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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrant ý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

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

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

Aspen Technology, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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No fee required.

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

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LOGO

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
200 Wheeler Road
Burlington, Massachusetts 01803

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on December 5, 2013

Dear Stockholder:

        We invite you to attend our annual meeting of stockholders, which is being held as follows:

Date:   Thursday, December 5, 2013
Time:   9 a.m. Eastern time
Location:   K&L Gates
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts

        At the annual meeting, we will ask you and our other stockholders to:

Each of the foregoing proposals is fully set forth in the Proxy Statement, which you are urged to read thoroughly. Stockholders also will be asked to consider any other business properly presented at the annual meeting.

        Only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 14, 2013 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting. The annual meeting may be adjourned from time to time without notice at the annual meeting.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
Held on December 5, 2013 at K & L Gates, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts:

The Proxy Statement, form of proxy card and 2013 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at
www.aspentech.com, as well as at www.proxyvote.com.

        Whether or not you expect to attend the annual meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy, or vote over the telephone or the Internet, as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the annual meeting. We have enclosed for your convenience a return envelope that is postage prepaid if mailed in the United States. Even if you vote by proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the annual meeting. If your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the annual meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from the record holder.

Burlington, Massachusetts
October 25, 2013


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LOGO

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Table of Contents

Questions and Answers About These Proxy Materials and Voting

  1

Proposal One. Election of Directors

  6

Proposal Two. Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

  7

Executive Officers

  8

Executive Compensation

  9

Executive Compensation Tables

  9

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

  12

Employment and Change in Control Agreements

  28

Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance

  33

Directors

  33

Board Determination of Independence

  34

Director Nomination Process

  35

Board Leadership Structure

  36

Communicating with Independent Directors

  36

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

  36

Role of Board in Risk Oversight

  36

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

  37

Director Attendance at Board and Stockholder Meetings

  37

Board Committees

  37

Audit Committee Report

  39

Compensation Committee Report

  40

Director Compensation

  41

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

  43

Related-Party Transactions

  44

Stock Ownership

  46

Stock Owned by Directors, Executive Officers and Greater-than-5% Stockholders

  46

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

  48

Independent Registered Public Accountants

  49

Accountant Fees

  49

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

  49

Householding of Proxy Materials

  49

Other Matters

  50



        Our fiscal year ends on June 30, and references to a specific fiscal year are the twelve months ended June 30 of such year (for example, "fiscal 2013" refers to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013).


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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING

Why did I receive a notice as to the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of materials?

        Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. We have sent a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, together with a proxy card, to our stockholders of record as of October 14, 2013. Instructions on how to access proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice of Internet Availability. In addition, you may request to receive future proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically. Your election to receive future proxy materials by mail or electronically will remain in effect until you terminate such election.


How can I access the proxy materials over the Internet?

        You may view and also download our proxy materials for the annual meeting, including the Notice of Internet Availability, the Proxy Statement, the form of proxy card and our 2013 Annual Report to Stockholders, on our website at www.aspentech.com as well as at www.proxyvote.com.


How do I attend the annual meeting?

        The meeting will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 9 a.m. (Eastern time) at the offices of K&L Gates, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Directions to the meeting location are available at the K&L website at http://www.klgates.com/boston-united-states-of-america/. K&L's website and the information contained therein is not incorporated into this Proxy Statement. Information on how to vote in person at the annual meeting is discussed below.


Who can vote at the annual meeting?

        Only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 14, 2013, or the record date, will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting. On the record date, there were shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

        If on October 14, 2013 your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Co., then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card, or vote by proxy over the telephone or on the Internet as instructed below, to ensure your vote is counted.

        If on October 14, 2013 your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name" and the Notice is being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the annual meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the annual meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

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What am I voting on?

        There are two matters scheduled for a vote:


What if another matter is properly brought before the meeting?

        The board of directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the annual meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.


How do I vote?

        With respect to the election of directors, you may either vote "For" all the nominees to the board of directors or you may "Withhold" your vote for any nominee you specify. With respect to the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, you may vote "For" or "Against" or abstain from voting.

        If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the annual meeting, vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, vote by proxy over the telephone, or vote by proxy through the Internet. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the annual meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy.

        If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the Internet as instructed by your broker or bank. To vote in person at the annual meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your

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broker, bank, or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

        We provide Internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. Please be aware, however, that you must bear any costs associated with your Internet access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies.


How many votes do I have?

        On each matter, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of October 14, 2013.


What if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote but do not make specific choices?

        If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted "For" the election of the two director nominees nominated by the board of directors. If any other matter is properly presented at the annual meeting, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his best judgment.


Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

        We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We have engaged Alliance Advisors, L.L.C. on an advisory basis and they may help us solicit proxies from brokers, bank nominees and other institutional owners. We expect to pay Alliance Advisors, L.L.C. a fee of $7,500 for their services, plus expenses.


What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability?

        If you receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on the proxy cards in the proxy materials to ensure that all of your shares are voted.


Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

        Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the annual meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:

Your most current proxy card or telephone or Internet proxy is the one that is counted. If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.

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How are votes counted?

        Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately count:

        Abstentions are counted in tabulations of the votes cast on proposals presented to stockholders other than the election of directors. Thus, an abstention from voting on a matter has the same legal effect as a vote "Against" that matter. Broker non-votes and directions to withhold are counted as present, but are not entitled to vote on proposals for which brokers do not have discretionary authority and have no effect other than to reduce the number of affirmative votes needed to approve a proposal.


What are "broker non-votes"?

        Broker non-votes occur when a beneficial owner of shares held in "street name" does not give instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed "non-routine." Generally, if shares are held in street name, the beneficial owner of the shares is entitled to give voting instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares. If the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the broker or nominee can still vote the shares with respect to matters that are considered to be "routine," but not with respect to "non-routine" matters.


Which ballot measures are considered "routine" or "non-routine"?

        The election of directors (Proposal One) and the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal Two) are matters considered non-routine under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee cannot vote without instructions on non-routine matters, and therefore there may be broker non-votes on Proposals One and Two.


How many votes are needed to approve the proposals?


What is the quorum requirement?

        A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock as of the record date are present at the annual meeting in person or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of shares must be present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting to have a quorum.

        Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the

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annual meeting. Broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may adjourn the annual meeting to another date.


When are stockholder proposals due for next year's annual meeting?

        To be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for presentation at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholder proposals must be received in writing by our Secretary at our principal executive offices at 200 Wheeler Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, by June 30, 2014. You are also advised to review our by-laws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.

        If a stockholder wishes to present a proposal before the 2014 Annual Meeting but does not wish to have the proposal considered for inclusion in our Proxy Statement and proxy card in accordance with Rule 14a-8, the stockholder must also give written notice to our Secretary at the address noted above. Our Secretary must receive the notice not less than sixty days nor more than ninety days prior to next year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than seventy days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made, whichever occurs first.


How can I find out the results of the voting at the annual meeting?

        Preliminary voting results will be announced at the annual meeting. Final voting results will be published in a Form 8-K on or before December 11, 2013. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K by that date, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8-K to publish the final results.

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PROPOSAL ONE. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        Our by-laws provide that the board of directors is to be divided into three classes, with the classes serving for staggered three-year terms. In addition, our by-laws specify that the board has the authority to fix the number of directors. The number of directors currently is fixed at six. There are two nominees for director at this annual meeting: Robert M. Whelan, Jr. and Donald P. Casey. If elected, each would serve as a Class II director for a three-year term beginning at the annual meeting and ending at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

        The three director classes currently are comprised as follows:

        Vacancies on the board may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the board to fill a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class and until the director's successor is duly elected and qualified, or his or her earlier resignation, death or removal.

        If elected at the annual meeting, each of the nominees would serve until the 2016 Annual Meeting and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. If either of the nominees is unable or unwilling to serve, proxies will be voted for such substitute nominee or nominees as the board may determine. We are not aware of any reason that either nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve.

        Our nominating and corporate governance committee seeks to assemble a board that, as a whole, possesses the appropriate balance of professional and industry knowledge, financial expertise and management experience necessary to oversee and direct our business. To that end, the committee has evaluated the board's current members in the broader context of the board's overall composition. The committee maintains a goal of recruiting members who complement and strengthen the skills of other members and who also exhibit integrity, collegiality, sound business judgment and other qualities that the committee views as critical to effective functioning of the board.

        Neither of the director nominees is related by blood, marriage or adoption to any of our other directors, director nominees or executive officers, and neither is party to an arrangement or understanding with any person pursuant to which the nominee is to be selected or nominated for election as a director.

        Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. The two nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected.

        Brief biographies of the nominees are contained on page 33 of this Proxy Statement and include information, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, regarding the specific and particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each nominee for director that led the nominating and corporate governance committee to believe that such nominee should continue to serve on the board. In addition, following the biographies of the nominees are the biographies of directors not currently up for re-election containing information as to why the committee believes that such director should continue serving on the board.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF
EACH OF ROBERT M. WHELAN, JR. AND DONALD P. CASEY.

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PROPOSAL TWO. ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        In accordance with SEC rules, we are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. This Proposal Two, commonly known as a "say on pay" proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our executive compensation programs. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. We currently hold this vote annually.

        The compensation of our named executive officers is disclosed in the section entitled "Executive Compensation" below, including the tabular and narrative disclosures set forth in such section under the headings "Executive Compensation Tables" and "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." As discussed in those disclosures, we believe that our compensation policies and decisions are focused on pay-for-performance principles and strongly aligned with our stockholders' interests. Compensation of our named executive officers is designed to enable us to attract and retain talented and experienced executives to lead our company successfully in a competitive environment.

        We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement by casting a non-binding advisory vote "FOR" the following resolution:

        Because the vote is advisory, it will not be binding on us or the board of directors. Nevertheless, the views expressed by our stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to us and, accordingly, the board and its compensation committee intend to consider the results of this vote in making determinations in the future regarding executive compensation arrangements.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL TWO.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        You should refer to "Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance—Directors—Directors Continuing in Office Until Our 2015 Annual Meeting" later in this proxy statement for information about our President and Chief Executive Officer, Antonio J. Pietri. Biographical information for our other executive officers follows.

        Mark P. Sullivan has served as our Executive Vice President since August 2010 and Chief Financial Officer since July 2009. Mr. Sullivan previously served as our Senior Vice President from July 2009 to July 2010. He served as a financial consultant to our company from March 2009 through June 2009. From 1994 to December 2008, Mr. Sullivan served in various financial executive positions at Fidelity Investments, a diversified financial services company. From 1987 to 1993, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Principal Finance and Accounting Officer at Westerbeke Corporation, a manufacturer of generators, diesel propulsion engines and other power solutions for commercial and recreational marine applications. During 1987, he served as Consulting Manager in the Business Investigatory Services group of Coopers & Lybrand Company, a public accounting and professional services firm which merged with Price Waterhouse in 1998 to form PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. From 1980 to 1987, he held a number of financial leadership roles with Analog Devices, Inc., a manufacturer of analog, mixed-signal and digital signal processing integrated circuits used in industrial, communication, computer and consumer applications. He holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.S. in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Sullivan is 57 years old.

