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Table of Contents

 

Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement

 

April 17, 2023

Dear Fellow Rush Shareholders:

You are invited to attend our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), which will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., local time, in the main conference room at Rush Enterprises, Inc.’s (the “Company”) executive offices, which are located at 555 IH-35 South, Suite 500, New Braunfels, Texas 78130.

2022 was another record-setting year for us, as our financial results mark the successful achievement of our previously announced strategic financial goals of achieving $7 billion in revenue with a 5% pre-tax return on sales. An overall healthy economy and continued supply constraints led to strong demand for new heavy-duty vehicles. There was also pent-up demand for medium-duty trucks, due to limited production over the past few years. In addition, we experienced strong demand for aftermarket products and services through the year, and we capitalized on this demand by growing our technician workforce and team of aftermarket sales professionals to support large national fleets. All of these factors, as well as the full-year inclusion into our financials of the 17 locations acquired from The Summit Truck Group in December 2021 and the consolidation of Rush Truck Centres of Canada Limited’s 15 locations as of May 2022, contributed to a significant increase in market share for new heavy-duty vehicles, year-over-year growth for medium-duty trucks and aftermarket revenue growth of 32.3% over 2021.

Though supply chain issues continue to impact our industry, parts availability has improved significantly, and new commercial vehicle production has begun to normalize. We remain committed to adding technicians and aftermarket sales representatives to our organization, which we believe will further our strategic initiatives by enhancing support for our national accounts. Further, we believe the full integration of the dealerships acquired from The Summit Truck Group and our dealerships in Canada, which we completed at the end of 2022, will continue to have a positive impact on our financial performance going forward.

At the Annual Meeting, we will ask you to: (a) elect our Board of Directors; (b) approve the amendment and restatement of our 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 1,200,000 shares, increase the number of shares of Class B Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 1,200,000 shares, extend the term of the plan to May 16, 2033 and make certain other changes; (c) approve the amendment and restatement of our 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 400,000 shares; (d) approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000; (e) approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000; (f) conduct an advisory vote to approve executive compensation; (g) conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation; and (h) ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023. We will review the Company’s progress during the past year and discuss any other business matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting. The attached proxy statement explains our voting procedures, describes the business we will conduct and provides information about the Company that you should consider when you vote your shares.

Your vote is very important to us. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote promptly. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Company.

	Sincerely,
	W.M. “Rusty” Rush
	President, Chief Executive Officer and
	Chairman of the Board

Rush Enterprises, Inc.

Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

	By Order of the Board of Directors,
	Michael Goldstone
	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
	Corporate Secretary
New Braunfels, Texas
April 17, 2023

Table of Contents

Proxy Summary

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.

Meeting Information and Proxy Mailing Date

Voting Matters and Board Recommendations

Governance Highlights

Governance highlights include:

Board Nominees

The following table provides summary information about each director nominee. Each director is elected annually. The Board of Directors adopted a majority voting standard for uncontested elections. In contested elections, director nominees will be elected based on a plurality standard that is determined by which nominees receive the highest number of votes cast.

AC                  Audit Committee

CC                  Compensation Committee

NGC               Nominating and Governance Committee

C                    Chairman

2022 Financial Highlights

For more details, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 23, 2023.

In 2022, we achieved record-high revenues of $7.1 billion and record-high net income of $369.1 million, or $6.51 per diluted share, excluding one-time gains of $22.3 million associated with our joint venture with Cummins and the acquisition of an additional 30% equity interest in RTC of Canada Limited (“RTC Canada”). Our financial results mark the successful achievement of our previously announced strategic financial goals of achieving $7 billion in revenue with a 5% pre-tax return on sales and demonstrate our ability to execute on our strategy. Our annual absorption ratio was 136.6%. We returned a total of $138.3 million of capital to our shareholders in 2022 in the form of quarterly cash dividend payments totaling $44.6 million and common stock repurchases totaling $93.7 million. Our total return of capital to shareholders in 2022 was approximately 80% more than what was returned in 2021 and included a dividend increase of approximately 10%, our fourth annual dividend increase in a row. We are proud of our record high revenues and profitability in 2022, especially given that we were working within the confines of truck allocation and parts supply constraints. We remain dedicated to returning value to shareholders through earnings growth, quarterly dividends and our stock repurchase program while keeping our balance sheet and cash position strong and continuing to invest in our company’s future.

Compensation Philosophy and Highlights

Our compensation philosophy is to pay for performance. Highlights of our compensation practices include:

Corporate Information

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE ANNUAL MEETING

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by Rush Enterprises, Inc. on behalf of its Board of Directors for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

When and where is the Annual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting will be held on May 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., local time, in the main conference room at Rush Enterprises, Inc.’s executive offices, which are located at 555 IH-35 South, Suite 500, New Braunfels, Texas 78130, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in the preceding Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

What matters will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting?

At the Annual Meeting you will be asked to:

Who is entitled to vote?

Shareholders of record of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”), and of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (“Class B Common Stock”), at the close of business on March 24, 2023, which is the “Record Date,” are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. The Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are sometimes collectively referred to in this proxy statement as the “Common Stock.” Shares that may be voted include shares that are held (a) directly by the shareholder of record and (b) beneficially through a broker, bank or other nominee.

At the close of business on the Record Date, there were outstanding 42,225,762 shares of Class A Common Stock and 13,061,899 shares of Class B Common Stock entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting. The holders of Class B Common Stock on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote per share, and the holders of Class A Common Stock on the Record Date will be entitled to 1/20^th of one vote per share, on each matter voted on at the Annual Meeting; provided, however, that with respect to the proposal to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000, the vote of the Class A Common Stock will also be counted separately as a class and thus, the holders of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to one vote per share with respect to this proposal as it relates to the class. The Company’s Articles of Incorporation do not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors.

What is the difference between holding shares as a “Registered Owner” and as a “Beneficial Owner?”

Most of the Company’s shareholders hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. The following summarizes some distinctions between registered shares and those owned beneficially:

What constitutes a quorum?

The holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power represented by the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together, issued and outstanding at the close of business on the Record Date, whether present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares held by persons attending the Annual Meeting but not voting, shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions as to a particular proposal, and “broker non-votes” will all be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum.

What is a broker non-vote?

