Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Executive Officers
Information regarding executive officers of PG&E Corporation and the Utility is set forth under “Executive Officers of the Registrants” at the end of Part I of the Original Filing.
Directors
Set forth below are the name and age of each of PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s current directors as of April 30, 2019 and director nominees, and the positions held by each director and director nominee with PG&E Corporation and the Utility, each director’s and director nominee’s principal occupation and business experience during the last five years, and the year of the commencement of each director’s and director nominee’s term as a director. Additionally, for each director and director nominee, included below is information regarding the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that contributed to the decision of the Boards of Directors of PG&E Corporation and the Utility to nominate such director and director nominee for election as a director and the names of other publicly held companies of which such director and director nominee serves or has served as a director in the previous five years. There are no family relationships between any director of PG&E Corporation or the Utility, executive officer of PG&E Corporation or the Utility, or person nominated or chosen to become a director or executive officer of PG&E Corporation or the Utility.
| Name | Age | Director Since | Position | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard R. Barrera | 47 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Jeffrey L. Bleich | 58 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Nora Mead Brownell | 71 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Frederick W. Buckman | 73 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Cheryl F. Campbell | 59 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Fred J. Fowler | 73 | March 2012 | Director | |||
| William D. Johnson | 65 | N/A | CEO and President of PG&E Corporation* | |||
| Michael J. Leffell | 60 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Kenneth Liang | 57 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Dominique Mielle | 50 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Meridee A. Moore | 61 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Eric D. Mullins | 56 | September 2016 | Director | |||
| Kristine M. Schmidt | 55 | April 2019 | Director | |||
| Alejandro D. Wolff | 62 | April 2019 | Director |
| * | indicates that the applicable nominee is not a director of the Corporation or the Utility as of the date of this Amendment No. 1, but is expected to become a member of the Board of the Utility on May 2, 2019. Mr. Johnson is expected to become CEO and President of PG&E Corporation on May 2, 2019. |
|---|
Richard R. Barrera has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. He is the Founder, CEO and Portfolio Manager at Roystone Capital Management LP (an asset management firm that invests across the capital structure in both debt and equity). Mr. Barrera was previously a Partner and Co-Portfolio Manager at Redwood Capital Management and Glenview Capital Management (both private investment management firms). Mr. Barrera is a member of the board of Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation and a member of the board of Success Academy Charter Schools.
Mr. Barrera has over 20 years of asset management and financial expertise investing in businesses undergoing transformations across a wide range of sectors. Throughout his career, Mr. Barrera has invested across the electric utility and independent power industries and has directly participated in numerous restructurings both in and out of Chapter 11. Mr. Barrera’s restructuring experience includes several bankruptcies involving complex litigation and a number of telecommunication restructurings in which he actively helped companies recapitalize balance sheets to enable successful operational turnarounds.
Jeffrey L. Bleich has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. Mr. Bleich is an attorney. Mr. Bleich was a partner in the San Francisco, CA office of Dentons US LLP (a multinational law firm) from 2016 to April 2019. Mr. Bleich served as a member of the Senior Advisory Group to the Director of National Intelligence from 2014 to 2016. Mr. Bleich served as U.S. Ambassador to Australia from 2009 to 2013 and also as Special Counsel to President Obama in the White House from 2008 to 2009. Mr. Bleich previously was a long-time partner at the California law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, where he was recognized as one of California’s leading litigators, litigated a variety of complex civil cases and handled landmark state and U.S. Supreme Court pro bono cases. Mr. Bleich is a member of the board of Nuix Pty. Ltd (from 2017 to present) and the advisory board of Amber Kinetics, Inc. (from 2017 to present). Mr. Bleich serves on several boards, including as Chair of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (appointed by President Obama).
Mr. Bleich has over three decades of experience resolving complex domestic and international disputes and specializing in cybersecurity. In addition to his legal and public sector experience, Mr. Bleich has served on the boards of numerous private organizations, including as the Chair of the California State University Board of Trustees, President of the California State Bar, a member of the Governor’s International Trade and Investment Council, and President of the Bar Association of San Francisco. Mr. Bleich is a long-time California resident.
