Definitive Proxy Statement

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

 

Filed by the Registrant x                            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))

 

x Definitive Proxy Statement

 

¨ Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

 

(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):

 

x 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:

 


WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

2801 Post Oak Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77056

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS To Be Held on May 20, 2011

To the Stockholders:

The annual meeting of stockholders of Westlake Chemical Corporation (the “Company” or “Westlake”) will be held at the Westlake Center Annex, 2801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056, on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. local time for the following purposes:

 

  (1) To elect the two members of the Board of Directors named in the Proxy Statement for the terms described in the Proxy Statement;

 

  (2) To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation;

 

  (3) To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation;

 

  (4) To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011; and

 

  (5) To act upon any other matters that may properly come before the annual meeting.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Friday, April 1, 2011, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.

All stockholders are requested to be present in person or by proxy. For the convenience of those stockholders who do not expect to attend the annual meeting in person and desire to have their shares voted, a form of proxy and an envelope, for which no postage is required, are enclosed. You may also vote by the Internet or telephone. Any stockholder may revoke the proxy for any reason and at any time before it is voted.

Please complete, sign, date and mail promptly the accompanying proxy card in the return envelope furnished for that purpose, whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting.

Voting by the Internet or telephone is fast, convenient and your vote is immediately confirmed and tabulated. By using the Internet or telephone you help the Company reduce postage and proxy tabulation costs.


Please do not return the enclosed proxy if you are voting over the Internet or by telephone.

 

VOTE BY INTERNET

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

 

http://www.voteproxy.com

24 hours a day/7 days a week

  

VOTE BY TELEPHONE

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1-800-PROXIES via touch tone

phone toll-free

24 hours a day/7 days a week

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 19, 2011. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the Web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.    Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 19, 2011. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

Your cooperation is appreciated, since a majority of the common stock must be represented, either in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.

By Order of the Board of Directors

LOGO

Stephen Wallace

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Dated: April 14, 2011

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on May 20, 2011.

This Proxy Statement, our annual report to stockholders, and other proxy materials are available on our Web site at www.westlake.com/report2011 and www.westlake.com/proxy2011.


WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION 2801 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, Texas 77056

PROXY STATEMENT

For Annual Meeting of Stockholders To Be Held on May 20, 2011

GENERAL MATTERS

This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are being furnished to the stockholders of Westlake Chemical Corporation (the “Company” or “Westlake”) on or about April 14, 2011 in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for use at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. local time at the Westlake Center Annex, 2801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056, and any adjournment of the annual meeting.

The following matters will be acted upon at the annual meeting:

 

  (1) To elect the two members of the Board of Directors named herein for the terms described herein;

 

  (2) To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation;

 

  (3) To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation;

 

  (4) To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011; and

 

  (5) To act upon any other matters that may properly come before the annual meeting.

Our Board of Directors does not know of any other business to be brought before the annual meeting, but if any other business is properly brought before the annual meeting, proxies will be voted upon those matters in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons acting under the proxies.

The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement and the form of proxy are being first sent to stockholders on or about April 14, 2011.

All shares represented by proxies received will be voted in accordance with instructions contained in the proxies. The Board of Directors recommends a vote:

 

  (1) FOR the nominees for director listed in these materials and on the proxy;

 

  (2) FOR the approval of the nonbinding resolution on executive compensation;

 

  (3) FOR the approval of holding the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation every three years; and

 

  (4) FOR the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

In the absence of voting instructions to the contrary, shares represented by validly executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the foregoing recommendations. A stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted by providing written notice to the Secretary of the Company, by delivering a later-dated proxy, or by voting in person at the annual meeting.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2011, also referred to as the record date, will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting. At the close of business on the record date, there were 66,572,173 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding, which represent all of the voting securities of the Company. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. Stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.

 

1


A majority of the common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting, present either in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum present at the meeting. Shares held by a broker or other nominee as to which they have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owners and lack the discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter are called “broker non-votes.” Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, the election of directors, the advisory vote on executive compensation and the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation are not considered “routine” matters and, therefore, your broker will not have the discretionary authority to vote your shares in those matters if you have not given your broker specific instructions as to how to vote. Please be sure to give specific instructions to your broker. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Abstentions will not be included in the total of votes cast and will not affect the outcome of the vote. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting, either in person or by proxy, is required for the approval of the proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Abstentions on the proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will not be included in the total of votes cast and will not affect the outcome of the vote. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting, either in person or by proxy, is required for each of the approval of the nonbinding resolution on executive compensation and the approval of any one of the alternatives in the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation. If none of the alternatives in the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation receives a majority vote, the Company will consider the alternative with the highest number of votes cast by stockholders to be the alternative that has been selected by stockholders. Abstentions on the two executive compensation proposals will not be included in the total of votes cast and will not affect the outcome of the vote.

In addition to mailing this material to the stockholders, the Company has asked banks and brokers to forward copies to persons for whom they hold common stock of the Company and request authority for execution of the proxies. The Company will reimburse the banks and brokers for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in doing so. Officers and employees of the Company may, without being additionally compensated, solicit proxies by mail, telephone, facsimile or personal contact. All proxy-soliciting expenses will be paid by the Company in connection with the solicitation of votes for the annual meeting. The Company has engaged American Stock Transfer & Trust Company to tabulate voting results.

INFORMATION REGARDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

INDEPENDENCE OF DIRECTORS

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, TTWF LP, our principal stockholder, owns 69.1% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. Under the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange, we are considered to be controlled by TTWF LP. As a controlled company, we are eligible for exemptions from provisions of these rules requiring a majority of independent directors, nominating and governance and compensation committees composed entirely of independent directors and written nominating and governance and compensation committee charters addressing specified matters. We have elected to take advantage of certain of these exemptions. In the event that we cease to be a controlled company within the meaning of these rules, we will be required to comply with these provisions after the specified transition periods.

Our Board of Directors has determined, after considering all of the relevant facts and circumstances, that Messrs. E. William Barnett, Robert T. Blakely, Max L. Lukens and H. John Riley, Jr. are independent from our management, as “independence” is defined by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. This means that none of these directors has any direct or indirect material relationship with us, either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us and that none of the express disqualifications contained in the New York Stock Exchange rules applies to any of them.

 

2


EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

The Company’s governance guidelines require that non-management directors meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. At these meetings of non-management directors, the non-management directors have decided that the non-management director that presides over the meeting will rotate among the non-management directors.

Since one of the non-management directors is not independent, the Company’s governance guidelines require that the independent directors meet at least once a year. At these meetings of independent directors, the independent directors have decided that the independent director that presides over the meeting will rotate among the independent directors.

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the non-management directors or the independent directors in the manner described under “Communications with Directors” below.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of Robert T. Blakely (chairman), E. William Barnett, Max L. Lukens and H. John Riley, Jr. All current Audit Committee members are “independent” as defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The board has determined that each of Messrs. Blakely, Lukens and Riley is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined by SEC regulations. The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to review the adequacy of the system of internal controls and management information systems, to review the results of our independent registered public accounting firm’s quarterly reviews of our interim financial statements, to review the planning and results of the annual audit with our independent registered public accounting firm, and to have oversight of financial risks. This Committee held eight meetings in 2010. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee charter is publicly available on our Web site at: http://www.westlake.com under “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.”

Mr. Blakely is currently serving on the audit committees of four public companies, including the Company’s Audit Committee. In May 2009, prior to his commencement of service on the fourth audit committee, the Board of Directors of the Company determined that his service on these other audit committees would not impair his ability to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee.

The Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of Robert T. Blakely, E. William Barnett, Albert Chao, James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins, Max L. Lukens (chairman) and H. John Riley, Jr. (all of the members of the Board of Directors). Since Westlake is considered to be controlled by the principal stockholder under New York Stock Exchange rules, all Compensation Committee members are not required to be independent as defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Albert Chao, James Chao and Ms. Jenkins are not “independent” as defined by those listing standards. The Compensation Committee’s primary functions include overseeing our executive compensation, director compensation and equity and performance incentive compensation plans and policies. This Committee held five meetings in 2010. The Compensation Committee has adopted a written charter. The Compensation Committee charter is publicly available on our Web site at: http://www.westlake.com under “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.”

The Nominating and Governance Committee

The Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of E. William Barnett (chairman), Albert Chao, James Chao, Robert T. Blakely, Dorothy C. Jenkins, Max L. Lukens and H. John Riley, Jr. (all of the members of the Board of Directors). Since Westlake is considered to be controlled by the principal stockholder under New

 

3


York Stock Exchange rules, all Nominating and Governance Committee members are not required to be independent as defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Albert Chao, James Chao and Ms. Jenkins are not “independent” as defined by those listing standards. The Nominating and Governance Committee’s primary functions are (1) to identify individuals qualified to become directors of the Company, (2) to recommend to the Board of Directors director candidates to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors and to stand for election by the stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders, (3) to recommend committee assignments for directors, (4) to monitor and annually assess the performance of the Board of Directors and its committees, and (5) to develop and recommend to the Board of Directors appropriate corporate governance policies, practices and procedures for the Company. In assessing the qualifications of prospective nominees to serve as directors, the committee will consider, in addition to any criteria set forth in the Bylaws of the Company, each nominee’s personal and professional integrity, experience, skills, ability and willingness to devote the time and effort necessary to be an effective director, and commitment to acting in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. This Committee held four meetings in 2010. The Nominating and Governance Committee has the authority to retain an executive search firm as needed to identify director candidates. The Nominating and Governance Committee has adopted a written charter. The charter is publicly available on our Web site at: http://www.westlake.com under “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.”