        Manolis E. Kotzabasakis has served as our Executive Vice President, Products since August 2010. Mr. Kotzabasakis served as our Senior Vice President, Sales and Strategy from July 2007 to July 2010; our Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Business Development from January 2005 to June 2007; our Senior Vice President, Marketing and Strategy from July 2004 to December 2004; our Senior Vice President, Engineering Business Unit from September 2002 to June 2004; Vice President of our Aspen Engineering Suite of Products, Research and Development from 1998 to 2002; and Director of our Advanced Process Design Group from 1997 to 1998. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Mr. Kotzabasakis is 54 years old.

        Frederic G. Hammond has served as our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since July 2005. From February to June 2005, Mr. Hammond was a partner at the law firm of Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP in Boston, Massachusetts. From 1999 through August 2004, Mr. Hammond served as vice president, business affairs and general counsel of Gomez Advisors, Inc., a performance management and benchmarking technology services firm. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Hammond served as general counsel of Avid Technology, Inc., a provider of digital media creation, management and distribution solutions. Prior to 1992, Mr. Hammond was an attorney with the law firm of Ropes & Gray LLP in Boston, Massachusetts. He holds a B.A. from Yale College and a J.D. from Boston College Law School. Mr. Hammond is 53 years old.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation Tables

        The following table contains information regarding compensation earned during the last three fiscal years by our named executive officers, who consist of Mark E. Fusco, former President and Chief Executive Officer; Antonio J. Pietri, our current President and Chief Executive Officer who served in fiscal 2013 as our Executive Vice President, Field Operations; Mark P. Sullivan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Manolis E. Kotzabasakis, Executive Vice President, Products; and Frederic G. Hammond, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Fusco served as our President and Chief Executive Officer until his resignation effective September 30, 2013, and Mr. Pietri became President and Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2013.


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position
  Year   Salary
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)(1)
  Option
Awards
($)(1)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(2)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(3)
  Total
($)
 

Mark E. Fusco

    2013     600,000     2,624,990     981,476     800,000     9,322     5,015,788  

President and

    2012     600,000     2,015,000     737,000     750,000     5,713     4,107,713  

Chief Executive Officer

    2011     550,000     1,171,696     700,920     750,000     5,887     3,178,503  

Mark P. Sullivan

   
2013
   
350,000
   
768,758
   
287,436
   
300,000
   
8,425
   
1,714,619
 

Senior Vice President and

    2012     325,000     697,500     276,375     295,000     8,637     1,602,512  

Chief Financial Officer

    2011     310,000     439,386     262,845     240,625     7,481     1,260,337  

Antonio J. Pietri

   
2013
   
350,000
   
899,990
   
336,509
   
350,000
   
7,821
   
1,944,320
 

Executive Vice President,

    2012     325,000     697,500     276,375     325,000     7,862     1,631,737  

Field Operations

    2011     315,000     439,386     262,845     300,000     8,562     1,325,793  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

   
2013
   
325,000
   
768,758
   
287,436
   
300,000
   
7,116
   
1,688,310
 

Executive Vice President,

    2012     300,000     697,500     276,375     300,000     7,042     1,580,917  

Products

    2011     290,000     439,386     262,845     275,000     8,128     1,275,359  

Frederic G. Hammond

   
2013
   
320,000
   
290,613
   
108,666
   
200,000
   
6,140
   
925,419
 

Senior Vice President,

    2012     310,000     290,625     115,156     190,000     7,396     913,177  

General Counsel, and Secretary

    2011     300,000     183,078     109,519     175,000     9,030     776,626  

(1)
Amounts shown represent grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, with respect to restricted stock units and stock options granted to the named executive officers. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown disregard the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Each stock option was granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. For a description of the assumptions relating to our valuations of the restricted stock units and stock options, see note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2013, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2013, which identifies assumptions made in the valuation of option awards.

(2)
Amounts shown consist of awards based on performance under our 2013 Executive Plan and equivalent predecessor plans for each respective fiscal year. For additional information regarding these awards in fiscal 2013, see "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Variable Cash Compensation."

(3)
Amounts shown include matching contributions under our 401(k) deferred savings retirement plan and the annual dollar value associated with life and death and disability insurance. The amount shown for Mr. Pietri in fiscal 2013 includes $709 in expatriation foreign tax advice. The amount shown for Mr. Pietri in fiscal 2012 includes $743 in expatriation foreign tax advice. The amount shown for Mr. Pietri in fiscal 2011 includes expatriation foreign tax of $1,000 and $971 for state and medical tax gross-ups.

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        The following table shows all plan-based awards granted to our named executive officers during fiscal 2013. The equity awards granted in fiscal 2013 identified in the table below are also reported in the table entitled "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End." For additional information regarding the non-equity incentive plan awards, please refer to "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Reasons for Providing and Manner of Structuring the Key Compensation Elements—Variable Cash Compensation."


GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

 
   
   
   
   
  All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock
or Units
(#)(2)
  All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(3)
   
   
 
 
   
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
   
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards
($)(4)
 
 
   
  Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Sh)
 
Name
  Grant
Date
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
 

Mark E. Fusco

    N/A     400,000     800,000     800,000                          

    8/1/2012                       112,275               $ 2,624,990  

    8/1/2012                             93,563   $ 23.38   $ 981,476  

Mark P. Sullivan

   
N/A
   
150,000
   
300,000
   
300,000
                         

    8/1/2012                       32,881               $ 768,758  

    8/1/2012                             27,401   $ 23.38   $ 287,436  

Antonio J. Pietri

   
N/A
   
175,000
   
350,000
   
350,000
                         

    8/1/2012                       38,494               $ 899,990  

    8/1/2012                             32,079   $ 23.38   $ 336,509  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

   
N/A
   
150,000
   
300,000
   
300,000
                         

    8/1/2012                       32,881               $ 768,758  

    8/1/2012                             27,401   $ 23.38   $ 287,436  

Frederic G. Hammond

   
N/A
   
100,000
   
200,000
   
200,000
                         

    8/1/2012                       12,430               $ 290,613  

    8/1/2012                             10,359   $ 23.38   $ 108,666  

(1)
Consists of performance-based cash incentive bonus awards under the 2013 Executive Plan. Actual amounts of awards are set forth in the summary compensation table above to the extent they have been determined and paid as of the date of filing of this Proxy Statement.

(2)
Represents restricted stock units granted under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.

(3)
Represents stock options granted under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

(4)
Amounts shown represent grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, with respect to restricted stock units and stock options granted to the named executive officers. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown disregard the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Each stock option was granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. For a description of the assumptions relating to our valuations of the restricted stock units and stock options, see note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2013, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2013, which identifies assumptions made in the valuation of option awards.

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        The following table sets forth certain information as to unexercised options and stock awards held at the end of fiscal 2013 by the named executive officers.


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
Name
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
  Option
Exercise
Price ($)(1)
  Option
Expiration
Date(2)
  Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
  Market Value
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
($)(3)
 

Mark E. Fusco

    53,359     0   $ 9.55     11/08/2019              

    8,250     33,000 (4) $ 10.93     08/01/2020     26,800 (7) $ 771,572  

    6,250     50,000 (5) $ 15.50     07/31/2021     65,000 (8) $ 1,871,350  

    5,847     70,173 (6) $ 23.38     07/31/2022     84,207 (9) $ 2,424,320  

Mark P. Sullivan

   
3,094
   
12,375

(4)

$

10.93
   
08/01/2017
   
10,050

(7)

$

289,340
 

    2,344     18,750 (5) $ 15.50     07/31/2021     22,500 (8) $ 647,775  

    6,850     20,551 (6) $ 23.38     07/31/2022     24,661 (9) $ 709,990  

Antonio J. Pietri

   
9,733
   
12,375

(4)

$

10.93
   
08/01/2017
   
10,050

(7)

$

289,340
 

    18,750     18,750 (5) $ 15.50     07/31/2021     22,500 (8) $ 647,775  

    8,019     24,060 (6) $ 23.38     07/31/2022     28,871 (9) $ 831,196  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

   
7,414
   
12,375

(4)

$

10.93
   
08/01/2017
   
10,050

(7)

$

289,340
 

    18,750     18,750 (5) $ 15.50     07/31/2021     22,500 (8) $ 647,775  

    6,850     20,551 (6) $ 23.38     07/31/2022     24,661 (9) $ 709,990  

Frederic G. Hammond

   
2,578
   
5,157

(4)

$

10.93
   
08/01/2017
   
4,188

(7)

$

120,573
 

    7,812     7,813 (5) $ 15.50     07/31/2021     9,375 (8) $ 269,906  

    2,589     7,770 (6) $ 23.38     07/31/2022     9,323 (9) $ 268,409  

(1)
Each option has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock at the time of grant as reported on The NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of grant.

(2)
The expiration date of each option occurs ten years after the grant of such option with the exception of the options awarded on August 2, 2010, which will expire seven years after the grant date.

(3)
The closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 28, 2013 was $28.79.

(4)
These options were granted on August 2, 2010. The shares underlying these options vest in 16 equal quarterly installments, commencing on September 30, 2010 and continuing on the last business day of each successive quarter thereafter, subject to the holder's continued service with us.

(5)
These options were granted on August 1, 2011. The shares underlying these options vest in 16 equal quarterly installments, commencing on September 30, 2011 and continuing on the last business day of each successive quarter thereafter, subject to the holder's continued service with us.

(6)
These options were granted on August 1, 2012. The shares underlying these options vest in 16 equal quarterly installments, commencing on September 30, 2012 and continuing on the last business day of each successive quarter thereafter, subject to the holder's continued service with us.

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(7)
These stock awards were granted on August 2, 2010. The shares underlying these stock awards vest in 16 equal quarterly installments, commencing on September 30, 2010 and continuing on the last business day of each successive quarter thereafter, subject to the holder's continued service with us.

(8)
These stock awards were granted on August 1, 2011. The shares underlying these stock awards vest in 16 equal quarterly installments, commencing on September 30, 2011 and continuing on the last business day of each successive quarter thereafter, subject to the holder's continued service with us.

(9)
These stock awards were granted on August 1, 2012. The shares underlying these stock awards vest in 16 equal quarterly installments, commencing on September 30, 2012 and continuing on the last business day of each successive quarter thereafter, subject to the holder's continued service with us.

        The table below details options that were exercised by our named executive officers during fiscal 2013 and shares of common stock that vested during fiscal 2013 under restricted stock units, or RSUs, held by those named executive officers.


Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2013

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
Name
  Number of
Shares
Aquired on
Exercise (#)
  Value
Realized on
Exercise ($)
  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting(#)(1)
  Value
Realized on
Vesting ($)
 

Mark E. Fusco

    1,876,684     40,304,371     129,118     3,680,318  

Mark P. Sullivan

    28,781     380,655     45,770     1,304,575  

Antonio J. Pietri

    47,392     706,448     38,423     1,095,291  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

    29,711     434,006     37,020     1,055,288  

Frederic G. Hammond

    107,404     1,946,153     16,982     484,062  

(1)
With respect to shares acquired upon vesting of restricted stock units, each named executive officer elected to have shares withheld to pay associated income taxes. The number of shares reported represents the gross number prior to withholding of such shares. The net shares received upon lapse are as follows Mark E. Fusco 71,716, Mark. P. Sullivan 29,099, Antonio J. Pietri 24,148, Manolis E. Kotzabasakis 23,261, Frederic G. Hammond 10,682.


