Schedule 14A INFORMATION



Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )

   

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐

   

Check the appropriate box:

☐    Preliminary Proxy Statement

☐    Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)

☒    Definitive Proxy Statement

☐    Definitive Additional Materials

☐    Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 24 0.14a-12

   





 



   

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

   

☒    No fee required

   

☐    Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

   

(1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

   

(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

   

(3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

   

(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

   

(5) Total fee paid:

   

☐    Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

   

☐    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.

   

(1)  Amount Previously Paid:

   

(2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

   

(3)  Filing Party:

   

(4)  Date Filed:



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April 7, 2020



ICC Holdings. Inc.

225 20th Street

Rock Island, Illinois 61201



Dear Shareholders:



Please consider this letter your personal invitation to attend the 2020 ICC Holdings, Inc. Annual Shareholders Meeting. It will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time and accessed virtually via the Internet at: www.proxydocs.com/ICCH. 



Business scheduled to be considered at the meeting includes the election of directors and ratification of Johnson Lambert, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current year. In addition, we will review significant events of 2019 and their impact on you and your Company.



To participate in the annual meeting, you must register by Monday, May 18, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (the “Registration Deadline”),  and provide the control number included in your notice or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. After completion of your registration by the Registration Deadline, further instructions, including a unique link to access the meeting virtually via the Internet, will be emailed to you. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time.  We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. We suggest you follow the instructions you receive email and sign in early to the webcast.  Instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank, broker or other nominee. 



This year, we are furnishing our proxy materials via the Internet or by mail at shareholder request.  Shareholders will receive a mailed notice card with instructions on how to vote and view our proxy materials over the Internet.  If you want to receive a paper or email copy of the proxy materials, you must request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. In order to receive a paper copy in time for this year’s annual meeting, please make this request on or before May 8, 2020. For a convenient way to view Proxy materials and vote online, go to: www.proxydocs.com/ICCH.



Thank you for your interest in ICC Holdings, Inc. as well as your confidence in, and support of, our future.



Sincerely,







/s/ Arron Sutherland

Arron K. Sutherland

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director 



*In light of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak, for the safety of all of our people, including our shareholders, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance that has been issued, we have determined that the 2020 Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting. If you plan to participate in the virtual meeting, please see “General Information – Voting – Virtual Shareholder Meeting” below. Shareholders will be able to attend, [vote] and submit questions (both before, and for a portion of, the meeting) from any location via the Internet.    

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ICC Holdings, Inc. | 225 20th Street | Rock Island, Illinois 61201

_____________________________________________________________

Notice of THE 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

May 20, 2020

_____________________________________________________________



To the Shareholders of ICC Holdings, Inc.:



NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ICC Holdings, Inc. will be held on Wednesday,  May 20, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time and accessed virtually via the Internet at  www.proxydocs.com/ICCH, to:  



Each share of the Company’s common stock will be entitled to one vote upon all matters described above. Only holders of common stock of the Company at the close of business on March 25, 2020 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. A list of these shareholders of record is available at the corporate offices of ICC Holdings, Inc. from April 7, 2020 until May 19, 2020. 



By Order of the Board of Directors 





/s/ Arron Sutherland

Arron K. Sutherland

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director



Rock Island, Illinois

April 7, 2020



In light of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak, for the safety of all of our people, including our shareholders, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance that has been issued, we have determined that the 2020 Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting. If you plan to participate in the virtual meeting, you must register by Monday, May 18, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (the “Registration Deadline”) and provide the control number included in your proxy materials. Accordingly, it is important that you submit your proxy by any method described below: 



You have the right to revoke your proxy at any time prior to its use by filing a written notice of revocation with the Corporate Secretary of the Company prior to the convening of the Annual Meeting, or by mailing another proxy card with a later date or voting by telephone or over the Internet at a later date.

Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders

to be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.  The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2019 are available at www.proxydocs.com/ICCH.



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Table of Contents



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 ICC Holdings, Inc. | 225 20th Street | Rock Island, Illinois 61201





PROXY STATEMENT





Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 20, 2020





GENERAL INFORMATION



This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of ICC Holdings, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the solicitation, by the Board of Directors of the Company (“Board” or “Board of Directors”), of proxies to be used at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time on Wednesday, May 20, 2020,  and accessed virtually via the Internet at www.proxydocs.com/ICCH.    



The Company intends to mail the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of ICC Holdings, Inc. on or about April 9, 2020.  Information included in this Proxy Statement is as of April 7, 2020.



VOTING



Because many shareholders cannot attend the Annual Meeting in person, it is necessary that a large number of our voting shares be represented at the Annual Meeting by proxy to achieve a quorum. Pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, at least a majority of the outstanding voting shares must be present (in person or by proxy) at the Annual Meeting to conduct the meeting, which is known as a “quorum” of shares. Even if you expect to attend, it is important that you vote your shares in advance.



Whether you hold your shares directly as the shareholder of record or through a broker, trustee, or other nominee (“in street name”), you may vote in one of the following ways:



Shareholders can save the Company expense by submitting their proxy by telephone or over the Internet. If you submit your proxy by telephone or over the Internet, you do not need to also submit a proxy card, although you may do so as one method of changing your vote as described below.



Each proxy will be voted in accordance with the shareholder’s instructions. If you return a signed proxy card without any voting instructions, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors.  



Revocation of Proxies



All proxies delivered by shareholders of record pursuant to this solicitation are revocable at any time prior to the meeting at the option of the shareholder (1) by giving written notice to the Corporate Secretary at the Annual Meeting, or (2) by timely delivery of a properly completed proxy, whether by proxy card or by Internet or telephone vote, bearing a later date. If your shares are held in “street name” (that is, through a broker, trustee, or other holder of record), you will receive a proxy card from your broker seeking instructions as to how your shares should be voted.  You will need to follow those instructions in order to revoke your proxy prior to the meeting. All shares represented by valid, unrevoked proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting.







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Additional Information



Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast. With respect to the election of directors, shareholders may vote in favor of all nominees, or withhold their votes as to all nominees, or withhold their votes as to specific nominees. Votes withheld and broker non-votes are deemed present at the meeting and thus will be counted for quorum purposes. Votes withheld from a particular nominee and broker non-votes will not constitute or be counted as votes cast for such nominee. The outcome of the votes to ratify the selection of Johnson Lambert, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year (“Proposal Two”) requires the favorable vote of a majority of the votes cast on those matters. With respect to Proposal Two, shareholders may vote “For,” “Against” or “Abstain”. Abstentions are deemed present at the meeting, and thus will be counted for quorum purposes, but will not constitute or be counted as votes cast, and will not affect the outcome on, Proposal Two.



