UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.               )

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

Triumph Group, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

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Triumph Group, Inc.
1550 Liberty Ridge Drive
Suite 100
Wayne, Pennsylvania  19087
(610) 251-1000

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held on July 25, 2007

To the holders of shares of common stock:

You are invited to be present either in person or by proxy at the annual meeting of stockholders of Triumph Group, Inc. to be held at our principal executive offices at 1550 Liberty Ridge Drive, Suite 100, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087, on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, beginning at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

1.                To elect all six directors for the coming year;

2.                To approve material terms of executive officer performance goals under our incentive compensation programs;

3.                To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008; and

4.                To transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponements or adjournments.

Management currently knows of no other business to be presented at the meeting. If any other matters come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote with their judgment on those matters.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 31, 2007, as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournments. To make sure that your vote is counted, please complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person. A self-addressed, postage paid envelope is enclosed for your convenience. If you do attend the meeting, you may then withdraw your proxy and vote your shares in person. In any event, you may revoke your proxy prior to its exercise. Shares represented by proxies which are returned properly signed but unmarked will be voted in favor of proposals made by us.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

 

/s/ John B. Wright, II

 

John B. Wright, II

 

Secretary

 

June 25, 2007
Wayne, Pennsylvania

Your vote is important

Please fill in, date and sign the accompanying proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting. No postage is necessary if the envelope is mailed in the United States.




Triumph Group, Inc.
1550 Liberty Ridge Drive
Suite 100
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
(610) 251-1000


Proxy Statement
For 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To be held on
July 25, 2007

GENERAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement is sent by the Board of Directors of Triumph Group, Inc., to solicit proxies to be voted at our annual meeting of stockholders on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, to be held at 9:00 a.m., local time, at our offices at 1550 Liberty Ridge Drive, Suite 100, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 and at any adjournments, for the purposes stated in the accompanying notice of the meeting. This proxy statement, the notice and the enclosed proxy card will first be mailed to stockholders entitled to vote on or about June 25, 2007.

Sending a signed proxy will not affect your right to attend the meeting and vote in person because the proxy is revocable. You have the power to revoke your proxy by, among other methods, giving written notice to the Secretary of Triumph at any time before your proxy is exercised or by attending the meeting and voting in person.

When your proxy card is returned properly signed, your shares will be voted according to your instructions. The Board knows of no matters that are likely to be brought before the meeting other than the matters identified in the notice of the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy, or their duly appointed substitutes acting at the meeting, will be authorized to vote or otherwise act according to their judgment in those matters. In the absence of contrary instructions, your shares included on the enclosed proxy will be voted:

·       “FOR” the nominees for director stated thereon;

·       “FOR” the approval of the material terms of the executive officer performance goals under our incentive compensation programs, as described herein; and

·       “FOR” the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.

We will pay for this proxy solicitation. Our officers and other regular employees may solicit proxies by mail, in person or by telephone or telecopy. These officers and other regular employees will not receive additional compensation. We are required to pay, upon request, the reasonable expenses incurred by record holders of common stock who are brokers, dealers, banks, voting trustees or other nominees for mailing proxy material and annual stockholder reports to any beneficial owners of common stock they hold of record.




VOTE REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL

Holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business on May 31, 2007, the record date, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and at any adjournments. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to vote on all matters brought before the meeting.

As of the record date, there were 16,638,688 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the election of directors and all other matters. Holders of common stock will vote on all matters as a class. Each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote. All votes will be counted by National City Bank as transfer agent.

The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting.

Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by holders of common stock, voting together as a class, represented in person or by proxy at the meeting. Abstentions in the election of directors will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting but will not be considered as votes cast. Because directors are elected by a plurality of votes, abstentions will not have an impact on their election.

The holders of common stock are entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors, which means a holder of common stock may cast as many votes in the aggregate as the number of shares he or she is entitled to vote multiplied by the number of directors to be elected and to cast all votes for one director nominee or distribute these votes among two or more director nominees, as a holder sees fit. Each holder of common stock may indicate his or her preference on the enclosed proxy. If no preference is indicated, that holder’s votes will be voted pro rata in favor of all nominees indicated. The holders of common stock may not vote for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.

Both approval of the executive officer performance goals under our incentive compensation programs and ratification of the audit committee’s selection of our independent registered public accounting firm will require the favorable vote of holders of a majority of the shares of common stock voting together as a class, represented in person or by proxy at the meeting. We are not aware of any matter, other than as referred to in this proxy statement, to be presented at the meeting. Abstentions in the approval of the executive officer performance goals under our incentive compensation programs and ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm and of any other proposals will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting and as votes cast and will have the effect of a negative vote.

Broker non-votes for all proposals will not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum, will not be considered as votes cast, and will have no effect on the results of the votes.

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PROPOSALS TO STOCKHOLDERS

Proposal No. 1—Election of Directors

The Board currently consists of seven directors:  William O. Albertini, John R. Bartholdson, Richard C. Gozon, Richard C. Ill, Claude F. Kronk, George Simpson and Terry D. Stinson. On April 27, 2007, the Board decreased the size of the Board from seven directors to six directors effective immediately prior to the commencement of the annual meeting. At the meeting, the stockholders will elect six directors for a term ending at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until that director’s successor is duly elected and qualified. Mr. Bartholdson, who retired from his position as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer on April 30, 2007, is not standing for reelection as a director at the meeting.

The table below lists the name of each person nominated by the Board to serve as a director for the coming year. All of the nominees are currently members of our Board with terms expiring at the meeting. Each nominee has consented to be named as a nominee and, to our knowledge, is willing to serve as a director, if elected. Should any of the nominees not remain a nominee at the end of the meeting (a situation which is not anticipated), solicited proxies will be voted in favor of those who remain as nominees and may be voted for substitute nominees. Unless contrary instructions are given on the proxy, the shares represented by a properly executed proxy will be voted pro rata “FOR” the election of William O. Albertini, Richard C. Gozon, Richard C. Ill, Claude F. Kronk, George Simpson and Terry D. Stinson.

Nominees

 

 

 

 

Age

 

 

 

Year First Elected a Director

 

Richard C. Ill

 

64

 

1993

Richard C. Gozon

 

68

 

1993

Claude F. Kronk

 

75

 

1993

William O. Albertini

 

63

 

1999

George Simpson

 

64

 

2002

Terry D. Stinson

 

65

 

2004

 

The principal occupations and qualifications of each nominee for director are as follows:

Richard C. Ill has been President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Triumph since 1993. Mr. Ill is a Director of P.H. Glatfelter Company, Airgas, Inc. and Baker Industries and a member of the Advisory Board of Outward Bound, USA.

Richard C. Gozon has been a Director of Triumph since 1993. Prior to his retirement in 2002, Mr. Gozon served as Executive Vice President of Weyerhaeuser Company, a position which he held for more than five years. Weyerhaeuser Company is an international forest products company. Mr. Gozon serves on the Board of Directors of UGI Corporation, AmerisourceBergen Corporation and AmeriGas Partners, L.P.

Claude F. Kronk has been a Director of Triumph since 1993. Prior to his retirement in 1998, Mr. Kronk served as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of J&L Specialty Steel, Inc., which is primarily a manufacturer of flat rolled stainless steel in the United States.

William O. Albertini has been a Director of Triumph since May 1999. Mr. Albertini was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bell Atlantic Corp. from 1991 through 1997. In 1997, Mr. Albertini became Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bell Atlantic Global Wireless, a wireless communication company, and remained in that position until his retirement in 1999. Mr. Albertini serves on the Board of Directors of Airgas, Inc., BlackRock Inc. and Charming Shoppes, Inc.

George Simpson has been a Director of Triumph since 2002. Prior to his retirement in 2001, Mr. Simpson served as Chief Executive Officer of Marconi Corporation plc, formerly GEC plc, a position

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which he held since September 1996. Marconi Corporation plc was a communications and information technology company.

Terry D. Stinson has been a Director of Triumph since 2004. Since 2006, Mr. Stinson has been the President-Commercial Operations of the Thomas Group, an operational consulting firm. Mr. Stinson was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xelus, Inc., from 2002 through 2005. Mr. Stinson was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Helicopter Textron from 1997 through 2002. Mr. Stinson serves on the Board of Directors of Lennox International Inc.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” each of the nominees. The six nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as directors.

Proposal No. 2—Approval of Material Terms of Executive Officer Performance Goals Under Our Incentive Compensation Programs

Introduction

Section 162(m) of the United States Internal Revenue Code does not allow a publicly-held corporation to obtain tax deductions for compensation of more than $1 million paid in any year to each of its principal executive officer and any of its three most highly paid executive officers (not including the principal financial officer) unless such payments are “performance-based” as defined under Section 162(m). One of the requirements for compensation to be performance-based under those laws is that we must obtain stockholder approval every five years of the material terms of performance goals for such compensation.

Incentive compensation awards to executive officers under our annual cash bonus plan and certain awards under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan constitute performance-based compensation. We are requesting stockholder approval of the material terms of performance goals for these awards to be awarded to our executive officers during the next five years. The discussion below summarizes the key terms of our annual bonus program. If approved by the stockholders, this framework of the material terms of performance goals would enable us to receive tax deductions for annual bonuses awarded to executive officers until the 2012 annual meeting. We intend in the future to fully comply with the requirements for full deductibility. However, the compensation and management development committee reserves the right to authorize compensation that may not be fully deductible if it determines that it is in the best interest of us to do so.

The following are the material terms of performance goals that stockholders must approve if we are able to obtain tax deductions for the specific forms of performance-based compensation for executive officers whose total annual compensation exceeds $1 million, including: (i) the group of employees whose compensation would be subject to the performance goals; (ii) the business measurements on which each of the performance goals is based; and (iii) the maximum amounts payable to any executive officer under each performance goal.

Administration

The Triumph annual cash bonus plan and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan are administered by the compensation and management development committee of our Board of Directors. All of the members the compensation and management development committee satisfy the independence requirements of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and our Independence Standards and meet the definitions of “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The compensation and management development committee has the right to terminate or amend the annual cash bonus plan, without stockholder approval, at any time and for any reason. The compensation and management development committee may amend, alter, suspend or terminate the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason, but Triumph will obtain

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stockholder approval for any amendment to the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan to the extent such approval is required by applicable laws or stock exchange rules. No such action by the compensation and management development committee or stockholders may alter or impair any award previously granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan without the written consent of the participant. We also may adopt other bonus or incentive plans.