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

        We have prepared the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis to provide you with information that we believe is helpful to understand our executive compensation policies and decisions as they relate to the compensation for fiscal 2013 of our chief executive officer and other executive officers included in the Summary Compensation Table on page 9. The chief executive officer and these other executive officers are referred to in this proxy statement as our "named executive officers." Our objectives and the philosophy of our executive compensation program are described starting on page 15, after the Executive Summary immediately below. We also describe actions regarding compensation taken before and after fiscal 2013 when it enhances the understanding of our executive compensation program.

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        The compensation committee believes that our executive compensation program is appropriately designed and reasonable in light of the executive compensation programs of our peer group companies and responsibly aligned with the best interests of our stockholders in that it both encourages our named executive officers to work for our long-term prosperity and reflects a pay-for-performance philosophy, without encouraging our employees to assume unnecessary or excessive risks. We use executive compensation to drive continued improvement in corporate operating and financial performance, and to reward our executives for contributing to that performance.

        The highlights of our company performance for fiscal 2013 that were directly linked to executive compensation decisions the compensation committee made in fiscal 2013 include achievement of the two key metrics in our 2013 annual cash incentive plan:

        The highlights of our executive compensation program for fiscal 2013 include:

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GRAPHIC


GRAPHIC

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        At our annual meeting of stockholders in 2012, approximately 97% of the votes cast supported the say on pay proposal. While this vote was advisory only, the compensation committee has considered the results of the vote in the context of our overall compensation philosophy, policies and decisions. The compensation committee believes that this 2012 stockholder vote strongly endorsed our compensation philosophy and the decisions we made for fiscal 2012. After reflecting on this vote, the compensation committee decided to maintain a consistent course for fiscal 2013 compensation decisions. Prior to our annual meeting of stockholders in 2012, the compensation committee had made a decision to:

        For fiscal 2013 (as in fiscal 2012), our variable cash bonus plan did not contain individual performance metrics. Instead, each eligible executive's bonus was based solely on achievement of the corporate performance metrics (GTLCV and cash flow from operations), which is consistent with our philosophy to link executive compensation to corporate performance. However, the chief executive officer (in the case of his direct reports) and the compensation committee (in the case of the chief executive officer) may reduce any award by up to 10 percent in his or its discretion.

        Our compensation philosophy for our executive officers is based on a desire to ensure sustained financial and operating performance, and to reward and retain talent that we believe is critical to our ongoing success. We believe that the compensation of our executive officers should align their interests

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with those of our stockholders and focus behavior on the achievement of both near-term corporate targets as well as long-term business objectives and strategies.

        The primary objectives of our executive compensation program are as follows:

        To achieve these objectives, we use a mix of compensation elements, including:

        In determining the amount and form of these compensation elements, we may consider a number of factors, including the following:

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        While the compensation committee does not have a formal policy for determining the allocation between cash and non-cash compensation, or short-term and long-term compensation, historically the compensation committee has allocated the majority of an executive's total target compensation to variable and equity compensation as he assumes greater responsibility in the organization. The compensation committee determines the percentage mix of compensation it believes is appropriate for each executive taking into account specific responsibilities within the company, the talent and expertise necessary to achieve our corporate objectives and specific expected performance outcomes for the year.

        The compensation committee of the board of directors oversees our executive compensation program. In this role, the compensation committee is generally responsible for reviewing, modifying, approving and otherwise overseeing the compensation policies and practices applicable to our employees and non-employee directors, including the administration of our equity and employee benefit plans. As part of this responsibility, the compensation committee reviews and approves (or recommends for approval by a majority of the independent directors), the compensation structure for our named executive officers. The board is responsible for establishing corporate objectives and targets for purposes of variable cash compensation. For fiscal 2013, the board established corporate targets of GTLCV and cash flow from operations.

        The compensation committee historically has, at its discretion, presented to the board information regarding executive compensation matters for all executives. Compensation matters for all executives other than the chief executive officer are approved by the compensation committee and presented to the board for informational purposes. The compensation committee presents to the board its recommendations on compensation matters for the chief executive officer, including base salary and target bonus levels, for approval by the independent directors. In fiscal 2013, the board approved the compensation committee's recommendations as presented.

        As part of its deliberations, the compensation committee reviews and considers materials such as our operational data and projections of total compensation under various scenarios. Additionally, the compensation committee considers the total compensation that may become payable to executives in various hypothetical scenarios, executive and director stock ownership information, our stock performance data and analyses of historical executive compensation levels. Further, the compensation committee considers current company-wide compensation levels, industry and peer company benchmark data, recommendations from the company's human resources, accounting and finance and legal departments, and the recommendations of our chief executive officer with respect to the other executives. The compensation committee also reviews materials and advice provided by its independent compensation consultant, Towers Watson, in the committee's deliberations on the amount, form and other aspects of executive compensation. The compensation committee reviewed the independence of Towers Watson as a compensation consultant pursuant to the SEC rules and concluded that no conflict of interest existed that would affect their independence.

        For named executive officers other than our chief executive officer, the compensation committee solicits and considers the performance evaluations and compensation recommendations submitted to the compensation committee by the chief executive officer. In the case of the chief executive officer, the board of directors (other than the chief executive officer) evaluates his performance and determines his compensation. Mark E. Fusco, our former chief executive officer and a former director, participated in the meetings of the compensation committee relating to the amount of the fiscal 2013 compensation arrangements for each of the named executive officers, other than for Mr. Fusco.

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        Our human resources, accounting and finance, and legal departments work with our chief executive officer to design and develop compensation programs that are applicable to named executive officers and other senior executives and that the chief executive officer recommends to the compensation committee. These departments also work with the chief executive officer to recommend changes to existing compensation programs, to recommend financial and other performance targets to be achieved under those programs, to prepare analyses of financial data, to prepare peer group data summaries, to prepare other compensation committee briefing materials, and ultimately to implement the decisions of the board and its compensation committee.

        In accordance with our executive compensation philosophy described above, the compensation committee reviews relevant market and industry practices on executive compensation to balance our need to compete for talent with our need to maintain a reasonable and responsible cost structure, as well as with the goal of aligning the interests of the named executive officers with those of our stockholders. In making compensation decisions, the compensation committee reviewed publicly available information on practices, programs and compensation levels of members of a peer group selected by the compensation committee, and also used as a reference point the IPAS Global Technology Survey and the Radford Technology Survey. We refer to all these sources collectively below as the other global industry survey sources. The composition of the peer group is reviewed and updated by the compensation committee annually, based in part on the recommendations of its independent compensation consultant, as well as the recommendations of our chief executive officer.

        In general, the compensation committee sets cash compensation elements as follows, with compensation above this level possible for exceptional performance:

        The compensation committee believes targeting each element of cash compensation at these percentiles for our peer group is necessary in order to achieve the primary objectives, described above, of our executive compensation program. The higher percentile for target cash bonuses is intended to highly motivate our executives to achieve the corporate financial objectives that underlie our performance-based bonus plans. Similarly, the higher percentile for equity compensation is intended to align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders because the economic value of equity compensation depends directly on the performance of our stock price over the period during which the awards vest. The compensation committee considers peer group data, including mean and distribution data for peer company officers, and analyzes such data as part of the process to determine compensation levels for named executive officers.

        A number of other factors, such as economic conditions, individual performance assessment, and individual negotiations, may play an important role (or no role) with respect to the cash or equity compensation offered to any named executive officer in a given year. In setting actual compensation levels for a named executive officer, the compensation committee, in addition to considering peer group data, also considers the named executive officer's duties and responsibilities and ability to influence corporate performance. In addition to peer group analysis, the compensation committee also reviews global industry survey data to confirm the reasonableness of proposed compensation levels. The compensation committee believes this general approach helps us to compete in hiring and retaining the best possible talent while at the same time maintaining a reasonable and responsible cost structure.

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        The fiscal 2013 peer group selected by the compensation committee after consultation with its independent compensation consultant consisted of U.S. publicly-traded enterprise software companies that had revenue within a specified range of our trailing twelve-month revenue, a business model and size similar to ours (or were otherwise in the same geographical location), and that the compensation committee believed competed with us for executive talent. At the time the compensation committee reviewed peer group data for purposes of fiscal 2013, the peer group had annual revenue of between $139 million and $1.3 billion and market capitalizations between $141 million and $6.1 billion.

        For fiscal 2013, the 18 companies included in the peer group were:

        ANSYS, Inc.
Ariba
Cadence Design
CommVault Systems, Inc.
Concur Technologies
Digital River
Informatica Corporation
JDA Software Group, Inc.
Magma Design
Manhattan Associates, Inc.
Mentor Graphics Corporation
Nuance Communications, Inc.
Parametric Technology Corporation
Progress Software Corporation
QAD Inc.
Quest Software, Inc.
TIBCO Software Inc.
Solera Holdings

        For fiscal 2013, the compensation committee engaged its independent compensation consultant, Towers Watson, to review the peer group proposed by management and provide observations and suggestions for change as appropriate. The fiscal 2012 peer group had been expanded to enhance the stability of the group. As compared to the peer group used for fiscal 2011, the fiscal 2012 peer group was expanded to include Cadence Design, CommVault, Concur Technologies, Digital River, Magma Design, Quest Software and Solera Holdings. The compensation committee retained the same expanded group for fiscal 2013.

        The compensation committee recognizes the importance of base salary as an element of compensation that helps to attract and retain our executives. We provide base salary as a fixed source of compensation for our executives, allowing them a degree of certainty as a significant portion of their total compensation is "at risk" and dependent upon the achievement of financial goals. Base salary is used to recognize the performance, skills, knowledge, experience and responsibilities required of all our employees, including our named executive officers. We target base salary levels at approximately the 50th percentile of our peer group.

        Historically, the compensation committee has reviewed the annual salaries for each of our named executive officers on an annual basis, considering whether existing base salary levels continue to be at approximately the 50th percentile for our peer group and other global industry survey data. In addition

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to considering the peer group and other global industry survey data, the compensation committee may also, but does not always, consider other factors, including the experience, tenure and performance of a named executive officer, the scope of the such officer's responsibility, the salary level negotiated by such officer in any existing employment agreement, broader economic conditions, our financial health, and the extent to which the compensation committee is generally satisfied with such officer's past performance and expected future contributions. For fiscal 2013, the compensation committee initially consulted the peer group and other global industry data, as well as an analysis developed by the committee's independent compensation consultant, and then made an independent determination to increase base salary for each named executive officer.

