defa14a
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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Filed by the Registrant þ |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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o Definitive Proxy Statement |
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þ Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Valero L.P.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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þ No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11. |
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1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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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): |
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o 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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1) Amount Previously Paid: |
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Curt Anastasio |
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President and |
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Chief Executive Officer |
September 1, 2006
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RE: |
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Valero L.P. Consent Solicitation
Request for Approval of Amendments to the Valero GP, LLC Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term
Incentive Plan |
Dear Valero L.P. Unitholder:
By now you should have received Valero L.P.s Consent Solicitation. We are seeking unitholder
approval of amendments to the Valero GP, LLC Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(the Plan), under which we may grant awards to employees, directors and executives of Valero L.P.
The amendments would, among other things, increase the number of units authorized for issuance
under the Plan from the current 250,000 units to 1,500,000 units (the Amendments). We are
committed to delivering value to our unitholders and we firmly believe in long-term, equity-based
incentives for our employees, directors and executives. Equity-based incentives align the
interests of our employees with yours and help us to attract and retain the very best talent in the
industry. We believe our emphasis on equity-based compensation has played a large role in the
success weve seen at Valero L.P. Since Valero L.P.s initial public offering in April 2001, our
total unitholder return has been over 190% compared to our peer group of 123% and the S&P 500 of
20%. Over that same time, we have grown Valero L.P.s quarterly distribution by nearly 48% from
$0.60 per unit to $0.885 per unit.
Unlike many other companies in our industry, Valero L.P. believes in granting equity not only to
its executives and senior management, but also to the professional and technical employees who are
responsible for the day-to-day operations. These are employees who contribute greatly toward our
goal of building unitholder value. During 2005, over 330 employees received awards from our equity
incentive plans, which represented nearly 25 percent of all our employees. For 2006, we currently
have over 450 employees eligible for awards, which represent approximately 35 percent of all of our
employees. More importantly, since we expect to continue our past practice of Valero GP, LLC
satisfying awards with existing units purchased in the open market, we expect no dilutive impact on
our unitholders to result from the Amendments.
Our Recommendation
We believe our equity compensation philosophy is the best way to align our employees interests
with your interests to enhance the long-term growth and profitability of Valero L.P. The companys
management and Board of Directors request that you vote to approve the Amendments.
Valero L.P. practices sound corporate governance and has delivered on its commitment to provide
unitholder value. Without approval of the Amendments, we may be placed in a difficult position in
attracting and retaining executives and employees. To remain competitive, when current plan units
are depleted, we will be forced to increase the cash component of compensation to our executives
and employees, which is not in line with our compensation philosophy and distances the employees
interests
from yours as a unitholder. In order for us to continue to retain and attract the best and
brightest talent in our industry, we need you to approve the Amendments.
Please sign, date and return the enclosed Consent Form using the postage-paid return envelope
provided. You may also consent by phone or Internet by following the instructions on the enclosed
Consent Form. We ask that you reply as soon as possible to help reduce the cost for additional
mailings or solicitation.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT PLEASE REPLY TODAY!
Should you have any questions regarding this matter, I hope that you will contact Steve Blank,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, at (210)345-2966, or Mark Meador, Senior Manager
of Investor Relations, at (210)345-2895.
Sincerely,
/s/ Curt Anastasio
Curt Anastasio
President and
Chief Executive Officer