach of agreement or of any material company policy,

 

23


Table of Contents

(ii) misappropriation of assets, (iii) conviction of a felony or other serious crime, (iv) willful acts resulting in censure of Mr. Calamos or similar adverse action by the SEC or state regulator, (v) an act of fraud or gross moral turpitude, or (vi) continued willful failure to substantially perform assigned duties after notice and opportunity to cure. “Good reason” is generally defined as any of the following after notice and opportunity to cure: (i) the continued breach by us of any material provision of his agreement, (ii) any material adverse change in the status, position or responsibilities of Mr. Calamos, including a change in Mr. Calamos’ reporting relationship, (iii) assignment of duties to Mr. Calamos that are materially inconsistent with his position and responsibilities, (iv) the failure by us to assign his employment agreement to a successor to us, or failure of a successor to us to explicitly assume and agree to be bound by his employment agreement, or (v) delivery of notice to Mr. Calamos of non-renewal of his employment agreement.

If Mr. Calamos dies or becomes disabled, he or his estate will receive life insurance or disability insurance payments, as applicable, continued health care coverage for 18 months at employee rates (in the case of disability) and any accrued base salary, bonus, vacation and unreimbursed expenses.

If Mr. Calamos’ employment is terminated in connection with a change in control within two years of a change in control, he will receive the following:

 

   

any accrued base salary, bonus, vacation and unreimbursed expenses;

 

   

lump sum payment equal to base salary and bonus for 36 months;

 

   

24 months health care continuation, and two years of welfare benefits at employee rates; and

 

   

pro rata bonus for the year in which the termination occurs.

In general, a “Change in Control” is deemed to have occurred in the event that any person, entity or group (other than an employee benefit plan of the company or the Calamos Principals) shall become the beneficial owner of such number of shares of Class A and/or Class B Common Stock, and/or any other class of stock of the company, then outstanding that is entitled to vote in the election of directors (or is convertible into shares so entitled to vote) as together possess more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of all such classes of voting stock of the company so entitled to vote.

In addition, other earned cash or incentive benefits vest and become payable, and equity awards will vest in full, upon such termination. These benefits are subject to Mr. Calamos signing a release of claims against us. Mr. Calamos’ employment agreement also includes a tax gross-up provision if excise taxes are imposed on Mr. Calamos for any amount, right or benefit paid or payable that is deemed to be an excess parachute payment.

Mr. Calamos has also entered into a non-competition agreement with us, pursuant to which he has agreed that, until three years after the termination of his employment with us for any reason, he will comply with the restrictive covenants described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above.

Gary D. Black.    We entered into an employment agreement with Gary D. Black, effective August 31, 2012. Mr. Black serves as our Executive Vice President and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer. The terms of Mr. Black’s employment agreement are substantially similar to the terms in our agreement with John P. Calamos, Sr., except that: (i) the term of the agreement is for one year with an automatic renewal feature; (ii) Mr. Black received an annual base salary of $500,000 with an annual discretionary target bonus and long-term incentive compensation each targeted at 300% of base salary; and (iii) Mr. Black’s severance and non-compete provision each are 6 months in duration. Mr. Black’s employment agreement was amended effective as of January 1, 2013 primarily to eliminate the allocation of certain incentive fees to him.

Other Named Executive Officer.    We have not entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Bhatt. As part of his recruitment, we did enter into a letter agreement setting forth the particulars of our employment offer; including salary, position and compensation.

 

24


Table of Contents

Potential Payments

The following table illustrates the incremental dollar amounts which would become payable to or received by the named executive officers currently employed with the company under various post-employment scenarios or a change in control. These amounts reflect certain assumptions made in accordance with the SEC rules applicable to this disclosure. Specifically, the termination of employment or change in control occurred on December 31, 2014 when our common stock on that day closed at $13.32. The amounts set forth below do not include payments and benefits not enhanced as a result of termination of employment or the change in control; such as benefits accrued under our tax-qualified 401(k) plan, accrued vacation pay, health plan continuation and similar amounts paid or made available to our salaried employees generally.