Generally, a “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee that holds shares in “street name” for customers is precluded from exercising voting discretion on a particular proposal because (a) the beneficial owner has not instructed the nominee how to vote and (b) the nominee lacks discretionary voting power to vote such shares. Generally, a nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to the approval of “non-routine” matters absent specific voting instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares.

The proposal to elect the seven director nominees (Proposal No. 1), the proposal to approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2007 LTIP (Proposal No. 2), the proposal to approve the amendment and restatement of the Company's 2004 ESPP (Proposal No. 3), the proposal to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000 (Proposal No. 4), the proposal to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000 (Proposal No. 5), the advisory vote to approve executive compensation (Proposal No. 6) and the advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation (Proposal No. 7) are considered non-routine matters. Consequently, a nominee will not be able to vote shares of the Company’s Common Stock held in “street name” without the beneficial owner’s specific voting instructions on these proposals. Because brokers, banks and other nominees will not be able to vote on these proposals without voting instructions from beneficial owners, we encourage all shareholders that hold shares through a bank, broker or other nominee to provide voting instructions to such parties to ensure that their shares are voted at the Annual Meeting. The proposal to ratify the appointment of EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2023 fiscal year (Proposal No. 8) is a routine matter and a nominee is permitted to exercise discretionary voting power with respect to this proposal.

What shareholder approval is necessary for approval of the proposals?

In an uncontested director election, a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of directors. In the event that a director receives more “withheld” votes than “for” votes, that director must promptly tender a letter of resignation to the Board of Directors, at which point the Nominating and Governance Committee will recommend whether to accept or reject such resignation offer. In a contested director election, a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of directors. Accordingly, the seven director nominees receiving the highest number of votes in a contested director election will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not treated as votes cast and, therefore, will not have any effect on the outcome of the election of directors.

The vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power represented by the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together, entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, is required to approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2007 LTIP to (a) increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 1,200,000 shares, (b) increase the number of shares of Class B Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 1,200,000 shares, (c) extend the term of the plan to May 16, 2033 and (d) make certain other changes. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be treated as votes for or against this proposal and, therefore, will not have any effect on the outcome of this proposal.

The vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power represented by the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together, entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, is required to approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2004 ESPP to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 400,000 shares. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be treated as votes for or against this proposal and, therefore, will not have any effect on the outcome of this proposal.

The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock having a majority of the votes entitled to vote on such matter, voting as a separate class, is required to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal with respect to the separate class vote.

In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together, having a majority of the votes entitled to vote on such matter, is also required to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000. With respect to the aggregate vote of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock having a majority of the votes entitled to vote on such matter, voting as a separate class, is required to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal with respect to the separate class vote.

In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together having a majority of the votes entitled to vote on such matter, is also required to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000. With respect to the aggregate vote of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

The vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power represented by the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together, entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, is required to approve the advisory vote on executive compensation, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be treated as votes for or against this proposal and, therefore, will not have any effect on the outcome of this proposal.

This advisory say-on-pay vote is not binding on us, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program.

A plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation will determine our shareholders’ preferred frequency for holding future say-on-pay advisory votes. Thus, the option receiving the greatest number of votes will be designated as our shareholders’ preferred frequency. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not treated as votes cast and, therefore, will not have any effect on the outcome of the advisory vote on the frequency of future say-on-pay advisory votes on compensation.

This advisory vote is not binding on us, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding the frequency of conducting say-on-pay advisory votes.

The vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power represented by the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together, entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, is required for the ratification of the appointment of EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2023 fiscal year. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

How do I cast my vote?

If you are a registered owner of shares of our Common Stock on the Record Date (that is, if your shares are owned in your name and not beneficially owned), you may vote:

If you are a beneficial owner of our Common Stock on the Record Date (meaning that your shares are registered in the name of your bank or broker), you will receive instructions from your bank, broker or other nominee describing how to vote your shares.

Whichever method you use, the proxies identified on the proxy will vote the shares of which you are the shareholder of record in accordance with your instructions. If you submit a proxy without giving specific voting instructions, the proxies will vote those shares as recommended by the Board of Directors.

May I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?

If you are the registered owner of shares of our Common Stock on the Record Date, you have the right to vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting.

If you are the beneficial owner of shares of our Common Stock on the Record Date, you may vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting once you have requested and received a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee (the shareholder of record) giving you the right to vote such shares at the Annual Meeting, completed such legal proxy and timely presented it to the Company at the Annual Meeting.

Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you submit your voting instructions or proxy card so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.

If my shares are held in “street name,” will my broker, bank or other nominee vote my shares for me?

Brokers, banks and other nominees who do not have instructions from their “street name” customers may not use their discretion in voting their customers’ shares on “non‑routine” matters. The proposals to: (a) elect the seven director nominees (Proposal No. 1); (b) approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2007 LTIP (Proposal No. 2); (c) approve the amendment and restatement of the Company's 2004 ESPP (Proposal No. 3); (d) approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000 (Proposal No. 4); (e) approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000 (Proposal No. 5); (f) conduct an advisory vote to approve executive compensation (Proposal No. 6); and (g) conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation (Proposal No. 7), are considered non-routine matters. The proposal to ratify the appointment of EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 8) is considered a routine matter and, therefore, if beneficial owners fail to give voting instructions, nominees will have discretionary authority to vote such shares of our Common Stock with respect to this proposal. You should follow the instructions provided by your nominee in directing your nominee on how to vote your shares.

How will my proxy be voted?

Shares represented by a properly executed proxy that is timely received, and not subsequently revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof in the manner directed on the proxy. Steven L. Keller, our Chief Financial Officer, and Michael Goldstone, our General Counsel, have been designated by the Board of Directors as the proxies to represent you and vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. All shares represented by a properly executed proxy on which no choice is specified will be voted: (a) FOR the election of the director nominees; (b) FOR the proposal to approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2007 LTIP to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 1,200,000 shares, increase the number of shares of Class B Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 1,200,000 shares, extend the term of the plan to May 16, 2033 and make certain other changes; (c) FOR the proposal to approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2004 ESPP to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 400,000 shares; (d) FOR the proposal to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000; (e) FOR the proposal to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000; (f) FOR the approval of the advisory vote to approve executive compensation; (g) EVERY “THREE YEARS” as the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation; (h) FOR the ratification of the appointment of EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2023 fiscal year; and (i) in accordance with the proxy holders’ discretion as to any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

May I revoke my proxy and change my vote?

