Our popular “Meet the Speaker” series, featuring interviews with speakers at the 22nd Annual NASPP Conference, is a 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 an interview with Keyoor Mankad of My Equity Comp, who will lead the session “A Lone Ranger’s Guide to Managing Risks & Controls in the Wild West of Stock Based Compensation.”  Here is what Keyoor had to say:

NASPP:  What is the most critical thing NASPP Conference attendees need to know about internal controls?

Keyoor: Having controls and procedures in place will make your job easier and will protect you. It will minimize public scrutiny.

NASPP:  What common mistake do companies make and how can they avoid it?

Keyoor: Not having proper procedures and controls in place, especially in a sole administrator environment. Even if controls are in place, sometimes the checkpoints to ensure they are properly followed are not in place. Many times, a sole administrator relies on memory or skips cross-check and re-check procedures.  First and foremost, good and practical controls and procedures need to be in place. Especially when in comes to financial and SEC reporting.

NASPP:  What do you hope to accomplish with your session?

Keyoor: We hope to provide attendees with methodical guidelines for developing good controls and procedures. The presentation will focus on financial reporting and SEC reporting.

NASPP:  Tell us three things people don’t know about you.

Keyoor:

1. I am a foodie. I eat pretty much anything.
2. I have traveled to 46 states and plan of traveling to the remaining four this summer.
3. I have a masters degree in corporate law and finance (LLM).

Don’t miss Keyoor’s session “A Lone Ranger’s Guide to Managing Risks & Controls in the Wild West of Stock Based Compensation” at the NASPP Conference!

About the NASPP Conference
The 22^nd Annual NASPP Conference will be held from September 29-October 2 in Las Vegas. This year’s program features 60+ sessions on today’s most timely topics in stock compensation; check out the full agenda and register today!

We’ve been running Meet the Speaker interviews in the NASPP blog lately to let our readers get to know the speakers at the 22nd NASPP Annual Conference and provide a sneak peak at their presentations.

Since this is a holiday week, I thought it would be a good time to take a break from our usual interviews and interview myself. There’s only one problem: I’m not speaking on any sessions this year (I guess I didn’t like any of my proposals–it’s very tough to be selected as a speaker), so the only topics I can interview myself on are the opening remarks and the award presentation.

NASPP:  We’ve heard that if people listen close during your opening remarks, they can hear your knees knocking together. Is this true?

Me:  Yes, it’s certainly possible!  It’s a big room; presenting to closely to 2,000 people is unnerving.  On top of that, I’m much more comfortable presenting technical information (if I could open the Conference with a brief overview of the Treasury Stock Method, I would be much happier).  It’s the only time I ever completely write out my remarks—word-for-word—in advance.

NASPP:  What are some tips you can offer to help people get the most out of the Conference?

Me:  Take advantage of the Stock Plan Experts that will be available to answer questions!  We have a list of close to 50 industry experts that have agreed to make themselves available to answer questions for attendees. These experts will be available during breaks in our Ask the Experts Booth and in their exhibit booths.  They include lawyers, compensation consultants, accountants, and administrative experts–whatever your question, there’s someone who can answer it.  It’s a great opportunity to get some free guidance on the challenges you are facing.

And join one of the luncheon roundtable discussions! We also will be featuring roundtable discussions during lunch on Tuesday, September 30. The topics will be listed in the Conference Guidebook and online.  You can participate in a discussion with like-minded attendees, share tips and experiences, and build your network all at the same time.

NASPP:  Is it worth it to get up early for the opening keynote on September 30?

Me:  Yes, absolutely. My understanding is that Broc Romanek is going to moderate the panel as his alter persona–Cap’n Cashbags. It’s worth it just for that.  It’s also going to be a keynote like you’ve never experienced before.  It’s a twist on one of our most popular sessions: the “Top Compensation Consultants Speak” panel. But this time, the audience will be able to vote a consultant of the panel after each question. If you’ve ever been listening to a panel and thought “Man, I’d really like to kick that guy off this panel,” now’s your chance!

NASPP:  We’ve heard a rumor that the location of next year’s Conference will be revealed after the Award Presentation on Wednesday, Oct 1.  Is this true and can you give us a hint?

Me:  Yes, it is true! I’m excited to report that we just last week signed the contract for next year’s Conference, so we will be announcing the dates and location at this year’s Conference.  I can tell you that we’ve been to this city before but it’s been a few years since we were last there. And I think people are going to be very excited about it; it’s certainly one of my favorite places to attend a Conference.

NASPP:  Don’t you say that about all the Conference locations?

Me:  Ok, yes, that’s probably true. They’re all my favorites.

About the NASPP Conference The 22^nd Annual NASPP Conference will be held from September 29-October 2 in Las Vegas. This year’s program features 60+ sessions on today’s most timely topics in stock compensation; check out the full agenda and register today!