 

Scenario

   John P.
Calamos, Sr.(1)
($)
     Nimish  S.
Bhatt
($)
     Gary D.
Black
($)
 

Voluntary resignation or for “cause” termination

     7,728,371                   

Retirement

     7,728,371                   

Death(2)

     7,728,371         377,563         645,679   

Disability(3)

     7,736,420         377,563         997,541   

Termination without “cause” or resignation for “good reason”(4)

     10,201,563                 250,000   

Change in control but no termination(5)

     7,728,371         762,011         2,955,109   

Change in control and involuntary termination without “cause” or resignation for “good reason”(6)

     34,073,205         762,011         2,955,109   

 

(1)

Mr. John P. Calamos, Sr. has reached retirement eligibility (attainment of age 62 (age 55 for awards granted prior to 2014) and at least 10 continuous years of service within the Calamos organization). In the event Mr. Calamos were to voluntarily resign, retire or have his position terminated for any reason, all of his awards would continue to vest provided he remains retired from the asset management industry. We have assumed that John P. Calamos, Sr. would remain retired from the investment management industry and the amount shown reflects the value of the RSUs held by Mr. Calamos at December 31, 2014, based on the December 31, 2014 stock value of $13.32 per share.

 

(2)

Includes (a) cash payment for Gary D. Black of $250,000 and (b) value due to accelerated vesting of all or a portion of RSUs, based on December 31, 2014 stock value of $13.32 per share, as follows: John P. Calamos, Sr., $7,728,371; Nimish S. Bhatt, $377,563; and Gary D. Black, $395,679.

 

(3)

Includes (a) cash payment for Gary D. Black of $250,000 (b) value due to accelerated vesting of all or a portion of RSUs as follows: John P. Calamos, Sr., $7,728,371; Nimish S. Bhatt, $377,563; and Gary D. Black, $747,541 and (c) health plan continuation benefits for John P. Calamos, Sr., of $8,049.

 

(4)

Includes (a) cash severance payments as follows: John P. Calamos, Sr., $2,460,000; and Gary D. Black, $250,000; (b) value due to accelerated vesting of all or a portion of RSUs for John P. Calamos, Sr., $7,728,371 and (c) health plan continuation benefits for John P. Calamos, Sr., $13,192.

 

(5)

Represents value due to accelerated vesting for RSUs.

 

(6)

Includes (a) severance payments and excise tax gross-up for John P. Calamos, Sr. of $17,220,000 and $9,113,118, respectively; (b) value due to accelerated vesting for all RSUs as follows: John P. Calamos, Sr., $7,728,371; Nimish S. Bhatt $762,011; and Gary D. Black, $2,955,109 and (c) health plan continuation benefits for John P. Calamos, Sr., $11,716.

PROPOSAL NO. 2

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In keeping with the preference expressed by our stockholders at our 2011 annual meeting to hold a “say-on-pay” vote at each annual meeting, you are being asked to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our stockholders will next be asked to express their preference for the frequency of the “say-on-pay” vote at our 2017 annual meeting.

Accordingly, we are asking our stockholders to approve the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the company’s named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and

 

25


Table of Contents

Exchange Commission, in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the accompanying narrative disclosure set forth in the company’s proxy statement for the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.”

We urge you to consider the various factors regarding our executive compensation program, policies and practices as detailed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section. As discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we believe that our executive compensation program reflects the approaches taken by our peers in asset management industry and our pay for performance principles. We emphasize compensation opportunities that reward results. Our use of long-term stock-based incentives reinforces the alignment of the interests of our executives with those of our long-term stockholders. In doing so, we believe our executive compensation program supports our strategic objectives and mission.

Our 2013 executive compensation program was approved by our stockholders at the 2014 annual meeting with over 98% of the votes in favor, including the vote of the Calamos Family Interests, although less than half of the voting Class A stockholders voted in favor. In making the compensation decisions during the past year, the Committee was mindful of such voting by the Class A stockholders. The Committee also recognized that the substantial amount of the economic burden of our executive compensation program falls on the Calamos Family Interests due to their 77.8% ownership of Calamos Investments, and that the 98% vote reflected the approval of the Calamos Family Interests. As a result, the committee continued the 2013 executive compensation program into 2014 and with its alignment to industry practice and pay-for-performance orientation.

