Director Nomination Process
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates submitted to it by directors, employees and stockholders using the same evaluation criteria. In evaluating such nominations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability to address the director qualifications discussed below.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that vacancies are anticipated or otherwise arise, the Committee considers various potential candidates based on the organization's oversight needs and strategic direction of the business. Candidates may come to the attention of the Committee through current directors, senior management, professional search firms, stockholders or other persons.
Once a prospective nominee has been identified, the Committee makes an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate. The initial determination involves an evaluation of the candidate against the qualifications set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, which require broad experience, wisdom, integrity, the ability to make independent analytical inquiries, an understanding of our business environment and a willingness to devote adequate time to Board duties, including service on no more than three other public company boards.
The Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee. Our Board believes that the backgrounds and qualifications of its directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow it to fulfill its responsibilities. The Board also strives to identify candidates with diversity of thought and background, experience, qualifications, attributes and skills. We believe that the judgment and perspectives offered by a diverse Board improves the quality of decision-making and enhances our business performance.
The Committee also assesses the candidate’s qualifications as an “independent director” under NASDAQ’s current director independence standards and our director independence guidelines. If the Committee determines that additional consideration is warranted, it may request a professional search firm to gather additional information about the candidate. The Committee designates, after consultation with the CEO, which candidates are to be interviewed. After completing its evaluation, the Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board and the Board determines the nominees after considering the recommendation of the Committee.
Holders of common stock wishing to recommend a person for consideration as a nominee for election to the Board can do so in accordance with our Bylaws by giving timely written notice to David J. Miller, Corporate Secretary of Matrix Service Company, at 15333 JFK Blvd., Ste. 400, Houston, TX 77032. The stockholder’s notice must be delivered not later than the close of business on the 90th day and not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting and contain the information specified in our Bylaws.
You may find our Bylaws on the Corporate Governance page included in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at matrixservicecompany.com.
The independent directors of the Board have the opportunity to meet in executive session in conjunction with each Board meeting and meet no fewer than two times each year. The sessions are chaired by the independent, non-executive Board Chair. Any non-management director may request that an additional executive session be scheduled.
Stockholder Engagement and Communication
The Board believes effective governance includes transparent and constructive communication with our stockholders. Throughout the year, the Company regularly engages with our stockholders, customers, subcontractors, suppliers and others and discusses a variety of topics, including our operating and
