UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 13, 2024
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| California | 001-14431 | 95-4676679 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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| 630 East Foothill Blvd. | San Dimas | CA | 91773-1212 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (909) 394-3600
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| California | 001-12008 | 95-1243678 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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| 630 East Foothill Blvd. | San Dimas | CA | 91773-1212 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (909) 394-3600
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
| American States Water Company Common Shares | AWR | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Section 5 - Corporate Governance and Management
Item 5.02(e). Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On March 13, 2024, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an award of time-vested restricted stock units and performance awards in the form of restricted stock units to Robert J. Sprowls, President and Chief Executive Officer of American States Water Company, Golden State Water Company, and American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries; Eva G. Tang, Senior Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of American States Water Company, Golden State Water Company, and American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries and Treasurer of American States Water Company; Paul J. Rowley, Senior Vice President – Regulated Water Utility of Golden State Water Company; Christopher H. Connor, Senior Vice President – American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries; and Gladys M. Farrow, Assistant Secretary of American States Water Company, Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Golden State Water Company, and Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Mr. Sprowls, Ms. Tang, Mr. Rowley, Mr. Connor and Ms. Farrow were awarded time-vested restricted stock units in the amount of 6,425, 1,014, 1,014, 1,056 and 729 restricted stock units, respectively, effective March 13, 2024. These awards vest and restrictions lapse on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date in the percentages of 33%, 33% and 34%, respectively, or earlier on the date of death, disability or retirement of the executive. Under the terms of each restricted stock unit grant, each officer will be entitled to receive dividends payable in additional restricted stock units equal to the amount of dividends payable on an equivalent number of the Company’s common shares.
The target amount of the performance awards to Mr. Sprowls, Ms. Tang, Mr. Rowley, Mr. Connor and Ms. Farrow is 19,275, 1,014, 1,014, 1,056 and 730, respectively. These awards vest and restrictions lapse on December 31, 2024, 2025 and 2026 in the percentages of 33%, 33% and 34%, respectively, or earlier on the date of death, disability or retirement of the executive. Each executive officer will be entitled to receive common shares equal to the amount of restricted stock units earned at the end of the performance period. Each of the executive officers will also be entitled to receive dividends payable in additional restricted stock units equal to the amount of dividends payable on an equivalent number of the Company’s common shares to the extent that the underlying restricted stock units are earned.
Each of the performance criteria set forth in the form of performance award agreement attached as Exhibit 10.1 apply to the performance award granted to Mr. Sprowls, Ms. Tang and Ms. Farrow, except the American States Utility Services, Inc. (“ASUS”) new base acquisition success rate performance criteria. The total shareholder return and Golden State Water Company operating expense level criteria apply to the performance award granted to Mr. Rowley. The total shareholder return, ASUS cumulative net earnings and ASUS new base acquisition success rate performance criteria apply to the performance award granted to Mr. Connor.
Section 9- Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
The following document is filed as an Exhibit to this report:
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| Exhibit No. | | Description |
| 10.1 | | |
*Management contract or compensatory arrangement.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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| AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY: |
| March 15, 2024 | /s/ Eva G. Tang |
| Eva G. Tang
Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer |
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| GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY: |
| March 15, 2024 | /s/ Eva G. Tang |
| Eva G. Tang
Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
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