Your vote will not be binding upon the company or our board of directors. However, our board (including the compensation committee) may take the results of the vote into consideration with respect to future decisions affecting the compensation of the company’s named executive officers as it deems appropriate.

Recommendation of the Board

The board of directors recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” Proposal No. 2, the advisory resolution approving the compensation of the company’s named executive officers as described in this proxy statement.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The audit committee of the board of directors of Calamos Asset Management consists of Richard W. Gilbert, Keith M. Schappert and William N. Shiebler. Each of the members of the audit committee is independent as defined under the NASDAQ listing standards and applicable law. The audit committee is responsible for overseeing the company’s financial reporting activities. The audit committee’s function is more fully described in the written charter, which is posted under the Corporate Governance link on the CLMS Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.calamos.com/investors. Richard W. Gilbert serves as the chairman of the audit committee and William N. Shiebler is qualified as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the SEC rules.

The audit committee has reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements of the company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, the audit committee reviewed programs designed to monitor the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.

The audit committee has discussed with McGladrey LLP, the company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed pursuant to the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and Rule 2-07 of Regulation S-X (Communication with Audit Committee).

 

26


Table of Contents

The audit committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from McGladrey LLP required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with McGladrey LLP its independence.

Based on the audit committee’s review and discussions noted above, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the company’s audited financial statements be included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully Submitted:

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Richard W. Gilbert (Chairman)

Keith M. Schappert

William N. Shiebler

The report of the audit committee does not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference or filed into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

PROPOSAL NO. 3

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

General

On March 4, 2015, the audit committee appointed McGladrey LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of Calamos Asset Management for its current fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. Representatives of McGladrey LLP are expected to be present at the annual meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. It is also expected that they will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Recommendation of the Board

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” Proposal No. 3, the ratification of the appointment of McGladrey LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. The voting requirements for this proposal are described in the Voting Information section.

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table sets forth the approximate aggregate fees for fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 for services rendered by McGladrey LLP.

 

    

McGladrey LLP Audit

Fees Fiscal Years Ended

 
     December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Audit fees

   $ 452,500       $ 433,000   

Audit-related fees

     123,171           

Tax fees

     15,970         16,970   

All other fees(1)

     21,691         22,500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fees

   $ 613,332       $ 472,470   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Related to benefit plan audit.

 

27


Table of Contents

Pre-Approval Process

The full audit committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors, subject to de minimis exceptions contained in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The audit committee has not adopted pre-approval policies and procedures delegating this responsibility to particular committee members, although it may in the future.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS AND CERTAIN CONTROL PERSONS

Conflict of Interests Policy

As required under the NASDAQ rules and pursuant to our Conflict of Interests Policy in our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation, related party transactions shall be reviewed and approved by our independent directors or independent stockholders. Our Conflict of Interests Policy also allows related party transactions to be effected pursuant to guidelines approved in good faith by our independent directors or stockholders. The independent directors or independent stockholders must act in good faith and the material facts as to the relationship or interest and as to the transaction must be disclosed or known to them. Approval of a transaction requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the independent directors or voting power held by the independent stockholders.

For more information and to review our Conflict of Interests Policy as adopted, please see Article X of our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation which was Exhibit 3(i) to the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2009.

Since the adoption of our Conflicts of Interests Policy, all material related party transactions have been presented to the audit committee of the board of directors for review and approval. Material related party agreements are described immediately below.