The employees whose compensation under the annual cash bonus program and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan would be subject to the performance goals would be all of our executive officers. Employees eligible to participate in these incentive compensation programs include the Chief Executive Officer, our other executive officers, and other key officers of Triumph, which currently consists of approximately 40 individuals. Our directors who are not also salaried employees of us are not eligible to participate in the annual bonus program.

Incentive Awards

The compensation and management development committee will determine the terms of each incentive award made to executive officers under the plans. The committee will set a range of corporate performance goals for specified performance periods within the deadlines required by the regulations under Section 162(m). Performance is measured over our fiscal year which ends March 31. The payment, if any, due an executive officer pursuant to the annual cash bonus program and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan will depend on the extent to which we have achieved the corporate performance goals determined by the committee. The payment may be in cash or in shares of our common stock. No payment under the annual cash bonus plan to any one executive officer in any fiscal year shall exceed $3.0 million. Similarly, the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, which was previously approved by our stockholders, provides that no employee may be granted awards representing more than 75,000 shares in any calendar year, except that an employee may be granted awards covering up to an additional 50,000 shares in connection with his or her initial employment with Triumph.

Performance Goals

The compensation and management development committee utilizes objective criteria to establish corporate performance goals for purposes of establishing awards under the plan. Incentive plan awards may be based on any combination of earnings per share on a fully diluted basis, operating income, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), return on net assets, working capital, sales growth and/or internal rate of return on capital expenditures, but the compensation and management development committee intends to use earnings per share on a fully diluted basis as the principal performance goal. The compensation and management development committee believes that earnings per share is a fair measure of performance that also focuses our executives on the measure of perhaps greatest significance to our stockholders, thus aligning our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders.

Actual performance goals may reflect absolute corporate or division or subsidiary performance or a relative comparison of our performance to the performance of peer group companies or other external measure of the selected performance goals. A performance goal may include or exclude items that measure specific objectives, such as the cumulative effect of changes in generally accepted accounting principles, losses resulting from discontinued operations, securities gains and losses, restructuring, merger-related and other nonrecurring costs, amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets, extraordinary gains or losses and any unusual, nonrecurring gain or loss that is separately quantified in our financial statements. Performance goals expressed on a per-share basis shall, in case of a recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock split affecting the number of outstanding shares, be mathematically adjusted by the compensation and management development committee so that the change in outstanding shares does not cause a substantive change in the applicable performance goal. The compensation and management development committee may adjust performance goals for any other objective events or

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occurrences which occur during a performance period, including, but not limited to, changes in applicable tax laws or accounting principles.

Conclusion

In summary, if the stockholders approve this proposal, the material terms of the performance goals described above will constitute the framework within which the compensation and management development committee will set specific performance goals for awards under the annual cash bonus program described above and certain awards under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan to be awarded to our executive officers between the dates of the 2007 and 2012 annual meetings, and therefore preserve our ability to obtain tax deductions for such compensation.

The board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the material terms of the executive officer performance goals described above.

Proposal No. 3—Ratification of Selection of Registered Public Accounting Firm

The audit committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 and the stockholders are asked to ratify this selection. Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 1993. All audit and non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP are approved by the audit committee. Ernst & Young LLP has advised us that it has no direct or material indirect interest in us or our affiliates. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to attend the meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions. The favorable vote of a majority of shares of common stock entitled to vote at the meeting, voting together as a class, is required to approve the ratification of the selection of independent registered public accounting firm.

Fees to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Years 2007 and 2006

Audit Fees

Ernst & Young LLP’s fees associated with the annual audit of financial statements, the audit of internal control of financial reporting, the reviews of Triumph’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC, issuance of comfort letters and consents, and accounting consultations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 were $2,066,400 and $2,316,415, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees

Ernst & Young LLP’s fees for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audits of our financial statements were $60,768 and $150,060, respectively. These services consisted primarily of employee benefit plan audits, statutory audits, and financial due diligence in connection with certain acquisitions.

Tax Fees

Ernst & Young LLP’s fees for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $76,750 and $63,933, respectively.

All Other Fees

Ernst & Young LLP did not perform any professional services other than those described above in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006.

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Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

The audit committee pre-approved the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP to render all of the audit and the permitted non-audit services described above. Our audit committee has determined that Ernst & Young LLP’s rendering of all other non-audit services is compatible with maintaining auditor independence. The audit committee has delegated to its chair the right to pre-approve all audit services, between regularly scheduled meetings, subject to presentation to the full audit committee at its next meeting.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.

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OTHER MATTERS

The Board knows of no matter, other than as referred to in this proxy statement, that will be presented at the meeting. However, if other matters properly come before the meeting, or any of its adjournments, the person or persons voting the proxies will vote them with their judgment in those matters.

GOVERNANCE OF TRIUMPH

Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law and our By-Laws, our business is managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. Members of the Board are kept informed of our business through discussions with our President and Chief Executive Officer and other officers, through a yearly meeting with senior management from our operating locations, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating in meetings of the Board and its committees. In addition, to promote open discussion among our non-management directors, those directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without management participation. These sessions are presided over by our lead director, who is one of our independent directors.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which are posted on our website at www.triumphgroup.com and are available in print to any stockholder upon request.

Code of Business Conduct

Our Board adopted a Code of Business Conduct in February 2004, which applies to each of our employees, officers and directors, including, but not limited to, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller (principal accounting officer). The Code of Business Conduct is reviewed at least annually by the Board’s nominating and corporate governance committee. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct is posted on our website at www.triumphgroup.com and is available in print to any stockholder upon request.

Board of Directors

The Board currently consists of seven directors:  William O. Albertini, John R. Bartholdson, Richard C. Gozon, Richard C. Ill, Claude F. Kronk, George Simpson and Terry D. Stinson, each of whom has been nominated by the Board for election as a director for the coming year except for Mr. Bartholdson. Mr. Bartholdson retired from his position as our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer on April 30, 2007 and is not standing for reelection as director.

Director Independence

The Board has determined that Messrs. Albertini, Gozon, Kronk, Simpson and Stinson are all independent as independence is defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and in our Independence Standards for Directors, which are included as Appendix A to this proxy statement and are posted on our website at www.triumphgroup.com.

Meetings and Committees of the Board

The Board held eight meetings during our fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 and also acted by unanimous consent in writing. Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. In addition, each of our directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings of all committees of the Board of which he was a member held during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. We encourage all of our directors to attend our annual

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meeting of stockholders. For our 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, we expect all of our directors standing for reelection to attend, except for Mr. Stinson. Last year, all of the directors attended the annual meeting of stockholders, except for Mr. Kronk.

The standing committees of the Board are the audit committee, the compensation and management development committee, the nominating and corporate governance committee and the finance committee. We do not have an executive committee. All members of the audit committee, the compensation and management development committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee are independent, as independence for such committee members is defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and in our Independence Standards for Directors, which are included as Appendix A to this proxy statement and are posted on our website at www.triumphgroup.com. Richard C. Gozon, who is our lead director,  presides over executive sessions of non-management directors.

Our Board has adopted a charter for each of the standing committees, which is reviewed at least annually by the relevant committee. A copy of the charter of each standing Board committee is posted on our website at www.triumphgroup.com and is available in print to any stockholder upon request.

Audit Committee

The audit committee, consisting of Messrs. Albertini (Chair), Gozon, Simpson and Stinson, met ten times during the last fiscal year. The audit committee assists the Board in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, the operations and effectiveness of our internal controls, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, and the performance of our internal audit function and the independent registered public accounting firm.

Compensation and Management Development Committee

The compensation and management development committee, consisting of Messrs. Gozon (Chair), Kronk and Simpson, met three times during the last fiscal year. The compensation and management development committee periodically reviews and evaluates the compensation of our officers and senior management, administers our 1996 Stock Option Plan and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, establishes guidelines for compensation of other personnel and oversees our management development and succession plans.

The compensation and management development committee determines the compensation of the chief executive officer. The compensation and management development committee also reviews and approves the compensation proposed by the chief executive officer to be awarded to Triumph’s other executive officers, Triumph’s two group presidents, and the presidents and certain key senior officers of each of Triumph’s operating companies and divisions. The chief executive officer generally attends compensation and management development committee meetings, but does not attend executive sessions or any discussion of his own compensation. The compensation and management development committee may form subcommittees and delegate authority to them, as it deems appropriate, provided that such subcommittees are composed entirely of independent directors.

Neither Triumph nor the compensation and management development committee has any contractual arrangement with any compensation consultant who has a role in determining or recommending the amount or form of senior executive or director compensation. Periodically, however, the committee has engaged a compensation consultant, whose selection and fees or charges are recommended and approved by the compensation and management development committee, to assist the compensation and management development committee and the chief executive officer in assessing and modifying elements of our management compensation programs. In such instances, the compensation and management development committee receives comprehensive data and analyses comparing Triumph’s compensation

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program against industry and peer group norms. We last engaged a compensation consultant to review the cash compensation levels of our executive officers in the summer of 2005.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the compensation and management development committee of the Board was composed of Richard C. Gozon, Claude F. Kronk and George Simpson. None of the members of the compensation and management development committee are officers or employees of us or any of our subsidiaries nor have any of them ever been officers or employees of us or any of our subsidiaries during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee, consisting of Messrs. Albertini, Kronk (Chair) and Simpson, met four times during the last fiscal year. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the Board in identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, recommending the nominees for directors, developing and recommending our corporate governance guidelines and overseeing the evaluation of the Board and management.

Finance Committee

The finance committee, consisting of Messrs. Albertini, Bartholdson (Chair), Gozon and Ill, met one time during the last fiscal year. The finance committee reviews our capital structure and policies, financial forecasts, operations and capital budgets, pension fund investments and employee savings plans and corporate insurance coverage as well as other financial matters deemed appropriate by the Board.

