Your vote is very important! Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to read the enclosed proxy statement and vote.A proxy provides a process that works much like an absentee ballot. Proxy votes allow board directors to have a say when they are not in attendance. If you wish to appoint a person other than the Chairman as your proxy, please enter their name in the box provided. A proxy is like an absentee ballot that enables shareholders to vote without physically attending the in-person shareholder meeting. This number is in a circled area on the printed proxy card or is identified as a control number in an e-mail. In recent years, the company has issued its proxy in April ahead of a June annual meeting.