Management Services and Resources Agreements

Calamos Family Partners and Calamos Property Holdings have entered into a Management Services and Resources Agreement with the company. Each of Calamos Family Partners and Calamos Property Holdings are owned by the Calamos Principals and family affiliates, and may employ family members who have an interest in transactions entered into under the Management Services and Resources Agreement. Dragon Leasing Corporation (which is solely owned by John P. Calamos, Sr.) has entered into a Management Services Agreement with us as well. Pursuant to these agreements, as amended, the parties provide to each other certain services and resources, including furnishing office space and equipment, providing insurance coverage, overseeing the administration of their businesses and providing personnel to perform certain management and administrative services. The agreements each have a term of one year and are renewable annually. The agreements are terminable on 30 days notice by either party. In the agreements, each party has agreed to indemnify the other for any damages suffered as a result of the indemnifying party’s breach of the contract, negligence, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its duties. In accordance with the terms of the agreements, the parties have agreed to pay each other an amount equal to the Direct Cost (as defined below) paid or incurred plus an expense allocation component for indirect expenses such as employee compensation and benefits. “Direct Cost” means, with respect to each service or resource provided, the direct out-of-pocket expenses paid to or incurred with third parties in connection with providing such service or resource, including, without limitation, shipping, handling, travel expenses, payments to third parties (including, without limitation, all professional fees), printing and postage. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the net management services expenses allocated from the company to Calamos Family Partners, Calamos Property Holdings and Dragon Leasing Corporation was $676,000.

 

 

28


Table of Contents

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with our initial public offering, we entered into an agreement with Calamos Family Partners and John P. Calamos, Sr. that grants registration rights with respect to shares of our Class A common stock (which we refer to as registrable securities) issuable or issued upon conversion of shares of our Class B common stock or in exchange for ownership in Calamos Investments.

The registration rights agreement provides that Calamos Family Partners and John P. Calamos, Sr. and their assigns are entitled to unlimited “piggyback” registration rights, meaning they can include their registrable securities in registration statements filed by us for our own account or for one or more of our stockholders. Calamos Family Partners and John P. Calamos, Sr. and their assigns will also be entitled to, on 15 occasions, “demand” that we register registrable securities held by them at any time, provided that the aggregate number of registrable securities subject to each demand constitutes at least 5% of the registrable securities on the date of the registration rights agreement or has an aggregate minimum market value of at least $85 million. By using two demands, Calamos Family Partners and John P. Calamos, Sr. and their assigns may require that the registration statement be in an appropriate form under the Securities Act of 1933 (a shelf registration statement) relating to any of the registrable securities in accordance with the methods and distributions set forth in the shelf registration statement and under Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not be required to prepare and file more than two registration statements in any 12-month period pursuant to such demands. We have agreed to pay the costs associated with all such registrations.

The registration rights agreement will remain in effect as long as there are outstanding registrable securities or securities of Calamos Asset Management or Calamos Investments that are convertible into or exchangeable for registrable securities.

Leases of Corporate Office Space

In October 2004, Calamos Investments entered into a 20-year lease with 2020 Calamos Court LLC, a subsidiary of Calamos Property Holdings, with respect to the current corporate headquarters constructed for the company’s occupancy. Rent under the lease commenced in April 2005 and will end on May 31, 2025. Annual base rent payments were approximately $3,700,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 and will increase 3% annually for the remaining term of the lease. Calamos Investments may not terminate the lease unless a casualty or condemnation affects all or a substantial portion of the leased premises. 2020 Calamos Court LLC may terminate the lease only upon specified events of default, which are subject to applicable grace periods.

In August 2005, Calamos Investments entered into a 20-year lease with 2020 Calamos Court Annex LLC, a subsidiary of Calamos Property Holdings, with respect to the employee dining facility in the company’s corporate headquarters. Rent under the lease commenced in December 2005 and will end on May 31, 2025. Annual base rent and operating expenses were approximately $321,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 and will increase 3% annually.

Calamos Investments entered into a lease with 1111 Warrenville Road LLC, a subsidiary of Calamos Property Holdings on August 1, 2005. In January 2011, Calamos Investments and 1111 Warrenville Road LLC amended the lease in order to extend the term for two years with automatic one year renewals and to increase the base rent accordingly. Annual base rent payments were approximately $774,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 and will increase 3% annually.

In January 2011, Calamos Investments entered into a sublease agreement with Primacy Business Center LLC, a subsidiary of Calamos Family Partners, where office space is subleased to Primacy Business Center. Calamos Investments recognized sublease rental income of $277,000. The lease shall expire on December 31, 2015 subject to automatic one year renewals.