Brokers who hold shares for the accounts of their clients in “street name” may vote such shares either as directed by their clients or at their own discretion if permitted by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and other organizations of which they are members. If an executed proxy is returned by a broker on behalf of its client that indicates the broker does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on one or more matters (a “broker non-vote”), such shares will be considered present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, but are not considered entitled to vote on that matter. If your broker holds your shares “in street name” and you do not instruct your broker how to vote, your broker will have discretion to vote your shares on routine matters, such as Proposal Two, the ratification of the selection of the Company’s independent public accounting firm. 



Your broker will not, however, have discretion to vote on non-routine matters absent direction from you. Among other matters, brokers are not entitled to use their discretion to vote uninstructed proxies in director elections. As a result, your broker will not be able to vote your shares on Proposal One without your direction.  Therefore, it is important that you provide your broker with voting instructions on all proposals. If your shares are held by your broker “in street name,” you will receive a voting instruction form from your broker or the broker’s agent asking you how your shares should be voted. Please complete the form and return it as instructed by the broker or agent. You may not vote shares held in “street name” at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from your broker or holder of record.



Virtual Shareholder Meeting



Shareholders as of the record date may attend, vote and submit questions virtually at our Annual Meeting by logging in to www.proxydocs.com/ICCH to register and receive instructions on how to attend the Annual Meeting.    To log in, shareholders (or their authorized representatives) will need the control number provided on their proxy card, voting instruction form or this notice.   If you are not a shareholder or do not have a control number, you may still access the meeting as a guest, but you will not be able to participate.



In light of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak, for the safety of all of our people, including our shareholders, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance that has been issued, we have determined that the 2020 Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, with no physical in-person meeting.



To participate in the annual meeting, you must register by Monday, May 18, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (the “Registration Deadline”), and provide the control number included in your notice or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. After completion of your registration by the Registration Deadline, further instructions, including a unique link to access the meeting virtually via the Internet, will be emailed to you. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time.  We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. We suggest you follow the instructions you receive email and sign in early to the webcast.  Instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank, broker or other nominee. 



At our virtual Annual Meeting, shareholders will be able to attend, [vote] and submit questions via the Internet. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy in advance of the meeting by one of the methods described in these proxy materials. Additional information can also be found at www.proxydocs.com/ICCH.



SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE 



Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2020, the record date, shall be entitled to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting. As of the record date, the Company had 3,303,098 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Common share ownership entitles the holder to one vote per share upon each matter to be voted at the 2020 Annual Meeting.



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COST OF PROXY SOLICITATION 



The solicitation of proxies is being made by the Company, and the Company will bear the cost of solicitation. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone, facsimile or other electronic means, by directors, officers or employees of the Company. No additional compensation will be paid to such persons for their services. In accordance with the regulations of the SEC and the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC  (“NASDAQ”), the Company will reimburse banks, brokerage firms, investment advisors and other custodians, nominees, fiduciaries and service bureaus for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding soliciting material to beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock and obtaining their proxies or voting instructions.



ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO PROXY MATERIALS AND ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS 



This Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement and the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available on the Company’s website at http://ir.ICCholdingsinc.com  and at www.proxydocs.com/ICCH.

 

 

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS



PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS



Based on filings made under Section 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as of March 25, 2020, the only persons known by us to be beneficial owners of five percent or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock were as follows: 









DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS



The following is information regarding beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock by each director nominee, named executive officer (whose compensation is disclosed in this Proxy Statement), continuing directors and other executive officers of the Company, including as a group, as of March 25, 2020







*Less than 1% of Class.



(1)Includes (a) 16,000 shares held in Mr. Beck’s 401(k) plan, (b) (c) 9,900 shares held in his IRA, (d) 1,959 shares held in his ESOP account and 1,391  shares directly owned.  Excludes 1,284 unvested restricted stock units.

(2)See footnote (1) to the Principal Shareholders table above.

(3)Includes 10,000 shares held in joint tenancy.

(4)Includes 108,000 shares held in a trust.

(5)Includes 10,000 shares held in a trust.

(6)Includes (a) 7,500 shares held in Mr. Schmeichel’s 401(k) plan, (b) 2,259 shares held in his ESOP account, and 612 shares directly owned.  Excludes 1,400 unvested restricted stock units.

(7)Includes 20,000 shares held in a trust.

(8)Includes (a) 12,453 shares held in Mr. Smith’s 401(k) plan, (b) 24,271 shares held in his IRA, (c) 2,232 shares held in his ESOP account, and 1,428 shared directly owned.  Excludes 1,356 unvested restricted stock units.

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(9)Includes (a) 3,000 shares held in Ms. Springer’s 401(k) plan, (b) 1,683 shares held in her ESOP account, and 863 shares directly owned.  Excludes 1,178 unvested restricted stock units.

(10)Includes (a) 2,500 shares held in Ms. Suiter’s 401(k) plan, (b) 1,944 shares held in her ESOP account, and 896 shares directly owned.  Excludes 1,284 unvested restricted stock units.

(11)Includes (a) 47,227.50.5 shares held in Mr. Sutherland’s 401(k) plan, (b) 150 shares beneficially owned by his minor children, (c) 3,400 shares held in his spouse’s IRA, (d) 3,144 shares held in his ESOP account, and 4,530 shares directly owned.  Excludes 5,559 unvested restricted stock units.

(12)Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under Exchange Act, thereby including, with respect to each individual identified therein, or restricted stock units that vest within 60 days of the record date of March 25, 2020 The numbers of shares reflected in this table have been rounded to the nearest whole number.



The information with respect to beneficial ownership of Common Stock of the Company is based on information furnished to the Company by each individual included in the table. 



SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE



Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10 percent of the Common Stock of the Company to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and NASDAQ. Copies of these reports must also be furnished to the Company. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports received by it, and/or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that during the year ended December 31, 2019, the reporting persons have compiled with all filing requirements of Section 16(a).



 

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PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS



GENERAL 



At this year’s Annual Meeting, four (4) Class III directors are to be elected.  Unless otherwise instructed, the shares represented by a signed proxy card will be voted for the election of the three nominees named below. The nominees for election as Class III directors who receive the highest number of votes cast, in person or by proxy, at the meeting will be elected as Class III directors.



STAGGERED BOARD



Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide for a classified Board of Directors consisting of three classes of directors, each serving staggered three-year terms. Our directors are divided among the three classes as follows:





Directors in a particular class will be elected for three-year terms at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in the year in which their terms expire. As a result, only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our shareholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Each director’s term continues until the election and qualification of his/her successor, or his/her earlier death, resignation or removal.



NOMINEES 



Messrs.  R. Kevin Clinton, Joel K. Heriford, Daniel H. Portes, and Mark J. Schwab are standing for election. Each is nominated to serve for a three-year term expiring in 2023.  



The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve if elected. In the event that any nominee shall become unavailable for election, the shares represented by a proxy will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee selected by the persons appointed as proxies and recommended by the Board, unless the Board should determine to reduce the number of directors pursuant to the Company’s bylaws or allow the vacancy to stay open until a replacement is designated by the Board.



