The NASPP Blog

Our popular “Meet the Speaker” series, featuring interviews with speakers at the 24th Annual NASPP Conference, is great way to get to know our many distinguished speakers and find out a little more about their sessions in advance of the Conference.

For today’s “Meet the Speaker” interview, we feature Alan Nadel of Strategic Apex Group LLC, who will lead the session “Our Company Is In Play: What To Do Before and After The Transaction”

Here is what Alan had to say:

NASPP: What is the most critical thing NASPP Conference attendees need to know about your topic?

Alan: Corporate events, such as a merger with or acquisition of another company, occur frequently.  Whether a company is on the buy or sell side, there are a number of issues affecting equity compensation plans that must be addressed.  Most of these issues require decisions and actions that must be made prior to the occurrence of the transaction.  Similar events, such as a spin-off or intial public offering, also impact equity compensation and require timely action.

NASPP: What is one best practice companies should implement?

Alan: Corporate folks who work with equity compensation should be brought into the loop as soon as possible. The legal and finance teams are usually the lead people and thus are involved from the beginning.  Executive compensation and equity plans often play a big role in many transactions because of the public attention they draw as well as the financial impact on shareholders and the metrics of the deal.  For these reasons, it is important to get HR and the equity compensation director on board sooner rather than later.

NASPP: What is the silver lining to your topic?

Alan:  Our presentation covers a broad array of equity pay issues that arise during a corporate event and that require appropriate planning and action.  Oftentimes, not all of these issues are properly addressed in a timely fashion, which may result in unhappy employees, unanticipated costs, legal liability and even lawsuits.  Our session will help participants identify the issues they should thinking about in various situations.  Our focus will be more about the actions they should taking rather than a detailed analysis of the technical issues.

NASPP: What is something people don’t know about you?

Alan: I grew up in Cleveland and attended John Carroll University, a Jesuit college.  That might seem strange because we were Orthodox Jews, but the Jesuits provide a great education and the school was only a few blocks from my home.  I am probably the only guy who worked his way through a Jesuit college giving Bar Mitzvah lessons.

Don’t miss Alan’s session, “Our Company Is In Play: What To Do Before and After The Transaction,” at the NASPP Conference!

About the NASPP Conference

The 24th Annual NASPP Conference will be held from October 24-27 in Houston. This year’s program features close to 100 sessions on today’s most timely topics in stock and executive compensation; check out the full agenda and register today!