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by stockholders. Any recommendation should be addressed in writing to the Nominating and Governance Committee, Westlake Chemical Corporation, c/o Corporate Secretary, 2801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056. Recommendations for potential nominees may come from any source, including members of the Board of Directors, stockholders, self-recommendations or search firms. All persons recommended for a vacant or new Board position will be given equal consideration regardless of the source of the recommendation. The Nominating and Governance Committee takes diversity, broadly defined to include gender, ethnicity, national origin, geographic location, expertise and level and type of career experience, into account in evaluating the qualifications of prospective nominees to the Board.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

We have separated the positions of chairman of the board and chief executive officer, in that Mr. James Chao serves us as our Chairman of the Board and Mr. Albert Chao serves us as our Chief Executive Officer. Our board has concluded that balance and varying experience and judgment are added to the leadership of the board by having these two positions filled by different persons.

Mr. James Chao, our Chairman of the Board, is not independent from our management, as “independence” is defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Our independent directors meet at least once a year. At these meetings, the independent director that presides over the meeting rotates among the independent directors. See “Information Regarding Board of Directors—Executive Sessions.” We believe that this leadership structure is appropriate because we are controlled by TTWF LP, our principal stockholder.

BOARD ROLE IN CORPORATE RISK OVERSIGHT

The Board of Directors has formed a Corporate Risk Committee of our Board of Directors, which is comprised of H. John Riley, Jr. (chairman), E. William Barnett, Robert T. Blakely, Albert Chao, James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Max L. Lukens (all of the members of the Board of Directors). This committee assists the Board in overseeing overall risks inherent in the operations of the Company and the control processes with respect to those risks. Among other things, this committee reviews the risk-management structure of the Company and reviews management’s identification and assessment of significant risks and its plans to control those risks. The Corporate Risk Committee also reviews management’s systems as they relate to enterprise-wide risks posed by the Company’s physical assets and operating processes and addresses the findings of regulatory agencies concerning the Company’s physical assets and operations. As previously described, our Board’s Audit Committee retains responsibility for oversight of financial risks, including integrity of financial statements,

 

4


internal controls, derivatives transactions, loan covenant compliance, credit, liquidity, insurance and similar areas. Further, our Board’s Compensation Committee retains responsibility for oversight of compensation and personnel practices, including succession planning and management development. Finally, our Board of Directors retains ultimate responsibility for corporate risk oversight as a whole as well as responsibility for oversight of specific risks not assigned to the Board’s committees. As requested from time to time by the Board and its committees, members of our senior management present reports to the Board and the committees on the risks that we face.

COMPENSATION-RELATED RISK

The Company regularly assesses risks related to its compensation program, including its executive compensation program, and does not believe that the risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Management reports to the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Risk Committee regarding factors that could mitigate or encourage excessive risk-taking in reference to the compensation practices of the Company. In addition, the Compensation Committee has independently engaged Towers Watson as its compensation consultant to provide regular reports to the committee regarding best practices, risk factors, program design and related matters. The Compensation Committee also considered the attributes of the Company’s programs, including:

 

   

The mix of compensation types with an emphasis on performance-based programs,

 

   

The array of performance metrics to be used in the programs and their alignment with business goals and objectives, and

 

   

The mix of vesting schedules for long-term incentives to help ensure the recognition and retention of talent and returning value to stockholders.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We have a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, a Code of Conduct that applies to all directors, officers and employees and Principles of Corporate Governance. You can find the above-referenced documents by visiting our Web site: http://www.westlake.com under “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.” We will post on our Web site any amendments to such documents as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS

Any interested party is welcome to communicate with any one or all of our directors by writing to the director or directors, Westlake Chemical Corporation, c/o Corporate Secretary, 2801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056. The Corporate Secretary will forward these communications to the addressee. If any interested party would like to communicate with the non-management directors or independent directors as a group, the interested party should address such communication as follows: Non-management Directors or Independent Directors (as applicable), c/o Corporate Secretary, Westlake Chemical Corporation, 2801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056. Upon receipt, Westlake’s Corporate Secretary will forward the communication, unopened, to one of the non-management directors or independent directors, as applicable. Such director will, upon review of the communication, make a determination as to whether it should be brought to the attention of the other non-management directors or independent directors, as applicable, and whether any response should be made to the person sending the communication, unless the communication was made anonymously.

MEETING ATTENDANCE

The Board of Directors held five meetings in 2010. During 2010, all of our directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee on which he or she served during the periods that he or she served. Westlake encourages its directors to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. All seven of our directors attended our annual meeting of stockholders in 2010.

 

5


COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Directors who are also full-time officers or employees of Westlake or of affiliates of our principal stockholder receive no additional compensation for serving as directors. In 2010, all other directors received an annual retainer of $66,250. The Audit Committee chairman received an additional annual retainer of $13,875, the Compensation Committee chairman received an additional annual retainer of $9,250, the Nominating and Governance Committee chairman received an additional annual retainer of $7,625 and the Corporate Risk Committee chairman received an additional annual retainer of $7,625. In 2011, we expect that these cash retainers for our directors will remain the same.

Under the 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”), the Board of Directors, effective August 20, 2010, authorized the issuance of 2,715 shares of restricted stock to each outside director. The shares of restricted stock will vest in three equal installments on August 20, 2011, 2012 and 2013, subject to the grantee’s continuous position as a director of Westlake.

The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation we paid to our non-employee directors in 2010:

 

Name

   Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
     Stock
Awards(1)
($)
     Option
Awards(2)
($)
     All Other
Compensation(3)
($)
     Total
($)
 

E. William Barnett

     73,875         70,000         0         845         144,720   

Robert T. Blakely

     80,125         70,000         0         845         150,970   

Dorothy C. Jenkins

     66,250         70,000         0         845         137,095   

Max L. Lukens

     75,500         70,000         0         845         146,345   

H. John Riley, Jr.

     73,875         70,000         0         809         144,684   

 

(1) These amounts represent the grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards granted to our directors in 2010, calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. For a discussion of the related valuation assumptions, please see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, Mr. Barnett, Mr. Blakely, Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Lukens and Mr. Riley each had 4,164 shares of unvested restricted stock.
(2) As of December 31, 2010, Mr. Barnett had outstanding options to purchase 10,640 shares of common stock, Mr. Blakely, Ms. Jenkins and Mr. Lukens each had outstanding options to purchase 13,399 shares of common stock, and Mr. Riley had outstanding options to purchase 7,375 shares of common stock.
(3) All other compensation amounts represent dividend payments with respect to shares of restricted stock that were paid to the directors before the vesting of the shares.

PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF CLASS I DIRECTORS

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board of Directors be divided into three classes, each consisting, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the Board of Directors, with each class to serve for a term of three years. The following nominees, each of whom is an incumbent Class I director and was nominated by our Nominating and Governance Committee, are proposed for election in Class I, to serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2014, or until their successors are elected and qualified:

 

   

Dorothy C. Jenkins

 

   

Max L. Lukens

Unless instructed otherwise, the proxies will be voted for the election of the two nominees named above. If any nominee is unable to serve, proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee selected by the Board of Directors, although management is not aware of any circumstance likely to render any of the named nominees unavailable for election.

 

6


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THESE NOMINEES AS CLASS I DIRECTORS.

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS CLASS I DIRECTORS

Dorothy C. Jenkins (age 65). Ms. Jenkins has been a director since June 2003. For the past five years, Ms. Jenkins has managed her personal investments. She is also a member of the board of various civic and charitable organizations including Wellesley College. Ms. Jenkins is the sister of James Chao and Albert Chao. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and holds a B.S. in Mathematics.

The Board has concluded that Ms. Jenkins should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on her experience on the boards of charitable and community organizations and her position as a member of the Chao family, which controls TTWF LP, our principal stockholder.

Max L. Lukens (age 62). Mr. Lukens has been a director since August 2004. Since May 2006, Mr. Lukens has managed his personal investments. Mr. Lukens served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc. until May 2006 and prior to that served as its Chairman of the Board from December 2002 to March 2004, and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President, from September 2003 to March 2004. He was also previously employed by Baker Hughes Incorporated from 1981 to January 2000, where he served as Baker Hughes’ Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer from 1997 to January 2000. Between 2003 and 2009, he served as a director of NCI Building Systems, Inc. He has served as a director of The Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack from August 2006 until October 2007 and again from June 2009 until the present. He has been Chairman of the Board of that company since June 2009. Mr. Lukens was a Certified Public Accountant with Deloitte Haskins & Sells for 10 years and received both his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Miami University of Ohio.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Lukens should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience as a chief executive officer of public companies, as well as his service on the boards of other public companies and his earlier career as a certified public accountant.

OTHER DIRECTORS

Class II Directors Serving Until 2012

James Chao (age 63). Mr. Chao has been our Chairman of the Board since July 2004 and became a director in June 2003. From May 1996 to July 2004, he served as our Vice Chairman. Mr. Chao also has responsibility for the oversight of our Vinyls business. Mr. Chao has over 40 years of global experience in the chemical industry. In November 2010, he resigned as the executive chairman of Titan Chemicals Corp. Bhd, a post he held since June 2003. Prior to that he served as Titan’s Managing Director. He has served as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of China General Plastics Group and worked in various financial, managerial and technical positions at Mattel Incorporated, Developmental Bank of Singapore, Singapore Gulf Plastics Pte. Ltd. and Gulf Oil Corporation. Mr. Chao, along with his brother Albert Chao, assisted their father T.T. Chao in founding Westlake. Mr. Chao is on the board of Baylor College of Medicine and KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program). Mr. Chao received his B.S. degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

The Board has concluded that Mr. James Chao should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience in the global chemicals and plastics industries and his lengthy tenure as a senior officer of the Company. Mr. Chao also brings important perspectives to our board as a member of the Chao family, which controls TTWF LP, our principal stockholder.

H. John Riley, Jr. (age 70). Mr. Riley has been a director since November 2007. Mr. Riley served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cooper Industries, Ltd., from May 1996 until February 2006 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from September 1995 to May 2005. He was President of Cooper Industries, Ltd. from

 

7


1992 to 2004, its Chief Operating Officer from 1992 to 1995 and its Executive Vice President, Operations from 1982 to 1992. He was associated with Cooper Industries, Ltd. for more than 40 years. In addition, from 1997 to the present he has been serving as a director of Baker Hughes Incorporated. From 1998 to the present he has been serving as a director of Allstate Corporation. He also currently serves as a director of Post Oak Bank, N.A., a private bank. He is a trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and a trustee of Syracuse University. Mr. Riley holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Syracuse University. He also completed the Harvard University Advanced Management Program.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Riley should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience as a senior officer, including chief executive officer, of a public company engaged in manufacturing.