        In addition to base salary, executives are eligible to earn additional cash compensation through annual variable cash bonuses. These are intended to motivate executives to work at the highest levels of their individual abilities and to achieve company-wide operating and strategic objectives. The compensation committee recognizes the important role that variable cash compensation plays in attracting and retaining executives and therefore generally seeks to set target levels for variable bonuses (that is, payouts for target performance achievement) so that target cash bonus compensation ranges from the 60th to the 75th percentile for target cash bonus compensation of similarly situated executives at our peer group.

        The compensation committee generally starts the process of determining the target bonus levels by which performance will be measured under the bonus programs for executives (other than the chief executive officer, whose target bonus level is set by the board of directors), in the last quarter before the start of the applicable fiscal year. Typically, in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, the compensation committee considers the target bonus percentages for the next fiscal year for executives (other than the chief executive officer). As part of this analysis, the compensation committee considers the likely bonus payouts for the ongoing fiscal year for executives (other than the chief executive officer) and reviews its preliminary analysis with the chief executive officer, in connection with their consideration of expected financial results for the prior year, budgets for the applicable year and the economic forecast for the applicable year. The compensation committee also considers peer group company data provided or confirmed by an independent compensation consultant. The chief executive officer then makes a recommendation to the compensation committee as to the target bonuses that the other executives should be eligible to earn for the applicable year, and the compensation committee reviews those recommendations. Generally, in the first quarter of a fiscal year, after financial results for the prior year have become available, the compensation committee reviews and finalizes its earlier discussions regarding the structure and elements of compensation for the new fiscal year. Among other things, the board approves the corporate performance goals for the year.

        In addition to awards based on the performance metrics established in the applicable incentive bonus plan, the compensation committee may make discretionary awards under the plan to eligible employees in such amounts as the committee determines are appropriate and in our best interests. No award is payable to an executive under the plan if the executive's employment terminates prior to the payment date under the plan; provided that if the executive's employment terminates due to death, incapacity or retirement, then any award otherwise payable will be prorated. The executive would also be entitled to all or part of his target bonus for the fiscal year under certain conditions described in the discussion of the employee retention agreements below in "—Employment and Change in Control Agreements."

        The process of the compensation committee, and with respect to the chief executive officer, the board of directors, for establishing variable cash compensation for fiscal 2013 was completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The compensation committee performed a detailed analysis by named executive officer against the peer group and other global industry data, and based on corporate GTLCV and cash

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flow from operations performance goals tailored to our company. On July 25, 2012, the compensation committee and, with respect to our chief executive officer, the board, approved the Executive Annual Incentive Bonus Plan for fiscal 2013, or the 2013 Executive Plan, a cash incentive bonus plan for our executives for fiscal 2013. The participants in the 2013 Executive Plan include Mark E. Fusco, Mark P. Sullivan, Antonio J. Pietri, Manolis E. Kotzabasakis and Frederic G. Hammond and those other executives who report directly to our chief executive officer.

        Any amounts earned under the 2013 Executive Plan were payable in cash and directly tied to achievement of corporate financial targets. Amounts payable under the 2013 Executive Plan are based and weighted as follows:

        The board of directors selected GTLCV and cash flow from operations as the primary corporate performance goals for fiscal 2013. The board determined that GTLCV is a useful metric for analyzing our business performance, particularly while transitioning to our aspenONE licensing model and revenue comparisons between fiscal periods may not reflect the actual growth rate of our business. The board further determined that cash flow from operations would be another useful indicator of the achievement of the execution of our operating plan in fiscal 2013, and combined with GTLCV, would be important to increasing the value of our common stock, therefore aligning the financial interests of executives with those of our stockholders.

        The 2013 Executive Plan goals were based upon targets approved by the board as part of our fiscal 2013 operating plan. In order for any bonus to be payable to any executive under either the GTLCV or operating cash flow metric, achievement of at least 70% of the applicable target metric was necessary. Each metric was measured independently. Achievement of above-target performance does not increase the bonus amount, i.e., the maximum bonus award is 100% of the target. The board generally sets the target performance level for the corporate financial objectives at a level that would only be achieved if we continued to substantially improve on our past levels of performance, and if our executives performed at very high levels. As a result, the board believed that 2013 Executive Plan GTLCV and cash flow from operations targets would be difficult to reach but would be attainable with significant effort, while not entailing taking unnecessary or excessive risks.

        In fiscal 2013, performance was evaluated at mid-year and at year-end, and named executive officers were eligible to earn a bonus of up to 25% of their annual bonus target at mid-year and 75% at year-end under the 2013 Executive Plan. If less than 25% of the target bonus was earned at mid-year, the unrealized difference (up to the 25% mid-year potential) could be made up at year-end based on annual achievement against annual goals. The mid-year evaluation was based on mid-year performance of corporate performance goals only and payments could not exceed 25% of the annual bonus targets. The named executive officers received 25% of their annual bonuses based on achievement of the company performance goals during the first half of the year.

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        The year-end payment was based on total annual performance against the annual performance targets less any payment received at mid-year. Annual company performance goals and achievement of such goals were as follows for fiscal 2013.

Plan Metric
  Financial Target ($)   Actual Results ($)  

Growth in total license contract value

  $ 146 million   $ 190 million  

Cash flow from operations

    134 million     147 million  

        As we exceeded both our GTLCV and cash flow from operations targets, we paid both elements at 100% for financial performance during fiscal 2013.

        Accordingly, the compensation committee approved bonuses as shown in the following table.

Named Executive Officer
  Fiscal 2013
Annual Target
Cash
Payment ($)
  Total Bonus
Received for
Fiscal 2013 ($)
 

Mark E. Fusco

  $ 800,000   $ 800,000  

Mark P. Sullivan

    300,000     300,000  

Antonio J. Pietri

    350,000     350,000  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

    300,000     300,000  

Frederic G. Hammond

    200,000     200,000  

        We provide a portion of our executive compensation in the form of stock options and RSUs that vest over time. We believe that this helps to retain our executives and aligns their interests with those of our stockholders by allowing the executives to participate in our longer-term success through stock price appreciation.

        Our equity award program is the primary vehicle for offering long-term incentives to our executives. We believe that equity grants help to align the interests of our executives and our stockholders, provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance and also create an ownership culture. Our equity awards typically take the form of stock options and RSUs. Stock options typically require significant growth in stockholder value to generate long-term value to our executives which is in line with our performance-oriented culture. In addition, the vesting feature of our equity grants is intended to further our goal of executive retention by providing an incentive to an executive to remain in our employ during the vesting period. RSUs have intrinsic value which is important in retaining our executive talent. The compensation committee carefully considers the mix of equity instruments when determining annual equity awards to ensure that the executive's total compensation conforms to our overall philosophy and objectives.

        In determining the size and mix of equity grants to our executives, the compensation committee considers comparative equity grants received by executives in our peer group and in the global industry survey data generally between the 50th and 75th percentiles (when available), and also considers the individual executive's performance, contributions and level of responsibility, and the executive's ability to significantly influence our growth and profitability. In addition, the compensation committee takes into account our company-level performance and the recommendations of the chief executive officer other than for himself.

        Our equity awards typically have taken the form of stock options and RSUs. We generally make an initial equity award of stock options and/or RSUs to new executives and an annual equity program grant in August each year as part of our overall compensation program. All grants of options and RSUs to our executives are approved by the compensation committee. Equity awards for our chief executive officer are determined by the compensation committee and then recommended to the board of directors for approval.

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        We set the exercise price of all stock option grants to equal the prior trading day's closing price of our common stock. Typically, the equity awards we grant to our executives vest pro rata over the first sixteen quarters of a ten-year option term. Vesting and exercise rights cease shortly after termination of employment except in the case of death or disability. Prior to the exercise of an option, or vesting of an RSU, the holder has no rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares subject to such equity awards, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents.

        For fiscal 2013, the compensation committee made recommendations, following the closing of the applicable prior fiscal year, for annual equity grants for our named executive officers to the board. The compensation committee's grant recommendations were made after consideration and discussion about each individual's prior year performance, company performance for the year in question, and a review of peer group and global industry survey data. The compensation committee considered each of these parameters for each of our named executive officers and determined both the size of the equity awards and equity mix (the relative balance of options and RSUs).

        On August 1, 2012, we granted stock options and RSUs to our named executive officers as set forth below. The grants vest in sixteen equal quarterly installments on the last business day of the quarter beginning on September 30, 2012.

        The compensation committee considered the comparative data and individual performance factors described above when determining the value of each grant. The committee exercised its collective business judgment and experience in making these determinations, with the objective of recognizing each executive's level of responsibility and contributions during the past year, and retaining him and proving appropriate incentives for the future. The committee did not use an arithmetic scorecard in determining the appropriate value of each grant or each executive's performance, contribution or value to the Company, and instead developed a consensus based on committee discussions and interactions with the executive officers, including the chief executive officer.

        In determining the allocation of the awards between stock options and RSUs, the compensation committee considered the different goals intended to be achieved through these different types of awards as discussed above.

Named Executive Officer
  Type of Equity Award   Number of
Shares Subject
to Award (#)
 

Mark E. Fusco

  Stock Options     93,563  

  Restricted Stock Units     112,275  

Mark P. Sullivan

  Stock Options     27,401  

  Restricted Stock Units     32,881  

Antonio J. Pietri

  Stock Options     32,079  

  Restricted Stock Units     38,494  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

  Stock Options     27,401  

  Restricted Stock Units     32,881  

Frederic G. Hammond

  Stock Options     10,359  

  Restricted Stock Units     12,430  

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        The compensation committee took the following additional actions related to named executive officer compensation after the year ended June 30, 2013 through the date of this Proxy Statement.

        In July 2013, the compensation committee, and in the case of Mr. Fusco, the board of directors, established base salaries of our named executive officers. On August 9, 2013, the board of directors established the terms of Mr. Fusco's compensation for the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The base salaries thus established are set forth in the table below.

Named Executive Officer
  Fiscal 2013
Base Salary ($)
  Fiscal 2014(1)
Base Salary
  Percentage
Increase (%)
 

Mark E. Fusco

    600,000     150,000 (2)   0.0 %

Mark P. Sullivan

    350,000     370,000     5.7 %

Antonio J. Pietri

    350,000     500,000     42.9% (3)

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

    325,000     348,000     7.1 %

Frederic G. Hammond

    320,000     330,000     3.1 %

(1)
When determining fiscal 2014 base salaries, the compensation committee considered peer group data in accordance with its general philosophy to target base salary levels at approximately the 50th percentile of our peer group. The compensation committee also considered other relevant data such as experience, tenure and performance.

(2)
Base salary for the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The non-employee members of the board of directors accepted the recommendation of the compensation committee that in consideration of continued service as chief executive officer through September 30, 2013, Mr. Fusco would be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment of $450,000, consisting of a payment of $200,000 in lieu of any rights under the 2014 Executive Plan described below, and a payment of $250,000 in lieu of any equity grants.

(3)
This comparatively large increase was due to Mr. Pietri's appointment as our president and chief executive officer effective October 1, 2013.