Yes. You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting.

If you are the registered owner of shares of our Common Stock on the Record Date, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote by: (a) timely submitting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy); (b) timely giving notice of your changed vote to us in writing mailed to Rush Enterprises, Inc., 555 IH-35 South, Suite 500, New Braunfels, Texas 78130, Attn: Michael Goldstone; or (c) attending the Annual Meeting and timely giving oral notice of your intention to vote in person.

If you are the beneficial owner of shares of our Common Stock on the Record Date, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote: (a) by timely submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee in accordance with their voting instructions; or (b) if you have obtained a legal proxy from your nominee giving you the right to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, by attending the Annual Meeting, timely presenting the completed legal proxy to the Company and voting in person.

You should be aware that simply attending the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of your proxy.

Who will pay the costs of soliciting proxies?

The costs of soliciting proxies pursuant to this proxy statement, if any, will be borne by the Company. Proxies will be solicited by mail, in person or by telephone, electronic mail or facsimile. The Company will bear the expenses associated with this proxy statement, including the preparing, printing and mailing of the Notice, and for those shareholders who have requested paper copies of the proxy materials, the expenses associated with the printing and mailing of such materials. Upon request, the Company will reimburse brokers, banks or other nominees for reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding copies of the proxy materials relating to the Annual Meeting to the beneficial owners of our Common Stock.

What other business will be presented at the Annual Meeting?

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors knows of no other business that may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters should be properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies, Steven L. Keller and Michael Goldstone, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

What are the deadlines to nominate directors or to propose other business for consideration at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

In order for a shareholder proposal to be eligible to be included in the Company’s proxy statement and proxy card for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the proposal: (a) must be received by the Company at its executive offices, 555 IH-35 South, Suite 500, New Braunfels, Texas 78130, Attn: Michael Goldstone, on or before December 20, 2023; (b) must concern a matter that may be properly considered and acted upon at the annual meeting in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws; and (c) must otherwise comply with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

Notice of any director nomination or the proposal of other business that you intend to present at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but do not intend to have included in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, must be received by the Company at its executive offices, 555 IH-35 South, Suite 500, New Braunfels, Texas 78130, Attn: Michael Goldstone, not later than the close of business on February 12, 2024 and not earlier than the close of business on January 14, 2024. In the event that the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders has changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary date of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the notice must be delivered to and received by the Company not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and not later than the close of business on the later of (a) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (b) the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the Company. In addition, your notice must set forth the information required by the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws with respect to each director nomination or proposal of other business that you intend to present at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

If a shareholder intends to comply with the universal proxy rules and to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees, then in addition to satisfying the requirements of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, the shareholder must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act (including a statement that such shareholder intends to solicit the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of the Company’s shares entitled to vote on the election of directors in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees), which notice must be postmarked or transmitted electronically to the Company at the Company’s executive offices no later than 60 calendar days prior to the one-year anniversary date of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is changed by more than 30 calendar days from the anniversary of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, then the shareholder must provide notice by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the 10th calendar day following the date on which public announcement of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is first made.

Any shareholder desiring a copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws will be furnished one without charge upon written request to Rush Enterprises, Inc., 555 IH-35 South, Suite 500, New Braunfels, Texas 78130, Attn: Michael Goldstone.

Who will count the votes at the Annual Meeting?

Broadridge Financial Solutions, our independent proxy tabulator, will count the votes and Steven L. Keller, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will act as the Inspector of Election at the Annual Meeting.

Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?

The Company intends to publish final voting results of the Annual Meeting in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days after the Annual Meeting.

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account. If you are a registered owner and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please vote each proxy and voting instruction card that you receive.

What is “householding?”

In an effort to reduce printing costs and postage fees, the Company has adopted a practice approved by the SEC called “householding.” Under this practice, certain shareholders who have the same address and last name will receive only one copy of this proxy statement and the Company’s 2022 Annual Report, unless one or more of these shareholders notifies the Company that he or she wishes to continue receiving individual copies. Shareholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards.

If you share an address with another shareholder and received only one copy of this proxy statement and the Company’s 2022 Annual Report, and would like to request a separate copy of these proxy materials, or you do not wish to participate in householding in the future, please call (800) 973-7874 or mail such request to Rush Enterprises, Inc., 555 IH-35 South, Suite 500, New Braunfels, Texas 78130, Attn: Michael Goldstone. The Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of this proxy statement and the Company’s 2022 Annual Report upon receipt of such request. Similarly, you may also contact the Company if you received multiple copies of the Company’s proxy materials and would prefer to receive a single copy in the future.

What do I need to do now?

First, read this proxy statement carefully. Then, if you are a registered owner, you should submit your proxy as soon as possible by following the instructions provided above. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” then you should follow the voting instructions of your broker, bank or other nominee. Your shares will be voted in accordance with the directions you specify. If you submit an executed proxy to the Company, but fail to specify a voting choice, your shares will be voted: (a) FOR the approval of W.M. “Rusty” Rush, Thomas A. Akin, Raymond J. Chess, William H. Cary, Dr. Kennon H. Guglielmo, Elaine Mendoza and Troy A. Clarke as directors to hold office until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; (b) FOR the proposal to approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2007 LTIP to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 1,200,000 shares, increase the number of shares of Class B Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 1,200,000 shares, extend the term of the plan to May 16, 2033 and make certain other changes; (c) FOR the proposal to approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2004 ESPP to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 400,000 shares; (d) FOR the proposal to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000; (e) FOR the proposal to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000; (f) FOR the approval of the advisory vote to approve executive compensation; (g) EVERY “THREE YEARS” as the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation; (h)  FOR the ratification of the appointment of EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2023 fiscal year; and (i) in accordance with the proxy holders’ discretion as to any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Who can help answer my questions?

If you have questions concerning a proposal or the Annual Meeting, if you would like additional copies of this proxy statement or our 2022 Annual Report, or if you need directions to or special assistance at the Annual Meeting, please call Michael Goldstone toll free at (800) 973-7874. In addition, information regarding the Annual Meeting is available via the Company’s website at https://investor.rushenterprises.com.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED OWNER, PLEASE FOLLOW THE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS DETAILED HEREIN AND VOTE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU ARE A BENEFICIAL OWNER, PLEASE FOLLOW THE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS OF YOUR BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AS PROVIDED WITH THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.

