Executive compensation focus of public program at FGCU

COOK The Institute for Responsible Corporate Governance at Florida Gulf Coast University is holding a public program Thursday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m., with two nationally-known experts who will discuss the new executive compensation restrictions under the recently-enacted stimulus legislation.

Fred Cook of Frederic W. Cook & Co., a recognized leader in providing executive compensation advice to corporate boards of directors for the past 35 years; and James P. Melican, chairman of Proxy Governance, Inc., a Virginia-based proxy advisory firm that provides proxy voting advice to large institutional shareholders, will also discuss the new Treasury guidelines and what they portend for the rest of corporate America.

Mr. Cook, who began his career with Towers Perrin in 1966 before forming his own firm in 1973, will delve below the headlines in explaining exactly what is in the fine print of the law and regulations enacted this month restricting executive compensation. He will discuss how he believes those restrictions will affect the actions of corporate boards outside the TARP program.

Mr. Melican, designated one of the 100 "Most Influential People on Corporate Governance and in the Boardroom" by Directorship magazine, will focus on how the current uproar over executive compensation has affected shareholder attitudes and influenced the proxy resolutions that will come to a vote at this spring's annual meetings, including the "say on pay" resolutions.

The cost is $25 in advance and $35 at the door.

Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. with a reception to follow. Seating is limited.

To register, contact Kay Wingert at 590-7381 or register online at www.fgcu.edu/cob/ircg/programs. html.