Class III Directors Serving Until 2013

E. William Barnett (age 78). Mr. Barnett has been a director since June 2006. Mr. Barnett has served for over four decades as an attorney specializing in commercial and antitrust law with Baker Botts L.L.P., from which he retired in 2004. He served as Managing Partner of the law firm from 1984 to 1998. Mr. Barnett has extensive public company and community-based board experience. He has been a director of GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly known as RRI Energy, Inc. and Reliant Energy, Inc.) since October 2002 and a director of Enterprise Products GP LLC since March 2005. Additionally, he is a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rice University. Currently, he is chairman of the Baker Institute Advisory Board at Rice University. Mr. Barnett is past chairman and director emeritus of the Houston Zoo, Inc., past chairman and current director emeritus of The Greater Houston Partnership and a director emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine. He is also an advisory director of the Center of Houston’s Future and a director of St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, on the Advisory Board of the Methodist Hospital Center for Performing Arts Medicine and a life trustee of The University of Texas Law School Foundation. Mr. Barnett holds a B.A. from Rice University and LL.B. from the University of Texas-Austin School of Law.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Barnett should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his experience with issues of legal compliance and his service on the boards of other public companies and of charitable and community organizations.

Robert T. Blakely (age 69). Mr. Blakely has been a director since August 2004. Mr. Blakely served as Chief Financial Officer of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) from January 2006 until August 2007. He served as Fannie Mae’s Executive Vice President from January 2006 until January 2008. His prior positions include: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MCI, Inc. from April 2003 to January 2006; President of Performance Enhancement Group, Ltd. from July 2002 to April 2003; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Lyondell Chemical Company from November 1999 to June 2002; Executive Vice President of Tenneco Inc. from 1996 to November 1999 and Chief Financial Officer from 1981 to November 1999; and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. from 1980 to 1981 and an employee from 1970. He has served on the Board of Directors of Natural Resource Partners L.P. from January 2003 to the present, the Board of Directors of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from April 2009 to the present and the Board of Directors of Ally Financial (formerly GMAC Inc.) from May 2009 to the present. He is a trustee emeritus of Cornell University. He has been a Trustee of the Financial Accounting Federation since January 2007. He is also a director of St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. He holds a B.M.E. degree in mechanical engineering and a M.B.A. in business administration from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Blakely should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience as a corporate executive of public companies, his prior tenure as a senior officer of a company in the chemicals industry, his service as the chief financial officer of public companies and his broad background in the field of financial accounting.

 

8


Albert Chao (age 61). Mr. Chao has been our President since May 1996 and a director since June 2003. Mr. Chao became our Chief Executive Officer in July 2004. Mr. Chao has over 35 years of global experience in the chemical industry. In 1985, Mr. Chao assisted his father T.T. Chao and his brother James Chao in founding Westlake, where he served as Executive Vice President until he succeeded James Chao as President. He has held positions in the Controller’s Group of Mobil Oil Corporation, in the Technical Department of Hercules Incorporated, in the Plastics Group of Gulf Oil Corporation and has served as Assistant to the Chairman of China General Plastics Group and Deputy Managing Director of a plastics fabrication business in Singapore. Mr. Chao is a trustee emeritus of Rice University. Mr. Chao received a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Albert Chao should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience in the worldwide chemicals and plastics industries and his lengthy tenure as a senior officer of the Company. Mr. Chao also brings important perspectives to our Board from his position as a member of the Chao family, which controls TTWF LP, our principal stockholder.

 

9


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table lists information about the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each director, each named executive officer listed in the summary compensation table included later in this Proxy Statement, and all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Shares of stock are “beneficially owned” by a person if the person directly or indirectly has or shares the power to vote or dispose of the shares, regardless of whether the person has any economic interest in the shares. A person also beneficially owns shares as to which the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days.

All information in the table is as of April 1, 2011 and is based upon information supplied by the directors and officers. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes and subject to community property laws where applicable, each of the stockholders named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned.

 

     Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock(1)
 

Directors and Named Executive Officers

   Direct(2)      Other     Percent of
Class
 

E. William Barnett

     13,028         0        *   

M. Steven Bender

     52,075         0        *   

Robert T. Blakely

     8,225         0        *   

Albert Chao

     401,010         46,005,277 (3)(4)      69.7

James Chao

     217,897         46,005,277 (4)(5)      69.4

Donald M. Condon, Jr.

     24,760         0        *   

Dorothy C. Jenkins

     21,568         46,005,277 (4)      69.1

Max L. Lukens

     13,809         0        *   

H. John Riley, Jr.

     8,490         0        *   

Jeffrey L. Taylor.

     26,530         0        *   

All directors and executive officers as a group (16 persons, including those listed above)

     935,854         46,005,277        70.5

 

* Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
(1) None of the shares beneficially owned by our directors or officers are pledged as security.
(2) The amounts include shares of common stock that may be acquired within 60 days from April 1, 2011 through the exercise of options held by Mr. Barnett (5,584), Mr. Bender (11,760), Mr. Albert Chao (271,739), Mr. James Chao (121,290), Mr. Condon (2,690), Ms. Jenkins (8,343), Mr. Lukens (5,584), Mr. Riley (2,799), Mr. Taylor (6,293), and all directors and executive officers as a group (366,546). The amounts also include unvested shares of restricted stock held by Mr. Barnett (4,164), Mr. Blakely (4,164), Mr. Bender (36,069), Mr. Albert Chao (90,701), Mr. James Chao (67,966), Mr. Condon (19,106), Ms. Jenkins (4,164), Mr. Lukens (4,164), Mr. Riley (4,164), Mr. Taylor (19,970), and all directors and executive officers as a group (272,543), over which such persons have sole voting power but no dispositive power.
(3) Does not include common stock of the Company owned directly by James Chao and 20,000 shares of common stock owned by Albert Chao’s mother. Albert Chao disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
(4) Two trusts for the benefit of members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao, are the managers of TTWFGP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is the general partner of TTWF LP. The limited partners of TTWF LP are five trusts principally for the benefit of members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao and two corporations owned, indirectly or directly, by certain of these trusts and by other entities owned by members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao. James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins, Albert Chao, TTWF LP and TTWFGP LLC share voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of our common stock beneficially owned by TTWF LP. James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao disclaim beneficial ownership of the 46,005,277 shares held by TTWF LP except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein.
(5) Does not include common stock of the Company owned directly by Albert Chao and 20,000 shares of common stock owned by James Chao’s mother. James Chao disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

 

10


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table sets forth each person known to Westlake who is the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
     Percent of Class  

TTWF LP (1)

2801 Post Oak Boulevard

Houston, Texas 77056

     46,005,277         69.1

Royce & Associates, LLC (2)

745 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10151

     3,798,531         5.7

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (3)

Palisades West, Building One

6300 Bee Cave Road

Austin, Texas 78746

     3,684,390         5.5

 

(1) Two trusts for the benefit of members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao, are the managers of TTWFGP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is the general partner of TTWF LP. The limited partners of TTWF LP are five trusts principally for the benefit of members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao and two corporations owned, indirectly or directly, by certain of these trusts and by other entities owned by members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao. TTWF LP and TTWFGP LLC each have shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 46,005,277 shares of our common stock. As of April 1, 2011, James Chao had sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 149,931 shares of our common stock, sole voting and no dispositive power over 67,966 shares of our common stock, and shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 46,005,277 shares of our common stock. Dorothy C. Jenkins had sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 17,404 shares of our common stock, sole voting power and no dispositive power over 4,164 shares of our common stock, and shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 46,005,277 shares of our common stock. Albert Chao had sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 310,309 shares of our common stock, sole voting and no dispositive power over 90,701 shares of our common stock and shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 46,005,277 shares of our common stock. James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao disclaim beneficial ownership of the 46,005,277 shares of our common stock held by TTWF LP except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein.
(2) Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 26, 2011. According to the filing, Royce & Associates, LLC, an investment adviser, has sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 3,798,531 shares of our common stock and shared voting power and shared dispositive power over no shares of our common stock.
(3) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2011. According to the filing, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, an investment adviser, has sole voting power over 3,626,248 shares of our common stock, shared voting power over no shares of our common stock, and has sole dispositive power over 3,684,390 shares of our common stock and shared dispositive power over no shares of our common stock.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

A discussion and analysis of the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, objectives and underlying program is presented below. This discussion includes a review of the following:

 

   

Compensation Committee Oversight

 

   

External Advisors

 

11


   

The Deliberative Process

 

   

Compensation Philosophy and Program Objectives

 

   

Elements of the Program; Internal Pay Equity

 

   

Establishing Compensation Levels

 

   

Post-Employment Programs

 

   

Employment Agreements; Severance and Change-in-Control Arrangements

 

   

Deferred Compensation Programs

Compensation Committee Oversight

The Board of Directors has established a Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) to review and provide oversight of the compensation programs of the Company and the compensation of the Principal Executive Officer (the “PEO”), the other officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (together with the PEO, the “Named Executive Officers” or the “NEOs”) and other employees designated as executive officers of the Company (collectively, the “Executives”).

Since Westlake is considered to be controlled by its principal stockholder under New York Stock Exchange rules, all Committee members are not required to be independent as defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Committee is currently composed of four independent board members, one of whom serves as the Committee’s chair, and three non-independent members of the Board, one of whom is the PEO, one of whom is the Chairman of the Board and the last of whom is the sister of the PEO and the Chairman of the Board.