The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” election of all four nominees listed above. 



DIRECTOR INFORMATION



The biographical profiles on the following pages contain certain information with respect to the Board of Directors.





















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PROPOSAL TWO: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



The Audit Committee has appointed Johnson Lambert, LLP (“Johnson Lambert”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, and the Board is asking shareholders to ratify that selection. Although current law, rules and regulations, as well as the Charter of the Audit Committee, require our independent auditor to be appointed, retained and supervised by the Audit Committee, the Board considers the selection of an independent auditor to be an important matter of shareholder concern and considers a proposal for shareholders to ratify such selection to be an important opportunity for shareholders to provide direct feedback to the Board on an important issue of corporate governance. If the appointment of Johnson Lambert is not ratified by shareholders, the Audit Committee will take such action, if any, with respect to the appointment of the independent auditor as the Audit Committee deems appropriate, which may include continued retention of such audit firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.



Representatives of Johnson Lambert will be available telephonically during the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from the shareholders.



The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of common stock of the Company present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for adoption of this proposal.



The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” Proposal Two and the ratification of the selection of Johnson Lambert, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the current fiscal year. 



RECENT CHANGE IN AUDITOR



As reported on Form 8-K, filed on April 12, 2019, (the “Change in Auditor 8-K”), on April 11, 2019, the Company received notice from its registered public accounting firm, BKD, LLP (“BKD”), that BKD would resign effective following the filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. BKD's resignation was not due to any reason related to the Company's financial reporting or accounting operations, policies or practices. 

BKD’s audit reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the subsequent interim period through April 11, 2019, there were (i) no disagreements (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K) between the Company and BKD on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, any of which, if not resolved to BKD’s satisfaction, would have caused BKD to make reference thereto in their reports, and (ii) no “reportable events” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

In accordance with Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, the Company provided BKD with a copy of the disclosures it made to the Change in Auditor on its 8-K and requested that BKD furnish a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made herein. A copy of BKD’s letter, dated April 11, 2019, was filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Change in Auditor 8-K.

On April 11, 2019, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors engaged Johnson Lambert, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the subsequent interim periods through April 11, 2019, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted with Johnson Lambert regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specific transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements or the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that Johnson Lambert concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue, (ii) any matter that was the subject of a “disagreement” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or (iii) any “reportable event” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.





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FEES PAID TO THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

 

Fees for services rendered by Johnson Lambert, LLP related to the Company’s current independent registered public accounting firm, for each of the following categories of services for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, are set forth below: 

 

 

 

 

(1) Audit fees relate to professional services rendered for the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and review of quarterly consolidated financial statements. 

(2) Audit-related fees are for professional services rendered for the statutory audit of certain subsidiaries.





FEES PAID TO THE PRIOR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

 

Fees for services rendered by BKD, LLP related to the Company’s prior independent registered public accounting firm, for each of the following categories of services for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are set forth below:



 

 

 

(1) Audit fees relate to professional services rendered for the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and review of quarterly consolidated financial statements. 

(2) Audit-related fees are for professional services rendered for the statutory audit of certain subsidiaries and procedures related to the Company’s filing of Form S-1 and travel costs. 



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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS



CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES



The Company is committed to having sound corporate governance principles that are designed to ensure that the Board exercises reasonable business judgment in discharging its obligations to the Company and its shareholders. Corporate governance practices also help to ensure that full and transparent disclosures are made to the Company’s shareholders and the SEC.



DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE



The Board is required to affirmatively determine the independence of each director and to disclose such determination in the proxy statement for each Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company.    In order to determine which of our directors are independent, we have elected to utilize the standards for independence established under the NASDAQ listing standards. Under this standard, an independent director is a person other than an executive officer or employee of ICC or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The following persons will not be considered independent:





Under these criteria, all directors except Arron K. Sutherland are independent. Only independent directors serve on the Company’s Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, and Compensation Committee.



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BOARD INDEPENDENCE STATUS



The following table identifies the independence status of our Directors as of December 31, 2019:  







DIRECTOR NOMINATION POLICY



The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company considers director candidates based upon a number of qualifications, qualities, skills, and other expertise required to be a director.



The Nominating and Governance Committee conducts an annual assessment of the composition of the Board and its committees. The Committee reviews the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members with a view toward establishing a diversity of backgrounds in areas of core competencies including experience in the following: business development, insurance industry, senior management, operational, technical, compensation and finance.



The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider qualified director candidates as properly nominated by shareholders as further set forth under SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS on page 29. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider shareholder recommendations for director candidates, but the Nominating and Governance Committee has no obligation to recommend such candidates. Assuming that appropriate biographical and background material (including qualifications) is provided for candidates recommended by shareholders, the Nominating and Governance Committee will evaluate those candidates by following substantially the same process and applying substantially the same criteria as for candidates recommended by other sources.



CODE OF CONDUCT



The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct, which is designed to help directors, officers and employees maintain ethical behavior and resolve ethical issues in an increasingly complex global business environment. The Code of Conduct applies to all directors, officers and employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Legal Officer and any other employee with any responsibility for the preparation and filing of documents with the SEC. The Code of Conduct covers topics including, but not limited to, ethical behavior, conflicts of interest, corporate opportunities, confidentiality of information and compliance with laws and regulations. A copy of our Code of Conduct is available at the Company’s website under the Governance section at http://ir.ICCholdingsinc.com. Any amendments to the Code of Conduct will be posted on the website, and any waiver that applies to a director or executive officer will be disclosed in accordance with the rules of the SEC and NASDAQ.  



SHAREHOLDER AND INTERESTED PARTIES COMMUNICATIONS



Any shareholder may communicate directly with the Board of Directors, or with any one or more individual members of the Board. A shareholder wishing to do so, should address the communication to “Board of Directors” or to one or more individual members of the Board and submit the communication to the Company at the address of the Company noted on the first page of this Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement. All such communications received by the Company and addressed to the Board of Directors will be forwarded to the Chair of the Board, or to the individual member or members of the Board, if addressed to them.



All of these communications will be reviewed by our Secretary to filter out communications that are not appropriate, specifically, spam or communications offering to buy or sell products or services. The Secretary will forward all remaining communications to the appropriate directors.

 

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COMPANY POLICY ON RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS



The Company recognizes that related party transactions present a heightened risk of conflicts of interest and/or improper valuation (or the perception thereof) and therefore the Audit Committee will review and approve all related party transactions and transactions raising potential conflicts of interest.



CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS



Mr. Kevin Clinton is a director of the Company and owns more than 10% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. On September 7, 2018, the Company repurchased from the Clinton-Flood Purchasers, as previously defined in our final prospectus filed with the SEC on February 13, 2017, which includes Mr. Kevin Clinton, 196,721 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $15.25 per share. The Clinton-Flood Purchasers received an aggregate payment of $2,999,995 during the year ended December 31, 2018, related to the share repurchase. 