Director Nominations

As previously discussed, the nominating and corporate governance committee assists the Board in identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and recommends the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders. The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider nominees for director recommended by stockholders in accordance with the following procedures. As a stockholder, you may recommend any person as a nominee for director for consideration by our nominating and corporate governance committee by submitting name(s) and respective supporting information for each named person in writing to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, Triumph Group, Inc., 1550 Liberty Ridge Drive, Suite 100, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087. Recommendations should be received by February 26, 2008 for the 2008 Annual Meeting and should be accompanied by:

·       the name, residence and business address of the nominating stockholder;

·       a representation that the stockholder is a record holder of our stock or holds our stock through a broker, and the number of shares held;

·       information regarding each nominee which would be required to be included in a proxy statement;

·       a description of any arrangements or understandings between and among the stockholder and each nominee; and

·       the written consent of each nominee to serve as a director, if elected.

As set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the nominating and corporate governance committee charter, the nominating and corporate governance committee has not established any specific minimum eligibility requirements for nominees, other than personal and professional integrity, dedication, commitment and, with respect to a majority of the Board, independence or identified any specific qualities

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or skills necessary for directors to possess. However, when assessing a candidate’s qualifications, the committee considers the candidate’s experience, diversity, expertise, education, insight, judgment, skills, character, conflicts of interest and background. The committee does not have any specific process for identifying and evaluating nominees. The committee considers candidates proposed by directors, executive officers and stockholders, as well as those identified by third party search firms.

Communications with Directors

Our Board of Directors provides a process for stockholders and interested parties to send communications to the Board. Stockholders and interested parties may communicate with any of our directors, any committee chair, the non-management directors as a group or the entire Board of Directors by writing to the director, committee chair, non-management directors or the Board in care of Triumph Group, Inc., Attention:  Secretary, 1550 Liberty Ridge Drive, Suite 100, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087. Communications received by the Secretary for any director or group of directors are forwarded directly to the director or group of directors. If the communication is addressed to the Board and no particular director is named, the communication will be forwarded, depending on the subject matter, to the appropriate committee chair, all non-management directors or all directors.

Compensation of Directors

Directors who are also employees do not receive additional compensation for serving as directors. Under our current non-employee director compensation policy, each director who is not our employee receives an annual retainer fee of $30,000. In addition, the chair of the audit committee receives an annual retainer fee of $4,000, each of the chairs of the compensation and management development committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee receives an annual retainer fee of $2,000 and the lead director receives an annual retainer fee of $2,000. Non-employee directors also receive meeting fees of $1,500 for in-person board meetings, $1,000 for in-person committee meetings and $500 for telephonic meetings. Non-employee directors also annually receive an equity-based grant with a grant date value of approximately $40,000. Under the Amended and Restated Directors’ Stock Incentive Plan, non-employee directors can be granted options to purchase shares of our common stock, common stock awards and/or deferred stock units. All directors are reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or its committees.

Summary Director Compensation Table

The following table summarizes compensation we paid to non-employee directors for their service during fiscal 2007.

Name

 

 

 

Fees Earned
 or Paid in
 Cash ($)

 

Stock Awards
($)(1)

 

Option Awards
($)(2)

 

Total ($)

 

Richard C. Gozon

 

 

44,000

 

 

 

7,815

 

 

 

11,467

 

 

 

63,282

 

 

Claude F. Kronk

 

 

36,500

 

 

 

7,815

 

 

 

11,467

 

 

 

55,782

 

 

William O. Albertini

 

 

44,000

 

 

 

7,815

 

 

 

11,467

 

 

 

63,282

 

 

George Simpson

 

 

39,000

 

 

 

7,815

 

 

 

11,467

 

 

 

58,282

 

 

Terry D. Stinson

 

 

38,000

 

 

 

7,815

 

 

 

19,433

 

 

 

65,248

 

 


(1)          The amounts listed above reflect the dollar value recognized, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123R”), for financial statement reporting purposes during fiscal 2007 for all existing awards of deferred stock units. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnote 11 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year

11




ended March 31, 2007. In fiscal 2007, each non-employee director received a grant of 1,000 deferred stock units, which had a grant date fair value of $46,890. At March 31, 2007, the aggregate number of outstanding deferred stock units held by each non-employee Director was:  Mr. Gozon—1,000; Mr. Kronk—1,000; Mr. Albertini—1,000;  Mr. Simpson—1,000; and Mr. Stinson—1,000.

(2)          The amounts listed above reflect the dollar value recognized, in accordance with SFAS 123R, for financial statement reporting purposes during fiscal 2007 for all existing stock option awards. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnote 11 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. At March 31, 2007, the aggregate number of outstanding stock options held by each non-employee Director was:  Mr. Gozon—7,500; Mr. Kronk—7,500; Mr. Albertini—8,000;  Mr. Simpson—5,000; and Mr. Stinson—4,000.

12




Report of Audit Committee

The audit committee of the Board of Directors is composed of four independent directors and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board and reviewed annually by the committee and the Board. The members of the audit committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting nor are they experts in the fields of auditing or accounting, including in respect of auditor independence. However, all committee members are financially literate. In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Albertini is an “audit committee financial expert” and is independent as independence for audit committee members is defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Management is responsible for Triumph’s internal controls and the financial reporting process, including the presentation and integrity of our financial statements. Triumph’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for, among other things, performing an independent audit of Triumph’s financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and issuing a report thereon. Triumph’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the effectiveness of Triumph’s internal control over financial reporting and management’s assessment thereof in accordance with standards of the PCAOB, and issuing a report thereon. The audit committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes on behalf of the Board of Directors. The audit committee also selects and approves the compensation of our independent registered public accounting firm.

In fiscal 2007, the audit committee met and held private discussions with management, the independent registered public accounting firm and Triumph’s internal auditors. In addition, the members of the audit committee reviewed (independently or collectively) Triumph’s financial statements before such statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in Triumph’s periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K and all press releases containing earnings reports. Management represented to the audit committee that Triumph’s financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and the audit committee reviewed and discussed the financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, as adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T.

Triumph’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, also provided to the audit committee the written disclosures required by Rule 3600T of the PCAOB, which adopts on an interim basis Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and discussed with the audit committee its independence. The audit committee also considered the compatibility of non-audit services with Ernst & Young LLP’s independence. Based on these discussions and disclosures, the audit committee concluded that Ernst & Young LLP is independent from Triumph and its management.

Based on the audit committee’s discussion with management and the independent registered public accounting firm and its review of the representations of management and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm to the audit committee, the audit committee recommended that the Board include the audited financial statements in Triumph’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007, to be filed with the SEC.

Audit Committee

 

William O. Albertini (Chairman)

 

Richard C. Gozon

 

George Simpson

 

Terry D. Stinson

 

13




 

This report of the audit committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 except to the extent that Triumph specifically incorporates this information by reference, shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed soliciting material.

Report of Compensation and Management Development Committee

The compensation and management development committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the compensation and management development committee recommended to Triumph’s Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Compensation and Management Development Committee

 

Richard C. Gozon (Chairman)

 

Claude F. Kronk

 

George Simpson

 

This report of the compensation and management development committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that Triumph specifically incorporates this information by reference, shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall not be deemed soliciting material.

14




Certain Relationships And Related Transactions

Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons

Our Policy for the Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons requires approval or ratification by our Board of Directors for any transaction in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000, Triumph or one of its subsidiaries is a participant and any related person has a direct or indirect material interest. The policy and Triumph’s Code of Business Conduct establish procedures for reporting of potential related party transactions under the policy and potential conflicts of interest. The legal department determines whether reported transactions constitute a related party transaction requiring pre-approval.

The policy provides that the Board may delegate review of a related party transaction to the nominating and corporate governance committee (or another standing or ad hoc committee). In addition, in the event that it is impractical to wait until the next Board or committee meeting to obtain approval of a related party transaction, the chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee may approve the transaction, provided that he reports such approval at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. If  the transaction  at issue relates to a member of the Board, he may not participate in the review of such transaction.

If Triumph becomes aware of a related party transaction that was not pre-approved under the policy, then the Board will review the matter and evaluate its options (including ratification, revision and termination of the transaction at issue).

15




EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Compensation Overview

Our executive compensation programs are intended to achieve several business objectives:

·       To help us recruit and retain executives with the talent required to successfully manage our business

·       To motivate our executives to achieve our business objectives

·       To instill in our executives a long-term commitment to Triumph’s success by providing elements of compensation that align the executives’ interests with those of our stockholders

·       To provide compensation that recognizes individual contributions as well as overall business results

Our compensation strategy is to place the major portion of total executive compensation at risk in the form of annual incentives and long-term, stock-based compensation programs.

The components of our current executive compensation program are:

·       annual salary

·       annual cash bonus compensation

·       long-term equity incentive compensation

·       pension benefits and deferral of compensation

·       perquisites

·       benefits generally available to all Triumph corporate employees

Each of these components is discussed separately below. While the elements of compensation described below are considered separately, the compensation and management development committee takes into account the full compensation package we provide each executive, including matching contributions under our 401(k) plan, insurance and other benefits generally available to all Triumph employees, as well as the programs described below.

Base Salaries

We initially set base salaries for an executive officer by evaluating the responsibilities of the position and the experience of the individual. In doing so, we consider the competitive marketplace for executive talent, including a comparison to base salaries for comparable positions at companies of similar size in the aviation and general manufacturing industries. We determine annual salary adjustments by evaluating the performance of Triumph and of each executive officer, taking into account changes in responsibilities.

In adjusting the base salary granted to Mr. Ill for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the compensation and management development committee took into account a number of subjective and objective considerations, including the following:

·       a comparison of base salaries of chief executive officers of our industry group

·       the extent of our success in meeting our financial objectives for the fiscal year

·       how our financial performance compared with that of similar companies engaged in providing products and services to the aviation industry

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·       current economic conditions in the aviation industry generally

·       the performance of the common stock and management’s ability to enhance stockholder value generally

·       Mr. Ill’s individual performance

The compensation and management development committee also took into account the longevity of Mr. Ill’s service to Triumph and its belief that Mr. Ill is an excellent representative of Triumph to the public by virtue of his stature in the community and the industry. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, Mr. Ill’s base salary was established at an annual rate of $635,000. After considering Mr. Ill’s and Triumph’s performance, Mr. Ill’s base salary was increased as of April 1, 2007 to an annual rate of $680,000.