PROPOSALS

The Company’s Board of Directors currently consists of seven directors, one of whom serves as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and six of whom the Board of Directors has determined to be independent in accordance with the listing standards of the NASDAQ® Global Select Market. Applying these independence standards, the Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Mendoza and Messrs. Akin, Chess, Cary, Dr. Guglielmo and Clarke are all independent directors. After due consideration, the Board of Directors has determined that none of these directors has a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and they all meet the criteria for independence under the listing standards of the NASDAQ® Global Select Market.

The seven directors (constituting the entire Board of Directors) are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve for a one-year term and until their successors are elected and qualified or their earlier resignation or removal. All of the nominees named below are current directors of the Company, have consented to be named as director nominees in this proxy statement and have indicated their intent to serve as a director if elected.

The names of the director nominees, along with their present positions, principal occupations, current directorships held with other public corporations, as well as directorships during the past five years, their ages and the year first elected as a director of the Company, are set forth below. Certain individual qualifications, experiences and skills of our directors that contribute to the Board’s effectiveness as a whole are also described below.

The following matrix provides information regarding the members and nominees of our Board of Directors, including certain types of knowledge, skills, experiences and attributes possessed by one or more of our directors which our Board of Directors believes are relevant to our business. The matrix does not encompass all of the knowledge, skills, experiences or attributes of our directors, and the fact that a particular knowledge, skill, experience or attribute is not listed does not mean that a director does not possess it.  In addition, the absence of a particular knowledge, skill, experience or attribute with respect to any of our directors does not mean the director in question is unable to contribute to the decision-making process in that area. The type and degree of knowledge, skill and experience listed below may vary among the members of the Board of Directors.

Our Dual-Class Capital Structure and Certain Proxy Advisers’ Recommendations With Respect to the Vote to Elect our Board of Directors

In the fourth quarter of 2021, both Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”), proxy advisors in the U.S., announced new policies that penalize companies with multi-class capital structures that have unequal voting rights. Glass Lewis’s policies state that they will recommend “against” votes with respect to the chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee of companies with such capital structures, while ISS’s policy will be to recommend “withhold” or “against” votes with respect to some or all directors of companies with such a capital structure. We have had a shareholder-approved dual-class capital structure with unequal voting rights since 2002. We believe that maintaining our multi-class structure serves a very important business purpose for us, and it was for this reason that our shareholders approved its creation after our initial public offering.

In considering our dual class capital structure, we believe it is important to note that a substantial portion of our revenue has historically been, and is presently, generated from our nationwide network of commercial vehicle dealerships. In particular, during 2022, the majority of our revenues resulted from sales of commercial vehicles purchased from Peterbilt and parts purchased from PACCAR Parts. Accordingly, maintaining the effectiveness of our critical dealer contracts, including our contracts with Peterbilt, is an important part of our business. Importantly, our contracts with Peterbilt require that certain persons (the “Dealer Principals”) own at least 22% of our voting stock (this percentage was reduced from 30% to the present level in 2012 by agreement with Peterbilt). This percentage ownership requirement presented challenges to becoming, and maintaining our status as, a public company; if we had only a single class of voting stock, the percentage ownership requirement would necessarily limit the percentage of our shares that could be owned by persons other than the Dealer Principals. Our dual-class, unequal voting structure allows us to address this challenge through the Dealer Principals’ ownership of Class B Common Stock (which has one vote per share) while still allowing broad economic participation by persons other than the Dealer Principals through such other persons’ ownership of our Class A Common Stock (which has 1/20 vote per share).

In addition to this sound business reason for creating and maintaining our dual-class stock structure, there are factors that distinguish us from many of the other public companies that maintain a similar capital structure. First, unlike many other multi-class stock companies, we did not establish our multi-class structure at, or prior to, our initial public offering. Instead, we established the structure following our initial public offering, and we sought and obtained our shareholders’ consent to this structure in 2002. Second, our Dealer Principals (and other executive officers and members of our Board of Directors) own both Class A and Class B common stock representing approximately 43.0% of the total voting stock of the Company. This ownership percentage, while significant, does not give management the ability to fully control shareholder votes like many other companies with multi-class capital structures with unequal voting rights, where the management of such companies own 50% or more of the voting stock. Finally, unlike many other companies with similar capital structures, our Class B Common Stock is publicly traded, and can be purchased by the public, including by holders of our Class A Common Stock.

While we understand and appreciate the reasons behind ISS’s and Glass-Lewis’s policies regarding multi-class, unequal vote structures generally, we would simply note that, as described above, our situation differs significantly from the typical situation that we believe such policies were intended to address. We respectfully ask you to consider those important differences and the reasons for them in casting your votes for our director nominees.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE ABOVE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.

If any director nominee becomes unavailable for election, which is not anticipated, the named proxies will vote for the election of such other person as the Board of Directors may nominate, unless the Board of Directors resolves to reduce the number of directors to serve on the Board of Directors and thereby reduce the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting.

Introduction

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors are asking our shareholders to approve the amendment and restatement of our 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended by the First Amendment thereto (collectively, the “2007 LTIP”) to (a) increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by an additional 1,200,000 shares, (b) increase the number of shares of Class B Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by an additional 1,200,000 shares, (c) extend the term of the plan to May 16, 2033 and (d) make certain other changes.

This Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power represented by the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together, entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions have the same effect as a vote against this proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. Our named executive officers have an interest in this proposal due to their ability to participate in the 2007 LTIP.

As of March 15, 2023, the Company had outstanding 42,286,850 shares of Class A Common Stock and 13,061,893 shares of Class B Common Stock. The requested increase of 1,200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,200,000 shares of Class B Common Stock represents approximately 2.8% of the outstanding shares of our Class A Common Stock and 9.2% of the outstanding shares of our Class B Common Stock as of March 15, 2023. The 2007 LTIP is the only plan providing for equity incentive compensation to the Company’s employees, other than our 2004 ESPP, which allows employees to purchase our stock at a discount.

Conditioned on and subject to obtaining shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP to:

If stockholders do not approve the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP, the 2007 LTIP will remain in effect until May 16, 2027; however, the shares available under the 2007 LTIP may be quickly depleted and our ability to use equity as a compensation and retention tool will be limited.

Current Request to Increase the Share Reserves, Extend the Term of the 2007 LTIP and Increase the Maximum Amount of Cash that can be Received under the 2007 LTIP.