Nora Mead Brownell has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. Ms. Brownell is the Co-Founder of Espy Energy Solutions LLC (an energy consulting group that provides strategic planning, marketing, business planning, and other consulting services to energy utilities, equipment manufacturers, service providers and financial institutions evaluating energy investments). Ms. Brownell is a former Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”), a former member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and a former President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. She served as a member of the boards of National Grid (2012 to April 2019), of Spectra Energy Partners (2007 to 2018), and of Oncor, Inc. (2007 to 2014). Ms. Brownell previously also served on the boards of Tangent (2000 to April 2019) and Comverge Inc. (2007 to 2014). Ms. Brownell is currently a director of Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Advisory Board and of Mead Family Investments (previously Times Publishing Co.) (1996 to present), and she previously served as a director of Direct Energy Advisory Board (2014 to 2017) and of New World Capital Advisory Board (2009 to 2016).
During her time at FERC, Ms. Brownell oversaw the transition of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to FERC oversight after Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which provided for mandatory electric reliability standards. Ms. Brownell has been an advocate for consumer protection, competitive markets and national energy infrastructure development. She has worked extensively with California stakeholders to resolve market and infrastructure issues.
Frederick W. Buckman has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. He is the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Powerlink Transmission Company (transmission investment for private equity). Mr. Buckman was President and CEO of Shaw Group’s Power Group (engineering firm) (2009-2010), a managing partner for utilities at Brookfield Asset Management (alternative asset management company focusing on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity) (2007-2009), President and CEO of Trans-Elect (electric and gas transmission system development) (1999-2006), and has held various leadership positions in the utility and energy industry, including President and CEO of Pacificorp (electric energy company) (1994-1998) and CMS Energy (natural gas and electric energy company)(1986-1994). He also served on the Board of Directors of SmartWires, Inc. from 2011-2019 (transmission technology company). Mr. Buckman currently serves as a board member of StanCorp Financial Group Incorporated (insurance and financial services company) and Solomon Corporation (sales and service of transformers and related equipment).
Mr. Buckman brings over 30 years of experience in the utility, energy, and asset management sectors. In addition to serving as the CEO of two U.S. utilities, Mr. Buckman has extensive experience in utility operation and management, safety assessment, engineering and construction management, project development and nuclear plant design.
Cheryl F. Campbell has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. She is currently a consultant and the Executive Director of Gold Shovel Standard Association (non-profit organization working to reduce damage to underground infrastructure). Ms. Campbell spent 13 years at Xcel Energy, Inc. (utility supplier of electric power and natural gas service operating in eight Western and Midwestern states), most recently serving as the Senior Vice President, Gas and President and CEO of West Gas Interstate (a FERC-regulated pipeline owned by Xcel Energy) from 2011 to 2018. Prior to Xcel Energy Inc., Ms. Campbell worked for approximately 20 years at Coastal Corporation (El Paso Corporation) (provider of natural gas and related energy products) where she held various roles, including director. Ms. Campbell currently serves as a board member of Hoffman Southwest (a private equity-owned provider of water flow inspection, repair and cleaning services company) (2018 to present). Ms. Campbell previously served as a member of the Engineering Advisory Committee of the University of Colorado College of Engineering, a member of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee to the Department of Transportation and a member of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association Board.
Ms. Campbell has 35 years of energy experience in midstream, interstate pipelines and utilities. During her tenure at Xcel Energy, Ms. Campbell developed Xcel Energy’s risk management, regulatory, environmental and operating plans for its gas assets while improving operating and financial results across the enterprise. Ms. Campbell also developed the same programs for WestGas InterState while she was serving as its President and CEO. Her experience includes strategic planning, operations, regulatory and risk management. Ms. Campbell is a champion of public and employee safety and served on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee from 2013 to 2018, providing guidance to the Secretary of Transportation on the safety of the nation’s gas pipeline infrastructure. Ms. Campbell also served as a member of the independent panel assessing the enterprise risk management and overall safety of the 11 gas utilities in Massachusetts in the aftermath of the September 2018 explosions and fires in Merrimack Valley.
