UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
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)) |
| ¨ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| x | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
WINDSTREAM CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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| (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: |
IMPORTANT ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING
INFORMATION — YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Windstream Corporation Stockholder Meeting to be Held on May 5, 2010
Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, you are receiving this notice that the proxy materials for the annual stockholders’ meeting are available on the Internet. Follow the instructions below to view the materials and vote online or request a copy. The items to be voted on and location of the annual meeting are on the reverse side. Your vote is important!
This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting. The proxy statement and annual report to stockholders are available at:
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Easy Online Access — A Convenient Way to View Proxy Materials and Vote | |
| When you go online to view materials, you can also vote your shares. | ||
| Step 1: Go to www.envisionreports.com/WIN to view the materials. | ||
| Step 2: Click on Cast Your Vote or Request Materials. | ||
| Step 3: Follow the instructions on the screen to log in. | ||
| Step 4: Make your selection as instructed on each screen to select delivery preferences and vote. |
When you go online, you can also help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery of future materials.
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Obtaining a Copy of the Proxy Materials – If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed on the reverse side on or before April 23, 2010 to facilitate timely delivery. |
Stockholder Meeting Notice & Admission Ticket
Notice of 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
11:00 a.m. local time
The Capital Hotel
111 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Proposals to be voted on at the meeting are listed below along with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2, 3 and 4.
| 1. Election of Directors: |
01 - Carol B. Armitage | 02 - Samuel E. Beall, III | 03 - Dennis E. Foster | |||
| 04 - Francis X. Frantz | 05 - Jeffery R. Gardner | 06 - Jeffrey T. Hinson | ||||
| 07 - Judy K. Jones | 08 - William A. Montgomery | |||||
| 2. To adopt and approve the Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan | ||||||
| 3. To consider and approve an advisory (non-binding) resolution concerning the Company’s executive compensation policies | ||||||
| 4. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP as Windstream’s Independent registered public accountants for 2010 | ||||||
The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Proposals 5.
| 5. Holding Equity Until Retirement | ||||||
PLEASE NOTE – YOU CANNOT VOTE BY RETURNING THIS NOTICE. To vote your shares you must vote online or request a paper copy of the proxy materials to receive a proxy card. If you wish to attend and vote at the meeting, please bring this notice with you.
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Here’s how to order a copy of the proxy materials and select a future delivery preference: | |||
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Paper copies: Current and future paper delivery requests can be submitted via the telephone, Internet or email options below. | ||||
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Email copies: Current and future email delivery requests must be submitted via the Internet following the instructions below. If you request an email copy of current materials you will receive an email with a link to the materials. | ||||
| PLEASE NOTE: You must use the numbers in the shaded bar on the reverse side when requesting a set of proxy materials. | ||||
| g | Internet – Go to www.envisionreports.com/WIN. Click Cast Your Vote or Request Materials. Follow the instructions to log in and order a paper or email copy of the current meeting materials and submit your preference for email or paper delivery of future meeting materials. | |||
| g | Telephone – Call us free of charge at 1-866-641-4276 using a touch-tone phone and follow the instructions to log in and order a paper copy of the materials by mail for the current meeting. You can also submit a preference to receive a paper copy for future meetings. | |||
| g | Email – Send email to investorvote@computershare.com with “Proxy Materials Windstream” in the subject line. Include in the message your full name and address, plus the number located in the shaded bar on the reverse, and state in the email that you want a paper copy of current meeting materials. You can also state your preference to receive a paper copy for future meetings. | |||
| To facilitate timely delivery, all requests for a paper copy of the proxy materials must be received by April 23, 2010. | ||||
| 015NGB | ||||
*** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***
IMPORTANT NOTICE Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
| — Before You Vote — How to Access the Proxy Materials
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| Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE: | ||||||||||
| 1. 2009 Annual Report, Proxy Statement and Form 10K
How To View Online: Have the 12 Digit Control Number available (located on the following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com.
How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy: If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request: |
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1) BY INTERNET: www.proxyvote.com |
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| 2) BY TELEPHONE: 1-800-579-1639 | ||||||||||
| 3) BY E-MAIL*: sendmaterial@proxyvote.com | ||||||||||
| * If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the 12 Digit Control Number (located on the following page) in the subject line. |
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| Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before April 21, 2010 to facilitate timely delivery.
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— How To Vote — Please Choose One of The Following Voting Methods
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Vote In Person: If you choose to vote these shares in person at the meeting, you must request a “legal proxy.” To do so, please follow the instructions at www.proxyvote.com or request a paper copy of the materials, which will contain the appropriate instructions. Many shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the possession of an attendance ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. |
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Vote By Internet: To vote now by Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the 12 Digit Control Number available and follow the instructions.
Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a voting instruction form.