Awards under the 2007 LTIP are a major component of our long-term incentive program for our employees. As noted in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we have long recognized that having an ownership interest in the Company aligns the financial interests of our employees and shareholders. The 2007 LTIP expires by its terms on May 16, 2027, and no further awards may be made under the plan after that date. Accordingly, in order to ensure that shares of our Class A and Class B Common Stock continue to be available for future awards, in February 2023, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved, subject to obtaining shareholder approval, the proposed amended and restated 2007 LTIP.

The Compensation Committee believes it is important to obtain an additional 1,200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,200,000 shares of Class B Common Stock for grant under the 2007 LTIP. In this proxy statement, we refer to any grant under the 2007 LTIP as an “award.” The table below provides information, as of March 15, 2023, on the number of shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock available for issuance under the 2007 LTIP, and the number of shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock subject to outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards.

We do not believe that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock available for issuance under the 2007 LTIP is sufficient to meet the Company’s anticipated grants of awards through the date of our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders with respect to our Class B Common Stock and through the date of our 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders with respect to our Class A Common Stock. All of our employees and officers are eligible to participate in the 2007 LTIP. While consultants are eligible to participate in the 2007 LTIP, the Company has not granted any awards to consultants in many years and there are none currently outstanding. As of March 15, 2023, 188 employees were participating in the 2007 LTIP, of which 6 were executive officers. If shareholders do not approve the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP, the 2007 LTIP will expire by its terms on May 16, 2027, at which time we will lose our ability to use equity as a compensation tool. Based upon historical grant practices, the Compensation Committee anticipates that the additional shares requested will enable the Company to continue its current equity compensation program for at least four (4) years, accommodating anticipated grants related to the hiring, retention and promotion of employees.

In 2020, 2021 and 2022, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock underlying equity awards granted (including stock options and restricted stock) was approximately 753,600, 498,700, and 511,900 shares, respectively. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, the number of shares of Class B Common Stock underlying equity awards granted (including stock options and restricted stock) was approximately 518,400, 340,650 and 354,600 shares, respectively. The Compensation Committee currently expects to continue to grant awards under the 2007 LTIP that are generally consistent with the Company’s share utilization rate in 2022. However, share utilization under the 2007 LTIP may vary depending on a number of factors, including the Company’s stock price performance, the size of the Company’s workforce, and the Company’s hiring, incentive and retention objectives. Since May 12, 2020, the last time that 2007 LTIP was amended and restated to increase the number of shares available under the 2007 LTIP, the Company has increased its total number of its employees by approximately 1,750, or approximately 28%, and a significant number of these employees were only recently added in connection with the Company’s acquisition of The Summit Truck Group, LLC in December 2021 and the inclusion of RTC Canada’s results of operations beginning in May 2022.

With respect to our request to increase the maximum amount of cash that may be received by any one participant in any one year with respect to cash incentive awards from $5.0 million to $10.0 million, it is worth noting that this amount has not been increased since 2007. The Company is much larger today than it was 16 years ago and we believe that increasing the cap to $10.0 million is prudent at this time, given the Company’s expectations for continued growth in the years ahead.

In its determination to approve the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP, the Compensation Committee reviewed the burn rate, dilution and overhang metrics disclosed below. In addition, the Compensation Committee considered the stockholder value transfer and dilution policies of certain major proxy advisory firms.

YOU ARE URGED TO READ THIS ENTIRE PROPOSAL 2, WHICH EXPLAINS OUR REASONS FOR SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2007 LTIP.

The Importance of Equity Compensation

The Compensation Committee believes that the terms of the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP will provide it flexibility to continue to issue equity compensation in the future to:

The Compensation Committee strongly believes that granting equity awards motivates employees to think and act like owners, rewarding them when value is created for our shareholders.

Under the terms of the 2007 LTIP, the Compensation Committee may grant equity incentive awards for shares of the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share and each share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to 1/20th of one vote per share. In the past, the Compensation Committee granted awards for Class A Common Stock in lieu of Class B Common Stock. However, beginning in 2013, the Compensation Committee started granting certain members of management awards covering Class B Common Stock, in lieu of Class A Common Stock, in order to help ensure select members of management maintain the requisite voting control of the Company’s capital stock as required by the Company’s dealership agreements with Peterbilt Motors Company, as further discussed in our public filings with the SEC. The Compensation Committee retains discretion to continue to grant awards for Class B Common Stock in the future.

Key Historical Equity Metrics

Approval of the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP will enable us to compete effectively in the competitive market for employee talent over the coming years, while maintaining reasonable burn rates and overhang. The following table provides information regarding the grant of equity awards over the past three completed fiscal years and which Compensation Committee considered in determining the number of shares available for issuance under the 2007 LTIP:

The Compensation Committee believes that the approval of the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP is important to our continued success. Our employees are our most valuable assets. Awards such as those provided under the 2007 LTIP are vital to our ability to attract and retain outstanding and highly skilled employees in the competitive labor markets in which we must compete.

Our named executive officers who are current employees of the Company will be eligible to receive awards under the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP and therefore have an interest in this proposal. In the event that the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP is not approved by our shareholders, the 2007 LTIP, which has been previously approved by our shareholders, will continue to be in full force in accordance with its terms.

The last reported sales price for our Class A Common Stock on the NASDAQ on March 15, 2023 was $52.56 per share. The last reported sales price for our Class B Common Stock on the NASDAQ on March 15, 2023 was $55.55 per share.

2007 LTIP Highlights

Below are certain highlights of the 2007 LTIP. These features are designed to reinforce alignment between equity compensation arrangements awarded pursuant to the 2007 LTIP and shareholders’ interests, consistent with sound corporate governance practices.

Summary of the Amended and Restated 2007 LTIP

The following general summary of the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP and the other material features of the 2007 LTIP is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the 2007 LTIP attached hereto as Appendix A.

General

The 2007 LTIP permits the grant, to employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries, cash and equity-based incentive compensation opportunities, including stock options, SARs, RSUs, restricted stock, performance shares, performance units, cash incentive and other awards. The objectives of the 2007 LTIP are to (a) optimize the profitability of the Company through long-term incentives that are consistent with the Company’s goals and that link the interests of participants to those of the Company’s shareholders, (b) provide participants with incentives for excellence in individual performance, (c) provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of participants who make significant contributions to the Company’s success, and (d) allow participants to share in the Company’s success.