 

29


Table of Contents

In November 2007, Calamos Investments entered into a seven and one-half year lease with CityGate Centre I LLC, a subsidiary of Calamos Property Holdings, with respect to office space for the company. Rent under the lease commenced in May 2008 and will end on April 30, 2015. Annual base rent and operating expenses are approximately $990,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 and will increase 2.5% annually.

Amenities

Calamos Investments entered into a Lunch and Catering Agreement dated February 13, 2006 with CF Restaurant Enterprises LLC, a subsidiary of Calamos Property Holdings, where CF Restaurant Enterprises provides lunch food service to Calamos Investments through an independent manager at fixed prices in accordance with a pre-approved menu. Calamos Investments guaranteed a certain minimum amount of revenue each business day ($3,120/day) and CF Restaurant Enterprises agreed that certain quantities and combinations of food and beverage will be available at a predetermined price. During 2014, Calamos Investments incurred expenses of $940,000 related to this agreement.

Calamos Investments’ headquarter campus is owned and operated by Calamos Property Holdings and their subsidiaries (collectively, CityGate Centre) and is utilized by the company to promote its business and brand awareness both in the local community and with its visiting strategic clients. CityGate Centre offers amenities such as hotel accommodations, restaurants and event planning services. For the year ended December 31, 2014, Calamos Investments had expense payments of $530,000 related to these services.

Employment Arrangements

Effective October 26, 2004, we entered into an employment agreement with John P. Calamos, Jr., the son of John P. Calamos, Sr. Mr. Calamos serves as our Senior Vice President, Co-Portfolio Manager. On January 1, 2006, and on each subsequent January 1, Mr. Calamos’ agreement renewed or will renew for a new three-year term, unless notice of non-renewal is given by the company or Mr. Calamos prior to any such January 1. Under the agreement, Mr. Calamos received an initial base salary of $400,000, an annual discretionary target bonus of 300% of base salary and annual equity awards with a value equal to 225% of his base salary. Mr. Calamos’ annual base salary was reduced to $275,000 for 2013 and $250,000 for 2014 and target short- and long-term incentive compensation percentages were each 150%. Mr. Calamos’ total compensation for 2014 was $449,323.

Kenneth and Darrick Witkowski, step-sons of John P. Calamos, Sr., are employed by the company. Kenneth Witkowski serves as our Senior Vice President and Director of Security & Business Continuity and his total compensation for 2014 was $356,141. Darrick Witkowski, currently a Relationship Manager – Wealth Management, served as an Investment Consultant in 2014 and his total compensation was $126,918. Tariq Nasir, son-in-law of John P. Calamos, Sr., is also employed by the company in our London office as a Vice President, Global Distribution and his total compensation for 2014 was £154,333 ($240,412, based on a December  31, 2014 exchange rate of $1.55775 to £1.00).

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of Calamos Asset Management’s common stock (the “Reporting Persons”) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. We have reviewed copies of such reports with respect to fiscal year 2014 and we believe all Reporting Persons complied with the applicable filing requirements.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Qualified stockholders who wish to have proposals presented at the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders must deliver them to us by December 26, 2015, in order to be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy

 

30


Table of Contents

statement and proxy, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All proposals and nominations must be delivered to our Secretary at 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563.

Any stockholder proposal or director nomination for our 2016 annual meeting that is submitted outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 will be considered untimely if we receive it before March 5, 2016 or after April 4, 2016. Such proposals and nominations must be made in accordance with our by-laws. An untimely proposal may be excluded from consideration at our 2015 annual meeting. All proposals and nominations must be delivered to our Secretary at 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563.

STOCKHOLDER ACCESS/COMMUNICATION

Generally, stockholders who have questions about Calamos Asset Management should contact our CLMS Investor Relations Department at (630) 245-1780. However, any stockholders who wish to directly address such questions to our board of directors, or any individual director, including a non-management director, should email IndependentDirectors@calamos.com or write the attention of our Independent Directors, at 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, Illinois 60563.