– Barbara

Our popular “Meet the Speaker” series, featuring interviews with speakers at the 22nd Annual NASPP Conference, is a 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 an interview with Christine Zwerling, CEP of Stock & Option Solutions, Inc., who will lead the session “Extreme Makeover:  ESPP Edition.”  Here is what Christine had to say:

NASPP:  What is a common misperception about ESPPs?

Christine: Many companies believe that ESPP participants sell their shares within days or weeks of the purchase date.  Fidelity has provided statistics from a recent survey proving this misconception is wrong. We have lots of survey data on perceptions of ESPPs and program trends to share.

NASPP:  What actions should companies be taking now with their equity programs?

Christine: Companies should be evaluating the ROI on their equity plans; many will find that an ESPP provides ROI with engagement and cost savings over other traditional programs.  ESPP programs are a cost-effective way to encourage company ownership at all ranks through a program where employees actively decide to purchase shares (as opposed to being given shares), providing employees with a sense of empowerment and engagement.

NASPP:  What is the silver lining to ESPPs?

Christine: ESPPs virtually pay for themselves.  Remember, participants are paying for the shares—so these programs bring in money.  If an employee does sell the shares early, the company receives a tax deduction; plus, ISS voting guidelines generally automatically recommend voting FOR IRC§ 423-compliant plans.

NASPP:  Tell us three things people don’t know about you.

Christine:

1. I hate pickles and anything pickled (why do delis insist on pressing a pickle right up against a perfectly good sandwich!?);
2. I attended 12 different schools; and
3. Both of my sons joined our family through domestic open adoption.

Don’t miss Christine’s session “Extreme Makeover:  ESPP Edition” at the NASPP Conference!

About the NASPP Conference
The 22^nd Annual NASPP Conference will be held from September 29-October 2 in Las Vegas. This year’s program features 60+ sessions on today’s most timely topics in stock compensation; check out the full agenda and register today!

Our popular “Meet the Speaker” series, featuring interviews with speakers at the 22nd Annual NASPP Conference, is a 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 an interview with June Anne Burke of Baker & McKenzie, who will lead the session “Top 10 Most Expensive Mistakes with ESPPs.”  Here is what June Anne had to say:

NASPP:  Why are ESPPs a particularly timely topic right now?

June Anne: After a decline in popularity of ESPPs following the change in accounting treatment under US GAAP circa 2004,  ESPPs are making a comeback.   Many companies that have reduced the size of the  population eligible for equity incentive awards (such as stock options and restricted stock units)  over the last several years sense that something is missing: namely,  the  opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount, employee focus on  company financial success and/or identification with the parent company.   Further, with companies continuing to expand internationally, we are increasingly seeing companies implementing ESPPs on a global basis.   We now have had several years since the regulations under IRC Section 423 were amended, including  changes that help facilitate a global ESPP offering, so it’s a good opportunity to take stock of the issues companies face when designing and implementing their ESPPs—and, of course, ways to avoid them.

NASPP:  What common mistake do companies make with global ESPPs and how can they avoid it?

June Anne: Many companies fail to review their corporate tax structure when deciding which entities to include in the ESPP, particularly when an ESPP is offered globally and certain countries are excluded.  In addition, when adopting country-specific terms or rules to comply with non-U.S. laws (e.g., inclusion of part-timers to comply with a European Union directive), it is essential to understand the ownership structure and tax status of each employer company so as to avoid running afoul of Section 423’s employee coverage or equal rights and privileges requirements.  If these key requirements of Section 423 are not met, the tax-qualified status of options granted under the plan could be in jeopardy.  As companies tend to change their corporate structure all the time,  companies need to review their corporate tax structure in advance of every offering period, when designating the subsidiaries eligible to participate in the ESPP.  There are other strategies to minimize risk in this area, but you’ll have to come to our session to find out what they are!

NASPP:  What is the silver lining to your topic?

June Anne: The silver lining is that it is possible to implement an ESPP globally without running afoul of Section 423 and the varying legal requirements around the globe.  We’ll definitely be diving into a few ESPP horror stories in our session, so perhaps the biggest silver lining is the sense of relief our audience will feel at (hopefully) not having had to face such scenarios in their own work lives!  And for those that have lived through ESPP mistakes, the silver lining is the lesson learned and the errors they won’t repeat.

NASPP:  What is something you learned from the NASPP?

June Anne:  I have learned a number of things from attending NASPP conferences and webcasts over the last several years, and by logging onto the NASPP website.  Relevant to our session, I attended the “IRS and Treasury Speak” session on the proposed Section 423 regulations and the session on the final regulations the following year, and found these sessions to be very informative.

Don’t miss June Anne’s session “Top 10 Most Expensive Mistakes with ESPPs” at the NASPP Conference!

About the NASPP Conference
The 22^nd Annual NASPP Conference will be held from September 29-October 2 in Las Vegas. This year’s program features 60+ sessions on today’s most timely topics in stock compensation; check out the full agenda and register today!