With respect to our other executive officers, Mr. Ill made his recommendations based upon the considerations similar to those outlined above, as they apply to each executive officer and his individual performance and the compensation and management development committee approved salary increases based on a review of Mr. Ill’s recommendations.

Annual Cash Bonus Compensation

We provide significant incentive opportunities for our executive officers. Our target for executive salaries is to be at approximately the median for our industry group, while our target for cash bonus compensation is to be nearer the 75th percentile for our industry group. The purpose of seeking this balance is to provide an incentive to our executives by providing the potential for above average compensation but only if our performance objectives are met or exceeded. Nevertheless, significant variations are possible depending upon the performance of Triumph and the executive’s individual performance.

Our annual cash bonus plan for executive officers is tied to the annual business plan. The business plan for a given fiscal year is developed at the business unit, group and corporate levels in a formal process taking place over several months beginning generally in the third fiscal quarter of the prior fiscal year. The business plan is then reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors in the first month of the fiscal year. Our business plan for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 was developed beginning in the late fall of 2006 and approved by the Board of Directors in April 2007.

The amount of annual cash bonus compensation awarded to our executive officers is tied to the business plan by initially measuring actual company performance against the target for earnings per share set in the business plan. While no financial performance measure or measures can perfectly reflect company performance, we believe earnings per share is a fair measure of performance that also focuses our executives on the measure of perhaps greatest significance to our stockholders, thus aligning our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders. Where appropriate, individual non-financial performance measures are also considered in determining annual cash bonus compensation.

For the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, the target amount of their annual cash incentive awards is equal to 75% and 60%, respectively, of their annual base salaries, and the maximum amount of their annual cash incentive awards is equal to 150% and 120%, respectively, of their annual base salaries. Our other executive officers have annual cash bonus award targets that are set by the chief executive officer, with the approval of the compensation and management development committee, according to the executive officer’s job function and level within Triumph. These target and maximum bonus amounts are set and, from time to time, adjusted based upon a consideration of each executive’s compensation level to provide a balance between fixed compensation and compensation at risk that is appropriate in our judgment in each case, taking into consideration the significance of the position and the executive’s record of performance against company objectives. For example, an executive with an

17




established record of successful performance is likely to receive an increase in target and maximum bonus opportunities rather than significant increases in base salary. No payment under the annual cash bonus plan to any one executive officer in any fiscal year may exceed $1.5 million, or $3.0 million if the stockholders approve Proposal No. 2.

The compensation and management development committee determines the amount of the annual cash bonus award of the chief executive officer. The chief executive officer determines the amount of the award to each other executive officer and the other members of management, subject to the review and approval of the compensation and management development committee.

Triumph’s performance for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 exceeded the financial performance goals established for the year in the business plan. Based upon our performance and its evaluation of other aspects of Mr. Ill’s performance as described above, the compensation and management development committee approved a bonus for Mr. Ill of $952,500 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, an increase of 124% from the prior year’s bonus of $425,000. For similar reasons, the compensation and management development committee approved bonuses for Messrs. Bartholdson, Resnick, Wright and Kindig that represented increases of 83%, 93%,  67% and 91% from their prior year’s bonuses.

Long-Term Equity Compensation

We award stock options and restricted stock to executive officers and other management employees to align management’s interest with that of its stockholders. Under Triumph’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, the compensation and management development committee can grant stock options and restrictive stock awards to our executive officers as well as to other employees. The compensation and management development committee sets guidelines for the size of stock option awards and restricted stock awards based on factors, including competitive compensation data, similar to those used to determine base salaries and annual cash incentive compensation. The compensation and management development committee determines the size of any grant made to the chief executive officer. The compensation and management development committee also approves the amounts of the grants made to the other executive officers and other members of management, based upon the recommendation of the chief executive officer. In the event of poor corporate performance, the compensation and management development committee may elect not to make equity awards.

Until our 2007 fiscal year, we generally made equity compensation awards under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan in the form of incentive or nonqualified stock options. The awards were generally made to our executive officers and other senior management employees. The stock options were granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the common stock on the date of grant, vest over four years and may be exercised for up to ten years from the date of grant. This approach was designed to incentivize the creation of stockholder value over the long term because the full benefit of the compensation package could not be realized unless stock price appreciation occurs over a number of years.

Beginning with our 2006 fiscal year, the compensation and management development committee awarded grants of performance-based restricted stock to our executive officers under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. For the grants made for fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007, the target number of shares covered by each award was subject to increase or decrease based upon the extent to which we achieve an established earnings per share target for the fiscal year, and there was the possibility that the grant would be eliminated altogether if Triumph’s performance for that fiscal year was sufficiently below that objective. In addition, an executive who received an award forfeits the award altogether if the executive voluntarily resigns from Triumph within four years of the grant. This approach was designed to incentivize the creation of stockholder value over the long term because the number of shares covered by the award, and whether the award would be made at all, would depend upon the extent of management’s achievement of the performance target set for the given fiscal year. It was also designed to induce management to remain

18




with Triumph because the award is forfeited if the grant recipient voluntarily resigns. For restricted stock awards granted in fiscal 2007, the target number of shares covered by each award was equal to 50% of the executive officer’s annual base salary on the date of grant, based upon the closing price per share of our common stock as of the date the compensation and management development committee approved the grants.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, the compensation and management development committee awarded a combination of grants of performance-based restricted stock to our executive officers under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and deferred cash payments. Under the terms of the grants, if we achieve a target level of earnings per share for the 2008 fiscal year, then the grant recipients will receive a combination of restricted stock and deferred cash of a total value equal to 50% of their respective base salaries as adjusted at the beginning of that fiscal year. The portion of the grant represented by restricted stock grant will be a number of shares having a value equal to 70% of the total value of the combined grant (using the stock value as of the date the compensation and management development committee determines that the performance objective has been achieved). The remaining portion of the grant will be paid in cash at the same time that the restrictions on the stock grant lapse. If we fail to achieve the target performance objective for the fiscal year, the grant would be eliminated altogether. If the executive remains with Triumph for an additional three years, he will receive the shares of stock free of restrictions as well as the cash payment. This approach was designed to incentivize the creation of stockholder value over the long term because the achievement of the award depends upon the extent of management’s achievement of the performance target set for the given fiscal year. Moreover, we believe the desire to increase the value of the stock to be received upon expiration of the restrictions will induce management both to remain with Triumph to avoid forfeiture of the grant and to achieve superior performance to increase the value of the stock ultimately received.

We generally make awards of long-term equity compensation at a regularly scheduled meeting of the compensation and management development committee held in April of each year. At the April 2007 meeting, however, the grants for the 2008 fiscal year were approved only in concept and were not finally made until June 2007 after details of the grants were determined. Because the potential value of the grants being made for fiscal 2008 is fixed, this delay had no effect on the value of the benefit realizable by the grantees.

Also at the April meeting, the compensation and management development committee acts upon the annual cash incentive awards to management made with respect to Triumph’s performance in the fiscal year just ended and approves the salary adjustments to be made for management for the new fiscal year. There is a regularly scheduled meeting of the full Board of Directors held shortly thereafter at which the compensation and management development committee reports on its actions with respect to executive and senior management compensation. Based upon the extent to which Triumph achieved the established performance objective for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the number of shares covered by the performance-based restricted stock grants awarded in April 2006 amounted to a total of 97,499 shares of restricted stock, of which 26,311 shares were awarded to our executive officers. The shares will remain restricted until April 2010.

We have never made equity compensation awards other than at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors or the compensation and management development committee.

Pension Benefits

We have a split dollar life insurance program and supplemental executive retirement plan under which four of our executive officers participate. Benefits are payable upon normal retirement, which is age 65. Early retirement benefits are available with an actuarial reduction for early commencement. The pension benefits, which are described in more detail on pages 25 and 26 of this proxy statement, are

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intended to provided competitive retirement benefits to our executives when considered in conjunction with the other retirement benefits we offer.

Deferred Compensation

We offer all of our executives the opportunity to defer all or any part of their bonus for any year, to be paid out over the following two years. Further information about the deferred compensation plan is set forth on page 26 of this proxy statement. We believe that the deferred compensation is consistent with competitive practices in our industry.

Perquisites

We provide certain of our executive officers with other benefits, reflected in the All Other Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table below. We believe the additional benefits are reasonable, competitive and consistent with Triumph’s overall executive compensation program. We believe that these benefits generally allow our executives to work more efficiently and in the case of the tax preparation and counseling services, help them to optimize the value received from the compensation and benefit programs offered. The costs of these benefits constitute only a small percentage of each executive’s total compensation. Included among the benefits are personal use of the company plane (valued based on the incremental cost to Triumph for fuel, landing fees and other variable costs of operating the airplane, but not including fixed costs that do not change based on usage, such as pilots’ salaries, depreciation of the purchase cost of the aircraft and the cost of general maintenance), payment of club dues for Messrs. Ill, Bartholdson and Resnick, and tax preparation for Messrs. Ill and Bartholdson. Set forth below is the aggregate value of perquisites received by each of our executive officers during fiscal 2007.

Name

 

 

 

Total ($)

 

Richard C. Ill

 

 

38,726

 

 

John R. Bartholdson

 

 

47,355

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick

 

 

10,284

 

 

John B. Wright, II

 

 

0

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig

 

 

0

 

 

 

Employment Agreements

We had entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Ill, Bartholdson, Resnick and Wright that expired on January 1, 2007. The compensation and management development committee determined not to renew or replace these employment agreements upon their expiration. We believe this is consistent with our philosophy that executives’ employment and compensation should largely depend upon their performance.