Fred J. Fowler has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since March 2012. He is the retired Chairman of the Board of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (master limited partnership that owns natural gas transmission and storage assets). In addition to serving on the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, Mr. Fowler has also been serving as a member of the boards of Encana Corporation (natural gas producer) since 2010 and of DCP Midstream Partners, LP (master limited partnership that owns, operates, acquires, and develops midstream energy assets) since 2015. Previously, in addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (2008 to 2013) and as a member of the Board of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (2008 to 2017), Mr. Fowler was President and CEO of Spectra Energy Corp (natural gas gathering and processing, transmission and storage, and distribution company) (2006 to 2008) and served as a director of that company. Before that, he held various executive positions with Duke Energy Corporation (gas and electric energy company) and its subsidiaries and predecessor companies, including President and COO of Duke Energy. Mr. Fowler is the former Chairman of the Board of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America and a former director of the Gas Research Institute, the Gas Technology Institute, and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.
Mr. Fowler brings extensive knowledge and over 45 years of experience in utility company operations, including safety, natural gas and gas liquids production, transportation and marketing, and electricity generation, transmission and distribution. He brings leadership, management, and business skills developed as an executive and a director of numerous public and privately held companies.
William D. Johnson is the incoming CEO and President of PG&E Corporation. Mr. Johnson served as President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from 2012 to April 2019. Prior to his tenure at the TVA, Mr. Johnson was the Chairman, President and CEO of Progress Energy.
Mr. Johnson brings over 20 years of utility experience and leadership as a utility industry executive. During his six-year tenure at TVA, he was responsible for leading the nation’s largest public utility in its mission of providing energy, environmental stewardship and economic development across a seven-state region. During Mr. Johnson’s time at TVA, the organization achieved the best safety records in its 85-year history and has been a perennial top decile safety performer in the utility industry. In that same period, retirement of more than half of TVA’s coal generation, resulting in a reduction of TVA’s carbon omissions by about 50% over the last decade. He was responsible for leading the generation of more than 50% of TVA’s energy from non-greenhouse gas emitting sources. He also oversaw TVA’s expansion into utility scale solar in recent years, with the addition of approximately 1,000 megawatts (mWs), and pursued the modernization of its hydro assets to increase the overall amount of renewable resources. TVA’s renewable portfolio includes almost 2,400 mWs of wind and solar and 5,800 mWs of hydro capacity. Throughout his career in the electric utilities industry, Mr. Johnson has collaborated closely with elected officials and other community leaders to deliver safe and reliable electricity to millions of customers.
Michael J. Leffell has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. He is the Founder of Portage Partners LLC (a privately held company focused on sourcing, analyzing and monitoring non-traditional investment opportunities) and Chairman of Canoe Software (a financial technology company). Prior to founding Portage Partners in 2010, Mr. Leffell was the Deputy Executive Managing Member of Davidson Kempner Capital Management, a global institutional investment management firm. Mr. Leffell served as a member of the board of Genco Shipping and Trading Limited (a publicly traded transportation services company) (2014-2016).
Mr. Leffell has over 20 years of experience participating in the restructuring of multiple businesses under Chapter 11. In addition to serving as the Deputy Executive Managing Member of Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Mr. Leffell also co-managed the Distressed Investment strategy, including multiple positions in a broad range of large complex corporate restructuring and domestic and international bankruptcies that often implicated complex litigation.
Kenneth Liang has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. He is a former senior Managing Director and Head of Restructurings, Oaktree Capital Management (a global alternative investment management firm with expertise in credit strategies). From Oaktree’s formation in 1995 until June 2001, Mr. Liang was Oaktree’s General Counsel. Before that, he served as a Senior Vice President at TCW Group. Mr. Liang served as a member of the boards of Tribune Media (media/entertainment/real estate company) (2013-2015) and of STORE Capital Corporation (a real estate investment trust) (2012 to 2016). Mr. Liang served as chairman of the board of Excel Maritime (dry bulk shipping company) (2014 to 2018). He also served on the boards of Chassix (automotive parts company) (2016 to 2018) and of Pulse Electronics (mobile electronics company) (2015 to 2018). Mr. Liang has also served on the board of Flintridge Preparatory School (2012 to 2018).
Mr. Liang has extensive U.S. and international experience as a significant stakeholder in prominent and complex restructurings of many troubled businesses inside and outside of Chapter 11 and in court-supervised reorganizations, including Enron, Energy Future Holdings, Tribune and Caesars Entertainment. Mr. Liang holds a J.D. from Georgetown University and a B.S. from the University of Southern California, has been a long-time California resident and has close family relatives who live in PG&E Corporation’s service area.