The Committee operates under the provisions of a charter and meets periodically throughout the year. The Committee’s duties include the following:

 

   

reviewing and approving the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the PEO’s compensation annually, evaluating the PEO’s performance in light of the goals and objectives and determining the PEO’s compensation level based upon the performance evaluation and other relevant factors;

 

   

reviewing and approving the PEO’s assessment of, and compensation recommendations for, the NEOs and other Executives;

 

   

administering and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the design of the Company’s incentive compensation plans, equity-based plans and other compensation and benefit plans and the issuance of stock and other awards under these plans;

 

   

reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the fees and other compensation received by directors and board committee members;

 

   

reviewing matters related to the succession plan for the PEO and other Executives;

 

   

reviewing and approving employment agreements for Executives and change-in-control protection offered to non-Executive employees of the Company, if any; and

 

   

producing a compensation committee report to be included in the annual proxy statement of the Company as required by applicable rules and regulations.

External Advisors

To assist the Committee in respect of its oversight responsibilities, the Committee periodically utilizes the services of independent third-party compensation consultants to conduct compensation surveys and determine compensation trends, analyze and assess the Company’s compensation systems and programs, review current legal, accounting and administrative matters associated with executive compensation and offer opinions as to the effectiveness and competitiveness of the program. Historically, management has engaged the compensation

 

12


consultant to advise the Committee. However, beginning with respect to 2010, in light of evolving best practices, the Committee directly engaged the services of Towers Watson as a compensation consultant to advise the Committee on executive compensation matters. Towers Watson assists the Committee by providing comparative market data on compensation programs and practices of peer competitors, the broader-based chemical industry and the general industry. Towers Watson also assists the Company with general compensation consultation regarding employees other than the NEOs.

The Deliberative Process

In establishing target executive compensation, the Committee has selected a set of peer group companies (the “Peer Group”) that is used as one of the means in helping to establish executive compensation targets. The companies that comprise the Peer Group are selected annually from among companies within the chemical industry of relative comparable size to Westlake, with executive positions of similar scope and responsibility and from among companies with which Westlake may compete for executive talent. The following companies make up the Peer Group used by the Committee in 2010:

 

Albemarle Corporation

  

Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

Cabot Corporation

  

The Lubrizol Corporation

Celanese Corporation

  

Nalco Holding Company

Chemtura Corporation

  

Olin Corporation

Cytec Industries Inc.

  

PolyOne Corporation

Eastman Chemical Company

  

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.

FMC Corporation

  

Solutia Inc.

Georgia Gulf Corporation

  

W.R. Grace & Co.

Huntsman Corporation

  

Among the Peer Group, Westlake is approximately at the median of the group in revenue and market capitalization. The Committee may add or replace companies in the Peer Group as warranted to reflect changes in the size, business profile and publicly-listed status of the companies in the Peer Group to help ensure that companies more comparable in size and business profile to the Company are included.

In addition to referring to the Peer Group, Towers Watson utilizes survey data from its proprietary general industry and chemical industry databases, including, but not limited to, the Towers Watson Executive Database, Long-term Incentive Plan Report and the Middle Management & Professional Compensation Database, that compare the compensation of executives at numerous companies in similar positions as the NEOs (the “Market Survey”). The Market Survey is used in conjunction with the Peer Group data (collectively, the “Reference Points”) to help validate the market findings and more specifically establish market compensation rates for positions for which there are limited Peer Group data and/or for positions that are not industry specific and for which the Company would need to recruit on a broader basis (for instance, Chief Financial Officer). Finally, in establishing the target executive compensation, the Committee takes a total compensation view to include base pay, cash bonuses and long-term incentive and equity awards, so that as long as the composite total compensation of an NEO is competitive with the Reference Points, individual components may fall below or above the median of the Reference Points. In conducting its surveys for the Reference Points, Towers Watson reports directly to the Committee on each component and on a composite total compensation basis.

The Committee meets annually in February to specifically address the compensation of the PEO, other NEOs and other Executives. During this meeting, the Committee reviews the achievement of the Company’s goals and objectives, including the Company’s performance relative to its competitors within the commodity chemical industry, including those direct competitors within the Peer Group, and the Committee reviews the Reference Points as well as other relevant factors established by the Committee for the PEO and the factors established by the PEO in setting and approving the other NEOs’ compensation. During this deliberation, the

 

13


PEO is excused from the meeting to allow the other members of the Committee to deliberate independently regarding the PEO’s compensation. During this annual review meeting the PEO also presents his recommendations to the Committee regarding the compensation to be provided to the other NEOs and other Executives. The PEO and the Committee, after considering data from the Reference Points and other relevant factors, set the compensation for these Executives.

Compensation Philosophy and Program Objectives

The Company has designed and maintains a comprehensive executive compensation program as a means of:

 

   

attracting, rewarding and retaining top executive talent in support of the Company’s vision, mission and objectives;

 

   

maintaining market competitiveness with the Company’s peer group compensation programs and practices;

 

   

encouraging and rewarding the achievement of specific individual, business segment and corporate goals and objectives;

 

   

placing a significant portion of total compensation at risk through variable pay components, including upside potential where targeted objectives are exceeded, to promote management action to create added value;

 

   

aligning management interests with the interests of the stockholders; and

 

   

balancing short-term objectives with long-term strategic initiatives and thinking through the design of both short-term and long-term pay programs.

Elements of the Program; Internal Pay Equity

The Company’s executive compensation program contains a combination of both short-term and long-term elements designed to reward and encourage near-term goal accomplishment as well as to reward and encourage long-term strategic thinking and actions that benefit the Company and its stockholders. These combined elements, in tandem with employee benefits and a limited number of perquisites, form the basis of Westlake’s total compensation system. These elements have been chosen as the compensation components designed to allow the Company to adhere to the above stated compensation philosophy and program objectives which include remaining “market competitive” with its peers in the chemical industry and the broader market for executive talent. Each element has been allocated in the total compensation package in an attempt to find a balance between short-term and long-term rewards as well as cash and non-cash forms of payment. Further, the total compensation program seeks to place a significant amount of pay “at risk” through the use of variable pay elements. The Committee has determined that based on the Reference Points and their broad corporate-wide responsibilities, the PEO and the Chairman, as compared with other NEOs, should receive a higher portion of their total compensation from “at risk” components given their ability to influence Company performance and the desire of the Committee to further incentivize the PEO’s and the Chairman’s ongoing efforts to create value for the stockholders. The relative difference in pay between the PEO and the Chairman primarily reflects the difference in job scope and responsibility between the two positions and is further validated by the Reference Points data, which show that the PEO is typically the highest paid position. The relationship in pay among the other NEOs is driven by variation in job scope and level of responsibility, the Reference Points data, individual performance, internal equity and other factors as determined by the Committee as appropriate.

Establishing Compensation Levels

On an annual basis as the Committee meets to set the target compensation for the PEO, other NEOs and other Executives, the Committee considers the responsibility and scope of the individual job assignments as well as the Executive’s job performance and achievements measured against a variety of goals and objectives. As a first step, the PEO provides his evaluation of each Executive based upon the achievement of goals and objectives

 

14


unique to a business segment or a corporate assignment and an assessment of the Executive’s individual contribution and effort and a variety of managerial success factors. Next, the Committee may make its own assessment of each Executive based upon the interaction Committee members have had with the Executive throughout the year. Lastly, once the Committee considers all of these factors in tandem with the Reference Points, the Committee establishes the compensation target for each element of the total compensation program.

Base Pay—This element is the principal cash compensation component of the Company’s program and is designed to provide the Executive with a market-competitive minimum level of compensation. In setting base pay rates for 2011, the Committee considered the Reference Points, the scope and range of responsibility, accountability and business impact of the position as well as current economic conditions to aid it in evaluating and matching the positions with the market and setting fair-market competitive base pay targets. In setting base pay rates for Executives, the Committee has determined that, based on advice of its independent consultant Towers Watson, the base pay of the Executives can generally be considered as competitive if targeted to be within 90% to 110% of the 50th percentile of the market depending on the performance of the individual Executive, the magnitude of adjustments deemed necessary by the Committee to ensure retention of the Executive and the performance of the Company. The Committee also recognizes that market pricing is an inexact science and that base pay above or below that range may be required to meet market demand or to recognize individual performance or experience levels. None of the NEOs had a base salary above 110% of the 50th percentile in 2010. The Committee does not set a specific fixed target percentage for any of the NEOs but rather works to set the base pay of each NEO to be within the range at its discretion based upon market and performance factors. Base pay is evaluated on an annual basis using then current market information, and the Committee may authorize an adjustment to:

 

   

ensure that the Executive’s current base pay is within the acceptable target level as determined by the Committee;

 

   

ensure internal equity;

 

   

recognize individual performance and contributions; or

 

   

recognize changes in responsibility or the scope of the Executive’s position.

For information on the salaries paid to the PEO and the other NEOs during 2010, see “Executive Compensation—2010 Summary Compensation Table.” In February 2011, the Committee set the base salaries for the NEOs as follows: $835,000 for Mr. Albert Chao, $668,000 for Mr. James Chao, $410,000 for Mr. Bender, $335,000 for Mr. Taylor and $335,000 for Mr. Condon. The salaries of Mr. Albert Chao, Mr. James Chao, Mr. Bender, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Condon were increased from $795,000, $596,000, $380,000, $320,000 and $320,000, respectively, after consideration of the Reference Points and the Committee’s objective of maintaining base salary within the market range described above.

Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses—For 2010, the PEO, other NEOs and other Executives were eligible to be considered to receive payments under the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”) and Quarterly Incentive Plan (“QIP”). The AIP is designed to conform to the provisions of the Westlake Chemical Corporation 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). The Committee administers the AIP with respect to the Executives, and the PEO (or any other Executive to whom the PEO may delegate such authority) administers the AIP with respect to other participants. Awards under the AIP are intended to qualify as “qualified performance awards” under the 2004 Plan that comply with the rules applicable to performance-based compensation pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The bonus potential of the AIP and QIP plans has been designed to serve as a significant incentive for continuous improvement and to provide compensation opportunities that are competitive within the market with an emphasis on the Company’s peers within the chemical industry.