In June 2007, however, the compensation and management development committee determined that it would be appropriate to provide employment agreements to the executive officers effective only upon the occurrence of a change of control of Triumph. The prospect of a change of control, such as a possible acquisition by another company, causes executives two problems:  the executives may be distracted by the need to obtain employment elsewhere; and their personal interest may be at cross purposes with the stockholders’ interest in realizing maximum share value. The executives should have a reasonable level of incentive to consummate the deal. A reasonable level of incentive means they have the security to know that there will be sufficient compensation to cover an extended period of seeking comparable jobs in the event that the acquiror terminates their employment. We believe that the change of control employment agreements will afford the executive a reasonable level of incentive to consummate the deal, and Triumph accordingly expects to enter into the agreements with all of the executive officers in the immediate future. Further information about the agreements and the benefits offered by Triumph upon a change of control can be found on pages 27-30 of this proxy statement.

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Since the change of control employment agreements would not be effective until a change of control takes place, the executives will continue to serve at the will of the Board. This allows Triumph to terminate their employment with discretion as to the terms of any severance arrangement except upon the occurrence of a change of control. We believe these agreements recognize the executives’ legitimate concern that a transaction in Triumph’s long-term interest may necessitate their loss of employment while preserving Triumph’s flexibility in retaining executive management in the absence of such a transaction.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In June 2007, the Board of Directors adopted stock ownership guidelines prescribing minimum levels of Triumph stock ownership our senior executives are expected to meet. The ownership target is expressed as a multiple of base salary. There are four tiers within senior management covered by the guidelines. For the chief executive officer, the multiple is five. For the chief financial officer, the multiple is three. For other executive officers and members of senior management, the multiple is two or one depending on the level of the position. An executive is required to achieve the guideline within five years of assuming a position subject to the guidelines or assuming a new position subject to a higher level of ownership. The executives serving in positions subject to the guidelines at the time of their adoption and not already meeting the guidelines must achieve the guidelines within five years of the date of their adoption.

Of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table who remain with Triumph, Messrs. Ill, Resnick and Kindig already met the guidelines at the date of their adoption, and Mr. Wright has until June 2012 to meet the guidelines. Mr. M. David Kornblatt, who joined Triumph in June 2007 as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, also has until June 2012 to meet the guidelines.

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Executive Compensation Tables

Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the total compensation we paid to Richard C. Ill, President and Chief Executive Officer, and John R. Bartholdson, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and to each of the three most highly compensated executive officers of Triumph, other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. We refer to these individuals as the executive officers elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. There is further information about our executive officers in the 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K enclosed with this Proxy Statement, and we incorporate that information in this Proxy Statement by reference.

Name and
Principal Position

 

 

Year

 

 

Salary ($)

 

 

Bonus ($)(1)

 

 

Stock
Awards
($)(2)

 

 

Option
Awards ($)(3)

 

 

Change in Pension
Value and
Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation
Earnings($)(4)

 

 

All Other
Compensation
($)(5)

 

 

Total ($)

 

Richard C. Ill

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

635,000

 

 

 

 

952,500

 

 

 

210,137

 

 

 

53,010

 

 

 

 

182,624

 

 

 

 

53,612

 

 

 

2,086,883

 

President and
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John R. Bartholdson

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

440,000

 

 

 

 

528,000

 

 

 

151,053

 

 

 

41,040

 

 

 

 

143,940

 

 

 

 

59,931

 

 

 

1,363,964

 

Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

303,750

 

 

 

 

363,600

 

 

 

103,893

 

 

 

28,025

 

 

 

 

6,429

 

 

 

 

17,663

 

 

 

823,360

 

Senior Vice President—Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John B. Wright, II

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

212,000

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

71,836

 

 

 

19,000

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

7,326

 

 

 

460,162

 

Vice President,
General Counsel
and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

170,000

 

 

 

 

115,000

 

 

 

58,513

 

 

 

15,960

 

 

 

 

2,435

 

 

 

 

5,754

 

 

 

367,662

 

Vice President
and Controller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)                “Bonus” consists of cash bonuses earned in the fiscal year identified, of which only a portion was paid the following fiscal year to Mr. Ill at his request and the balance was deferred.

(2)                The amounts listed above reflect the dollar value recognized, in accordance with SFAS 123R, for financial statement reporting purposes during fiscal 2007 for all existing restricted stock awards. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnote 11 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

(3)                The amounts listed above reflect the dollar value recognized, in accordance with SFAS 123R, for financial statement reporting purposes during fiscal 2007 for all existing stock options. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnote 11 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

(4)                Represents changes in value under our Supplemental Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) and the split dollar life insurance program (the “Split Dollar Program”). See “Pension Benefits” on pages 25 and 26 of this Proxy Statement for additional information, including the present value assumptions used in this calculation.

(5)                All Other Compensation includes (i) Triumph’s match for contributions to the 401(k) plan; (ii) income imputed to the executive officer under Triumph’s group’s term life insurance policy; (iii) for Messrs. Ill, Bartholdson, Resnick, and Kindig,  income imputed to the executive officers for the death benefit portion of the Split Dollar Program; (iv) for Messrs. Ill, Bartholdson, and Resnick, personal use of Triumph’s airplane; (v) for Messrs. Ill, Bartholdson, and Resnick, payment of  club dues; and  (vi) for Messrs. Ill and Bartholdson, tax preparation allowance.

(6)                Mr. Bartholdson retired as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer  and Treasurer of Triumph effective April 30, 2007.

22




Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table lists, for each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, information about plan-based awards granted during fiscal 2007.

 

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)

 

Grant Date Fair
Value of Stock
and Option

 

Name

 

 

 

Grant Date

 

Threshold

 

Target

 

Maximum

 

Awards(2)($)

 

Richard C. Ill

 

 

4/20/06

 

 

 

3,311

 

 

 

6,622

 

 

 

9,933

 

 

 

571,678

 

 

John R. Bartholdson

 

 

4/20/06

 

 

 

2,294

 

 

 

4,588

 

 

 

6,882

 

 

 

396,078

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick

 

 

4/20/06

 

 

 

1,584

 

 

 

3,167

 

 

 

4,751

 

 

 

273,869

 

 

John B. Wright, II

 

 

4/20/06

 

 

 

1,105

 

 

 

2,210

 

 

 

3,315

 

 

 

190,780

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig

 

 

4/20/06

 

 

 

887

 

 

 

1,773

 

 

 

2,660

 

 

 

153,070

 

 


(1)          Effective April 20, 2006, the compensation and management development committee awarded shares of restricted stock to the executive officers of Triumph subject to adjustment based upon the extent to which Triumph achieved an established performance objective in fiscal 2007, including the possibility of elimination altogether if performance was sufficient below that objective. The restricted stock awards are each subject to full forfeiture, in the manner set forth in the restricted stock award, if the respective executive resigns from Triumph within four years of the grant.

(2)          Subsequent to March 31, 2007, the compensation and management development determined that Triumph had exceeded the performance objective for fiscal 2007 and adjusted the restricted stock awards as follows:  Mr. Ill—9,490, Mr. Bartholdson—6,575,  Mr. Resnick—4,538, Mr. Wright—3,167, and Mr. Kindig—2,541. The restricted stock awards vest in full on April 20, 2010. Reflects Grant Date Fair Value of adjusted restricted stock awards.

23




Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding equity awards at March 31, 2007.

Name

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

 

Stock Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards:

 

 

 

Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned

 

 

 

Market or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of Shares

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Shares,

 

 

 

Payout Value

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or Units

 

 

 

Value of

 

 

 

Units or

 

 

 

of Unearned

 

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

 

 

Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of Stock

 

 

 

Shares or

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

Shares, Units

 

 

 

 

 

Underlying

 

 

 

Underlying

 

 

 

Option

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That

 

 

 

Units of

 

 

 

Rights That

 

 

 

or Other

 

 

 

 

 

Unexercised

 

 

 

Unexercised

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Option

 

 

 

Option

 

 

 

Have Not

 

 

 

Stock That

 

 

 

Have Not

 

 

 

Rights That

 

 

 

 

 

Options (#)

 

 

 

Options (#)

 

 

 

Price

 

 

 

Grant

 

 

 

Expiration

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

 

Have Not

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

 

Have Not

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable

 

 

 

Unexercisable

 

 

 

($)

 

 

 

Date(1)

 

 

 

Date

 

 

 

(#)(2)

 

 

 

Vested ($)

 

 

 

(#)(3)

 

 

 

Vested ($)

 

Richard C. Ill

 

 

 

 

18,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43.13

 

 

 

 

4/17/98

 

 

 

4/17/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26.44

 

 

 

 

4/16/99

 

 

 

4/16/09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38.35

 

 

 

 

4/20/01

 

 

 

4/20/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44.91

 

 

 

 

4/19/02

 

 

 

4/19/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.83

 

 

 

 

11/12/03

 

 

 

11/12/13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,720

 

 

 

 

 

7,440

 

 

 

 

 

30.74

 

 

 

 

4/22/05

 

 

 

4/22/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,591

 

 

 

 

 

309,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,490

 

 

 

 

 

525,177

 

 

John R. Bartholdson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,760

 

 

 

 

 

30.74

 

 

 

 

4/22/05

 

 

 

4/22/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,328

 

 

 

 

 

239,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,575

 

 

 

 

 

363,861

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick

 

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43.13

 

 

 

 

4/17/98

 

 

 

4/17/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26.44

 

 

 

 

4/16/99

 

 

 

4/16/09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.63

 

 

 

 

2/07/00

 

 

 

2/07/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,458

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38.35

 

 

 

 

4/20/01

 

 

 

4/20/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44.91

 

 

 

 

4/19/02

 

 

 

4/19/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.83

 

 

 

 

11/12/03

 

 

 

11/12/13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,967

 

 

 

 

 

3,933

 

 

 

 

 

30.74

 

 

 

 

4/22/05

 

 

 

4/22/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,957

 

 

 

 

 

163,640

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,538

 

 

 

 

 

251,133

 

 

John B. Wright, II

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.49

 

 

 

 

7/12/04

 

 

 

7/12/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,333

 

 

 

 

 

2,667

 

 

 

 

 

30.74

 

 

 

 

4/22/05

 

 

 

4/22/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,008

 

 

 

 

 

111,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,167

 

 

 

 

 

175,262

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig

 

 

 

 

6,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44.91

 

 

 

 

4/19/02

 

 

 

4/19/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.83

 

 

 

 

11/12/03

 

 

 

11/12/13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,120

 

 

 

 

 

2,240

 

 

 

 

 

30.74

 

 

 

 

4/22/05

 

 

 

4/22/15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,684

 

 

 

 

 

93,193

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,541

 

 

 

 

 

140,619

 

 


(1)             Options vest in four equal installments on the anniversary of the grant date, except for those granted on April 22, 2005 which vest in three equal installments on the anniversary of the grant date.