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Internal Use Only | |||||||||
| Voting items |
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| The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “For” the following. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. |
Election of Directors |
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| Nominees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 01 | Carol B. Armitage | 02 | Samuel E. Beall, III | 03 | Dennis E. Foster | 04 | Francis X. Frantz | 05 | Jeffery R. Gardner | |||||||||||||||
| 06 | Jeffrey T. Hinson | 07 | Judy K. Jones | 08 | William A. Montgomery | |||||||||||||||||||
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The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal(s). |
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2 |
To adopt and approve the Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan |
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3 |
To consider and approve an advisory (non-binding) resolution concentrating the Company’s executive compensation |
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4 |
Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP as Windstream’s Independent registered public accountants for 2010 |
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The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the following proposal(s).
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| 5 | Holding Equity Until Retirement
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NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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Reserved for Broadridge Internal Control Information
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Voting Instructions
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THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR LANGUAGE PERTAINING TO BANKS AND BROKERS AS REQUIRED BY THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
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| Broadridge Internal Use Only
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| THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR SIGNATURES IF APPLICABLE |
Job # | |||||||||||
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WINDSTREAM CORPORATION ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 05/05/10 AT 11:00 AM. CDT
FOR HOLDERS AS OF 03/17/10 * ISSUER CONFIRMATION COPY - INFO ONLY
4 1-0001
THIS FORM IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT USE IT FOR VOTING PURPOSES.
97381W104
DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS RECOMMEND: A VOTE FOR ELECTION OF THE FOLLOWING NOMINEES 0010100
1 - 01-CAROL B. ARMITAGE, 02-SAMUEL E. BEALL, 111,03-DENNIS E. FOSTER, 04-FRANCIS X. FRANTZ,05-JEFFERY R. GARDNER,06-JEFFREY T. HINSON, 07-JUDY K. JONES,08-WILLIAM A. MONTGOMERY
PROPOSAL(S)
2 *- TO ADOPT AND APPROVE THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
3 - TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE AN ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION POLICIES
4 - TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP AS WINDSTREAM’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR 2010
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “AGAINST” PROPOSAL 5
5 *-HOLDING EQUITY UNTIL RETIREMENT
DIRECTORS
RECOMMEND
FOR
0029101
FOR
0029900
FOR
0010200
AGAINST
0069900
*NOTE* SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF
MATERIALS ELECTION
As of July 1, 2007, SEC rules permit companies to send you a Notice indicating that their proxy materials are available on the Internet and how you can request a mailed copy. Check the box to the right if you want to receive future proxy materials by mail at no cost to you. Even if you do not check the box, you will still have the right to request a free set of proxy materials upon receipt of a Notice.
VIF11 H
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON 05/05/10 FOR WINDSTREAM CORPORATION
THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM **E**
2 -I -S
DIRECTORS
(MARK “X” FOR ONLY ONE BOX)
1 FOR ALL NOMINEES
WITHHOLD ALL NOMINEES
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE. WRITE NUMBER(S) OF NOMINEE(S) BELOW.
USE NUMBER ONLY
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2 PLEASE INDICATE YOUR PROPOSAL SELECTION BY
FIRMLY PLACING AN “X” IN THE APPROPRIATE
NUMBERED BOX WITH BLUE OR BLACK INK X
3 SEE VOTING INSTRUCTION NO. 2 ON REVERSE
4 A/C:
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 97381W104
DO NOT USE
DO NOT USE
5 PLACE “X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND
AND VOTE YOUR SHARES AT THE MEETING
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
DO NOT USE
DO NOT USE
DO NOT USE
Broadridge
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN DO NOT USE
DO NOT USE
DO NOT USE
51 MERCEDES WAY
EDGEWOOD NY 17717
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
DO NOT USE
DO NOT USE
WINDTREAM CORPORATION
ATTN: ROBERT G. CLANCY
4001 RODNEY PARKAM ROAD
LITTLE ROCK, AR 72212
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
4
4
P91918
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Please ensure you fold then detach and retain this portion of the Voting Instruction Form
Fold and Detach Here Fold and Detach Here
Proxy Services
P.O. Box 9138
Farmingdale NY 11735-9585
WRONG WAY
P.O BOX 9138