AIP. Under the terms of the AIP, a target bonus percentage is established by the Committee for the PEO, other NEOs and other Executives generally ranging from 30% to 100% of base pay (as of the end of the previous year) depending on the position, level and range of responsibility of the employee. In establishing the target

 

15


bonus, the Committee reviews the Reference Points with respect to the PEO and the PEO’s recommendations and the Reference Points with respect to the other NEOs. The Committee set the AIP target bonuses for 2010 and 2011 as follows (as a percentage of base pay):

 

     2010       2011    

• Mr. Albert Chao

     85%         100%   

• Mr. James Chao

     85%         85%   

• Mr. Bender

     60%         60%   

• Mr. Taylor

     50%         50%   

• Mr. Condon

     50%         50%   

The Committee increased the target bonus for Mr. Albert Chao for 2011 to maintain a level of cash incentives within the market range.

No bonus payment is authorized under the AIP unless one of the performance goals established by the Committee for the performance period is satisfied. For 2010, the Committee approved the following threshold metrics for the AIP, any one of which must have been met in order to authorize bonus payments under the AIP for 2010:

 

  1. Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”)—the Company’s TSR relative to the Peer Group must be within the top two-thirds. For this purpose TSR is defined as:

(A) the average of the daily average stock price for the 90-day period ended on December 31, 2010, minus the average of the daily average stock price for the 90-day period ended on December 31, 2009, plus dividends paid, divided by (B) the average of the daily average stock price for the 90-day period ended on December 31, 2009.

 

  2. EBITDA – EBITDA for 2010 is equal to or greater than $123 million.

 

  3. Adjusted SGA – the adjusted selling, general administrative expenses (“SGA”) for 2010 shall be equal to or less than $89 million. Adjusted SGA is equal to SGA, as adjusted to eliminate one time or unusual charges for business development, financing or other projects and initiatives.

In February 2011, the Committee reviewed the results of the Company with respect to these performance goals and certified that two of these goals (TSR and EBITDA) had been met for 2010.

The Committee then reviewed the contributions and performance of the PEO and each of the other NEOs during 2010 and, in its discretion, awarded bonus payments under the AIP to the PEO and each of the other NEOs. Each of Mr. Albert Chao and Mr. James Chao was awarded a bonus payment equal to 144% of his target bonus based on the improved EBITDA performance of the Company and significant progress on or the successful completion of a number of important strategic projects and initiatives. The Committee awarded Mr. Bender a bonus payment equal to 145% of his target bonus in consideration of his leadership role in maintaining a strong balance sheet, issuing new bonds and receiving improved credit ratings. The Committee awarded Mr. Taylor a bonus payment equal to 231% of his target bonus based upon the strong financial performance and improved competitive position of the polyethylene business. The Committee awarded Mr. Condon a bonus payment equal to 227% of his target bonus based upon the strong financial performance of the olefins business and his leadership in a variety of business development initiatives.

In March 2011, the Committee approved a set of metrics substantially similar to those used for the 2010 AIP plan year, any one of which must be met in order to authorize bonus payments for the 2011 AIP plan year.

The cash bonus payments are typically made in March of each year.

 

16


QIP. The QIP is a short-term cash incentive designed for the general employee population including the NEOs and is paid to all eligible employees on a quarterly basis for the achievement of short-term operating goals for their respective departments, units or operations. For example, the targets in 2010 for an operating unit under either the olefins or the vinyls business segment included a variety of operational and commercial goals, including production and sales volumes, raw material usage and yields, as well as goals to limit or reduce safety and environmental incidents and to improve product quality. The QIP award for the NEOs with corporate assignments (Messrs. Albert Chao, James Chao and Bender) was based upon keeping operating expenses within budgeted amounts for the applicable corporate departments and a weighted average of the factors for each of the business segments. For 2010, there were dozens of these targets for each NEO, no single one of which was material. All of the goals are established and weighted by management and approved by the PEO at the beginning of each year and are measured each quarter to determine the level of goal achievement and the payment amount. Although the QIP results are measured and a payment is received each quarter, the QIP provides for a make-up provision at the end of the year so that if the targets were not met in the previous quarters, but were met at the end of the year, the participants will be eligible to receive a make-up payment for having achieved the targets for the full year.

The goal-setting process includes the establishment of targets that seek to foster continuous improvement in all aspects of the Company’s operations and in any given year to focus on the most important elements facing the operations at the time. The targeted quarterly payment under these plans for 2010 for each of the NEOs was 2% of base salary per quarter, or 8% on an annual basis. These target percentages reflect similar percentages for almost all similarly situated employees at Westlake. Payment is based upon the rate of actual goal achievement: in other words, if 60% of the quarterly targets were met, then 60% times 2% would be paid, or 1.2%. In all cases, however, the final payment is subject to the Company meeting a return on capital employed (“ROCE”) target which is specific only to the QIP and is established by the PEO at his discretion at the beginning of each plan year. The QIP ROCE target for 2010 was 5.25%. In the event the ROCE target is met, 100% of the QIP payment will be authorized, subject to the achievement of the actual goals. If the ROCE target is not met but is above 0%, then a prorated QIP payment will be authorized, subject to the achievement of the actual goals. If the ROCE target is 0% or below, a payment of 25% of the QIP will be authorized, subject to the achievement of the actual goals. The full year results of the QIP for 2010, including make-up provisions, for the NEOs is noted below:

 

     Target
Achievement
    Adjustments made
as a result of
ROCE
     Payout  

Mr. Albert Chao

     83.2     None       $ 52,626   

Mr. James Chao

     83.2     None       $ 39,438   

Mr. Bender

     83.2     None       $ 25,099   

Mr. Taylor

     81.3     None       $ 20,657   

Mr. Condon

     94.7     None       $ 24,103   

Long-Term Incentives (“LTI”)—A long-term equity and cash-based incentive program has been adopted by the Board of Directors to foster a long-term view of the business, assist in retaining and rewarding Executives for their efforts and achievements and provide management with an ownership interest in the Company to help to further align their actions with the interests of the stockholders. Under the terms of the 2004 Plan, the Company may grant Executives a variety of stock-based and cash-based compensation awards. In determining the targeted LTI award, the Committee utilizes the same deliberative process as earlier described for base pay and cash incentives. The Committee reviews the Reference Points and recommendations from Towers Watson and the PEO, then sets a LTI target for each of the NEOs, which is a percentage of base pay based upon each NEO’s base pay as of the previous year end. As with other elements of the Company’s compensation program, the size of these awards is based upon the level and scope of the Executive’s job, the performance of the individual and competitive market forces. The Committee determined that to be competitive with relevant companies set forth in the Reference Points, the LTI targets for the PEO and other NEOs should be no less than 80% and no higher than 110% of the market 50th percentile for long-term incentives for similarly situated executives at companies set

 

17


forth in the Reference Points. For more information on LTI awards granted to the NEOs in 2010, please see “Executive Compensation—2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.” After reviewing the Reference Points at a meeting in February 2011, the Committee elected to increase the LTI targets for 2011 for Messrs. Albert Chao, James Chao, Bender, Taylor and Condon as outlined below to remain competitive with the market.

The LTI targets (each as a percentage of base pay for an NEO) set for the PEO and the other NEOs by the Committee for 2010 and 2011 are as follows:

 

     2010        2011    

• Mr. Albert Chao

     200%         225%   

• Mr. James Chao

     200%         225%   

• Mr. Bender

     100%         120%   

• Mr. Taylor

     70%         85%   

• Mr. Condon

     70%         85%   

Beginning in 2010, the Committee elected to split the LTI awards into three components, each comprising one-third of the value of the overall award:

 

   

Non-qualified stock options

 

   

Restricted stock

 

   

Long-term cash performance awards

The Committee, after consultation with management and Towers Watson, has chosen this program to recognize the unique characteristic of each award type. While all three types of awards provide Executives with an incentive to help grow the value of the Company and the corresponding value of the stock, options may experience more volatility over the term of the award, and the Executives may receive no compensation if the price of the Company’s shares never exceeds the exercise price of the options following vesting of the options. On the other hand, restricted stock awards put direct shares into the hands of management and give them a more direct line of sight to the potential value they might realize. In addition, the long-term performance cash award is designed to provide added incentive as an upside potential payment in cash based on the achievement of a performance target. Thus, the Committee believes the equal split of awards of stock options, restricted shares and long-term cash performance awards provides an overall balanced award.

Non-Qualified Stock Options—Under the provisions of the 2004 Plan, the Company may grant non-qualified stock options to executive and senior management personnel. The Board of Directors typically grants these awards annually during the first quarter of the year in conjunction with the first Board of Directors meeting of the year. The grant price for these awards is based upon the mean of the high and low market price for shares of the Company’s common stock on the date of the award as approved by the Board of Directors. All annual stock options granted by the Board of Directors to date have had a 10-year term with a three- or four-year ratable vesting period. The Company has not made any post-award adjustments in grant dates or grant prices.

Restricted Stock—As with stock options, the Board of Directors typically grants awards of restricted stock annually during the first quarter of the year in conjunction with the first Board of Directors meeting of the year. Each restricted stock award granted by the Board of Directors is scheduled to vest 100% at the end of a three-year period as a means of strengthening the Company’s overall executive retention efforts.

Long-Term Cash Performance Awards—The long-term cash performance awards granted in February 2010 are subject to a three-year performance period beginning on January 1, 2010 and ending on December 31, 2012. The amount of cash received will be based upon the Company’s total shareholder return compared with the total shareholder return of the Peer Group. Threshold performance requires relative total shareholder return rank of at least the 33rd percentile; target performance requires a rank of at least the 50th percentile; and maximum performance requires a rank of at least the 75th percentile. If at least the threshold performance is attained, the long-term performance awards will be paid in cash after the Committee determines the performance level.