(2)             Represents restricted stock granted on April 22, 2005, which will vest on April 22, 2009.

(3)             Represents restricted stock granted on April 20, 2006, which shares were subject to adjustment based upon the extent to which Triumph achieved an established performance objective in fiscal 2007, including the possibility of elimination altogether if performance was sufficiently below that objective. Subsequent to March 31, 2007, the compensation and management development determined that Triumph had exceeded the performance objective for fiscal 2007 and the amounts in the table reflect the restricted stock awards as adjusted based on such determination.

24




Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth information concerning options exercised during fiscal 2007 (no restricted stock held by the executive officers vested in fiscal 2007).

 

 

Option Awards

 

Name

 

 

 

Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise (#)

 

Value Realized on
Exercise ($)

 

Richard C. Ill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John R. Bartholdson

 

 

104,664

 

 

 

1,613,379

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick

 

 

42,231

 

 

 

854,629

 

 

John B. Wright, II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig

 

 

45,000

 

 

 

897,674

 

 

Pension Benefits

The following table sets forth information concerning pension benefits of the executive officers.

Name

 

 

 

Plan Name

 

Number of Years
Credited Service (#)

 

Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit ($)(1)

 

Payments During
Last Fiscal Year ($)

 

Richard C. Ill

 

SERP

 

 

14

 

 

 

2,546,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

Split Dollar

 

 

14

 

 

 

1,473,925

 

 

 

 

 

John R. Bartholdson

 

SERP

 

 

14

 

 

 

2,259,272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Split Dollar

 

 

14

 

 

 

979,265

 

 

 

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick

 

SERP

 

 

11

 

 

 

236,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

Split Dollar

 

 

11

 

 

 

43,303

 

 

 

 

 

John B. Wright, II

 

SERP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Split Dollar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig

 

SERP

 

 

14

 

 

 

91,374

 

 

 

 

 

 

Split Dollar

 

 

14

 

 

 

15,877

 

 

 

 

 


(1)          Present values were calculated using the following actuarial assumptions:  Discount Rate—as of March 31, 2007, a discount rate of 6.00% prior to age 65 and 4.5% after age 65, and, for March 31, 2006, 5.75% prior to age 65 and 4.5% after age 65; Mortality—for both 2007 and 2006, the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality table (after age 65 only).

In 1999, we adopted the Split Dollar Program to provide benefits for certain officers. For Messrs. Ill and Bartholdson, this program provides annual, lifetime retirement benefits equal to 65% of 1999 total pay, reduced by projected Social Security benefits and further reduced for projected service of less than 20 years. The other officers received annual, lifetime benefits based on their 1999 total pay, projected years of service and other performance parameters. The program provides a death benefit to each participant equal to ten times the participant’s expected annual benefit, reduced by any distributions received, but in no event less than $25,000. Because of the restrictions on loans to executive officers included in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the program was amended in 2002 to retain the split dollar policies purchased in 1999 with no further premium payments, reassign the additional policies to Triumph and adopt an unfunded SERP.

The participating officers benefits under the Split Dollar Program and SERP are fully vested and, therefore, are entitled to benefits under the Split Dollar Program upon reaching retirement age (age 65) no matter when they terminate their employment with Triumph. However, if a participating officer is terminated for cause, he is not entitled to receive any benefit under the Split Dollar Program or the SERP. For the purposes of both programs, cause includes dishonesty or willful misconduct in carrying out duties for Triumph, breach of fiduciary duty to Triumph for personal benefit and willful violation of law. In addition, in order to continue to receive benefits under the SERP and the Split Dollar Program, the participating officer cannot compete with Triumph.

25




The total benefits expected to be provided by the Split Dollar program and the SERP are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Total Death
Benefit ($)

 

 

 

Annual
Payment from
Split Dollar ($)

 

 

 

Annual
Payment from
SERP ($)

 

 

 

Total Annual
Payment ($)

 

Richard C. Ill

 

 

 

 

3,605,150

 

 

 

 

 

139,097

 

 

 

 

 

221,418

 

 

 

 

 

360,515

 

 

John R. Bartholdson

 

 

 

 

3,118,540

 

 

 

 

 

99,567

 

 

 

 

 

212,287

 

 

 

 

 

311,854

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick

 

 

 

 

541,320

 

 

 

 

 

8,733

 

 

 

 

 

45,399

 

 

 

 

 

54,132

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig

 

 

 

 

208,320

 

 

 

 

 

3,217

 

 

 

 

 

17,615

 

 

 

 

 

20,832

 

 

Both programs allow for early retirement at age 62, provided that the participant makes an irrevocable election to retire early at least 12 months prior to termination of employment. Benefits are reduced by 8% for each year prior to age 65 that the participant retires. In addition, the SERP allows for a lump sum distribution based on the 10 year Treasury bond rate as of the date of retirement, provided that an irrevocable election was made at least 12 months prior to termination. Mr. Ill is currently eligible for early retirement and Mr. Bartholdson retired, effective as of April 30, 2007, at age 62. Under the Split Dollar Program, Mr. Bartholdson will receive an annual benefit of $83,636 commencing as of October 1, 2007. In addition, Mr. Bartholdson chose to receive the lump sum equivalent of his SERP benefit equal to $2,290,042 as of May 1, 2007. Mr. Ill has also made an election that, upon retirement, he will receive his SERP benefit in the form of a lump sum. If Mr. Ill were to have retired on March 31, 2007, he would have received an annual benefit of $126,115 under the Split Dollar program and a lump sum payment of $2,605,839 under the SERP.

Deferred Compensation

The following table sets forth information concerning nonqualified deferred compensation of the executive officers.

Name

 

 

 

Executive
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year ($)

 

Registrant
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year ($)

 

Aggregate
Earnings in Last
Fiscal Year ($)

 

Aggregate
Withdrawals /
Distributions ($)

 

Aggregate
Balance at Last
Fiscal Year-End ($)

 

Richard C. Ill

 

 

119,750

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

5,858

 

 

 

 

 

 

125,618

(2)

 

John R. Bartholdson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John B. Wright, II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)           Represents that amount that Mr. Ill deferred of his bonus for the fiscal year 2006. The amount deferred was included in the bonus amount for Mr. Ill that  was reported in our 2006 Proxy Statement.

(2)           Of the aggregate balance at fiscal year end, $119,750 was previously reported as compensation to Mr. Ill in our Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2006.

We offer all of our executives the opportunity to defer all or any part of their bonus for any year, to be paid out over the following two years. During the deferral period, the deferred amounts are credited interest at the 5 year U.S. Treasury rate. During fiscal 2007, this interest rate was 4.9%. The amount is payable over the following two years whether or not the executive’s employment with Triumph terminates, except that, if the executive dies, the aggregate balance deferred at the time of his death is payable to his beneficiaries.

26




Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control

As of March 31, 2007, our executive officers did not have employment agreements with Triumph. The information below describes and quantifies compensation that would become payable under existing arrangements in the event of termination of such executive officer’s employment under several different circumstances. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of March 31, 2007, and thus include amounts earned through such time and are estimates of the amounts that would be paid to the executive officers upon their termination. The actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of such executive officer’s separation from Triumph. The description below does not include Mr. Bartholdson because he retired from Triumph on April 30, 2007 and is discussed separately.

John R. Bartholdson.   In connection with Mr. Bartholdson’s retirement from Triumph effective April 30, 2007, he received a lump sum equivalent of his SERP benefit equal to $2,290,042 as of May, 1, 2007 and, commencing October 1, 2007, an annual benefit under the Split Dollar Program of $83,636. In addition, Mr. Bartholdson retained stock options to purchase up to 2,880 shares of Triumph common stock, exercisable at $30.74 per share and expiring on April 22, 2015, 4,328 shares of restricted stock vesting on April 22, 2009, and 6,575 shares of restricted stock vesting on April 20, 2010.

Severance.   In addition to the items described below, payments and benefits provided on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees generally and in the event of  a change of control as discussed below, the compensation and management development committee or the independent directors of the Board may authorize additional severance benefits, although they are not obligated to do so.

Pension Benefits.   A description of the SERP and Split Dollar Life Insurance Program in which Messrs. Ill, Resnick and Kindig participate, including each of their vested benefits under the programs, is included on pages 25 and 26 of this proxy statement. Mr. Wright does not participate in either the SERP or the Split Dollar program. Neither the SERP nor the Split Dollar Program are available on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees generally.

Deferred Compensation.   Mr. Ill has deferred his receipt of the payment of a portion of his bonus for fiscal 2006. The last column of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table on page 26 of this proxy statement reports Mr. Ill’s aggregate balance at March 31, 2007. Mr. Ill, or his beneficiary in the event of his death, is entitled to receive the amount in his account in the event of his termination. None of the other executive officers have deferred compensation.

Stock Options.   Messrs. Ill, Resnick, Wright and Kindig hold stock options issued under our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. With regard to the outstanding stock options held by Messrs. Ill, Resnick, Wright and Kindig, if the executive officer’s employment terminates for any reason, then all options issued under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan held by the executive officer will terminate ninety days after the executive officer’ termination, except as follows:

·       if an executive officer’s employment terminates as a result of the executive officer’s death, then all vested options will remain exercisable and all options may be exercised until expiration of the stated term of the option;

·       if an executive officer’s employment terminates as a result of the executive officer’s disability or retirement due to age, then all exercisable options shall remain exercisable until the expiration of the stated term of the option;

·       if an executive officer ceases to be an employee as a result of participation in a voluntary severance incentive program, unless the voluntary severance incentive program provides otherwise, all unvested options will immediately vest and all outstanding options will be exercisable until the expiration of the stated term of the option; and

27




·       if an executive officer ceases to be an employee because of a divestiture by Triumph or termination as part of a workforce restructuring program, the compensation and management development committee may, in its sole discretion, make some or all of the outstanding options granted to the executive officer become fully vested, and such options shall remain exercisable until the expiration of the stated term of the option.