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS TO OUR CLIENTS: WE HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO FORWARD TO YOU THE ENCLOSED PROXY MATERIAL RELATIVE TO SECURITIES HELD BY US IN YOUR ACCOUNT BUT NOT REGISTERED IN YOUR NAME. ONLY WE AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD CAN VOTE SUCH SECURITIES. WE SHALL BE PLEASED TO VOTE YOUR SECURITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WISHES, IF YOU WILL EXECUTE THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO US PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED BUSINESS REPLY ENVELOPE. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT IF YOU SIGN WITHOUT OTHERWISE MARKING THE FORM YOUR SECURITIES WILL BE VOTED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON ALL MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING. FOR THIS MEETING, THE EXTENT OF OUR AUTHORITY TO VOTE YOUR SECURITIES IN THE ABSENCE OF YOUR INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE DETERMINED BY REFERRING TO THE APPLICABLE VOTING INSTRUCTION NUMBER INDICATED ON THE FACE OF YOUR FORM. FOR MARGIN ACCOUNTS, IN THE EVENT YOUR SECURITIES HAVE BEEN LOANED OVER RECORD DATE, THE NUMBER OF SECURITIES WE VOTE ON YOUR BEHALF HAS BEEN OR CAN BE ADJUSTED DOWNWARD. PLEASE NOTE THAT UNDER A RULE AMENDMENT ADOPTED BY THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE FOR SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS HELD ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2010, BROKERS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO VOTE SECURITIES HELD IN THEIR CLIENTS’ ACCOUNTS ON UNCONTESTED ELECTIONS OF DIRECTORS UNLESS THE CLIENT HAS PROVIDED VOTING INSTRUCTIONS (IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE CASE THAT BROKERS CANNOT VOTE THEIR CLIENTS’ SECURITIES IN CONTESTED DIRECTOR ELECTIONS). CONSEQUENTLY, IF YOU WANT US TO VOTE YOUR SECURITIES ON YOUR BEHALF ON THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, YOU MUST PROVIDE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS TO US. VOTING ON MATTERS PRESENTED AT SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS, PARTICULARLY THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS IS THE PRIMARY METHOD FOR SHAREHOLDERS TO INFLUENCE THE DIRECTION TAKEN BY A PUBLICLY-TRADED COMPANY. WE URGE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION BY RETURNING THE ENCLOSED VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM TO US WITH INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW TO VOTE YOUR SECURITIES IN THIS ELECTION. IF YOUR SECURITIES ARE HELD BY A BROKER WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE (NYSE), THE RULES OF THE NYSE WILL GUIDE THE VOTING PROCEDURES. THESE RULES PROVIDE THAT IF INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT RECEIVED FROM YOU PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE FIRST VOTE, THE PROXY MAY BE GIVEN AT DISCRETION OF YOUR BROKER (ON THE TENTH DAY, IF THE MATERIAL WAS MAILED AT LEAST 15 DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE OR ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY, IF THE PROXY MATERIAL WAS MAILED 25 DAYS OR MORE PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE). IN ORDER FOR YOUR BROKER TO EXERCISE THIS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY, PROXY MATERIAL WOULD NEED TO HAVE BEEN MAILED AT LEAST 15 DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE, AND ONE OR MORE OF THE MATTERS BEFORE THE MEETING MUST BE DEEMED “ ROUTINE ” IN NATURE ACCORDING TO NYSE GUIDELINES. IF THESE TWO REQUIREMENTS ARE MET AND YOU HAVE NOT COMMUNICATED TO US PRIOR TO THE FIRST VOTE BEING ISSUED, WE MAY VOTE YOUR SECURITIES AT OUR DISCRETION ON ANY MATTERS DEEMED TO BE ROUTINE. WE WILL NEVERTHELESS FOLLOW YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, EVEN IF OUR DISCRETIONARY VOTE HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN, PROVIDED YOUR INSTRUCTIONS ARE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE. THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDE SPECIFICS REGARDING THE MEETING FOR WHICH THIS VOTING FORM APPLIES. INSTRUCTION 1 ALL PROPOSALS FOR THIS MEETING ARE CONSIDERED “ ROUTINE ”. WE WILL VOTE IN OUR DISCRETION ON ALL PROPOSALS, IF YOUR INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT RECEIVED. IF YOUR SECURITIES ARE HELD BY A BANK, YOUR SECURITIES CANNOT BE VOTED WITHOUT YOUR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS. INSTRUCTION 2 IN ORDER FOR YOUR SECURITIES TO BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING ON ONE OR MORE MATTERS BEFORE THE MEETING, IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR US TO HAVE YOUR SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS. IF YOUR SECURITIES ARE HELD BY A BANK, YOUR SECURITIES CANNOT BE VOTED WITHOUT YOUR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS. INSTRUCTION 3 IN ORDER FOR YOUR SECURITIES TO BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING, IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR US TO HAVE YOUR SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS. INSTRUCTION 4 WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY SENT YOU PROXY SOLICITING MATERIAL PERTAINING TO THE MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY INDICATED. ACCORDING TO OUR LATEST RECORDS, WE HAVE NOT AS OF YET RECEIVED YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTION ON THE MATTERS(S) TO BE CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING AND THE COMPANY HAS REQUESTED US TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU IN AN ENDEAVOR TO HAVE YOUR SECURITIES VOTED. **IF YOU HOLD YOUR SECURITIES THROUGH A CANADIAN BROKER OR BANK, PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOU ARE RECEIVING THE VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM AND MEETING MATERIALS, AT THE DIRECTION OF THE ISSUER. EVEN IF YOU HAVE DECLINED TO RECEIVE SECURITY- HOLDER MATERIALS, A REPORTING ISSUER IS REQUIRED TO DELIVER THESE MATERIALS TO YOU. IF YOU HAVE ADVISED YOUR INTERMEDIARY THAT YOU OBJECT TO THE DISCLOSURE OF YOUR BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION TO THE REPORTING ISSUER, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DELIVER THESE MATERIALS TO YOU ON BEHALF OF THE REPORTING ISSUER. THESE MATERIALS ARE BEING SENT AT NO COST TO YOU