        In July 2013, the compensation committee approved an Executive Annual Incentive Bonus Plan FY14, or the 2014 Executive Plan, for each of our executive officers and certain other members of senior management. Each such plan is identical in form, except for the amount of the executive's target awards. On August 9, 2013, the board of directors determined that in consideration of continued service as chief executive officer through September 30, 2013, Mr. Fusco would be entitled to receive a payment of $200,000 in lieu of any rights under the 2014 Executive Plan as set forth at Note 2 of the table above.

        The purpose of these plans is to motivate and reward performance for the achievement of certain corporate objectives for fiscal 2014. Payments under each plan are based upon the achievement of

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certain corporate performance metrics established by the board. The annual targets under the 2014 Executive Plan for each of the named executive officers are as follows.

Named Executive Officer
  Fiscal 2014
Annual Target
Cash Payment ($)
 

Antonio J. Pietri

  $ 500,000  

Mark P. Sullivan

    300,000  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

    300,000  

Frederic G. Hammond

    205,000  

        In fiscal 2014, we are focusing on certain non-GAAP and other business metrics, including the key metric of growth in total license contract value, to track our business performance.

        Given the key business metrics on which we are focusing to assess our performance, the compensation committee approved the use of fiscal 2014 corporate objectives of GTLCV and cash flow from operations. These two performance metrics are weighted at 50% each for purposes of determining each eligible executive's bonus, and in order for any bonus to be payable, we must achieve at least 70% of the specified metrics. We believe this is an appropriate and effective way to link incentive compensation to corporate performance. For fiscal 2014 these plans do not contain individual performance metrics. Instead, each eligible executive's bonus is based solely on achievement of the corporate performance metrics, which is consistent with our philosophy to link executive compensation to corporate performance. In addition, the chief executive officer (in the case of his direct reports) and the compensation committee (in the case of the chief executive officer) may reduce any award otherwise payable hereunder by up to 10 percent in his or its discretion.

        In fiscal 2014, performance against the financial metrics under each plan will be evaluated at mid-year and at year-end. There is the potential for a mid-year payment based on performance against mid-year targets, not to exceed 25% of the annual bonus target. If an executive's employment terminates prior to the end of the performance period, eligibility for any payment will be subject to the retention agreement then in effect between us and the executive. In addition to awards based on the performance metrics established under each plan, the compensation committee may make a discretionary award to the executive in such amount as the compensation committee determines to be appropriate and in our best interests.

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        The compensation committee approved its annual program grant for fiscal 2014 in July 2013. The awards issued to our named executive officers in August 2013 are as follows:

Named Executive Officer
  Type of Equity Award   Number of
Shares Subject
to Award (#)
 

Mark E. Fusco

  Stock Options     0 (1)

  Restricted Stock Units     0  

Mark P. Sullivan

  Stock Options     25,546  

  Restricted Stock Units     30,655  

Antonio J. Pietri

  Stock Options     48,018  

  Restricted Stock Units     57,621  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

  Stock Options     24,969  

  Restricted Stock Units     29,963  

Frederic G. Hammond

  Stock Options     8,355  

  Restricted Stock Units     10,026  

(1)
On August 9, 2013, the nominating and governance committee of the board of directors accepted the recommendation of the compensation committee that in consideration of his continued service as chief executive officer through September 30, 2013, Mr. Fusco would be entitled to receive a payment of $250,000 in lieu of any equity grants.

        For fiscal 2014, the value of each equity award was allocated 75% to RSUs and 25% to stock options. The compensation committee then reviewed peer group data in line with the committee's general approach to target equity compensation between the 50th and 75th percentiles. The compensation committee also considered each individual's performance and level of contribution when determining the value of fiscal 2014 equity awards.

        We maintain broad-based benefits that are provided to all employees, including health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance and a 401(k) plan. Executives are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, in each case on the same basis as other employees. Our named executive officers are not entitled to benefits that are not otherwise available to all employees.

        We maintain stock ownership guidelines requiring our chief executive officer to own stock with a value equal to at least three times his annual salary, our other named executive officers to hold stock with a value of at least one times their annual salaries, and our non-employee directors to own stock (i.e., long shares; not derivative securities such as stock options) with a value of at least three times their annual cash retainers. New named executive officers and directors have five years from the date that they become named executive officers or directors to reach the applicable ownership threshold. As of the record date, all of our named executive officers and directors satisfied the applicable ownership thresholds, subject to the five-year window associated with Mr. Pietri's appointment as our president and chief executive officer effective October 1, 2013.

        Pursuant to the executive retention agreements we have entered into with each of our named executive officers and to the provisions of our option agreements, those executives are entitled to specified benefits in the event of the termination of their employment under specified circumstances,

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including termination following a change in control of our company. We have provided more detailed information about these benefits, along with estimates of value under various circumstances, in the table below under "—Employment and Change in Control Agreements."

        We believe these agreements assist in maintaining a competitive position in terms of attracting and retaining key executives. The agreements also support decision-making that is in the best interests of our stockholders, and enable our executives to focus on company priorities. We believe that our severance and change in control benefits are generally in line with prevalent peer practice with respect to severance packages offered to executives.

        Our practice in the case of change in control benefits under the executive retention agreements has been to structure these as "double trigger" benefits. In other words, the change in control does not itself trigger benefits; rather, benefits are paid only if the employment of the executive is terminated during a specified period after the change in control and under the circumstances described below in "—Employment and Change in Control Agreements."

        The accounting and tax treatment of particular forms of compensation do not materially affect our compensation decisions. However, we evaluate the effect of such accounting and tax treatment on an ongoing basis and will make appropriate modifications to compensation policies where appropriate. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or IRC, generally disallows a tax deduction to a publicly-traded company for certain compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid in any taxable year to the chief executive officer and the three other most highly paid executive officers, other than the chief financial officer. Qualifying performance-based compensation is not subject to the deduction limitation if specified requirements are met.

        The compensation committee periodically reviews the potential consequences of Section 162(m), and we generally intend to structure the performance-based portion of our executive compensation, where feasible, to comply with exemptions in Section 162(m) so that the compensation remains tax-deductible to us. The compensation committee in its judgment may, however, authorize compensation payments that do not comply with the exemptions in Section 162(m) when it believes that such payments are appropriate to attract and retain executive talent.

        The compensation committee has reviewed the compensation policies as generally applicable to our employees, and believes that these policies do not encourage excessive and unnecessary risk-taking and that the level of risk that they do encourage is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company. The design of the compensation policies and programs encourages employees to remain focused on both our short-and long-term goals. For example, while the cash bonus plan measures performance on an annual basis, the equity awards typically vest over a number of years, which we believe encourages employees to focus on sustained stock price appreciation, thus limiting the potential for excessive risk-taking. In addition, we believe our stock ownership guidelines for our directors and named executive officers may mitigate against excessive and unnecessary risk-taking by requiring directors and named executive officers to hold a significant position in our stock during their period of service to the company.

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        Through the compensation arrangements described above, a significant portion of each executive's compensation is contingent on our company-wide performance. Therefore, the realization of benefits by the executive is closely linked to our achievements and increases in stockholder value. We remain committed to this philosophy of paying for performance, recognizing that the competitive market for talented executives and the volatility of our business may result in highly variable compensation in any particular time period. The compensation committee gives careful consideration to our executive compensation program, including each element of compensation for each executive. The compensation committee believes the executive compensation program is reasonable relative to the peer group. The compensation committee also believes that the compensation program gives each executive appropriate incentives, based on the executive's responsibilities, achievements and ability to contribute to our performance. Finally, the compensation committee believes that our compensation structure and practices encourage management to work for real innovation, business improvements and outstanding stockholder returns, without taking unnecessary or excessive risks.


Employment and Change in Control Agreements

        We have executive retention agreements with the following executive officers: Antonio J. Pietri, our President and Chief Executive Officer; Mark P. Sullivan, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Manolis E. Kotzabasakis, our Executive Vice President, Products; and Frederic G. Hammond, our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary; each of whom we refer to as a specified executive.

        Pursuant to the terms of each executive retention agreement, if no change in control has occurred, and the specified executive's employment is terminated without cause, the specified executive will be entitled to the following:

        If within twelve months following a change in control, the executive's employment is terminated without cause, or the specified executive terminates his employment for good reason (which includes constructive termination, relocation, a reduction in salary or benefits, or our breach of any employment agreement with the specified executive or a failure to pay benefits when due), then the specified executive shall be entitled to the following:

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        Each executive retention agreement provides that the total payments received by the specified executive relating to termination of his/her employment will be reduced to an amount equal to the highest amount that could be paid to the specified executive without subjecting such payment to excise tax as a parachute payment under IRC Section 4999, provided that no reduction shall be made if the amount by which these payments are reduced exceeds 110% of the value of any additional taxes that the specified executive would incur if the total payments were not reduced.

        Each executive retention agreement terminates on the earliest to occur of (a) July 31, 2014, (b) the first anniversary of a change in control, and (c) our payment of all amounts due to the specified executive following a change in control. Each agreement is subject to automatic renewal on August 1 of each year, unless we give notice of termination at least seven days prior to the renewal date.

        Mark E. Fusco served as our President and Chief Executive Officer until his resignation effective September 30, 2013. Under his former employee agreement, entered into on December 7, 2004, in the event of termination of Mr. Fusco's employment (other than for the reasons set forth below), including termination of his employment after a change in control or termination of employment by Mr. Fusco for "good reason" (which includes constructive termination, relocation, or reduction in salary or benefits), Mr. Fusco would have been entitled to a lump sum severance payment equal to two times the sum of:

        In addition, in lieu of any further life, disability, and accident insurance benefits otherwise due to Mr. Fusco following his termination (other than for the reasons set forth below), including termination after a change in control, Mr. Fusco would have been entitled to a lump sum amount equal to the estimated cost (as determined in good faith by us) to Mr. Fusco of providing such benefits, to the extent that Mr. Fusco was eligible to receive such benefits immediately prior to notice of termination, for a period of two years commencing on the date of termination. We would also have paid all health insurance due to Mr. Fusco for a period of two years commencing on the date of termination.

        Mr. Fusco's employment agreement provided that the payments received by him relating to termination of his employment would be increased in the event that these payments would subject him

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to excise tax as a parachute payment under IRC Section 4999. The increase would be equal to an amount necessary for Mr. Fusco to receive, after payment of such tax, cash in an amount equal to the amount he would have received in the absence of such tax. However, the increased payment would not be made if the total severance payment, if so increased, would not exceed 110% of the highest amount that could be paid without causing an imposition of the excise tax. In that event, in lieu of an increased payment, the total severance payment would be reduced to such reduced amount.

        However, in the event that Mr. Fusco's employment had been terminated for one or more of the following reasons, then Mr. Fusco would not have been entitled to the severance payments described above: by us for cause; by reason of Mr. Fusco's death or disability; by Mr. Fusco without good reason (unless such resignation occurs within 180 days following a change in control); or after Mr. Fusco shall have attained age 70.