In the event of a change of control (as defined in the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan), the executive officers’ stock options do not automatically accelerate. Acceleration of vesting upon a change of control is at the discretion of the compensation and management development committee.

Messrs. Ill, Resnick, Wright and Kindig hold stock options issued under our 1996 Stock Option Plan, all of which are fully vested. With regard to the outstanding stock options held by Messrs. Ill, Resnick and Kindig, if the executive officer’s employment terminates for any reason, then all options issued under the 1996 Stock Option Plan held by the executive officer will terminate thirty days after the executive officer’ termination, except as follows:

·       if an executive officer’s employment terminates as a result of the executive officer’s death, then all options will remain exercisable until expiration of the stated term of the option; and

·       if an executive officer’s employment terminates as a result of the executive officer’s disability or retirement due to age, then all options shall remain exercisable until the expiration of the stated term of the option.

The table below sets forth the value each executive officer would have realized upon the exercise of his outstanding options under several different termination and change of control scenarios. Amounts in the table are based on a $55.34 closing price per share of our common stock on March 30, 2007 (the last trading day of fiscal 2007) and assume the executive officer immediately exercised and sold all of their vested stock options.

 

 

Voluntary termination; involuntary
termination; death; disability;
retirement ($)

 

Termination as part of a voluntary
severance program; change of control
of Triumph with accelerated vesting;
termination as part of divestiture or
workforce restructuring program with
accelerated vesting ($)

 

Richard C. Ill

 

 

1,887,892

 

 

 

2,070,916

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick

 

 

847,008

 

 

 

943,760

 

 

John B. Wright, II

 

 

261,292

 

 

 

326,900

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig

 

 

112,642

 

 

 

167,746

 

 

 

Restricted Stock.   Messrs. Ill, Resnick, Wright and Kindig hold restricted stock issued under our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. The restricted stock awards are subject to adjustment based upon the extent to which Triumph achieves an established performance objective for a particular fiscal year. If Triumph fails to achieve the target performance objective for the fiscal year, the grant would be eliminated altogether. If Triumph achieves the target performance objective for the fiscal year and the grant recipient remains with Triumph for an additional three years following such achievement, the recipient will receive the shares of stock free of restrictions. With regard to the restricted stock held by Messrs. Ill, Resnick, Wright and Kindig, if the executive officer’s employment terminates for any reason, then all unvested shares restricted stock held by the executive officer under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan will be forfeited, except as follows:

·       if an executive officer’s employment terminates as a result of disability or retirement, the outstanding shares of restricted stock will continue to vest, provided the executive officer refrains from competing with Triumph, does not disclose or improperly use any confidential information of Triumph, discloses and assigns to Triumph any inventions or ideas related Triumph’s business the executive officer made or conceived during his employment and, in the case of retirement, provides limited consulting services to Triumph, if requested;

28




·       if an executive officer ceases to be an employee as a result of participation in a voluntary severance incentive program, unless the voluntary severance incentive program provides otherwise, all unvested shares of restricted stock will immediately vest and all forfeiture provisions will lapse; and

·       if an executive officer ceases to be an employee because of a divestiture by Triumph or termination as part of a workforce restructuring program, the compensation and management development committee may, in its sole discretion, make some or all of the executive officer’s outstanding restricted stock vested.

In the event of a change of control (as defined in the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan), the restrictions on the executive officers’ restricted stock do not automatically terminate. Termination of restrictions upon a change of control is at the discretion of the compensation and management development committee. The aggregate value of each executive officer’s outstanding restricted stock awards is included in the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End” table on page 24 of this Proxy Statement.

Change of Control Employment Agreements.   As discussed on page 20 above, we expect to enter shortly into change of control employment agreements with each of Messrs. Ill, Resnick, Wright and Kindig, along with four other members of senior management. Under the agreements, each executive will become entitled to additional payments and benefits if his employment is terminated under certain conditions within two years or three years (depending on the officer) following a change of control of Triumph. For the purposes of the agreements, a change of control means one of the following events:

·       a person or group becomes beneficial owner of 20% or more of our common stock;

·       there is generally a change in a majority of the our Board of Directors; or

·       certain corporate reorganizations occur where stockholders do not retain at least 50% of the voting securities of the surviving entity, at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the surviving entity were incumbent members of our Board and no person who did not own stock prior to the corporate reorganization becomes a 20% or more holder of the surviving entity.

The principal provisions of the change of control employment agreements will only become effective upon the occurrence of a change of control. Under the agreements, each executive’s employment with Triumph will continue for two years or three years (depending on the officer) from the date of the change of control (the “Employment Period”). During the Employment Period, the executive will continue in the position he held prior to the change of control and receive generally with the same level of compensation and benefits, including an annual bonus in cash at least equal to the highest annual bonus paid to the executive for any of the three fiscal years prior to the change of control (the “Recent Annual Bonus”).

The change of control employment agreements will provide that if, during the Employment Period, the executive’s employment is terminated by Triumph or the company resulting from a business combination other than for cause, death or disability, or is terminated by the executive for good reason (each as defined in the agreements), he will receive his then current base salary through the date of termination, plus a lump sum payment, payable within thirty days after the date of termination, representing certain severance benefits. The severance benefits under the agreements will consist of:

·       a pro-rated bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs, based on the higher of the Recent Annual Bonus and the executive’s annual bonus for the last fiscal year (such higher amount, the “Highest Annual Bonus”);

·       an amount equal to two or three times (depending on the officer) (a) the executive’s annual base salary plus (b) the Highest Annual Bonus; and

29




·       a payment equal to Triumph’s contributions under Triumph’s qualified and supplemental defined contribution plans that the executive would have received if he had continued to be employed for two or three years (depending on the officer) after the date of termination.

The executive will also receive continued health and other welfare benefits for two or three years (depending on the officer) at equal levels of coverage.

The change of control employment agreements will also provide that if the executive’s employment is terminated by Triumph for cause, death or disability, or is terminated by the executive without good reason, such executive will receive his then current base salary through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits to which he is entitled under Triumph’s benefit plans for periods preceding the date of termination. In addition, if the executive’s employment terminates as a result of death or disability, the executive (or his beneficiaries) will receive death or disability benefits, as applicable, a pro-rated bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs based on the Highest Annual Bonus and accrued and unpaid vacation pay. If an executive voluntarily terminates his employment without good reason, he will also receive a pro-rated bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs based on the Highest Annual Bonus and accrued and unpaid vacation pay.

Payments upon termination will be subject to a six month delay if necessary to avoid additional tax under Section 409A of the Code. If a payment is delayed due to Section 409A, such payment will earn interest at the applicable federal rate.

The agreements will further provide that if any payment or benefit to an executive, whether pursuant to the agreements or otherwise, is subject to the excise tax imposed by the Code on “excess parachute payments,” then an additional payment will be made to such executive so that the amount he receives on a net basis will be the same amount that he would have received absent the applicability of the excise tax.  However, to the extent the payment or benefit does not exceed 110% of the specified statutory threshold amount giving rise to excise tax, then no additional payment will be paid and the compensation under the change of control employment agreement will be reduced below such statutory threshold.

Pursuant to the change of control employment agreements, each executive has agreed to keep confidential all secret or confidential information of Triumph obtained by the executive over the course of his employment.

Accrued Pay and Regular Retirement Benefits.   In addition to the benefits described above, the executive officers are also entitled to certain payments and benefits upon termination of employment that are provided on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees generally upon termination of employment. These include:

·       accrued salary and vacation pay;

·       life insurance benefits; and

·       distributions of plan balances under Triumph’s 401(k) plan.

Similarly, except as described above, upon termination of employment, an executive officer’s options and restricted stock awards are subject to the terms applicable to all recipients of such awards under Triumph’s applicable plans. We are not obligated to provide any special accelerated vesting of executive officers’ options or restricted stock awards.

Other than items described above, payments and benefits provided on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees generally and the change of control context, discussed below, the compensation and management development committee or the Board may authorize additional severance benefits, although they are not obligated to do so.

30




EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table summarizes certain information with respect to our compensation plans and individual compensation arrangements under which our equity securities have been authorized for issuance as of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007:

Plan category

 

 

 

Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

 

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))

 

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

508,869

 

 

 

$

35.91

 

 

 

1,424,840

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

508,869

 

 

 

$

35.91

 

 

 

1,424,840

 

 

 

31




SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT

As of May 31, 2007, the following nominees for director, the following executive officers, all directors and executive officers as a group, and the following 5% beneficial owners, were known to us to be beneficial owners (as defined in regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)) of the outstanding common stock shown below.

A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired by that person within 60 days from the date of this proxy statement upon the exercise of options and warrants. Each beneficial owner’s percentage ownership is determined by assuming that options and warrants that are held by that person (but not those held by any other person) and that are exercisable within 60 days from the date of this proxy statement have been exercised.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person identified is c/o 1550 Liberty Ridge, Suite 100, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087.

Unless otherwise noted, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them.

The percent of total shares outstanding is based upon 16,638,688 outstanding shares of common stock.

 

Shares Beneficially Owned

 

Name

 

 

 

Number

 

Percent of Total

Shares Outstanding

 

Richard C. Ill(1)

 

325,099

 

 

1.9

%

 

John R. Bartholdson(2)(3)

 

129,481

 

 

*

 

 

Lawrence J. Resnick(4)

 

90,172

 

 

*

 

 

John B. Wright, II(5)

 

17,842

 

 

*

 

 

Kevin E. Kindig(6)(7)

 

29,018

 

 

*

 

 

Richard C. Gozon(8)

 

98,095

 

 

*

 

 

Claude F. Kronk(9)

 

91,969

 

 

*

 

 

William O. Albertini(10)

 

22,500

 

 

*

 

 

George Simpson(11)

 

14,500

 

 

*

 

 

Terry D. Stinson(12)

 

3,500

 

 

*

 

 

Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.(13)

 

1,372,540

 

 

8.2

%

 

1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor

Santa Monica, CA 90401

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FMR Corporation(14)

 

1,312,556

 

 

7.9

%

 

82 Devonshire Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private Capital Management, L.L.P.(15)

 

1,344,069

 

 

8.1

%

 

8889 Pelican Bay Boulevard

Suite 500

Naples, FL 34108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wellington Management Company, LLP(16)

 

2,294,250

 

 

13.8

%

 

8889 Pelican Bay Boulevard

Suite 500

Naples, FL 34108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons)

 

782,176

 

 

4.6

%

 


                 * Less than one percent.