 

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 



The ICC Holdings, Inc. Board has five standing committees: Audit, Compensation and Succession,  Enterprise Risk Management, Executive, and Nominating and Governance. The Audit, Nominating and Governance, and Compensation and Succession Committees are composed solely of independent directors in compliance with the Company’s requirements and the NASDAQ Listing Standards. The Nominating and Governance Committee annually evaluates both Committee members and Committee Chairs and rotates as necessary. In his discretion, the Chair of the Board may attend any or all Committee meetings. All committees meet at least quarterly and also hold informal discussions from time to time. Charters for the Audit, Nominating and Governance, and Compensation and Succession Committees are available on the Company’s website under the Governance section at http://ir.ICCholdingsinc.com. 



AUDIT COMMITTEE



The Company’s Audit Committee, composed exclusively of independent directors, met eight times in 2019 to consider various audit and financial reporting matters, including the Company’s outside audit firm relationship and to discuss the planning of the Company’s annual outside audit and its results.  The committee also:



The Audit Committee is responsible for approving every engagement of Johnson Lambert to perform audit or non-audit services on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries before Johnson Lambert is engaged to provide those services, with the Chair of the Audit Committee being authorized to pre-approve non-audit services and then reporting those services to the full Audit Committee, as described in the Audit Committee Report. The Audit Committee evaluates the effects that the provision of non-audit services may have on the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm’s independence with respect to the audit of our financial statements. The Audit Committee meets in executive session with the independent registered public accounting firm periodically.



The Audit Committee consists of Ms. Schmitt (Committee Chair), and Messrs. Clinton, Dingman, and Heriford.  In addition, our Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Schmitt is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations. The Audit Committee Report is set forth later in this proxy statement.



COMPENSATION AND SUCCESSION COMMITTEE



The Company’s Compensation and Succession Committee, composed exclusively of independent directors, met four times in 2019. The Compensation Committee meets to do the following:



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The Compensation and Succession Committee consists of Messrs. Portes (Committee Chair), Heriford, and Schwab and Ms. Schmitt. 



NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE



The Company’s Nominating and Governance Committee is composed exclusively of independent directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee met two times in 2019. The Nominating and Governance Committee meets to guide the Company’s corporate governance program and to monitor and discuss current and emerging corporate governance principles and procedures. The Nominating and Governance Committee also counsels the Board with respect to Board and Committee organization, compensation, membership, and function, as well as Board and Committee performance assessments, individually and collectively. The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies and reviews qualified individuals as potential new director candidates.



The Nominating and Governance Committee consists of Messrs. Klockau (Committee Chair), Dingman, and Pepping.



ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE



The Enterprise Risk Management Committee met four times in 2019 to review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to financial, reputational, and other issues and risks of the Company.



The Enterprise Risk Management Committee consists of Messrs. Burgess (Committee Chair), Clinton, Portes,  Schwab, and Sutherland. 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE



The Executive Committee met four times in 2019 to handle legal formalities and technicalities concerning administrative operations.



The Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Pepping (Committee Chair), Dingman, Klockau,  and Sutherland.



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COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP







* Chair of Committee

  

BOARD MEETINGS AND COMPENSATION



MEETINGS 



During 2019,  four regular meetings of the Board of Directors were held with all directors in attendance. No director attended fewer than 75 percent of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and Board committees on which he or she served. In connection with each Board meeting, the independent directors meet in an executive session with no members of management present.



DIRECTOR COMPENSATION 



The following table summarizes the total compensation paid to our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.









Under the current structure, each non-employee director received an annual cash retainer for service of $28,000. Mr. Pepping received $7,500 for his work as Chair of the Board, and Ms. Schmitt received $5,000 for her work as Audit Committee Chair. Mr. Clinton, Mr. Dingman, and Mr. Heriford each received an additional $2,000 for their work on the Audit Committee. John Klockau received an additional $13,325 in 2019 as 1099 compensation for claims consulting conducted for ICC.  



A director who is also an employee, such as Mr. Sutherland, does not and will not receive any compensation for his service as a director. Directors have been and will continue to be reimbursed for travel, food, lodging and other expenses directly related to their activities as directors. Directors are also entitled to protection provided by the indemnification provisions in our bylaws, as well as the protection provided by D & O liability insurance provided by the Company.



BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE



The Company maintains a policy of separating the roles of Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.  Gerald J. Pepping currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Company, having been first elected to that position by the Company's Board at a meeting held November 17, 2009.  The Chair of the Board is “independent” under the standards established by the corporate governance rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market (the "NASDAQ") and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

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The Board of Directors believes that separation of the positions of Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer reinforces the independence of the Board in its oversight of the business and affairs of the Company.  In addition, the Board believes that having an independent Chair creates an environment that is more conducive to objective evaluation and oversight of management’s performance, increased management accountability, and improved ability of the Board to monitor whether management’s actions are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.  As a result, the Board of Directors has concluded that having an independent Chair enhances the effectiveness of the Board as a whole and is an appropriate leadership structure for the Company.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT



The following report by the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Company’s Board of Directors is required by the rules of the SEC to be included in this Proxy Statement and shall not be considered incorporated by reference in other filings by the Company with the SEC.



The Committee is composed of four independent directors and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.



The primary role of the Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of (a) the Company’s corporate accounting and reporting practices, (b) the quality and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (c) the performance of the Company’s system of internal accounting and financial controls, (d) the Company’s compliance with related legal and regulatory requirements, (e) the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm (“Auditor”), and (f) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function. In addition to those primary roles, the Committee also performs other roles and functions as outlined in its charter, including preliminary review of earnings releases and other activities. The Committee also acts as the audit committee for the Company’s insurance company subsidiary. A more detailed description of the Committee’s roles, functions and activities is set forth in the description of Board committees elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and in the Committee’s charter, which is available on our investor relations website at http://ir.ICCholdingsinc.com/.  



The Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee qualifies as “independent” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Listing Standards and the rules of the SEC. The Board of Directors has further determined that Committee Chair Christine C. Schmitt is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the SEC rules.



The Committee reviews the internal audit function of the Company, including the independence and authority of its reporting obligations, the proposed audit plans for the coming year and the coordination of such plans with the Auditor. The Company’s Internal Controls Analyst provides the internal audit function and has an indirect reporting line to the Audit Committee and a direct reporting line to the CEO for internal control reporting purposes.   The Internal Controls Analyst provides objective assurance services regarding the effectiveness of management’s internal controls and procedures and consulting services designed to add value and improve the organization’s operations. The CEO, with the assistance of the Internal Controls Analyst, presents the Company’s annual risk-based audit plan to the Audit Committee and periodically reports results of internal audit activities.