        On October 28, 2005, we entered into an amendment to our employment agreement with Mr. Fusco. This amendment provided that in the event Mr. Fusco became entitled, on the terms and conditions set forth in the employment agreement, to receive a severance payment upon termination of his employment, such a payment would have to be made within 30 days after the Date of Termination (as defined in the employment agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the severance payment would constitute "nonqualified deferred compensation" subject to the provisions of IRC Section 409A, then the payment instead would be due within 15 days after the earlier of (i) the expiration of six months and one day following the Date of Termination or (ii) Mr. Fusco's death following the Date of Termination. Mr. Fusco's agreement was amended and restated on October 3, 2007 to comply with the applicable provisions of IRC Section 409A.

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        The following table sets forth estimated compensation that would have been payable to each of our named executive officers as severance or upon a change in control of our company under two alternative scenarios, assuming the termination triggering severance payments or a change in control took place on June 30, 2013.


POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL TABLE

Name(1)
  Cash
Payment
($)(2)
  Accelerated
Vesting of
Stock
Options
($)(3)
  Accelerated
Vesting of
Restricted
Stock
Units
($)(4)
  Welfare
Benefits
($)(5)
  Outplacement
($)(6)
  Total
($)
 

Mark P. Sullivan

                                     

Termination without cause or with good reason prior to change in control

  $ 650,550             13,538   $ 45,000     709,088  

Change in control only

                               

Change in control with termination without cause or with good reason

  $ 650,550   $ 581,386   $ 1,647,076   $ 13,538   $ 45,000   $ 2,937,550  

Antonio J. Pietri

                                     

Termination without cause or with good reason prior to change in control

  $ 700,550             17,293   $ 45,000     762,843  

Change in control only

                               

Change in control with termination without cause or with good reason

  $ 700,550   $ 600,370   $ 1,768,339   $ 17,293   $ 45,000   $ 3,131,552  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

                                     

Termination without cause or with good reason prior to change in control

  $ 625,533             17,293   $ 45,000     687,826  

Change in control only

                               

Change in control with termination without cause or with good reason

  $ 625,533   $ 581,386   $ 1,647,076   $ 17,293   $ 45,000   $ 2,916,288  

Frederic G. Hammond

                                     

Termination without cause or with good reason prior to change in control

  $ 520,540             17,234   $ 45,000     582,774  

Change in control only

                               

Change in control with termination without cause or with good reason

  $ 520,540   $ 237,974   $ 658,946   $ 17,234   $ 45,000   $ 1,479,694  

(1)
Mark E. Fusco resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 30, 2013. Prior to his resignation, the estimated compensation that would have been payable to Mr. Fusco as severance or upon a change of control under the following scenarios was as follows: (i) for termination without cause or with good reason prior to a change of control: (a) cash payment of $2,734,478, (b) welfare benefits of $34,586 and (c) outplacement of $45,000, for a total of $2,814,064; and (ii) for change in control with termination without cause or with good reason: (a) cash payment of $2,734,478, (b) accelerated vesting of stock options of $1,633,516, (c) accelerated vesting of restricted stock units of $5,067,242, (d) welfare benefits of $34,586 and (e) outplacement of $45,000, for a total of $9,514,822.

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(2)
Amounts shown reflect payments based on salary and bonus as well as payment of estimated cost of life, disability and accident insurance benefits during the agreement period.

(3)
Amounts shown represent the value of stock options upon the applicable triggering event described in the first column. The value of stock options is based on the difference between the exercise price of the options and $28.79, which was the closing price of the common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market on the last trading day of fiscal 2013, June 28, 2013.

(4)
Amounts shown represent the value of restricted stock units upon the applicable triggering event described in the first column, based on the closing price of the common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market on the last trading day of fiscal 2013, June 28, 2013.

(5)
Amounts shown represent the estimated cost of providing employment-related benefits during the agreement period.

(6)
Amounts shown represent the maximum value of outplacement benefits.

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INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

        This section provides further information regarding the board of directors and the independence of our directors and describes key corporate governance guidelines and practices that we have adopted. You can access our current committee charters and code of business conduct and ethics in the "Investor Relations" section of our website located at www.aspentech.com or by writing to our Investor Relations Department at our principal executive offices at 200 Wheeler Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, telephone: 781-221-6400. Neither our website nor its contents are incorporated into this Proxy Statement.


Directors

        Robert M. Whelan, Jr. was elected Chairman of our Board of Directors on January 29, 2013. He has served as one of our directors since May 2011. Mr. Whelan has been the President of Whelan & Company, LLC, which provides business and financial consulting and strategic services to a broad range of companies, since 2001. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Whelan also served as Managing Director of Valuation Perspectives, Inc., a consulting firm. Prior to 2001, Mr. Whelan held a number of senior-level positions at various investment banking and brokerage firms. Among other positions, Mr. Whelan was Vice Chairman of Prudential Volpe Technology Group, the technology investment banking and research division of Prudential Securities, and prior to that, he was Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director, Head of Investment Banking, and a board member of Volpe Brown Whelan & Company, a private technology and healthcare investment banking, brokerage and asset management firm acquired by Prudential Securities in 1999. Mr. Whelan currently serves as a director of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a NASDAQ-listed developer of small-molecule drugs to treat patients with aggressive cancers. Mr. Whelan is 61 years old. We believe that Mr. Whelan's qualifications to serve on the board of directors include his executive management and technology investment banking experience.

        Donald P. Casey has served as one of our directors since 2004. From 2004 through 2009, Mr. Casey served as Chairman of the Board of Mazu Networks, a networking software startup. In 2004, Mr. Casey was also the chief executive officer of Mazu Networks. Since 2001, Mr. Casey has been an information strategy and operations consultant to technology and financial services companies. From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Casey served as president and chief operating officer of Exodus Communications, Inc., an Internet infrastructure services provider. From 1991 to 1999, Mr. Casey served as president and chief technology officer of Wang Global, Inc. Mr. Casey previously held executive management positions at Lotus Development Corporation, Apple Computer, Inc. and International Business Machines Corporation. He is currently a director of PeerApp, a startup focused on Internet media caching solutions. Mr. Casey holds a B.S. in Mathematics from St. Francis College. He is 67 years old. We believe Mr. Casey's qualifications to serve on the board of directors include his many years of experience in the business software industry. His experience includes executive management and development roles. We believe Mr. Casey's extensive industry knowledge and industry perspective are beneficial for the board.

        Joan C. McArdle has served as one of our directors since 1994. Ms. McArdle has served as a senior vice president of Massachusetts Capital Resource Company, an investment company, since 2001, and served as a vice president of Massachusetts Capital Resource Company from 1985 to 2001. She holds an A.B. in English from Smith College. Ms. McArdle is 62 years old. We believe Ms. McArdle's qualifications to serve on the board of directors include her experience in building and financing companies from earliest stages of growth to mature technology companies. In addition, Ms. McArdle's

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knowledge of the technology industry and venture experience enable her to provide the board with valuable strategic advice.

        Simon J. Orebi Gann has served as one of our directors since February 2011. Dr. Orebi Gann worked for BP from 2000 until 2008, for most of that time serving as the Chief Information Officer and a member of the Executive Committee of BP Integrated Supply and Trading. From 1996 to 2000, Dr. Orebi Gann served as Managing Director of Technology for the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange. From 1979 to 1996, he served as one of the Chief Information Officers of Marks & Spencer plc, an international retailer. Dr. Orebi Gann served as a director of MapInfo Corporation, a provider of location intelligence solutions, from 2004 until its sale to Pitney Bowes Inc. in April 2007. He currently serves on the board of directors of Next Generation Data ltd, a European provider of large scale Data Center space. He holds a BA, MA (Oxon) and D. Phil from Oxford University where he studied Physics. Dr. Orebi Gann is 63 years old. We believe Dr. Orebi Gann's qualifications to serve on the board of directors include his experience in our largest industry segment and his proven track record in leveraging information technology to capture new commercial opportunities and to increase operational efficiencies in various industries.

        Gary E. Haroian has served as one of our directors since 2003. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Haroian served in various positions, including as chief financial officer, chief operating officer and chief executive officer, at Bowstreet, Inc., a provider of software application tools. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Haroian served as senior vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer of Concord Communications, Inc., a network management software company. From 1983 to 1996, Mr. Haroian served in various positions, including chief financial officer, president, chief operating officer and chief executive officer, at Stratus Computer, Inc., a provider of continuous availability solutions. Mr. Haroian served as a director of A123 Systems, a battery systems company, from 2006 to 2012; Network Engines, Inc., a provider of server appliance solutions, from 2003 to 2011; Unica Corporation, a provider of enterprise marketing management software, from 2009 to 2010; Phase Forward Incorporated, a provider of clinical trials and drug safety software, from 2005 to 2010; AuthorizeNet. Holdings (formerly known as Lightbridge, Inc.), a provider of transaction and payment processing services, from 2005 to 2007; and Embarcadero Technologies, Inc., a provider of database management solutions, from 2004 to 2006. Prior to 1983, Mr. Haroian was a Certified Public Accountant. He holds a B.A. in Economics and a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Mr. Haroian is 62 years old. We believe that Mr. Haroian's qualifications to serve on the board of directors include his extensive advisory experience to various emerging technology companies, his service on the boards of directors of other public companies and his financial and accounting expertise.

        Antonio J. Pietri was named our President and Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2013 and has served as one of our directors since July 2013. Before accepting his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, he had served as our Executive Vice President, Field Operations since July 2007. Mr. Pietri served as our Senior Vice President and Managing Director for our Asia-Pacific region from 2002 to June 2007 and held various other positions with our company from 1996 until 2002. From 1992 to 1996, he was at Setpoint Systems, Inc., which we acquired, and before that he worked at ABB Simcon and AECTRA Refining and Marketing, Inc. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Houston and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tulsa. Mr. Pietri is 48 years old.


Board Determination of Independence

        The board of directors uses the definition of independence established by The NASDAQ Stock Market. Under applicable NASDAQ rules, a director qualifies as an "independent director" if, in the

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opinion of the board, he or she does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The board has determined that Donald P. Casey, Gary E. Haroian, Joan C. McArdle, Simon J. Orebi Gann and Robert M. Whelan, Jr. do not have any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director of our company, and that each of these directors therefore is an "independent director" as defined in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).


Director Nomination Process

        The process followed by the nominating and corporate governance committee to identify and evaluate director candidates includes requests to members of the board of directors and others for recommendations, meetings from time to time to evaluate biographical information and background material relating to potential candidates, and interviews of selected candidates by members of the nominating and corporate governance committee and other members of the board.

        In considering whether to recommend a particular candidate for inclusion in the board's slate of recommended director nominees, the nominating and corporate governance committee applies the criteria set forth in its charter. These criteria include (a) the candidate's judgment, skill, character, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, (b) the interplay of the candidate's experience with the experience of other board members, and (c) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the board and any committees of the board. The nominating and corporate governance committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria, and no particular component is a prerequisite for a prospective nominee. The board believes that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow the board to fulfill its responsibilities effectively.