Duration of the Plan

Under the plan, as proposed to be amended and restated pursuant to this Proposal, the 2007 LTIP will be effective on the date that the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP is approved by our shareholders and will terminate on May 16, 2033.

Administration

The 2007 LTIP is administered by the Compensation Committee; provided that the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, make awards under the plan. Subject to the terms of the plan, the Compensation Committee has authority to: (a) select the individuals who may participate in the plan; (b) determine the sizes and types of awards that are granted under the plan; (c) determine the terms and conditions of awards in a manner consistent with the plan; (d) construe and interpret the plan and any award agreement or other agreement or instrument entered into or issued under the plan; (e) establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the plan’s administration; (f) amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding award (provided that no such amendment may accelerate vesting of any award except in connection with the participant’s death or disability); (g) establish a program pursuant to which designated participants may receive an award under the plan in lieu of compensation otherwise payable in cash; and (h) make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the plan. The Compensation Committee may delegate certain responsibilities and authority to other persons, subject to applicable law.

Prohibition on Repricing and Buyback

Neither the Board of Directors nor the Compensation Committee are permitted to reprice stock options or SARS, either by amending an existing award or by substituting a new award at a lower price. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee are also prohibited from providing stock, cash, or other consideration to a participant in exchange for the cancellation of any stock option or SAR with an exercise price higher than the fair market value of the shares covered by the option or SAR.

Shares Covered by the Plan

Under the plan, as proposed to be amended and restated pursuant to this Proposal, the Company may issue a total of 14,400,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 6,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, subject to adjustments as provided in the plan. The following shares are not taken into account in applying these limitations: (a) shares covered by the unexercised portion of an option or SAR that terminates, expires, is canceled, or is settled in cash, (b) shares forfeited or repurchased under the plan, and (c) shares covered by awards that are forfeited, canceled, terminated, or settled in cash. The following shares covered by awards are deemed to have been issued under the Plan and have been removed from the share pool: (x) shares withheld in order to pay the exercise or purchase price under an award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations associated with the exercise, vesting, or settlement of an award; and (y) shares subject to SARs or a similar award but not actually issued or delivered in connection with the exercise or settlement of the award.

Individual Award Limitations

The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be granted to any one participant in any one year under the plan is 150,000 with respect to stock options or SARs, 150,000 with respect to RSUs or restricted stock, and 150,000 with respect to performance shares or performance units. Under the plan, as proposed to be amended and restated pursuant to this Proposal, the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be received by any one participant in any one year with respect to cash incentive awards is $10,000,000.

Eligibility

Awards may be made under the plan to any employee or consultant of the Company or its subsidiaries. As of March 15, 2023, there are approximately 188 employees participating in the plan; no consultants participate in the plan. For purposes of the plan, a subsidiary is any entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of at least 50% and any entity in which the Company holds a direct or indirect ownership interest of less than 50%, but which, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, is treated as a subsidiary for purposes of the plan.

Forms of Awards

Stock Options and SARs. The Company may grant stock options that qualify as “incentive stock options” (“ISOs”) under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), as well as stock options that do not qualify as ISOs. Only employees of the Company or a subsidiary may be granted ISOs. The Company may also grant SARs. In general, a SAR gives the holder the right to receive the appreciation in value of the respective class of shares of our Common Stock covered by the SAR from the date the SAR is granted to the date the SAR is exercised. The per share exercise price of a stock option and the per share base value of a SAR may not be less than the fair market value of the respective class of our Common Stock on the date the option or SAR is granted. Generally, the term of a stock option is ten years; provided, however, different limitations apply to ISOs granted to ten-percent shareholders: in this case, the term may not be greater than five years and the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the respective class of our Common Stock on the date the option is granted.

The Compensation Committee may impose exercise, forfeiture, and other terms and conditions as it deems appropriate with respect to stock options and SARs. The exercise price of stock options may be paid: (a) in cash or its equivalent; (b) at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, in shares of Class A or Class B Common Stock having a fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price for the shares being purchased and satisfying any other requirements as may be imposed by the Compensation Committee (which shares may be previously owned or may be shares that would otherwise have been issuable upon exercise of the option if the exercise price had been paid in cash); (c) at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, partly in cash (or its equivalent) and partly in shares of Class A or Class B Common Stock; (d) through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate exercise price for the shares being purchased; or (e) through such other means as prescribed in the award agreement or by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. Methods of exercise and settlement and other terms of SARs will be determined by the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee may establish exercise and other conditions applicable to a stock option or SAR following the termination of the participant’s employment or other service with the Company and its subsidiaries as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate on a grant-by-grant basis.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Compensation Committee may grant participants restricted stock under the plan. The Compensation Committee may impose conditions and restrictions on any shares of restricted stock as the Compensation Committee determines including, without limitation, a requirement that participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each share of restricted stock, transfer restrictions, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals, time-based restrictions, or restrictions under applicable federal or state securities laws. Subject to any conditions the Compensation Committee may impose, the recipient of restricted stock may be given the rights to vote shares covered by the award pending the vesting or forfeiture of the shares.

The Compensation Committee may grant participants restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the plan, which generally consist of the right to receive shares of Common Stock or cash, as determined by the Compensation Committee, in the future. Each RSU will have the value of one respective share of Class A or Class B Common Stock, as applicable. Grants of RSUs will be subject to the terms and conditions the Compensation Committee imposes including, without limitation, continuing employment or service for a specified period of time or satisfaction of specified performance criteria.

Unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise in its discretion, the holder of RSUs will not have any rights of a shareholder (including, without limitation, voting rights) with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock covered by RSUs.

Unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise, shares of non-vested restricted stock and non-vested RSUs will be forfeited upon the recipient’s termination of employment or other service with the Company and its subsidiaries.

Other Awards. The plan gives the Compensation Committee broad discretion to grant other types of equity-based and cash incentive awards, including performance units, performance shares, dividend equivalents, cash incentive awards, and the payment of Class A or Class B Common Stock in lieu of cash under any Company incentive bonus plan or program. Subject to the terms of the plan, the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine the terms and conditions of such other awards.

Performance-Based Awards. The Compensation Committee may also grant performance-based awards under the plan. In general, performance-based awards provide for the payment of cash and/or shares of Class A or Class B Common Stock upon the achievement of predetermined performance objectives established by the Compensation Committee. Performance objectives may be based upon any one or more of the following business criteria:

The above performance objectives may be applied to an individual, a business unit or division, the Company and any one or more of its subsidiaries, or such other operating units as the Compensation Committee may designate. The above performance objectives may be expressed in absolute or relative terms.