The Committee appoints and annually evaluates the performance of the Company’s Auditor and aids the members of the Board of Directors in fulfilling their oversight functions of the financial reporting practices and financial statements of the Company. It is not the duty of the Committee, however, to plan or conduct audits or to determine whether the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s Auditor is responsible for planning and conducting audits of the financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting; the Company’s management is responsible for preparing the financial statements, designing and assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and determining whether the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and applicable laws and regulations.



BKD was the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, and the first quarter of 2019. As reported in our Change in Auditor 8-K, the Audit Committee selected Johnson Lambert to be the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2019.



The Committee contracts with and sets the fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm. The fees for audit services for the past two fiscal years are set forth on page 13. 

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Audit fees relate to professional services rendered for the audit of consolidated financial statements of the Company, audits of the statutory financial statements of certain subsidiaries, review of quarterly consolidated financial statements and assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC.



In our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, there were no other professional services provided by either Johnson Lambert or BKD, other than those listed in the table on page 13, that would have required our Audit Committee to consider their compatibility with maintaining the independence.



The Committee received reports and reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and the Auditor. The Committee also discussed with the Auditor matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Standard No.16, Communication with Audit Committees. The Committee received from the Company’s Auditor the written disclosures and letter required by the applicable PCAOB requirements for independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning auditor independence. The Committee discussed with the Auditor that firm’s independence and any relationships that may impact that firm’s objectivity and independence including audit and non-audit fees. Additionally, the Committee promotes the Auditor’s independence by ensuring that the lines of communication are always open and constant between the Auditor and the Committee.



Based on the Committee’s discussion with and review of reports from management, the Company’s Internal Control Analyst, the Company’s Auditor, as well as the Committee’s reliance on the representation of management that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements of the Company be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC.



The foregoing report has been approved by all members of the Audit Committee.





MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE



Christine C. Schmitt (Chair)

R. Kevin Clinton

James R. Dingman

Joel K. Heriford







COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION



During 2019, the Compensation Committee was composed of Dan Portes  (Committee Chair), Joel Heriford, Christine Schmitt, and Mark Schwab. None of these persons has at any time been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, there are no relationships among our executive officers, members of the Compensation Committee or entities whose executives serve on the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee that require disclosure under applicable SEC regulations.







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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PRACTICES   



INTRODUCTION



For 2019, our executive officers were compensated consistent with the design of the programs approved by the Board of Directors in 2019. Specifically, they received annual base salaries and were eligible to receive a discretionary annual bonus up to a maximum percentage of their base salaries, based on the achievement of specific company and individual performance goals; a maximum of 35% of base salary for the CEO and 30% of base salary for the remaining executive officers respectively. The CEO’s performance bonus structure includes an opportunity for earning up to an additional 15% of base salary for achieving “stretch goals.” As part of its evaluation process, the Compensation Committee surveys the entire Board annually concerning the CEO’s performance along with the performance of the Company.  The Summary Compensation Table on page 26 provides a summary of compensation for the Chief Executive Officer as well as the next two highly compensated executive officers for 2019 and 2018.



The Executive Discretionary Performance Bonus Program, including a long-term incentive component, was approved by the Board of Directors on March 20, 2017. The former profit sharing and individual bonus programs were replaced with a single, discretionary, performance bonus program. Similar to the profit-sharing program, the criteria for measuring performance includes key components of insurance company operations. Company and individual goals are combined, with heavier weighting on Company goals. Two bonus levels were established: CEO and Vice President. Company and individual goals are set annually, with consideration of current market conditions. Performance measures and thresholds are reviewed annually to ensure consistency with the business plan.



This report provides an overview of our 2019 executive compensation program.



WHAT GUIDES OUR NEW EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM





The following summarizes the guidelines, decision-making process and structure of our executive compensation program effective January 1, 2019.  



Our Compensation Philosophy and Guiding Principles



The philosophy underlying our executive compensation program is to attract, retain and motivate strong leadership to drive Illinois Casualty Company’s (“ICC’s”) business strategy and goals. Our executive compensation program is grounded in the following guiding principles:





The Role of the Compensation Committee



The primary oversight of the Company’s executive compensation program rests with the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“the Compensation Committee”). The Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors. It is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee to determine whether, in its judgement, our executive compensation program, practices and policies are reasonable and appropriate, reflect our compensation philosophy and effectively serve in the best interests of our shareholders and our Company.  



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The Role of the Chief Executive Officer.



The Compensation Committee makes all decisions about the compensation of our executive officers. The Chief Executive Officer provides the Compensation Committee with an assessment of the performance of the executive officers other than himself and compensation recommendations for the executive officers other than himself. He does not play any role with respect to any matter impacting his own compensation.



The Role of the Independent Compensation Consultant



The Compensation Committee periodically engages consultants to independently review our executive compensation program, practices and policies. We did not engage an outside consultant in 2019. The Chief Human Resources Officer conducted extensive market and peer group executive compensation studies and provided the results and analysis to the Compensation Committee to consider in its decision-making process. The information was used to assess and review our executive compensation levels and structure as well as evaluate the performance-based incentive plans it had established in 2017 for executive officers.



The Role of Competitive Positioning



The Compensation Committee, with the support of the Chief Human Resources Officer, annually reviews salary levels relative to the compensation of executive officers of similarly sized property and casualty insurance companies. In these reviews, the Compensation Committee primarily relies on publicly-available survey data, as there are few similarly-sized publicly-traded property and casualty insurance companies which can be used as comparators for executive compensation benchmarking purposes; however, peer company data is used as supplemental reference information by the Committee.



For the purpose of competitive positioning, in 2019 the Compensation Committee evaluated and established a revised peer group that it determined better aligns with the insurance Company’s asset size, premium, and true market competitors. The peer group is a blend of both publicly traded and mutual insurance companies. This peer information was submitted to ISS Proxy in December of 2019 for the 2020 Proxy and includes Badger Mutual Insurance Company, Capital Indemnity Corporation, Conifer Holdings, Inc., Founders Insurance, Hospitality Mutual, Midwest Family, Society Insurance, Specialty Risk of America, US Insurance, and Wilson Mutual.  Each of these peer companies competes within the property and casualty industry.



Retention of the President/CEO is of primary importance to the Compensation Committee. We continue to target the 50th percentile of the market or above for the CEO and between the 25th and 50th for other executives. Considering our current size and its impact on our ability to generate results similar to larger, publicly traded companies, the Compensation Committee acknowledges that the compensation structure will be more heavily weighted on base salary as opposed to variable pay. Until such time that the Company grows significantly, we feel it is prudent to take a conservative approach towards executive compensation.

 

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OVERVIEW OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION



OBJECTIVES



The objective of the Company’s executive compensation program is to provide a competitive total executive compensation program linked to Company performance that will attract, retain and motivate talented executives critical to the Company’s long-term success.