        The board and the nominating and corporate governance committee believes that candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including the ability to read and understand basic financial statements, being over 21 years of age and having the highest personal integrity and ethics. The nominating and corporate governance committee also considers such factors as possessing relevant expertise upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to management, having sufficient time to devote to our affairs, demonstrated excellence in his or her field, having the ability to exercise sound business judgment and having the commitment to rigorously represent the long-term interests of our stockholders. However, the nominating and corporate governance committee retains the right to modify these qualifications from time to time. Candidates for director nominees are reviewed in the context of the current composition of the board, our operating requirements and the long-term interests of stockholders. In conducting this assessment, the nominating and corporate governance committee typically considers diversity, age, skills and such other factors as it deems appropriate given the current needs of the board and the company, to ensure the board has a diversity of skills and experience with respect to accounting and finance, management and leadership, vision and strategy, business operations, business judgment, industry knowledge and corporate governance. In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to expire, the nominating and corporate governance committee reviews these directors' overall service to the company during their terms, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance and any other relationships and transactions that might impair the directors' independence.

        Stockholders may recommend individuals to the nominating and corporate governance committee for consideration as potential director candidates by submitting the individuals' names, together with appropriate biographical information and background materials and a statement as to whether the stockholder or group of stockholders making the recommendation has beneficially owned more than five percent of our common stock for at least a year as of the date such recommendation is made. Any such names should be submitted to our nominating and corporate governance committee in care of our Secretary at Aspen Technology, Inc., 200 Wheeler Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803. Assuming

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that appropriate biographical and background material has been provided on a timely basis, the nominating and corporate governance committee will evaluate stockholder recommended candidates by following substantially the same process, and applying substantially the same criteria, as it follows for candidates submitted by others. If the board determines to nominate a stockholder recommended candidate and recommends his or her election, then his or her name will be included in the Proxy Statement and proxy card for our next annual meeting.


Board Leadership Structure

        The board of directors currently has an independent chair, Robert M. Whelan, Jr. We believe that having an independent board chair can create an environment that is conducive to objective evaluation and oversight of management's performance, and can increase management accountability and improve the ability of the board to monitor whether management's actions are in the best interests of our stockholders. As a result, we believe that having an independent board chair can enhance the effectiveness of the board as a whole.


Communicating with Independent Directors

        The board of directors will give appropriate attention to written communications that are submitted by stockholders and will respond if and as appropriate. Our chairman of the board, with the assistance of our general counsel, is primarily responsible for monitoring communications from stockholders and for providing copies or summaries of those communications to the other directors as he considers appropriate.

        Communications are forwarded to all directors if the communications relate to important substantive matters and include suggestions or comments that the chairman of the board or the chair of our nominating and corporate governance committee considers to be important for the directors to know. In general, communications relating to corporate governance and long-term corporate strategy are more likely to be forwarded than communications relating to ordinary business affairs, personal grievances, and matters as to which we tend to receive repetitive or duplicative communications.

        Stockholders who wish to send communications on any topic to the board should address such communications to the board in care of our Secretary at Aspen Technology, Inc., 200 Wheeler Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803.


Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

        We have adopted a written set of corporate governance guidelines, which provides additional details concerning our commitments and principles guiding our overall governance practices.

        We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions.

        We have posted a copy of the code of business conduct and ethics in the "Investor Relations" section of our website located at www.aspentech.com. We intend to satisfy disclosure requirements regarding amendments to, or waivers from, our code by posting such information on our website.


Role of Board in Risk Oversight

        One of the key functions of the board of directors is informed oversight of our risk management process. The board administers this oversight function directly, as well as through the board's standing committees that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight, in compliance with the board's corporate governance policies. In particular, the board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, including a determination of the nature and level of risk appropriate

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for the company. Our audit committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The audit committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, in addition to oversight of the performance of our audit function. Our nominating and corporate governance committee reviews and assesses the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines, including whether they are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct. The compensation committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. Typically, the audit committee receives and discusses with management a quarterly report regarding risk management and the areas of risk the company has addressed in such quarter. Both the board as a whole and the various standing committees receive periodic reports from the management, as well as incidental reports as matters may arise. It is the responsibility of the committee chairs to report findings regarding material risk exposures to the board as quickly as possible.


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        In fiscal 2013, the compensation committee initially consisted of three directors, Donald P. Casey, Simon J. Orebi Gann and Stephen M. Jennings. Mr. Jennings resigned effective January 29, 2013, and Robert M. Whelan, Jr. was appointed to the committee on April 23, 2013. Since July 1, 2012, none of our executive officers has served as a member of either the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity, one or more of whose executive officers served as a member of either our board of directors or compensation committee.


Director Attendance at Board and Stockholder Meetings

        The board of directors met five times during fiscal 2013, either in person or by teleconference. During fiscal 2013, each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the board and the committees upon which he or she serves.

        We do not have a policy regarding director attendance at our annual meetings of stockholders. Robert M. Whelan, Jr., chairman of our board of directors, and Mark E. Fusco, one of our directors until his resignation effective September 30, 2013, both attended our annual meeting of stockholders held on December 6, 2012.


Board Committees

        The board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee. All of the members of each of these standing committees are independent as defined under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ, and, in the case of the audit committee, the independence requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act.

        The members of the audit committee are Donald P. Casey, Gary E. Haroian, Joan C. McArdle and Robert M. Whelan, Jr. Mr. Haroian chairs the audit committee. The audit committee held six meetings in 2013. The board of directors has determined that all the members of the audit committee are independent directors as defined under NASDAQ rules, including the independence requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act. The board has determined that Mr. Haroian is

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an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in applicable SEC rules. The responsibilities of the audit committee include:

        The members of the compensation committee are Donald P. Casey, Simon J. Orebi Gann, and Robert M. Whelan, Jr. Stephen M. Jennings served on the committee until his resignation on January 29, 2013. Mr. Whelan was appointed to the committee on April 23, 2013. Mr. Casey chairs the compensation committee. The compensation committee held eight meetings in 2013. The board of directors has determined that all the members of the compensation committee are independent directors as defined under NASDAQ rules. The purpose of the compensation committee is to discharge the responsibilities of the board relating to compensation of executive officers. Specific responsibilities of the compensation committee include:

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        The members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are Donald P. Casey, Gary E. Haroian, Joan C. McArdle, Simon J. Orebi Gann and Robert M. Whelan, Jr. Stephen M. Jennings was a member until his resignation on January 29, 2013. Mr. Jennings chaired the committee until his resignation, whereupon he was succeeded as chair by Mr. Whelan. The nominating and corporate governance committee held three meetings in 2013. Our nominating and corporate governance committee's responsibilities include:


Audit Committee Report

        The audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of AspenTech and its subsidiaries for fiscal 2013, and has discussed these financial statements with AspenTech's management and independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2013, KPMG LLP.

        The audit committee has also received from, and discussed with, AspenTech's independent registered public accounting firm various communications that the independent registered public accounting firm is required to provide to the audit committee, including the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.

        KPMG LLP also provided the audit committee with the written communications required under regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, including communications regarding the independence of the registered public accounting firm. The audit committee has discussed with KPMG LLP its independence from AspenTech. The audit committee also considered whether the provision of other, non-audit related services referred to under the heading "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Other Matters" is compatible with maintaining the independence of the registered public accounting firm.

        Based on its discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, and its review of the representations and information provided by management and KPMG LLP, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in AspenTech's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.

    AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

 

Donald P. Casey
Gary E. Haroian
Joan C. McArdle
Robert M. Whelan, Jr.

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        The material in this report is not "soliciting material," is not deemed "filed" with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing by Aspen Technology, Inc. under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.


Compensation Committee Report

        The compensation committee of the board of directors has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion contained in this proxy statement. Based on this review and discussion, the compensation committee has recommended to the board, and the board has agreed, that the section entitled "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" as it appears above be included in this proxy statement.

    COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

 

Donald P. Casey
Simon J. Orebi Gann
Robert M. Whelan, Jr.

        The material in this report is not "soliciting material," is not deemed "filed" with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing by Aspen Technology, Inc. under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Compensatory Arrangements with Directors

        The following table provides information regarding the compensation paid to our non-employee directors in fiscal 2013.


Compensatory Arrangements with Directors

Name
  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)(1)
  Option
Awards
($)(1)
  Total
($)
 

Donald P. Casey

    144,375     73,133     45,594     263,102  

Gary E. Haroian

    134,375     73,133     45,594     253,102  

Stephen M. Jennings

    157,500     73,133     45,594     276,227  

Joan C. McArdle

    119,375     73,133     45,594     238,102  

Simon J. Orebi Gann

    114,375     73,133     45,594     233,102  

Robert M. Whelan, Jr. 

    154,167     73,133     45,594     272,894  

(1)
Amounts shown represent the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the fiscal year, in accordance with ASC Topic 718, with respect to restricted stock units and stock options granted to the named executive officers. The aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by each of our non-employee directors as of June 28, 2013 was as follows: Mr. Casey, 13,358; Mr. Haroian, 22,358; Mr. Jennings, 0; Ms. McArdle, 40,358; Dr. Orebi Gann, 34,058; and Mr. Whelan, 24,058.

        For fiscal 2013, the board established cash and equity compensation for the non-employee members of the board as set forth in the table below. The compensation established for fiscal 2013 is consistent with the practice established by the board on May 10, 2011 of eliminating meeting fees and emphasizing equity compensation, which is consistent with the practices of our peer group, and was recommended by our independent compensation consultant, Towers Watson.

Cash Retainer

  $ 50,000  

Annual Equity Award (Value)

  $ 150,000  

Committee Members

       

Audit Member Retainer

  $ 20,000  

Compensation Member Retainer

  $ 15,000  

Governance Member Retainer

  $ 10,000  

Leadership Roles

       

Board Chair

  $ 75,000  

Audit Chair

  $ 15,000  

Compensation Chair

  $ 10,000  

Governance Chair

  $ 7,500  

        The compensation committee determined (in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, Towers Watson, and the chief executive officer) to allocate the aggregate value of the fiscal 2013 equity grant shown in the table above in the form of RSUs for 75% of the aggregate value and a stock option for 25% of the aggregate value. The value of the stock option portion was measured using the Black-Scholes methodology. The value allocated to the RSU grant was further allocated among RSU shares and a cash payment. On August 1, 2012, the compensation committee granted each non-employee director: (i) a fully-vested stock option for 4,010 shares, at an exercise price of $23.38 per share, (ii) 3,128 fully-vested RSUs; and (iii) a cash payment of $39,375. The portion of the

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aggregate grant that was made in cash instead of stock was intended to offset the tax liability triggered by the issuance of the shares underlying the RSUs. This practice is consistent with the net settlement treatment for withholding taxes due upon the vesting of RSUs granted to employees, and was made in the form of a cash payment to each individual because there is no company tax withholding for non-employee directors.

        The compensation committee determined (in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, Towers Watson, and the chief executive officer) to change the annual equity award value to $182,000 for fiscal 2014, and allocated the aggregate value of $182,000 in the form of RSUs for 75% of the aggregate value and a stock option for 25% of the aggregate value. The value of the stock option portion was measured using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The value allocated to the RSU grant was further allocated among RSUs and a cash payment. On August 1, 2013, the compensation committee granted each non-employee director: (i) a fully-vested stock option for 3,496 shares, at an exercise price of $32.54 per share; (ii) 2,727 fully-vested RSUs; and (iii) a cash payment of $47,775. The portion of the aggregate grant that was made in cash instead of stock was intended to offset the tax liability triggered by the vesting of the RSUs. This practice is consistent with the net settlement treatment for withholding taxes due upon the vesting of RSUs granted to employees, and was made in the form of a cash payment to each individual because there is no company tax withholding for non-employee directors.