ANNUAL REPORT AND FORM 10-K

This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 is being sent to all stockholders as of the record date and both are available for viewing at www.calamos.com/investors. However, the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K do not legally form any part of this proxy soliciting material.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 was filed with the SEC and contains our audited consolidated financial statements and all of the information that the regulations of the SEC require to be presented in an annual report to stockholders. For legal purposes, our Annual Report on Form 10-K is our annual report to stockholders.

Stockholders may also obtain a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, without charge, by visiting the CLMS Investor Relations section of our website at www.calamos.com/investors or by writing to our Secretary, at 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, IL 60563. Upon written request to our Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices, the exhibits set forth on the exhibit index of our Annual Report on Form 10-K may be made available at a reasonable charge (which will be limited to our reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibits). The contents of the company’s website referenced above are not deemed to be incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

HOUSEHOLDING

The SEC’s proxy rules permit companies and intermediaries to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement to those stockholders. This method of delivery, often referred to as “householding,” reduces the amount of duplicate information that stockholders receive and lowers printing and mailing costs for companies. We are not householding materials for our stockholders in connection with the annual meeting; however, we have been informed that certain intermediaries will household our proxy materials.

If a broker or other nominee holds your shares and is householding our proxy materials, this means that:

Only one annual report and proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless you call the Householding Election System at (800) 542-1061.

 

31


Table of Contents

You can contact us by calling (630) 245-7200 or by writing to our Secretary, at 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville Illinois 60563, to request a separate copy of the annual report on Form 10-K and proxy statement for the annual meeting or you can contact your broker to make the same request.

You can request delivery of a single copy of annual reports or proxy statements from your broker if you share the same address as another stockholder.

OTHER MATTERS

We know of no other voting matters to be presented to you at the annual meeting. As stated in an earlier section, if other matters are considered at the annual meeting, the proxies will vote on these matters in accordance with their judgment of the best interests of Calamos Asset Management.

We post our periodic filings as well as other important information, including corporate governance documents, press releases, investor presentations, Assets Under Management reports and other documents, on our website at www.calamos.com/investors. We encourage stockholders and investors to visit our website and review such filings, communications and documents.

 

32


Table of Contents

Appendix A

Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We provide investors with certain adjusted, non-GAAP financial measures including non-GAAP net income attributable to Calamos Asset Management, Inc. (CAM) and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to supplement the consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis. These non-GAAP financial measures adjust GAAP financial measures to include the tax benefit from the amortization of deferred taxes on intangible assets, and to exclude the change in deferred tax valuation allowance and CAM’s non-operating income, net of taxes. We believe these adjustments are appropriate to enhance an overall understanding of our operating financial performance, as well as to facilitate comparisons with our historical earnings results. These adjustments to our GAAP results are made with the intent of providing investors a more complete understanding of our underlying earnings results and trends and our marketplace performance. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are among the primary indicators management uses as a basis of managing our business.

The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should review the reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures as provided in the table below:

 

     2014  
(in thousands, except per share data)       

GAAP net income attributable to CAM

   $ 13,530   

Adjustments:

  

Deferred tax amortization on intangible assets

     7,916   

Decrease in deferred tax valuation allowance

     (1,992

Non-operating income, net of taxes

     (3,494
  

 

 

 

Non-GAAP net income attributable to CAM

   $ 15,960   
  

 

 

 

Diluted—Weighted average shares outstanding

     18,989,281   
  

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.71   

Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.84   

Non-GAAP net income attributable to CAM is calculated by adjusting the following items from GAAP net income attributable to CAM:

 

  (i)

amortization of deferred taxes on intangible assets associated with the election under section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Section 754 election);

 

  (ii)

decrease in deferred tax valuation allowance; and

 

  (iii)

CAM’s non-operating income, net of taxes.

Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing Non-GAAP net income attributable to CAM by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

The deferred tax assets from the Section 754 election allows for a quarterly reduction of $2.0 million in future income taxes owed by us through 2019, to the extent that a tax payable exists during the quarter. As a result, this cash savings will accrue solely for the benefit of the shareholders of CAM’s common stock. We believe that adjusting this item from the calculation of the above non-GAAP items can be a useful measure in allowing investors to see our performance. The change in the allowance on the deferred tax asset is excluded from the above non-GAAP items as it may fluctuate in future periods affecting prior period comparisons.

 

A-1


Table of Contents

Non-operating income is excluded from the above non-GAAP items as they can distort comparisons between periods. As noted above, we believe that measures excluding these items are useful in analyzing operating trends and allows for more comparability between periods, which may be useful to investors.

We believe that non-GAAP net income attributable to CAM and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are useful measures of performance and may be useful to investors, because they provide measures of our core business activities adjusting for items that are non-cash and costs that may distort comparisons between periods. These measures are provided in addition to our net income attributable to CAM and diluted earnings per share calculated under GAAP, but are not substitutes for those calculations.

 

A-2


Table of Contents

LOGO

CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
Admission Ticket
IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION 000004
ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________
MR A SAMPLE
DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6
C123456789
000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in X this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
1. Election of Directors: For Against Abstain
01 - Gary D. Black
04 - Keith M. Schappert
For Against Abstain
02 - Thomas F. Eggers
05 - William N. Shiebler
For Against Abstain +
03 - Richard W. Gilbert
For Against Abstain 2. Proposal to approve the advisory (non-binding) resolution relating to executive compensation.
For Against Abstain
3. Ratification of the appointment of McGladrey LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.
In their discretion upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
B Non-Voting Items
Change of Address — Please print your new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. Meeting Attendance Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.
C Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below
Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title as such.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
C 1234567890 J N T MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND
MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND
52D M 2 3 6 4 8 3 1 MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND +
022B9B


Table of Contents

LOGO

2015 Annual Meeting Admission Ticket
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Calamos Asset Management, Inc. June 2, 2015, 9:00 a.m. Local Time 2020 Calamos Court Naperville, IL 60563
Upon arrival, please present this admission ticket and photo identification at the registration desk.
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please be sure to check the “I plan to attend the meeting” box on the reverse side of the proxy card.
Important notice regarding the internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Proxy Statement and the 2014 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at: www.calamos.com/proxy
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
PROXY — CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders — June 2, 2015
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
The undersigned hereby appoints John P. Calamos, Sr., J. Christopher Jackson, and Nimish S. Bhatt, attorneys and proxies, each with the power to act without the other and with power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote all the shares of Class A common stock of Calamos Asset Management, Inc. standing in the name of the undersigned with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Calamos Asset Management, Inc. to be held June 2, 2015 or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE TO SERVE AS A DIRECTOR AND “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ON THE REVERSE SIDE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS SHOULD COME BEFORE THE MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST JUDGEMENT OF THE PROXY HOLDER.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, PLEASE VOTE TODAY.


Table of Contents

LOGO

CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
Annual Meeting Proxy Card PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain +
1. Election of Directors: 01 - Gary D. Black 02 - Thomas F. Eggers 03 - Richard W. Gilbert 04 - Keith M. Schappert 05 - William N. Shiebler For Against Abstain
2. Proposal to approve the advisory (non-binding) resolution relating to executive compensation.
3. Ratification of the appointment of McGladrey LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.
For Against Abstain
In their discretion upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below
Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title as such.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
1 U P X 2364832 022BAB +


Table of Contents

LOGO

PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
PROXY — CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders — June 2, 2015
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
The undersigned hereby appoints John P. Calamos, Sr., J. Christopher Jackson, and Nimish S. Bhatt, attorneys and proxies, each with the power to act without the other and with power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote all the shares of Class A common stock of Calamos Asset Management, Inc. standing in the name of the undersigned with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Calamos Asset Management, Inc. to be held June 2, 2015 or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE TO SERVE AS A DIRECTOR AND “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ON THE REVERSE SIDE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS SHOULD COME BEFORE THE MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST JUDGEMENT OF THE PROXY HOLDER.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, PLEASE VOTE TODAY.