ELEMENTS OF COMPANY EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION



Our compensation philosophy is supported by the following principal compensation elements:    





Fiscal 2019 Payout under Executive Discretionary Performance Bonus Program



The Compensation Committee considered the following targets and weighting (as a percentage of base salary), based on Statutory Accounting results of Illinois Casualty Company,  when establishing potential awards for 2019. Annual targets and weighting were approved by the Board of Directors on March 5, 2019. As set forth in the discretionary program, a combined ratio over 100 would yield  a negative impact on the bonus; -2% for every point over 100. Further, if Risk Based Capital erodes, there would not be a payout for this category.







Long-Term Incentives



Our Board of Directors adopted a stock-based incentive plan that was submitted to, and approved by, our shareholders in 2017. Under this plan, we may award participants restricted shares of our common stock, restricted stock units denominated in shares of our common stock, or options to purchase shares of our common stock. Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards will be made at no cost to the participants. Restricted stock units are payable in shares of common stock or in cash in the discretion of the compensation committee. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued to any one participant pursuant to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (to the extent that such restricted stock unit awards are

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not paid in cash) or upon exercise of stock option awards under the stock-based incentive plan may not exceed 70,000 shares and 28,000 shares during any one-year period, respectively.



Based upon the results set forth above, we set forth the amounts paid to our named executive officers for 2019 performance under the Executive Discretionary Performance Bonus Program in the Summary Compensation Table.



Other Benefits and Perquisites



Our executive officers participate in the same broad-based benefit programs that are generally available to all other employees, including health, dental, disability and life insurance programs, a Company match on contributions to the 401(k) plan, and participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) implemented in 2017. The Company also provides nominal perquisites and supplemental benefits such as golf memberships and supplemental insurance benefits to several of its executive officers, based on business needs.



In November 2012, we entered into a deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Sutherland. The agreement requires Illinois Casualty to make payments to Mr. Sutherland beginning at retirement, which is set at age 62. In the event of separation of service without cause prior to age 62, benefits under this agreement vested 25% in November 2017, 50% in November 2022, 75% in November 2027, and 100% on January 1, 2032. In the event of Mr. Sutherland’s death prior to retirement, benefits become fully vested and are payable to his beneficiaries. Using a discount rate of 4.95%, the fully vested obligation under the agreement would total approximately $1,689,467 on January 1, 2032. As of December 31, 2019, the accrued liability related to this agreement totaled $347,987.



OTHER PRACTICES AND POLICIES



Tax and Accounting Matters



Prior to its amendment by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which was enacted December 22, 2017, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 162(m)”), disallowed a tax deduction to public companies for compensation paid in excess of $1 million to “covered employees” under Section 162(m) (generally, such company’s chief executive officer and its three other highest paid executive officers other than its chief financial officer). Prior to this amendment, there was an exception to this $1 million limitation for performance-based compensation if certain requirements were met. Historically, awards to these covered individuals under our annual bonus plan and in the form of performance-based equity grants were intended to satisfy the requirements for qualifying as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).



The Tax Act generally amended Section 162(m) to eliminate the exception for performance-based compensation, effective for taxable years following December 31, 2017. The $1 million compensation limit was also expanded to apply to a public company’s chief financial officer and apply to certain individuals who were covered employees in years other than the then-current taxable year. Although certain transition relief may apply with respect to compensation paid pursuant to certain contracts in effect as of November 2, 2017, ambiguities in the Tax Act prevent the Compensation Committee from being able to definitively determine what compensation, if any, payable to the covered employees in excess of $1 million will be deductible in future years. Interpretations of and changes in applicable tax laws and regulations, as well as other factors beyond the control of the Compensation Committee, can affect deductibility of compensation, and there can be no assurance that compensation paid to our executive officers who are covered by Section 162(m) will be deductible. As in prior years, the Compensation Committee will continue to take into account the tax and accounting implications (including with respect to the expected lack of deductibility under the revised Section 162(m)) when making compensation decisions, but reserves its right to make compensation decisions based on other factors as well if the Compensation Committee determines it is in our best interests to do so. Further, taking into account the elimination of the exception for performance-based compensation, the Compensation Committee may determine to make changes or amendments to its existing compensation programs in order to revise aspects of our programs that were initially designed to comply with Section 162(m) but that may no longer serve as an appropriate incentive measure for our executive officers.



We also operate our executive compensation program with the intention of complying with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Employment Agreements

Sutherland Agreements.    Arron Sutherland, President/CEO, has an employment agreement and a non-compete agreement with the Company; none of the other executive officers is currently under an employment agreement. All our executive officers have non-disclosure, non-compete, and change-in-control agreements in place.



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Other Named Executive Officer Agreements.  In October 2016, we entered into change in control agreements with each of Messrs. Smith and Schmeichel, which provides for severance benefits upon the executive’s termination of employment in connection with a change in control





EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT



EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Our current executive officers are listed below. The information for Mr. Sutherland, one of our named executive officers, is included under “Director Information.”

Our Other Named Executive Officers

Michael R. Smith, age 53,  serves as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a position he has held since May 2016. Previously, he served as the Vice President of Finance since January 2015. Mr. Smith joined the Company originally in 2011 as the Assistant Vice President of Finance until July 2013. He served as Vice President and Controller at CGB Enterprises, Inc. from July 2013 to January 2015. Mr. Smith has more than 21 years’ experience in the financial industry including 16 years in the insurance industry and holds a CPA and CPCU designation. Mr. Smith oversees the Company’s Accounting, Actuarial Services, and Policy Services operations. Prior to joining the Company, he worked for several insurance organizations including GF&C Holding Company, The Financial Group, Insurall, and Continental National Indemnity. Mr. Smith received his B.S.B.A. in Accounting from Xavier University and his M.B.A. in Finance from Xavier University.

Norman D. Schmeichel, age 50,  serves as the Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Company, a position he has held since 2011. Mr. Schmeichel has over 18 years’ experience in the insurance industry. He started with ICC in 2002 as the Associate Director of IT and served as the Assistant Vice President of IT from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Schmeichel has over 20 years’ experience in development of enterprise solutions. He oversees the Company’s IT and Networking operations. Mr. Schmeichel holds a B.A. in Economics from Northern Illinois University. 



Other Executive Officers



Howard J. Beck, age 61,  serves as the Chief Underwriting Officer, a position he has held since May 2016. Previously, he served as the Vice President of Underwriting from 2014 to 2016. He joined the Company in 2004 as Program Manager and has served as Marketing Manager and Director of Underwriting. Mr. Beck has over 25 years’ experience in the insurance industry and holds a CPCU. Prior to joining the Company, he was employed for over 12 years with both company and agency operations, working with Sentry Select, John Deere Insurance, and Lohman Brothers Agency. Mr. Beck oversees the Company’s Underwriting and Marketing operations. Mr. Beck received a B.S. in Finance from Northern Illinois University and his M.B.A. from University of St. Thomas.