 

18


The long-term cash performance awards granted in February 2011 are subject to a three-year performance period beginning on January 1, 2011 and ending on December 31, 2013. The amount of cash received will be based upon either the Company’s total shareholder return compared with the total shareholder return of the Peer Group (threshold performance requires relative total shareholder return rank of at least the 33rd percentile; target performance requires a rank of at least the 50th percentile; and maximum performance requires a rank of at least the 75th percentile) or the Company’s return on the cost of capital (threshold performance requires returns equal to a least 50% of the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”); target performance requires a return equal to the WACC; and maximum performance requires a return two times the WACC), whichever measure results in the greater payout. The Committee elected to add the return on capital metric as a new metric for the 2011 long-term cash performance awards to further facilitate management’s focus on returning direct value to our stockholders and to help moderate volatility that can occur with respect to total shareholder return in a cyclical industry like ours.

 

     Threshold Performance    Target Performance   Maximum Performance

Payment Rate

   25% of target value    100% of target value   200% of target value

Performance Rate

(Relative TSR)

   33.3rd percentile    50th percentile   75th percentile

Performance Rate

(Return on Cost of Capital)

   .5X    1X *   >2X

* “X” equals a return equal to the WACC

If at least the threshold performance is attained, the long-term performance awards will be paid in cash after the Committee determines the performance level.

Stock Ownership Policy—In an effort to further align the interests of the Executives and the stockholders, the Committee has adopted a policy that requires the PEO, each other NEO and other key Executives to retain 50% of any restricted stock awards, net of shares used to pay applicable taxes, until his or her employment with the Company terminates.

Perquisites—All Executives are eligible for a Company-paid membership in a local dining and/or athletic club and a Company-paid annual physical examination. These perquisites are provided as further means to attract and retain Executives, to provide Executives with access to facilities that may also be used for business entertainment and to promote personal health and wellness.

Post-Employment Programs—Executives are eligible for participation in the same retirement, pension and post-retirement benefit programs as all employees within their respective business units. The Company does not provide any supplemental executive retirement or pension benefit. The Company’s primary retirement benefit is the Westlake Savings Plan, a 401(k) defined contribution plan, and participating employees, including Executives, are eligible for a matching contribution from the Company based upon the plan provisions. Additionally, the Company provides an annual contribution to the plan for all eligible employees and Executives equal to 6% of their annualized base pay up to the IRS limits ($245,000 for 2010 and 2011).

Employment Agreements; Severance and Change-in-Control Arrangements—The Company does not have employment agreements with any of the NEOs; however, each Executive, including each of the NEOs, is typically provided an offer letter of employment containing the principal elements of the employment arrangement, including compensation. None of these offer letters currently contains a provision for payments upon a change in control.

Deferred Compensation Programs—The Company has no deferred compensation programs except for the standard provisions of the Company’s 401(k) plan and provisions of Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code whereby salary is reduced for taxation since the 401(k) contributions are made by employees on a pre-tax basis, thereby reducing their salary and taxable income.

 

19


REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The following report has been submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2011 annual meeting, which is incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, each as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Max L. Lukens, Chairman

E. William Barnett

Robert T. Blakely

Albert Chao

James Chao

Dorothy C. Jenkins

H. John Riley, Jr.

 

20


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

Albert Chao, James Chao and Dorothy C. Jenkins are members of the Compensation Committee and are not “independent” as defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Max L. Lukens, H. John Riley, Jr., Robert T. Blakely and E. William Barnett are also members of the Compensation Committee. Under the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange, we are considered to be controlled by TTWF LP, so we are eligible for, and have elected to take advantage of, the exemption from the provisions of those rules requiring a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

We believe all stock transaction reports required to be filed with the SEC under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in 2010 were timely filed by all directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following tables provide information regarding the compensation awarded to or earned during 2010 by the NEOs.

2010 Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and

Principal Position

  Year     Salary(1)
($)
    Stock
Awards(2)
($)
    Option
Awards(3)
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(4)
($)
    All Other
Compensation(5)
($)
    Total
($)
 

Albert Chao

    2010        790,890        513,560        513,560        1,027,626        51,694        2,897,329   

President and Chief

Executive Officer

    2009        770,340        770,340        770,340        486,245        46,144        2,843,409   
    2008        765,283        554,993        554,993        284,329        32,992        2,192,590   

James Chao

    2010        592,699        384,794        384,794        768,438        44,917        2,175,642   

Chairman

    2009        577,191        577,191        577,191        363,417        40,744        2,135,734   
    2008        569,329        397,509        397,509        210,202        30,517        1,605,066   

M. Steven Bender

    2010        377,167        121,000        121,000        355,099        34,534        1,008,800   

Senior Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

    2009        358,876        165,012        165,012        154,922        27,013        870,835   
    2008        321,675        63,001        63,001        66,627        22,930        537,234   

Jeffrey L. Taylor

    2010        317,505        71,174        71,174        390,657        30,858        881,368   

Senior Vice President, Polyethylene

             

Donald M. Condon, Jr.

    2010        317,083        65,542        65,542        388,103        30,476        866,746   

Senior Vice President, Olefins and Corporate Business Development

             

 

(1) See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Base Pay” for more information on base salary.
(2) These amounts represent the grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted to our named executive officers in the applicable year, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the related valuation assumptions for the restricted stock awards, please see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(3) These amounts represent the grant date fair value of stock option awards granted to our named executive officers in the applicable year, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the related valuation assumptions for the stock option awards, please see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(4) The amounts represent the sum of (A) a QIP quarterly incentive bonus amount earned in the applicable year and (B) an annual cash incentive payout with respect to such year.

 

21


(5) The amounts include the following in 2010:

 

     Westlake Matching
Contributions
to 401(k) Savings Plan
and Additional  Contributions of
6% of Annualized
Base Pay (Up to $245,000
In 2010)
     Term Life
Insurance
Premiums
     Cash Dividends on
Unvested Restricted
Stock
 

Albert Chao

   $ 24,500       $ 1,080       $ 26,114   

James Chao

   $ 24,500       $ 1,080       $ 19,337   

M. Steven Bender

   $ 24,500       $ 1,080       $ 8,954   

Jeffrey L. Taylor

   $ 24,500       $ 922       $ 5,436   

Donald M. Condon, Jr.

   $ 24,500       $ 922       $ 5,054   

The amounts include the following in 2009:

 

     Westlake Matching
Contributions
to 401(k) Savings Plan
and Additional  Contributions of
6% of Annualized
Base Pay (Up to $245,000
In 2009)
     Term Life
Insurance
Premiums
     Cash Dividends on
Unvested Restricted
Stock
 

Albert Chao

   $ 24,500       $ 1,080       $ 20,564   

James Chao

   $ 24,500       $ 1,080       $ 15,164   

M. Steven Bender

   $ 18,770       $ 1,045       $ 7,198   

The amounts include the following in 2008:

 

     Westlake Matching
Contributions
to 401(k) Savings Plan
and Additional  Contributions of
6% of Annualized
Base Pay (Up to $230,000
In 2008)
     Term Life
Insurance
Premiums
     Cash Dividends on
Unvested Restricted
Stock
 

Albert Chao

   $ 23,000       $ 1,080       $ 8,912   

James Chao

   $ 23,000       $ 1,080       $ 6,437   

M. Steven Bender

   $ 17,512       $ 952       $ 4,466   

 

22


2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

Name

  Grant
Date
    Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
    Estimated Future Payouts
Under
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
    All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock  or
Units(1)
(#)
    All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options(2)
(#)
    Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
    Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards(3)
($)
 
    Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
    Threshold
(#)
    Target
(#)
    Maximum
(#)
         

Albert Chao

    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          25,021        —          —          513,560   
    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          63,249        20.525        513,560   
      128,390       513,560 (4)      1,027,120       —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
      —          675,750 (5)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
      —          63,600 (6)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

James Chao.

    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          18,748        —          —          384,794   
    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          47,390        20.525        384,794   
      96,199        384,794 (4)      769,588       —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
      —          506,600 (7)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
      —          47,680 (8)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

M. Steven Bender

    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          5,895        —          —          121,000   
    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          14,902        20.525        121,000   
      30,250       121,000 (4)      242,000       —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
      —          228,000 (9)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
      —          30,400 (10)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Jeffrey L. Taylor

    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          3,468        —          —          71,174   
    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          8,766        20.525        71,174   
      17,794        71,174 (4)      142,348       —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
    —          —          160,000 (11)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
        25,600 (12)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Donald M. Condon, Jr.

    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          3,193        —          —          65,542   
    2/26/2010        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          8,072        20.525        65,542   
      16,386       65,542 (4)      131,084       —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
      —          160,000 (13)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
        25,600 (14)      —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

 

(1) Represents shares of restricted stock that will vest on February 26, 2013. The named executive officers receive dividends and have voting rights with respect to the unvested shares during the restricted period.
(2) Represents stock options that vest or vested in three equal installments on February 26, 2011, February 26, 2012 and February 26, 2013.
(3) Represents the grant date fair value of the awards calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the related valuation assumptions, please see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(4) Represents a long-term cash performance award subject to a three-year performance period beginning on January 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2012. The amount of cash received will be based upon Westlake’s total shareholder return compared with the total shareholder return of Westlake’s peer group. Threshold performance requires a relative total shareholder return (as compared to the peer companies) rank of at least the 33rd percentile, target performance requires a rank of at least the 50th percentile, and maximum performance requires a rank of at least the 75th percentile. If at least the threshold performance is attained, the long-term performance awards will be paid in cash as soon as practicable after Westlake’s compensation committee determines the extent to which the performance conditions were satisfied.
(5) AIP award based on a target percentage of 85% of Mr. Albert Chao’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the AIP incentive awards.

 

23


(6) QIP award based on a target percentage of 8% of Mr. Albert Chao’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the QIP incentive awards.
(7) AIP award based on a target percentage of 85% of Mr. James Chao’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the AIP incentive awards.
(8) QIP award based on a target percentage of 8% of Mr. James Chao’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the QIP incentive awards.
(9) AIP award based on a target percentage of 60% of Mr. Bender’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the AIP incentive awards.
(10) QIP award based on a target percentage of 8% of Mr. Bender’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the QIP incentive awards.
(11) AIP award based on a target percentage of 50% of Mr. Taylor’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the AIP incentive awards.
(12) QIP award based on a target percentage of 8% of Mr. Taylor’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the QIP incentive awards.
(13) AIP award based on a target percentage of 50% of Mr. Condon’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the AIP incentive awards.
(14) QIP award based on a target percentage of 8% of Mr. Condon’s base salary as of December 31, 2010. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the QIP incentive awards.