Dominique Mielle has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. She is a former Partner and Senior Portfolio Manager at Canyon Partners LLC (an investment manager that specializes in value-oriented special situation investments for institutional investors). In addition to serving on the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, Ms. Mielle has also been serving as a member of the boards of Anworth Mortgage Asset Corporation (mortgage REIT investment firm) since 2018 and of Studio City International since 2018. Ms. Mielle was a partner and senior portfolio manager at Canyon Partners, where she worked from 1998 to 2017. Before 1998, she worked at various investment banks, including Libra Investments, Lehman Brothers and Credit Lyonnais.
Ms. Mielle has played key roles in complicated bankruptcies where public safety and the economic well-being of the public were critical issues requiring extensive engagement with government entities, regulatory agencies and affected communities. Ms. Mielle was a member of the creditors’ committee for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and also served as a restructuring committee member of American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Ms. Mielle earned an MBA from Stanford University. She is a long-time California resident.
Meridee A. Moore has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. She is the Founder, CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Watershed Asset Management (a San Francisco-based alternative asset manager). In addition to serving on the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, Ms. Moore has also been serving as a member of the board of Blackrock Capital Investment Corporation since 2017. Before founding Watershed Asset Management, Ms. Moore was a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Farallon Capital Management (a global institutional investment firm). Ms. Moore currently serves as a board member of Nextgen Climate America (NextGen Policy Center) (a California-based climate policy non-profit) (2014 to present) and as a director on the investment advisory board of Fiduciary Counselling Inc. Ms. Moore has served as a trustee of Right to Play International (2003 to 2018), Right to Play US (2004 to 2019) and Grace Cathedral (2011 to 2018). Ms. Moore also served on the boards of Morgans Hotel Group (2005 to 2007) and AMF Bowling Worldwide (2001 to 2003).
Ms. Moore has over 25 years of investment and restructuring experience over a wide range of industries. She is the Founder, CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Watershed Asset Management, a San Francisco-based alternative asset manager. Watershed managed capital for institutional investors for 15 years. Ms. Moore has invested and participated in numerous restructurings in and out of Chapter 11, including PG&E Corporation’s restructuring in 2001. Ms. Moore is a long-time California resident.
Eric D. Mullins has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since September 2016. He has been the Co-CEO of Lime Rock Resources, L.P. (private equity investment firm that acquires, operates, and improves oil and natural gas properties in the U.S.) since 2005. In addition to serving on the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, Mr. Mullins has also been serving as a member of the board of Anadarko Petroleum Company (independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company) since May 2012. Prior to co-founding Lime Rock Resources, L.P. in 2005, Mr. Mullins worked in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs & Co. for 15 years, most recently as managing director in the firm’s Energy and Power Group, where he led numerous financing, structuring, and strategic advisory transactions for public and private oil and gas exploration and production companies. Mr. Mullins currently serves as a member of the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees.
Mr. Mullins brings operational, business development, and mergers and acquisition experience in the energy sector, as well as director and audit committee experience from his other public company board service. He also brings strategic management, leadership, and corporate financial expertise developed as an executive in the investment banking industry working with both public and private companies in the natural resources and utilities sector.
Kristine M. Schmidt has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. She is a former Chief Executive Officer of Peak Utility Services Group (utility services contractor). Ms. Schmidt was the President, founder and owner of Swan Consulting Services (a consulting company that provides strategic, regulatory and advisory services to utilities and equipment and services related businesses in the electricity and natural gas utility industry) from 2015 to 2018. Before that, she was President of ITC Great Plains and Vice President at ITC Holdings (independent electric high voltage transmission owner and operator). Ms. Schmidt served as a member of the Western Energy Imbalance Market Governing Board (which has the primary governance responsibility and decisional authority for the interstate wholesale energy imbalance market in the western region). Ms. Schmidt also served on the board of Peak Utility Services Group in 2018.