Kathleen S. Springer, age 52,  serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer, a position she has held since 2017. Previously, Ms. Springer was the Director of Human Resources from 2011 until 2017. She joined the Company in 2008 as the Human Resources Manager. Ms. Springer has over 21 years’ experience in the human resources field and more than 11 years in the insurance industry.  She holds a CPCU as well as SPHR and SHRM-SCP designations. Prior to joining ICC, she was employed in HR management with K’s Merchandise and Service Merchandise Corp. Ms. Springer oversees the Company’s Administrative Services, Human Resources, and Loss Control operations. Ms. Springer received her B.A. from Western Illinois University.

Julia B. Suiter, age 53,  serves as Chief Legal Officer of the Company, a position she has held since May 2016. Previously, she served as the Chief Litigation Counsel from 2011 to 2016. She joined the Company in 2009 as Litigation Manager. Ms. Suiter oversees the Company’s Legal and Claims operations.  Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Suiter practiced in the areas of construction law, products liability, contract law, employment law, and insurance defense for more than 15 years. Prior to joining ICC, she served as Operations Counsel for KONE Inc., where she was also responsible for the company’s corporate compliance program and taught the “Legal Environment of Business” course as an adjunct professor at St. Ambrose University. Ms. Suiter holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Indiana University and a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law.



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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION



SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

























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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2019 Year-End





The following table lists all outstanding equity awards held by our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2019.









(1)RSUs issued on 02/20/2018 (2017 Award) and 03/05/2019 (2018 Award). The 2017 RSUs vest 1/3 on each of 2/20/2019, 2/20/2020, and 2/20/2021 and the 2018 RSUs on 03/05/2020, 03/05/2021 and 03/05/2022 respectively.

(2)Reflects the value of restricted stock units based on the closing price of our common stock of $14.09 on December 31, 2018, the last trading date of the fiscal year.



SEVERANCE AND CHANGE IN CONTROL BENEFITS



Benefits Provided in Connection with Termination. If Mr. Sutherland’s employment is terminated as a result of his death, his estate or designated beneficiary will receive any base salary and expenses accrued and owing to Mr. Sutherland as of the date of termination of employment and all benefits due and owing to, or in respect of, Mr. Sutherland under all benefit plans, in accordance with their terms. We refer to these benefits as accrued obligations.



If Mr. Sutherland’s employment is terminated by Illinois Casualty Company (“ICC”) for Cause or by Mr. Sutherland without Good Reason, Mr. Sutherland will receive his accrued obligations, and ICC will make available to Mr. Sutherland and his qualified dependents continued coverage under its insurance plans, as required by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), with Mr. Sutherland financially responsible for such coverage.



If Mr. Sutherland’s employment is terminated as a result of his disability, by ICC other than for Cause or as a consequence of his death or normal retirement under our retirement plans and practices, or by Mr. Sutherland for Good Reason, Mr. Sutherland will receive his accrued obligations, and ICC will make available to Mr. Sutherland and his qualified dependents continued coverage under its insurance plans, as required by COBRA, with Mr. Sutherland financially responsible for such coverage. Additionally, following the execution of a general release in our favor, Mr. Sutherland will be entitled a lump sum payment equal to twelve months of base salary payable within thirty days following termination of employment. Also, beginning on the thirteenth month following termination of his employment and continuing through the

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eighteenth month following such termination, Mr. Sutherland will receive monthly payments equal to his base salary, which may be offset by any sources of employment or consulting or similar-type sources of income.



In the event of a “Change in Control Good Reason,” as defined in his employment agreement, Mr. Sutherland will receive his accrued obligations, and the Company will make available to Mr. Sutherland and his qualified dependents continued coverage under its insurance plans, as required by COBRA, with Mr. Sutherland financially responsible for such coverage. Additionally, in the event that the Company or ICC is sold or merged with another entity during the term of Mr. Sutherland’s employment and, as a result of that sale or merger, his employment is terminated, Mr. Sutherland will also receive a lump sum payment equal to twenty-four months of base salary payable within thirty days following termination of employment.



For purposes of Mr. Sutherland’s employment agreement, (a) Cause shall mean (i) his material breach of his employment agreement, (ii) his gross negligence in the performance or non-performance of any of his material duties or responsibilities under his employment agreement, (iii) the refusal of Mr. Sutherland to implement or adhere to policies or directives of ICCH’s  Board of Directors, (iv) his dishonesty, fraud or willful misconduct with respect to, or disparagement of, the business or affairs of ICC, (v) conduct of a criminal nature or involving moral turpitude (as such term is defined in his employment agreement) under the provisions of any federal, state or local laws or ordinance or transgression which may have an adverse impact on ICC’s reputation and standing in the community (as determined by ICC in good faith and fair dealing), and/or (vi) his absence from work for five consecutive days for any reason other than vacation, approved leave of absence (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) or disability or illness pursuant to ICC policy or law; (b) Good Reason shall mean ICC materially breaches the provisions Mr. Sutherland’s employment agreement and he provides at least twenty days prior written notice to ICC of the existence of such breach and his intent to terminate his employment agreement; however, no such termination shall be effective if such breach is cured during such period; (c) Change in Control shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (i) a merger, consolidation, or division involving ICC and/or the Company, (ii) a sale, exchange, transfer, or other disposition of substantially all of the assets of ICC and/or the Company; (iii) a “person” or “group” (each within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock and/or ICCH’s common stock; or (iv) any other change in control similar in effect to any of the foregoing and specifically designated in writing as a “Change in Control” by the Board of Directors of ICCH and/or the Company; and (d) Change in Control Good Reason shall mean the occurrence of the following at any time during the term of Mr. Sutherland’s employment agreement: (i) within six months prior to, or one year after, a Change in Control, ICC terminates his employment (other than for Cause), or (ii) within one year after such Change in Control any of the following occur, if taken without Mr. Sutherland’s express written consent: (A) a material diminution in his authority, duties or other terms or conditions of employment as the same exist on the date of the Change in Control; (B) any reassignment of Mr. Sutherland to a location greater than one hundred seventy-five miles from the location of his office on the date of the Change in Control, unless such new location is closer his primary residence than the location of the Change in Control; (C) any material diminution in his base salary; (D) any failure to provide Mr. Sutherland with any benefits enjoyed by him under any of the Company’ or ICC’s retirement, health, life, disability, or other material employee plans in which Mr. Sutherland participated at the time of the Change in Control, or the taking of any action that would materially reduce any of such benefits in effect at the time of the Change in Control except for any reductions in benefits or other actions resulting from change to or reductions in benefits applicable to employee’s generally; or (E) any other material breach of his employment agreement.