 

24


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

Name

   Option Awards      Stock Awards  
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
    Option
Exercise
Price
($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
     Number of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
    Fair Market
Value of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested(1)
($)
 
   Exercisable      Unexercisable            

Albert Chao

     44,400         —          14.50         8/16/2014         —          —     
     13,547         —          27.22         8/31/2015         —          —     
     9,514         —          36.10         3/15/2016         —          —     
     21,090         —          31.61         2/23/2017         —          —     
     45,614         22,808 (2)      19.29         2/15/2018         —          —     
     46,841         93,684 (3)      14.235         2/13/2019         —          —     
     —           63,249 (4)      20.525         2/26/2020         —          —     
     —           —          —           —           28,771 (5)      1,250,675   
     —           —          —           —           54,116 (6)      2,352,423   
     —           —          —           —           25,021 (7)      1,087,663   

James Chao

     35,300         —          14.50         8/16/2014         —          —     
     32,671         16,336 (2)      19.29         2/15/2018         —          —     
     35,097         70,194 (3)      14.235         2/13/2019         —          —     
     —           47,390 (4)      20.525         2/26/2020         —          —     
     —           —          —           —           20,607 (5)      895,786   
     —           —          —           —           40,548 (6)      1,762,622   
     —           —          —           —           18,748 (7)      814,976   

M. Steven Bender

     3,272         —          25.42         6/15/2015         —          —     
     235         —          27.22         8/31/2015         —          —     
     922         —          36.10         3/15/2016         —          —     
     2,364         —          31.61         2/23/2017         —          —     
     —           30,714 (8)      31.61         2/23/2017         —          —     
     5,178         2,589 (2)      19.29         2/15/2018         —          —     
     10,033         20,067 (3)      14.235         2/13/2019         —          —     
     —           14,902 (4)      20.525         2/26/2020         —          —     
     —           —          —           —           15,818 (9)      687,608   
     —           —          —           —           3,266 (5)      141,973   
     —           —          —           —           11,592 (6)      503,904   
     —           —          —           —           5,895 (7)      256,256   

Jeffrey L. Taylor

     2,107         —          27.22         8/31/2015         —          —     
     1,128         —          36.10         3/15/2016         —          —     
     3,058         —          31.61         2/23/2017         —          —     
     —           15,357 (8)      31.61         2/23/2017         —          —     
     —           3,267 (2)      19.29         2/15/2018         —          —     
     —           12,056 (3)      14.235         2/13/2019         —          —     
     —           8,766 (4)      20.525         2/26/2020         —          —     
     —           —          —           —           7,909 (9)      343,804   
     —           —          —           —           4,122 (5)      179,183   
     —           —          —           —           6,964 (6)      302,725   
     —           —          —           —           3,468 (7)      150,754   

Donald M. Condon, Jr.

     1,648         —          31.61         2/23/2017         —          —     
     —           15,357 (8)      31.61         2/23/2017         —          —     
     5,404         2,702 (2)      19.29         2/15/2018         —          —     
     —           11,037 (3)      14.235         2/13/2019         —          —     
     —           8,072 (4)      20.525         2/26/2020         —          —     
     —           —          —           —           7,909 (9)      343,804   
     —           —          —           —           3,409 (5)      148,189   
     —           —          —           —           6,375 (6)      277,121   
     —           —          —           —           3,193 (7)      138,800   

 

(1) Based on the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 2010 ($43.47 per share).

 

25


(2) These stock options vested in three equal installments on February 15, 2009, February 15, 2010 and February 15, 2011.
(3) These stock options vest or vested in three equal installments on February 13, 2010, February 13, 2011 and February 13, 2012.
(4) These stock options vest or vested in three equal installments on February 26, 2011, February 26, 2012 and February 26, 2013.
(5) These shares of restricted stock vested on February 15, 2011.
(6) These shares of restricted stock will vest on February 13, 2012.
(7) These shares of restricted stock will vest on February 26, 2013.
(8) These stock options will vest in two equal installments on February 23, 2012 and August 23, 2016.
(9) These shares of restricted stock will vest in two equal installments on February 23, 2012 and August 23, 2016.

2010 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number
of Shares
Acquired
on
Exercise
(#)
     Value
Realized
on
Exercise
($)(1)
     Number
of Shares
Acquired
on
Vesting
(#)
     Value
Realized
on
Vesting
($)(2)
 

Albert Chao

     —           —           10,123         209,091   

James Chao

     32,399         203,114         7,434         153,549   

M. Steven Bender

     —           —           431         18,807   
           1,135         23,443   

Jeffrey L. Taylor

     9,295         81,674         1,468         30,322   

Donald M. Condon, Jr.

     5,518         119,837         791         16,338   

 

(1) Based on the difference between the market price of our common stock on the date of exercise and the option exercise price.
(2) Based on the market price of our common stock on the applicable vesting date.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Under our Code of Conduct, each of our employees (including our NEOs) is required to disclose to us and seek approval before undertaking any activity that could create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest between his or her personal interests and our interests. The members of our Board of Directors are also subject to the Code of Conduct. The Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing transactions between Westlake and other companies or organizations with which members of the Board of Directors may have affiliations.

The office space for our principal executive offices in Houston, Texas is leased, at market rates, from GUIC Post Oak, Ltd., an affiliate of our principal stockholder, under a lease ending on December 31, 2014. Total annual lease payments in 2010 were approximately $1.5 million.

Westlake Management Services, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary (“WMS”), and Titan Petrochemical & Polymers Berhad (now known as Titan Chemicals Corp. Bhd., or “Titan”), a Malaysian former affiliate of our principal stockholder, entered into an agreement under which WMS provided various management services to Titan in 2010 in exchange for a fee. In 2010, the amounts paid to WMS by Titan were $604,000. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the agreement was terminated, and as of the fourth quarter of 2010, Titan is no longer considered an affiliate of Westlake.

Both of the related party transactions set forth above have been previously approved by the Board of Directors without the participation of the directors interested in the transactions.

 

26


PROPOSAL 2—ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, the Company is providing its stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on executive compensation as described below.

The proposed resolution of stockholders is as follows:

RESOLVED, that the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the narrative discussion in the proxy statement for the Company’s 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, is hereby APPROVED.

The Company’s goal for its executive compensation program is to attract, motivate and retain a talented, entrepreneurial and creative team of executives who will provide leadership for the Company’s success in dynamic and competitive markets. The Company seeks to accomplish this goal in a way that rewards performance and is aligned with its stockholders’ long-term interests. The Company believes that its executive compensation program, which emphasizes long-term equity awards, satisfies this goal and is strongly aligned with the long-term interests of its stockholders.

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis, beginning on page 11 of this Proxy Statement, describes in more detail the Company’s executive compensation program and the decisions made by the Compensation Committee with respect to 2010 executive compensation.

Because this proposal is an advisory vote, it is not binding on the Company. However, the Compensation Committee values the opinions of stockholders with respect to our executive compensation and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for Named Executive Officers.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL NUMBER 2.

PROPOSAL 3—ADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF SAY-ON-PAY VOTES

As required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, the Company’s stockholders are being provided the opportunity to cast an advisory vote with respect to whether the advisory vote on executive compensation should be held every one, two or three years.

The Company believes that the advisory vote on executive compensation should be conducted every three years.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE ON PROPOSAL NUMBER 3 TO HOLD THE ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION EVERY THREE YEARS.

PROPOSAL 4—RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT

OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Although the ratification of the appointment of an independent registered public accounting firm is not required to be submitted to a vote of stockholders, our Board of Directors has decided to ask our stockholders to ratify this appointment. If our stockholders do not ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Audit Committee will consider the appointment of another accounting firm.

 

27


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THIS APPOINTMENT BE RATIFIED.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or its predecessor, has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 1993. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the annual meeting of the stockholders. If present, the representatives will have the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and to respond to appropriate questions.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S FEES

For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, we paid the following fees to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP:

 

Fees

   2010      2009  

Audit fees (1)

   $ 1,484,700       $ 1,599,200   

Audit-related fees (2)

     115,000         45,000   

Tax fees (3)

     34,059         74,490   

All other fees (4)

     4,299         3,599   
                 

Total fees billed

   $ 1,638,058       $ 1,722,289   

 

(1) Audit fees represent fees billed for professional services rendered for the audits of our annual consolidated financial statements, audit of internal controls, quarterly review of our consolidated financial statements, reviews of documents filed with the SEC, registration statements and comfort letters.
(2) Audit-related fees represent fees billed for professional services rendered for attest services and accounting consultations.
(3) Tax fees represent fees billed for professional services rendered for tax advice and tax compliance.
(4) All other fees include auditor-sponsored seminars and accounting research database licenses.

AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for work associated with audit, review or attest engagements, tax and permissible non-audit services, including the fees and terms thereof, to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, subject to, and in compliance with, the de minimis exception for non-audit services described in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Four directors make up the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors: Robert T. Blakely (chairman), E. William Barnett, Max L. Lukens and H. John Riley, Jr.

During the course of performing its duties, the Audit Committee issued the following report.

The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

The charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors specifies that the purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of:

 

   

the integrity of the Company’s financial statements;

 

   

the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

28


   

the qualifications and independence of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

   

the performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and internal audit function.

The Audit Committee charter is available on the Company’s Investor Relations Web site (www.westlake.com under “Investor Relations”).

In carrying out these responsibilities, the Audit Committee, among other things:

 

   

monitors preparation of quarterly and annual financial reports by the Company’s management;

 

   

supervises the relationship between the Company and its independent registered public accounting firm, including: having direct responsibility for their appointment, compensation and retention; reviewing the scope of their audit services; approving audit and non-audit services; and confirming the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

oversees management’s implementation and maintenance of effective systems of internal and disclosure controls, including review of the Company’s policies relating to legal and regulatory compliance, ethics and conflicts of interests and review of the Company’s internal auditing program; and

 

   

oversees financial risks.