Ms. Schmidt has over 35 years of experience in the electricity industry, having worked for and consulted with some of the largest public utilities throughout the United States. Over the last 25 years, Ms. Schmidt’s experience was primarily in the regional wholesale market arena and high voltage transmission development and regulatory policies. The regional wholesale markets are critical across the United States to efficiently and cost-effectively integrate large scale renewables. Ms. Schmidt has served as a FERC Commissioner Advisor, addressing national policies and reforms resulting from the California Energy Crisis and FERC’s expanded authority from the Energy Policy Act, among other key policy issues. Ms. Schmidt was the Chair of the inaugural Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) Governing Body, which promotes the integration of surplus renewables energy into the grid, and was a member of the board with governance responsibility over the wholesale energy imbalance market in the western region, including California. Ms. Schmidt was previously CEO of Peak Utility Services Group, a leading utility construction service provider. She was also a corporate officer with the nation’s largest independent high voltage transmission company, ITC Holdings Corporation, and the President of ITC Great Plains, which has the highest percentage of utility scale wind power in the nation. Ms. Schmidt has also held various senior management responsibilities for public utilities, including Xcel Energy, and served on the board of Peak Utility Services Group.
Alejandro D. Wolff has served as a member of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility since April 2019. He is a former Managing Director of Gryphon Partners (global advisory firm focused on emerging and frontier markets). In addition to serving on the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, Mr. Wolff has also been serving as a member of the boards of Albemarle Corporation (“Albemarle”) (public specialty chemicals company) since 2015 and of Versum Materials (public specialty chemicals company) since 2016. Mr. Wolff served in the U.S. State Department for 34 years, including serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Chile from 2010 to 2013 and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2010. Mr. Wolff currently serves as a board member of JetSMART Holdings Limited (private airline operating in South America) (2017 to present). Mr. Wolff is also an advisory board member of the Counter Extremism Project.
Mr. Wolff brings decades of experience in high-level political, economic, and security issues from his 34-year career in the U.S. State Department. His has experience managing natural disaster, conflict, and terrorist-response situations, and a successful negotiating record of bridging differences among numerous constituencies with competing interests. As Ambassador to the Republic of Chile, Mr. Wolff promoted U.S.-origin renewable energy alternatives for Chile, including solar power. Mr. Wolff currently serves as a director of Albemarle, a global specialty chemicals company. As a member of Albemarle’s Health, Safety & Environment Committee, Mr. Wolff brings considerable knowledge of clean energy, sustainability, renewable energy and electricity storage. Mr. Wolff also serves as the Lead Independent Director and Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of Versum Materials, an electronic materials company with operations in California, and as a director of JetSMART Holdings, an airline in South America. Mr. Wolff was a long-term resident of California, graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, and continues to have close ties to California.
Certain Agreements with BlueMountain
In connection with BlueMountain’s proposal to nominate director candidates that has since been withdrawn, Mr. Buckman entered into a nomination agreement (the “Nomination Agreement”) with BlueMountain, pursuant to which Mr. Buckman agreed, among other things, to be nominated by BlueMountain for election to the Corporation Board at the 2019 annual meeting, and, if elected, to serve as a director of the Corporation. Pursuant to the Nomination Agreement, BlueMountain agreed to pay to Mr. Buckman $100,000 in connection with the nomination. The Nomination Agreement includes customary reimbursement and indemnification provisions in favor of Mr. Buckman.
On April 22, 2019, Richard C. Kelly resigned from the Boards of the Corporation and the Utility. Also, PG&E Corporation entered into a Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with BlueMountain. In connection with the execution and delivery of the Settlement Agreement, and effective upon such resignation, Frederick W. Buckman was appointed to fill the resulting vacancies on the Boards.
Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement with BlueMountain, the Corporation has agreed to propose to amend its Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the size of the Corporation Board to 15 directors and to recommend that the Corporation’s shareholders vote in favor of such proposal at the 2019 annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation. Under the Settlement Agreement, subject to the approval of such proposal by the shareholders of the Corporation, the Boards will endeavor to select a person to be appointed to each of the Boards, taking into account such person’s clean energy / clean energy technology expertise, ties to the state of California, and expertise relating to the achievement of California’s clean energy goals. In addition, the Corporation has agreed to engage Christopher A. Hart to provide consulting services to the CEO of the Corporation regarding matters of safety.