In October 2016, we entered into change in control agreements with each of Messrs. Smith, and Schmeichel, which provides for severance benefits upon the executive’s termination of employment in connection with a change in control. The definition of change in control is the same as contained in Mr. Sutherland’s employment agreement. Each change in control agreement is for a term ending on December 31, 2019, that is automatically renewed for an additional one-year term thereafter unless either party gives their respective notice of intent not to renew at least sixty days prior to January 1st of the subsequent year. Each change in control agreement also provides that the executive may not compete with our business or solicit any of our customers or employees for one year following the termination of such executive’s employment for any reason and during the term of the change in control agreement.



For purposes of the change in control agreement, (a) cause shall mean (i) the executive’s material breach of their respective change in control agreement or any other agreement with the Company or ICC, as applicable, to which such executive is a party, (ii) the executive’s material failure to adhere to any written policy of the Company or ICC generally applicable to their respective employees if such executive has been given thirty days written notice of such failure and a reasonable opportunity to comply with such policy or cure such executive’s failure to comply; (iii) the executive’s appropriation or attempted appropriation of a business opportunity of the Company or ICC, including attempting to secure or securing any business or personal profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company or ICC, as applicable; (iv) the executive’s misappropriation or attempted misappropriation of any of the funds or property (including any intellectual property) of the Company or ICC; (v) the executive’s conviction of, or the entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a felony or the equivalent thereof involving dishonesty or breach of trust and the penalty for such

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offense could be imprisonment for more than one year; or (vi) the executive’s conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude (as such term is defined in the change in control agreement) under the provisions of any federal, state or local laws or ordinances, or such executive’s use of alcohol, narcotics or illegal drugs to such an extent that will cause a material detrimental effect on the Company or ICC; and good reason shall mean the occurrence of a change in control and the following at any time during the term of the change in control agreement: (i) within six months prior to, or one year after, a Change in Control, the Company or ICC terminates the executive’s employment (other than for Cause), or (ii) any other material breach of the executive’s change in control agreement.



If a good reason occurs, the executive has ninety days thereafter to notify the Company and ICC of such occurrence. If the Company and/or ICC, as applicable, fail to cure such situation within thirty days after such notice, the executive is entitled to, within thirty days from the later of the date of termination of employment or delivery of the notice of termination, a lump sum cash payment equal to sum of (a) one times the executive’s base salary in effect as of the delivery date of the notice of termination and (b) one times the average cash bonus paid to the such executive within the current calendar year and two calendar years preceding the year in which the notice of termination is delivered. Additionally, upon such occurrence, during the period commencing from the date of termination of employment until the end of the twelfth month after such date, the executive shall be permitted to continue participation in, and the Company and/or ICC, as applicable, shall maintain the same level of contribution for, such executive’s participation in their respective medical/health insurance in effect with respect to such executive during the one year period prior to such executive’s termination of employment or, if the Company and/or ICC, as applicable, is not permitted to provide such benefits because such executive is no longer an employee or as a result of any applicable legal requirement, such executive shall receive a dollar amount, on or within thirty days following the dater of termination of employment, equal to the cost to the Company and/or ICC, as applicable, of obtaining such benefits (or substantially similar benefits).





Each of the award agreements related to the grant of RSUs includes a provision that accelerates vesting of the unvested portion of the RSUs upon a “Change in Control” as defined pursuant to the respective equity incentive plan and upon the participant’s termination of employment due to death or disability as defined pursuant to the respective equity incentive plan.



BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT



The Board’s risk oversight is accomplished both at the full Board level and through its committee structure. The full Board discusses and considers risk management issues at each of its meetings. The Board will adjust its practices with respect to risk management oversight when it determines it needs to do so and will involve itself in particular areas or business circumstances where its proper exercise of oversight demands it. The Board’s role in risk oversight is consistent with the Company’s leadership structure, with the Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management having responsibility for assessing and managing the Company’s risk exposure, and the Board and its committees providing oversight in connection with these efforts.



The individual committee responsibilities with respect to risk oversight are included in their respective Charters. The Enterprise Risk Management Committee consists of Messrs. Burgess (Committee Chair), Clinton, Portes, Schwab, and Sutherland. The purpose of the Enterprise Risk Management Committee is to review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to financial, reputational and other issues and risks of the company. In particular, the Enterprise Risk Management Committee works to:



 



SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS



Any shareholder who desires to submit a proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials relating to our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in accordance with the rules of the SEC must submit such proposal in writing, addressed to ICC Holdings, Inc. at 225 20th Street, Rock Island, Illinois 61201, Attn: Secretary, no later than December 20,  2020.  

In accordance with the Company’s bylaws, a shareholder who desires to propose a matter for consideration at an annual meeting of shareholders, even if the proposal is not submitted by the deadline for inclusion in our proxy materials, must comply with the procedures specified in the Company’s bylaws, including providing notice thereof in writing, delivered or mailed by first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting. For the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, this period will begin on February 21, 2021, and end on March 25, 2021.  

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In accordance with the Company’s bylaws, a shareholder who desires to nominate candidates for election to the Board must comply with the proceeding specified in the bylaws, including providing proper notice of the nomination in writing, delivered or mailed by first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting. For the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, this period will begin on February 21, 2021, and end on March 25, 2021. 

If the shareholder does not also comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-4(c)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, proxy holders may exercise discretionary voting authority under proxies that we solicit to vote in accordance with their best judgment on any such shareholder proposal or nomination.

 



OTHER BUSINESS



The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting; however, if any other matters do properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the persons appointed as proxies will vote in accordance with their best judgment.



It is important that proxies be voted promptly so the presence of a quorum may be assured well in advance of the Annual Meeting, thus avoiding the expense of follow-up solicitations. Accordingly, you are requested to vote your proxy in one of the manners described on page 1 of this Proxy Statement.



By Order of the Board of Directors

 



/s/ Gerald J. Pepping

Gerald J. Pepping

Chair of the Board



Rock Island, Illinois

April 7, 2020

 

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INVESTOR INFORMATION



ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING 



The 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on May 20, 2020,  accessed virtually via the Internet at www.proxydocs.com/ICCH.





INTERNET VOTING 



As a convenience, ICC Holdings, Inc. shareholders may vote their proxies via the Internet at www.proxypush.com/ICCH.   Instructions are in your proxy card that you receive.



SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES 



Shareholders of record with requests concerning individual account balances, stock certificates, dividends, stock transfers, tax information or address corrections should contact the Company’s transfer agent and registrar:



Philadelphia Stock Transfer, Inc.
2320 Haverford Rd., Suite 230
Ardmore, PA  19003
Phone: 866-223-0448
Fax: 484-416-3597
http://www.philadelphiastocktransfer.com/ 



CONTACTING ICC HOLDINGS, INC.



For investor relations requests and management’s perspective on specific issues, contact Investor Relations, Attn: Julia Suiter, Esquire, 225 20th Street, Rock Island, Illinois 61201.



ICC  ON THE WEB 



Our corporate website is www.ilcasco.com (Information on the website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.