In 2010, the Audit Committee was comprised of Mr. Robert T. Blakely, Mr. E. William Barnett, Mr. Max L. Lukens and Mr. H. John Riley, Jr. The Audit Committee met eight times during 2010. The Audit Committee schedules its meetings with a view to ensuring that it devotes appropriate attention to all of its tasks. The Audit Committee’s meetings include, whenever appropriate, executive sessions with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and with the Company’s internal auditors, in each case without the presence of the Company’s management.

As part of its oversight of the Company’s financial statements, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses with both management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm all annual and quarterly financial statements prior to their issuance. During 2010, management advised the Audit Committee that each set of financial statements reviewed had been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and reviewed significant accounting and disclosure issues with the Audit Committee. These reviews included discussion with the independent registered public accountants of matters required to be discussed pursuant to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s AU Section 380 (Communication with Audit Committees), including the quality of the Company’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence.

The Audit Committee also reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm management’s report and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s report on internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed key initiatives and programs aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the Company’s internal and disclosure control structure. As part of this process, the Audit Committee continued to monitor the scope and adequacy of the Company’s internal auditing program, reviewing staffing levels and steps taken to implement recommended improvements in internal procedures and controls.

 

29


Taking all these reviews and discussions into account, the undersigned Audit Committee members recommend to the Board of Directors that the Board of Directors approve the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, for filing with the SEC.

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Robert T. Blakely, Chairman

E. William Barnett

Max L. Lukens

H. John Riley, Jr.

 

30


OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING

We do not know of any matters other than those stated above which are to be brought before the annual meeting of the stockholders. However, if any other matters should be properly presented for consideration and voting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with their judgment.

HOUSEHOLDING

Our annual report to stockholders has been mailed to all stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders on or before the date of mailing this proxy statement. The SEC permits a single set of annual reports and proxy statements to be sent to any household at which two or more stockholders reside if they appear to be members of the same family. Each stockholder continues to receive a separate proxy card. This procedure, referred to as householding, reduces the volume of duplicate information stockholders receive and reduces mailing and printing expenses. A number of brokerage firms have instituted householding.

As a result, if you hold your shares through a broker and you reside at an address at which two or more stockholders reside, you will likely be receiving only one annual report and proxy statement unless any stockholder at that address has given the broker contrary instructions. However, if any such beneficial stockholder residing at such an address wishes to receive a separate annual report or proxy statement in the future, that stockholder should contact their broker or send a request to our Investor Relations Department, Westlake Chemical Corporation, 2801 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77056, telephone number (713) 960-9111. The Company will deliver, promptly upon written or oral request to the Investor Relations Department, a separate copy of the 2010 annual report to stockholders and this proxy statement to a beneficial stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered. If you hold your shares through a broker and you reside at an address at which two or more stockholders reside, but you are currently receiving more than one copy of the annual report and proxy statement, you may request delivery of a single copy of the annual report and proxy statement by contacting your broker or sending a request to the address above. The annual report is not a part of the proxy solicitation material.

OBTAINING COPIES OF THE COMPANY’S FORM 10-K

STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY MAY OBTAIN, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010 BY SENDING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR THE FORM 10-K TO THE INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION, 2801 POST OAK BLVD., SUITE 600, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77056.

 

31


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING

Proposals by stockholders intended to be presented at the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders must be forwarded in writing and received at our principal executive offices no later than December 16, 2011, directed to the attention of the corporate secretary, for consideration for inclusion in our Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2012. Moreover, with regard to any proposal by a stockholder not seeking to have its proposal included in the Proxy Statement but seeking to have its proposal considered at the 2012 annual meeting, a stockholder must notify us of its proposal by January 21, 2012; provided, that if the date of the 2012 annual meeting is more than 30 days before or 60 days after the anniversary date of the 2011 annual meeting, such notice must be delivered no later than the later of the 120th day prior to the 2012 annual meeting and the 10th day following the day on which we first publicly announce the date of the 2012 annual meeting. Any stockholder proposals must comply in all respects with the rules and regulations of the SEC.

LOGO

Stephen Wallace

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

April 14, 2011

 

32


ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

May 20, 2011

 

 

 

PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

 

  

 

INTERNET - Access “www.voteproxy.com” and follow the on-screen instructions. Have your proxy card available when you access the web page, and use the Company Number and Account Number shown on your proxy card.      

 

TELEPHONE - Call toll-free 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) in the United States or 1-718-921-8500 from foreign countries from any touch-tone telephone and follow the instructions. Have your proxy card available when you call and use the Company Number and Account Number shown on your proxy card.

   

 

COMPANY NUMBER

 

   
   

 

ACCOUNT NUMBER

 

   

 

Vote online/phone until 11:59 PM EST the day before the meeting.

 

   

 

CONTROL NUMBER

   
         
MAIL - Sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.      

 

IN PERSON - You may vote your shares in person by attending the Annual Meeting.

     

 

 

 

NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL: The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy

card are available at www.westlake.com/proxy2011

 

i Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided IF you are not voting via telephone or the Internet. i

 

¢    20230403000000001000    5    052011

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED OR NOT VOTED AS YOU DIRECT BELOW. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH DIRECTION, IT WILL BE VOTED “FOR ALL NOMINEES”

FOR PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 4 AND FOR “3 YEARS” FOR PROPOSAL 3.

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE  x

 

Proposal 1 - To elect two members of the Board of Directors for the terms described herein; the two directors to be re-elected are Class I directors (Dorothy C. Jenkins and Max L. Lukens).

         

 

Proposal 2 - To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation;

 

FOR

 

¨

 

AGAINST

 

¨

 

ABSTAIN

 

¨

   

 

¨  FOR ALL NOMINEES

 

¨  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

      FOR ALL NOMINEES

 

¨  FOR ALL EXCEPT

      (See instructions below)

   

NOMINEES:

 

LOGO  Dorothy C. Jenkins

 

LOGO  Max L. Lukens

           

 

Proposal 3 - To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation;

   

 

1 year

 

¨

 

 

2 years

 

¨

 

 

3 years

 

¨

 

 

ABSTAIN

 

¨

 
               

Proposal 4 - To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011; and

 

FOR

 

¨

 

AGAINST

 

¨

 

ABSTAIN

 

¨

 
               

 

Proposal 5 - To act upon any other matters that may properly come before the annual meeting.

 
 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

 

 

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:  l

   

 

TO INCLUDE ANY COMMENTS, USE THE COMMENTS BOX ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD.

 

THANK YOU FOR VOTING

 
               
 
               
 
                          I PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING  ¨
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.       ¨                  

 

Signature of Stockholder  

       

 

Date:  

       

 

Signature of Stockholder  

     

 

Date:  

   
¢   Note:   Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.    ¢


If you vote your proxy by telephone or on the Internet, you do NOT

need to mail back your proxy card.

IF YOU WISH TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE IN THE UNITED STATES, PUERTO RICO OR CANADA, PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. IF YOU VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET, PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL.

HAVE YOUR VOTING DIRECTION CARD IN HAND

TO VOTE BY PHONE THROUGH OUR TABULATOR, AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY:

 

   

On a touch-tone telephone call Toll Free 1-800-PROXIES - 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.

 

   

Enter your eleven-digit Control Number, which is indicated on the other side of this card.

 

   

Follow the voice instructions.

 

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

 

      1                          

 

PROXY     PROXY

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Annual Meeting - May 20, 2011

The undersigned hereby appoints David R. Hansen and George J. Mangieri as proxy holders with full power to act alone and with power of substitution, to vote all stock which the undersigned could vote at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Westlake Center Annex, 2801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056, on May 20, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. (local time), and at any adjournment thereof, in the manner stated herein as to the following matters and in their discretion on any other matters that may properly come before the meeting, all as described in the accompanying Notice and Proxy Statement.

This Proxy is Continued on the Reverse Side

Please Sign on the Reverse Side and Return Promptly

 

COMMENTS:
 
 
 

 

             


ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

May 20, 2011

NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL:

The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card

are available at www.westlake.com/proxy2011

Please sign, date and mail

your proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

i Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. i

 

¢    20230403000000001000    5    052011

 

 

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED OR NOT VOTED AS YOU DIRECT BELOW. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH DIRECTION, IT WILL BE VOTED “FOR ALL NOMINEES”

FOR PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 4 AND FOR “3 YEARS” FOR PROPOSAL 3.

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE  x

Proposal 1 - To elect two members of the Board of Directors for the terms described herein; the two directors to be re-elected are Class I directors (Dorothy C. Jenkins and Max L. Lukens).

         

 

Proposal 2 - To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation;

 

FOR

 

¨

 

AGAINST

 

¨

 

ABSTAIN

 

¨

   

 

¨  FOR ALL NOMINEES

 

¨  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

       FOR ALL NOMINEES

 

¨  FOR ALL EXCEPT

       (See instructions below)

   

NOMINEES:

 

LOGO  Dorothy C. Jenkins

 

LOGO  Max L. Lukens

           

 

Proposal 3 - To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation;

   

 

1 year

 

¨

 

 

2 years

 

¨

 

 

3 years

 

¨

 

 

ABSTAIN

 

¨

 
               

Proposal 4 - To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011; and

 

FOR

 

¨

 

AGAINST

 

¨

 

ABSTAIN

 

¨

 
               

 

Proposal 5 - To act upon any other matters that may properly come before the annual meeting.

 
 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

 

 

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:  l

   

 

TO INCLUDE ANY COMMENTS, USE THE COMMENTS BOX ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD.

 

THANK YOU FOR VOTING

 
               
 
               
 
                          I PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING  ¨
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.       ¨                  

 

Signature of Stockholder  

       

 

Date:  

       

 

Signature of Stockholder  

     

 

Date:  

   
¢   Note:   Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.    ¢