The full text of the Settlement Agreement is attached as an exhibit to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 23, 2019.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
In accordance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC regulations, PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s directors and certain officers, as well as persons who own greater than 10 percent of PG&E Corporation’s or the Utility’s equity securities, must file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such equity securities with the SEC and the principal national securities exchange on which those securities are registered, and must furnish PG&E Corporation or the Utility with copies of all such reports that they file.
Based solely on review of copies of such reports received or written representations from certain reporting persons, PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that during 2018, all filing requirements applicable to their respective directors, officers, and 10 percent shareholders were satisfied. No information is reported for individuals during periods in which they were not directors, officers, or 10 percent shareholders of the applicable company.
Website Availability of Code of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Other Documents
The following documents are available both on the Corporate Governance section of PG&E Corporation’s website (www.pgecorp.com/corp/about-us/corporate-governance.page) and on the Utility’s website (www.pge.com/en_US/about-pge/company-information/company-information.page, under the Corporate Governance tab): (1) the PG&E Corporation and the Utility’s code of conduct (which meets the definition of “code of ethics” of Item 406(b) of the SEC Regulation S-K) adopted by PG&E Corporation and the Utility and applicable to their directors and employees, including their respective Chief Executive Officer and Presidents, as the case may be, Chief Financial Officers, Controllers and other executive officers, (2) PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s respective corporate governance guidelines, and (3) key Board committee charters, including charters for the companies’ Audit Committees and the PG&E Corporation Nominating and Governance Committee and Compensation Committee.
If any amendments are made to, or any waivers are granted with respect to, provisions of the code of conduct adopted by PG&E Corporation and the Utility and that apply to their respective Chief Executive Officer and Presidents, as the case may be, Chief Financial Officers, or Controllers, PG&E Corporation and the Utility will post the amended code of ethics on their websites and will disclose any waivers to the code of conduct in a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Procedures for Shareholder Recommendations of Nominees to the Boards of Directors
There were no material changes to the procedures described in PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Joint Proxy Statement relating to the 2018 annual meetings of shareholders by which security holders may recommend nominees to PG&E Corporation’s or Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Boards of Directors.
Audit Committees and Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility have established standing Audit Committees in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committees of the Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility oversee and monitor:
| ● | Integrity of the company financial statements, and financial and accounting practices; | |
|---|---|---|
| ● | Internal controls over financial reporting, and external and internal auditing programs; | |
| ● | Selection and oversight of the companies’ Independent Auditor; | |
| ● | Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, in concert with other Board committees; | |
| ● | Related party transactions; | |
| ● | With the assistance of other Board committees, risk management and assessment. |
The Audit Committees of PG&E Corporation and the Utility are currently composed of three directors: Richard R. Barrera, Dominique Mielle (Chair), and Eric D. Mullins. The Audit Committees met eight times during 2018. The Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility have adopted formal charters that set forth their respective Audit Committee’s duties and responsibilities; current copies of the charters are available online through the Corporate Governance section of PG&E Corporation’s website (www.pgecorp.com/corp/about-us/corporate-governance.page) or the Company Information section of the Utility’s website (www.pge.com/en_US/about-pge/company-information/company-information.page, under the “Get more information about our corporate governance practices” link), as appropriate.
The Audit Committees are composed entirely of independent directors, as defined in PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Guidelines, as applicable, and the Committee’s charters. In addition, the Audit Committees are composed entirely of independent directors, as required and defined by the NYSE. Because the Utility is a “controlled” subsidiary of PG&E Corporation for purposes of the NYSE American standards, the Utility is not subject to NYSE American rules that otherwise would require that the Utility’s Board committees responsible for executive compensation and governance be comprised of “independent” directors, as defined by NYSE American, and would impose requirements on the Utility’s director nomination and compensation-setting processes.
Each member of the Audit Committees also satisfies heightened independence standards established by SEC rules and applicable stock exchange requirements regarding independence of audit committee members. Each member of the Audit Committees also is financially literate. The Boards of PG&E Corporation and the Utility have determined that each of Dominique Mielle and Eric D. Mullins has accounting and related financial management expertise and qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, as defined by the SEC and applicable stock exchanges. Background information on each audit committee financial expert can be found under the heading “Directors” in this Item 10.
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