32




       (1) Mr. Ill currently holds stock options to purchase 107,440 shares of common stock, which options may be exercised in the next 60 days. The amount shown in the table also includes 15,081 shares of restricted common stock, none of which have vested as of May 31, 2007.

       (2) Mr. Bartholdson currently holds no stock options that may be exercised in the next 60 days. The amount shown in the table also includes 10,903 shares of restricted common stock, none of which have vested as of May 31, 2007.

       (3) Mr. Bartholdson disclaims beneficial ownership of 4,850 shares of common stock beneficially owned by his daughter.

       (4) Mr. Resnick currently holds options to purchase 41,068 shares of common stock, which options may be exercised in the next 60 days. The amount shown in the table also includes 7,495 shares of restricted common stock, none of which have vested as of May 31, 2007.

       (5) Mr. Wright currently holds stock options to purchase 12,667 shares of common stock, which options may be exercised in the next 60 days. The amount shown in the table also includes 5,175 shares of restricted common stock, none of which have vested as of May 31, 2007.

       (6) Mr. Kindig currently holds stock options to purchase 9,240 shares of common stock, which options may be exercised in the next 60 days. The amount shown in the table also includes 4,225 shares of restricted common stock, none of which have vested as of May 31, 2007.

       (7) Mr. Kindig disclaims beneficial ownership of 210 shares of common stock beneficially owned by his children.

       (8) Mr. Gozon currently holds stock options to purchase 7,000 shares of common stock, which options may be exercised in the next 60 days.

       (9) Mr. Kronk currently holds stock options to purchase 7,000 shares of common stock, which options may be exercised in the next 60 days.

(10) Mr. Albertini currently holds stock options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock, which options may be exercised in the next 60 days.

(11) Mr. Simpson currently holds stock options to purchase 4,500 shares of common stock, which options may be exercised in the next 60 days.

(12) Mr. Stinson currently holds stock-options to purchase 3,500 shares of common stock, which options may be exercised in the next 60 days.

(13) According to their Schedule 13G/A filed on February 9, 2007, consists of shares as to which Dimensional Fund Advisors LP possesses sole voting and investment authority on December 31, 2006. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. All 1,372,540 shares are owned by four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to which Dimensional Fund Advisors LP furnishes investment advice and certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts to which Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as investment manager. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. The address of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is 1299 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401.

(14) According to their 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2007, consists of shares beneficially owned as of December 31, 2006, and includes 11,100 shares to which FMR Corporation (“FMR”) has sole voting power and 1,312,556 shares as to which FMR has sole dispositive power. This Schedule 13G report was filed jointly by FMR, Edward C. Johnson 3d and Fidelity Management & Research Company. Mr. Johnson is Chairman of FMR. Members of Mr. Johnson’s family are the predominant

33




owners of Class B shares of FMR, representing 49% of the voting power of FMR and all Class B shareholders have entered into a shareholders’ agreement under which all Class B shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Class B shares. As such, members of Mr. Johnson’s family may be deemed to be members of a controlling group with respect to FMR. The amounts beneficially owned by FMR include 1,301,456 shares beneficially owned by Fidelity Management & Research Company, an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR; and 11,100 shares beneficially owned by Pyramis Global Advisors Trust Company, a bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR. The address of FMR is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109.

(15) According to their Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2007, consists of shares beneficially owned as of December 31, 2006 and includes 108,200 shares as to which Private Capital Management, L.P. (“Private Capital”) has sole voting and dispositive power and 1,235,869 shares as to which Private Capital has shared voting and dispositive power. Private Capital is an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. Private Capital disclaims beneficial ownership over shares over which it has dispositive power. The address of Private Capital is 8889 Pelican Bay Boulevard., Suite 500, Naples, Florida 34108.

(16) According to their Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on June 11, 2007, consists of beneficially owned as of May 31, 2007 and includes 1,735,873 shares as to which Wellington Management Company, L.P. (“Wellington”) has shared voting power and 2,277,350 shares as to which Wellington has shared dispositive power. Wellington is an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. The address of Wellington is 75 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors, officers (including a person performing a principal policy-making function) and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Directors, officers and 10% holders are required by SEC regulations to send us copies of all of the Section 16(a) reports they file. Based solely upon a review of the copies of the forms sent to us and the representations made by the reporting persons to us, we believe that during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, our directors, officers and 10% holders complied with all filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS—2008 ANNUAL MEETING

Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2008 must be received by February 26, 2008 to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. If any stockholder wishes to present a proposal to the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders that is not included in our proxy statement for that meeting and fails to submit that proposal to the Secretary of Triumph on or before May 12, 2008, then we will be allowed to use our discretionary voting authority when the proposal is raised at the annual meeting, without any discussion of the matter in our proxy statement. Stockholder proposals should be directed to the Secretary, at our address set forth on the first page of this proxy statement.

34




 

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

Certain stockholders who share the same address may receive only one copy of the Proxy Statement and our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders in accordance with a notice delivered earlier this year from such stockholders’ bank, broker or other holder of record, unless the applicable bank, broker or other holder of record received contrary instructions. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce printing and postage costs. Stockholders owning their shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record who wish to either discontinue or commence householding may request or discontinue householding, or may request a separate copy of the Proxy Statement or the Annual Report, either by contacting their bank, broker or other holder of record at the telephone number or address provided in the above referenced notice, or contacting us by telephone at (610) 251-1000 or in writing at 1550 Liberty Ridge, Suite 100, Wayne, PA 19087, Attention: Secretary. Stockholders who are requesting to commence or discontinue householding should provide their name, the name of their broker, bank or other record holder, and their account information.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

We will promptly provide without charge to each person solicited by this proxy statement, on the written request of any such person, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 including financial statements and the schedules thereto. Such written and any oral requests should be directed to Triumph Group, Inc. at 1550 Liberty Ridge, Suite 100, Wayne, PA 19087, Attention: Secretary, (610) 251-1000.

By order of the Board of Directors,

GRAPHIC

John B. Wright, II

Secretary

June 25, 2007

35




Appendix A

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC.
INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS FOR DIRECTORS

The following standards shall be applied by the Board of Directors of Triumph Group, Inc. (“Triumph”) in determining whether individual Directors qualify as “independent” under the Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. References to Triumph include its consolidated subsidiaries.

1.                No director will be qualified as “independent” unless the Board of Directors affirmatively determinates that the director has no material relationship with Triumph, either directly or as a partner, shareholder, or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Triumph. Triumph will disclose these affirmative determinations.

2.                No director who is a former Triumph employee can be deemed “independent” until three years after the end of his or her employment relationship with Triumph has ended.

3.                No director who receives, or whose immediate family member receives, more than $100,000 per year in direct compensation from Triumph, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service), can be “independent” until three years after he or she ceases to receive more than $100,000 per year in such compensation.

4.                No director who is affiliated with or employed by, or whose immediate family member is affiliated with or employed in a professional capacity by, a present or former internal or external auditor of Triumph can be “independent” until five years after the end of either the affiliation or the employment or the auditing relationship.

5.                No director who is employed, or whose immediate family member is employed, as an executive officer of another company where any of Triumph’s present executives serve on that company’s compensation committee can be “independent” until three years after the end of such service or employment relationship.

6.                No director who is an executive officer or employee, or whose immediate family member is an executive officer, of a company (excluding charitable organizations) that makes payments to, or receives payments from, Triumph for property or services in an amount which, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues, can be “independent” until three years after falling below such threshold.

7.                No director can be “independent” if Triumph has made charitable contributions to any charitable organization in which such director serves as an executive officer if, within the preceding three years, contributions by Triumph to such charitable organization in any single completed fiscal year of such charitable organization exceeded the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such charitable organization’s consolidated gross revenues.

Effective:  July 12, 2004




 

c/o National City Bank
Shareholder Services Operations
Locator 5352
P. O. Box 94509
Cleveland, OH 44101-4509

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, you can be sure your shares are represented at the
meeting by promptly returning your proxy in the enclosed envelope.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

â

Please fold and detach card at perforation before mailing.

â

 


 

Proxy

Triumph Group, Inc.

Proxy

 

This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned hereby appoints Richard C. Ill and John B. Wright, II as proxies, with power to act without the other and with power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as designated on the other side, all the shares of stock of Triumph Group, Inc. standing in the name of the undersigned with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on July 25, 2007 or any adjournments thereof.

 

Dated:

 

,

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

 

Note: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.

 

 




 

â

Please fold and detach card at perforation before mailing.

â

 


 

If no direction is given with respect to the election of directors or if you vote “FOR” the election of the nominees as directors, the proxies will allocate votes in their discretion among the nominees, unless otherwise specified. If no direction is given, the proxies will vote “FOR” proposals 2 and 3.

The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the directors and “FOR” proposals 2 and 3.

 

1.

Election of Directors.

 

Nominees:

Richard C. Ill

Richard C. Gozon

Claude F. Kronk

William O. Albertini

George Simpson

Terry D. Stinson

 

 

o

 

FOR all nominees listed above

o

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

 

(except for those I have crossed-out)

 

to vote for all nominees listed above

 

To withhold authority to vote for any nominee, check the “FOR” box and cross out his name above. To withhold authority to vote for all nominees, check the “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” box.

 

To distribute your votes on a cumulative basis, write the name(s) of the nominee(s) you wish to vote for and the number of votes you wish to cast for each on the line.                                                                                                                            

 

2.

Approval of the material terms of executive officer performance goals under the Triumph Group, Inc. incentive compensation programs.

 

o

 

FOR

o

 

AGAINST

o

 

ABSTAIN

 

3.

Ratification of appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Triumph’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

o

 

FOR

o

 

AGAINST

o

 

ABSTAIN

 

(Continued on reverse side)