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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

        Our charter limits the personal liability of our directors for breach of fiduciary duty to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware corporation law. The charter provides that no director will have personal liability to us or to our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty or other duty as a director. These provisions do not, however, eliminate or limit the liability of any of the directors for:

        Any amendment or repeal of these provisions will not eliminate or reduce the effect of these provisions in respect of any act, omission or claim arising prior to such amendment or repeal. If the Delaware corporation law is amended to provide for further limitations on the personal liability of directors of corporations, then the personal liability of the directors will be further limited to the greatest extent permitted by the Delaware corporation law.

        The charter also provides that we must indemnify directors and officers in certain circumstances. We believe these provisions are important in attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as directors and executive officers.

        We maintain director and officer insurance providing for indemnification of our directors and officers for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. We also maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of directors and officers arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

        There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any director or executive officer to which indemnification is required or permitted, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.

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RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        The following discussion relates to certain transactions that involve both our company and one of our executive officers, directors, director nominees or five percent stockholders, each of whom we refer to as a "related party." For purposes of this discussion, a "related-party transaction" is a transaction, arrangement or relationship:

        From July 1, 2012 through the date of this Proxy Statement, there have been no related-party transactions, except for the executive officer and director compensation arrangements described in the sections "Management—Director Compensation" and "—Executive Compensation."

        The board of directors has adopted written policies and procedures for the review of any related-party transaction. If a related person proposes to enter into such a transaction, arrangement or relationship, which we refer to as a "related person transaction," the related person must report the proposed related person transaction to our general counsel. The policy calls for the proposed related person transaction to be reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by the audit committee. Whenever practicable, the reporting, review and approval will occur prior to entry into the transaction. If advance review and approval is not practicable, the audit committee will review, and, in its discretion, may ratify the related person transaction. The policy also permits the chairman of the audit committee to review and, if deemed appropriate, approve proposed related person transactions that arise between audit committee meetings, subject to ratification by the audit committee at its next meeting. Any related person transactions that are ongoing in nature will be reviewed annually.

        A related person transaction reviewed under the policy will be considered approved or ratified if it is authorized by the audit committee after full disclosure of the related person's interest in the transaction. As appropriate for the circumstances, the audit committee will review and consider:

        The audit committee may approve or ratify the transaction only if the audit committee determines that, under all of the circumstances, the transaction is in our best interests. The audit committee may impose any conditions on the related person transaction that it deems appropriate.

        In addition to the transactions that are excluded by the instructions to the SEC's related person transaction disclosure rule, the board has determined that the following transactions do not create a

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material direct or indirect interest on behalf of related persons and, therefore, are not related person transactions for purposes of this policy:

        The policy provides that transactions involving compensation of executive officers shall be reviewed and approved by the compensation committee in the manner specified in its charter.

        Since July 1, 2012 through the date of this Proxy Statement, there have been no related-party transactions that were specifically contemplated by our charter or by-laws and excepted from the definition of related-party transactions according to the preceding exception.

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STOCK OWNERSHIP

Stock Owned by Directors, Executive Officers and Greater-than-5% Stockholders

        The following tables set forth certain information, as of October 14, 2013, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:

        As of October 14, 2013, a total of 93,087,397 shares of common stock were outstanding. In the following table, (a) shares under "Right to Acquire" include shares subject to options that were vested as of October 14, 2013 or will vest by December 13, 2013 (60 days after October 14, 2013) and RSUs that will vest by December 14, 2013, and (b) unless otherwise noted, each person identified possesses, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares listed, subject to community property laws where applicable. Shares not outstanding but deemed beneficially owned by virtue of the right of a person to acquire those shares are treated as outstanding only for purposes of determining the number and percent of shares of common stock owned by such person or group. The information in this table is based upon information supplied by executive officers and directors and

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Schedules 13G filed with the SEC. The address of all of our executive officers and directors is in care of Aspen Technology, Inc., 200 Wheeler Street, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803.

 
  Common Stock  
Name of Stockholder
  Outstanding
Shares
  Right to
Acquire
  Total
Number
  Percent of
Voting
Power
 

5% Stockholders

                         

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66202

    7,613,242                 8.2 %

FMR LLC
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210

   
6,008,128
               
6.5

%

BlackRock, Inc
55 East 52nd Street,
New York, New York 10055

   
5,903,402
               
6.3

%

The Vanguard Group, Inc
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355

   
5,335,920
               
5.7

%

Named Executive Officers and Directors

                         

Mark E. Fusco

    71,622     20,348     91,970     *  

Antonio J Pietri

    24,789     46,944     71,733     *  

Manolis E. Kotzabasakis

    35,590     41,622     77,212     *  

Frederic G. Hammond

    14,744     6,025     20,769     *  

Mark P. Sullivan

    43,511     8,744     52,255     *  

Joan C. McArdle

    82,064     37,854     119,918     *  

Donald P. Casey

    22,064     16,854     38,918     *  

Gary E. Haroian

    5,855     25,854     31,709     *  

Simon J. Orebi Gann

    10,572     33,554     44,126     *  

Robert M. Whelan, Jr. 

    20,572     21,554     42,126     *  
                   

Directors and Executive Officers, as a group (10 persons)

    331,383     259,353     590,736     0.6 %
                   

        Shares reflected as beneficially owned by Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. consist of 7,613,242 shares of common stock held by Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company, or WRIMCO, and 4,359,047 shares of common stock held by Ivy Investment Management Company, or IICO, an investment advisory subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.

        As reported in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 7, 2013, each of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., WRIMCO, IICO, Waddell & Reed, Inc., or Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc. may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power over the 11,972,289 shares reflected in the table as beneficially owned by Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. The investment advisory contracts grant IICO and WRIMCO all investment and/or voting power over securities owned by such advisory clients. The investment sub-advisory contracts grant IICO and WRIMCO investment power over securities owned by such sub-advisory clients and, in most cases, voting power.

        Shares reflected as beneficially owned by FMR LLC are beneficially owned by Fidelity Management & Research Company, or Fidelity, a registered investment adviser that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC and consist of 4,384,687 shares of common stock owned by Fidelity, 97,780 shares of common stock owned by Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC, 1,481,261 shares of common stock

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owned by Pyramis Global Advisors Trust Company and 44,400 shares of common stock owned by FIL Limited.

        As reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2013, Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser that is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC, Pyramis Global Advisors Trust Company is a bank that is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC and FIL Limited is a qualified institution that provides investment advisory and management services to a number of non-U.S. investment companies and certain institutional investors.

        As reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 30, 2013, BlackRock, Inc. is a parent holding company.

        Shares reflected as beneficially owned by The Vanguard Group, Inc., or Vanguard, include 127,981 shares beneficially owned by Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vanguard, as a result of its serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts, and 4,000 shares beneficially owned by Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vanguard, as a result of serving as investment manager of Australian investment offerings.

        Shares reflected as beneficially owned by Ms. McArdle consist of 60,000 shares of common stock held by Massachusetts Capital Resource Company. Ms. McArdle serves as a senior vice president of Massachusetts Capital Resource Company and may be deemed to have shared voting power over these shares. Ms. McArdle disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of her pecuniary interest therein.


Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

        Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. These executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. To our knowledge, based solely on our review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during fiscal 2013, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with.

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Accountant Fees

        The following table summarizes the fees of KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for each of the last two fiscal years:

 
  Year Ended
June 30,
 
Fee Category
  2013   2012  
 
  In Thousands
   
 

Audit

  $ 1,945   $ 1,921  

Audit-Related

         

Tax fees

         

All other fees

         
           

  $ 1,945   $ 1,921  
           

        "Audit Fees" consist of fees and expenses for the audit of our financial statements, the review of the interim financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other professional services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

        "Audit-Related Fees" consist of fees for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit and review of our financial statements and that are not reported as audit fees.

        "Tax Fees" consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services.

        "All Other" consist of all fees for products and services fees other than audit, audit-related and tax services.


Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

        The audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. This policy generally provides that we will not engage our independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved in advance by the audit committee, except that de minimis non-audit services may instead be approved in accordance with applicable SEC rules.


HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

        The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as "householding," potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

        This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be "householding" our proxy materials. A single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be "householding" communications to your address, "householding" will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in "householding" and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, please notify your broker. Direct your written request to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717, or contact our Secretary at Aspen Technology, Inc. 200 Wheeler Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 or 1-781-221-6400. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their addresses and would like to request "householding" of their communications should contact their brokers.

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OTHER MATTERS

        The board of directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the annual meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the annual meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

    By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

/s/ Frederic G. Hammond

 

 

Secretary
October 25, 2013
   

        A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2013, AS FILED WITH THE SEC, IS INCLUDED IN OUR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS, WHICH MAY BE ACCESSED OVER THE INTERNET AS SET FORTH IN THE "NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS" SENT TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD AS OF OCTOBER 14, 2013. YOU MAY VIEW AND ALSO DOWNLOAD OUR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS ON OUR WEBSITE AT http://ir.aspentech.com, AS WELL AS AT www.proxyvote.com. A STOCKHOLDER MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR FISCAL 2013 TO OUR SECRETARY AT ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC., 200 WHEELER ROAD, BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01803.

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Aspen Technology, Inc.

 

Proxy Solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors for

 

Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held December 5, 2013

 

The undersigned hereby authorizes and appoints Antonio J. Pietri, Mark P. Sullivan and Frederic G. Hammond, and each of them, as proxies with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of Aspen Technology, Inc. (the “Company”), held of record by the undersigned as of the close of business on October 14, 2013, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013, at 9 a.m. Eastern time at the offices of K&L Gates, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts, and at any adjournments thereof, on all matters that may properly come before said meeting.

 

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED ON THE REVERSE OR, IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH DIRECTION, “FOR” THE SPECIFIED NOMINEES IN PROPOSAL ONE, “FOR” PROPOSAL TWO, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JUDGMENT OF THE PROXIES UPON OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING, INCLUDING ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF:

 

Continued and to be signed on reverse side

 



 

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC

 

200 WHEELER ROAD

 

BURLINGTON, MA 01803

 

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

 

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. 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.

 

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

 

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards, and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

 

VOTE BY PHONE - 1 800-690-6903

 

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

 

VOTE BY MAIL

 

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: ASPENTECH KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS.

 

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY.

 

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

 



 

ASPEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

 

 

For
All

 

Withhold
All

 

For All
Except

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Nominee Robert M. Whelan, Jr.

 

o

 

o

 

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Nominee Donald P. Casey

 

o

 

o

 

o

 

 

 

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.

 

PROPOSAL TWO: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

For
o

 

Against
o

 

Abstain
o

 

 

 

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.

 

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date