The Compensation Committee will have the discretion to adjust the determinations of the degree of attainment of the pre-established performance objective. In the case of any award that is granted subject to the condition that a specified performance objective be achieved, no payment under such award will be made prior to the time that the Compensation Committee certifies in writing that the performance objective has been achieved. The Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, adjust or modify pre-established performance goals in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants based on the following events: (a) asset write-downs; (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (e) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 (or any successor or pronouncement thereto) and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to shareholders for the applicable year; (f) acquisitions or divestitures; (g) any other specific unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (h) foreign exchange gains and losses; and (i) a change in the Company’s fiscal year.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

The Compensation Committee may provide that any award (other than Options and SARs) that relates to shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock shall earn dividends or dividend equivalents; provided that, notwithstanding anything in the 2007 LTIP to the contrary, the Compensation Committee may not provide for the current payment of dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to any shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock subject to an outstanding award (or portion thereof) that has not vested. For any such Award, the Committee may provide only for the accrual of dividends or dividend equivalents that will not be payable to the participant unless and until, and only to the extent that, the Award vests. No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

Minimum One-Year Vesting

Generally, no portion of any award will vest before the first anniversary of the date of grant except in connection with the participant’s death or disability, or in connection with a change of control. The Compensation Committee may provide for a vesting period of less than one year if the shorter vesting period is set forth in the award documentation or other agreement between the participant and the Company as of the date of grant; provided that the maximum aggregate number of shares covered under awards that are not subject to the foregoing one-year vesting requirement may not exceed five percent (5%) of the shares that may be authorized for grant under the 2007 LTIP (as such authorized number of shares may be adjusted as provided under the terms of the 2007 LTIP).

Clawback

Any Award under the 2007 LTIP is subject to the Company’s clawback policy. In addition, awards may also be subject to recovery under laws, government regulations or stock exchange listing requirements and all such awards are subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such laws, government regulations or stock exchange listing requirements.

Deferrals

The Compensation Committee may permit or require a participant to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares of Class A or Class B Common Stock that would otherwise be due under an award, provided that the deferral arrangement satisfies the applicable election, distribution timing and other requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

No Right to Employment or Participation

The plan does not interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or of any subsidiary to terminate any employee’s or consultant’s employment or service at any time, and the plan does not confer upon any employee or consultant the right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or of any subsidiary. No employee or consultant will have the right to be selected to receive an award or, having been selected, to be selected to receive a future award.

Adjustments of Awards

Generally, in the event of a change in corporate capitalization, such as a stock split, or a corporate transaction, such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, the Company will adjust (a) the number of shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock that may be issued under the plan, (b) the number of shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock that may be covered by awards made to an individual in any calendar year and (c) the number and price of shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock subject to outstanding awards, as may be determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, to prevent dilution and enlargement of the benefits available under the plan and the rights of participants.

Change of Control

In the event of a change of control of the Company, the Board of Directors may in its sole discretion direct that (a) all option holders shall be permitted to exercise their outstanding options and SARs in whole or in part (whether or not otherwise exercisable) immediately prior to such change of control; or (b) if, as part of a change of control transaction, the shareholders of the Company receive capital stock of another corporation (“Exchange Stock”) in exchange for their shares of Class A or Class B Common Stock (whether or not such Exchange Stock is the sole consideration), the Board of Directors may direct that all options and SARs for shares of Class A or Class B Common Stock that are outstanding at the time of the change of control transaction shall be converted into options or SARs (as the case may be) for shares of Exchange Stock, such that the vesting and other terms and conditions of the converted options and SARs shall be substantially the same as the vesting and corresponding other terms and conditions of the original options and SARs. The Board of Directors, acting in its discretion, may accelerate vesting of other non-vested awards, and cause cash settlements and/or other adjustments to be made to any outstanding awards (including, without limitation, options and SARs) as it deems appropriate in the context of a change of control transaction, taking into account with respect to other awards the manner in which outstanding options and SARs are being treated. Generally, any outstanding options and SARs that are not exercised prior to certain transactions, including a merger where the Company is not the surviving entity, a liquidation or a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, will thereupon terminate.

For purposes of the 2007 LTIP, a change of control will be deemed to have occurred if and when:

Amendment and Termination of the 2007 LTIP

Subject to the terms of the plan, the Compensation Committee may, at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend, or terminate the plan in whole or in part; provided that, unless the Compensation Committee specifically provides otherwise, any revision or amendment that would cause the plan to fail to comply with any requirement of applicable law, regulation, or rule if the amendment were not approved by the shareholders of the Company will not be effective unless and until shareholder approval is obtained.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of transactions under the 2007 LTIP based on current federal income tax laws. The 2007 LTIP is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The summary is general in nature and is not intended to cover all tax consequences that may apply to a particular employee, director or to the Company. The provisions of the Code and regulations thereunder relating to these matters are complicated, may change and their impact in any one case may depend upon the particular circumstances. Further, this summary does not discuss the tax consequences of a participant’s death or the provisions of any income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which a participant may reside.

Stock Options and SARs

The grant of a stock option or SAR under the 2007 LTIP is not a taxable event to the participant for federal income tax purposes. In general, ordinary income is realized upon the exercise of a stock option (other than an ISO) in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value on the exercise date of the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise over the option exercise price paid for the shares. The amount of ordinary income realized upon the exercise of a SAR is equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares covered by the exercise over the SAR base price. The Company generally will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by a participant upon the exercise of an option or SAR. The tax basis of shares acquired upon the exercise of a stock option (other than an ISO) or SAR is equal to the value of the shares on the date of exercise. Upon a subsequent sale of the shares, capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term, depending on the holding period of the shares sold) will be realized in an amount equal to the difference between the selling price and the basis of the shares.

No income is realized upon the exercise of an ISO other than for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Income or loss is realized upon a disposition of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. If the disposition occurs more than one year after the ISO exercise date and more than two years after the ISO grant date, then gain or loss on the disposition, measured by the difference between the selling price and the option exercise price for the shares, will be long-term capital gain or loss. If the disposition occurs within one year of the exercise date or within two years of the grant date, then the gain realized on the disposition will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent such gain is not more than the difference between the value of the shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price, and the balance of the gain, if any, will be capital gain. The Company is not entitled to a deduction with respect to the exercise of an ISO; however, in general, it is entitled to a deduction corresponding to the ordinary income realized by a participant upon a disposition of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO before the satisfaction of the applicable one and two-year holding period requirements described above.

Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units

In general, a participant will realize ordinary income with respect to Common Stock received pursuant to a restricted stock award at the time the shares become vested in accordance with the terms of the award in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time they become vested, and except as discussed below, the Company is generally entitled to a corresponding deduction. The participant’s tax basis in the shares will be equal to the ordinary income so recognized. Upon subsequent disposition of the shares, the participant will realize long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period of the shares sold.

A participant may make an “early income election” within 30 days of the receipt of restricted shares of Common Stock, in which case the participant will realize ordinary income on the date the restricted shares are received equal to the difference between the value of the shares on that date and the amount, if any, paid for the shares. In such event, any appreciation in the value of the shares after the date of the award will be taxable as capital gain upon a subsequent disposition of the shares. The Company’s deduction is limited to the amount of ordinary income realized by the participant as a result of the early income election.

A participant who receives restricted stock unit awards will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates on the then fair market value of the shares of the respective class of Common Stock distributed at the time of settlement of the restricted stock unit awards and, except as discussed below, the Company will generally be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. The participant’s tax basis in the shares will equal the amount taxed as ordinary income, and on subsequent disposition, the participant will realize long-term or short-term capital gain or loss.

Other Awards

Other awards will generally result in ordinary income to the participant at the later of the time of delivery of cash, shares, or other awards, or the time that either the risk of forfeiture or restriction on transferability lapses on previously delivered cash, shares, or other awards. Except as discussed below, the Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as ordinary income by the participant in connection with an award, but will not be entitled to a tax deduction relating to amounts that represent a capital gain to a participant.

Sections 162(m) and 280G of the Code

Section 162(m) of the Code imposes an annual deduction limitation of $1 million on the amount of compensation paid our Chief Executive Officer and to each of our other “covered employees under Section 162(m) of the Code. Prior to the Tax Act, the deduction limit did not apply to “performance-based compensation” that complied with certain conditions imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code (as in effect prior to the Tax Act (“Prior 162(m)”). The Tax Act provides limited transition relief for “performance-based compensation” paid pursuant to certain grandfathered arrangements in effect as of November 2, 2017, provided the grandfathered arrangements are not materially modified. There are outstanding awards of stock options that were granted under the 2007 LTIP before November 2, 2017, that were intended, at the time of grant, to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Prior Section 162(m) and nothing in the 2007 LTIP is intended to modify in any material respect any of the terms of those awards. The Compensation Committee retains full discretion to grant non-deductible awards under the Plan or materially modify outstanding awards if, in its judgment, it is in our best interest to do so.

Additionally, under the so-called “golden parachute” provisions of Section 280G of the Code, the accelerated vesting of awards in connection with a change of control may be required to be valued and taken into account in determining whether participants have received compensatory payments contingent on the change of control, in excess of certain limits. If these limits are exceeded, a portion of the amounts payable to the participant may be subject to an additional 20% federal tax and may be nondeductible by us.

New Plan Benefits

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors, as applicable, in their discretion determine awards granted under the 2007 LTIP and, therefore, the Company is unable to determine the awards that will be granted in the future under the 2007 LTIP. No awards have been granted that are contingent on the approval of the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP. If the proposed amended and restated 2007 LTIP had been in effect in 2022, the Company expects that the number of awards granted in 2022 would not have been materially different from those actually made in that year under the 2007 LTIP.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The Equity Compensation Plan Information Table provides information as of December 31, 2022 with respect to shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plans, including the Rush Enterprises, Inc. 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, the 2004 ESPP and the 2007 LTIP.

Class A Common Stock:

(1) Includes 1,891,272 shares that may be issued in the form of restricted stock under the Rush Enterprises, Inc. 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan and the 2007 LTIP.

Class B Common Stock:

(1) Includes 955,225 shares that may be issued in the form of restricted stock under the 2007 LTIP.

From January 1, 2023, through March 15, 2023, we granted, under the 2007 LTIP, (a) options to purchase 526,116 shares of our Class A Common Stock to 188 employees and executive officers, and (b) restricted stock covering 365,925 shares of our Class B Common Stock to 67 employees and executive officers.

In considering whether to vote for approval of the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP, you should be aware that the Company’s executive officers may receive awards under this plan in the future. The approval of, or the failure to approve, the amendment and restatement of the 2007 LTIP will not affect the rights of existing holders or the awards previously granted under the 2007 LTIP.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. 2007 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN.

Introduction

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors are asking our stockholders to approve the amendment and restatement of our 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2004 ESPP”) to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by an additional 400,000 shares. The requested increase of 400,000 shares represents approximately 0.9% of the outstanding shares of our Class A Common Stock as of March 15, 2023. Our named executive officers have an interest in this proposal due to their ability to participate in the 2004 ESPP.

We are asking our stockholders to approve the increase in the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2004 ESPP to ensure that we can maintain a sufficient reserve of shares available for issuance thereunder. We believe that the 2004 ESPP continues to be in the best interests of shareholders because its terms strongly encourage employee stock ownership. As noted in our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we have long recognized that having an ownership interest in the Company aligns the financial interests of our employees and shareholders.

The 2004 ESPP was originally approved by our stockholders on May 19, 2004, with 600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2004 ESPP increased to 900,000 after giving effect to a 3-for-2 Class A Common Stock split that occurred on October 10, 2007, and our stockholders approved an additional 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock on May 17, 2016. The number of shares reserved for issuance increased again on May 12, 2020 after our stockholders approved an additional 400,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and after giving effect to a 3-for-2 Class A Common Stock split that occurred on October 12, 2020, the current amount of shares reserved for issuance under the 2004 ESPP is 2,700,000. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors have approved the proposed amendment and restatement of the 2004 ESPP, subject to stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting.

The terms and provisions of the 2004 ESPP are summarized below. This summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of the ESPP and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the 2004 ESPP. The 2004 ESPP is set forth in its entirety as Appendix B hereto.

In considering its recommendation to approve the amendment and restatement of the 2004 ESPP to reserve an additional 400,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors considered the historical number of shares purchased under the 2004 ESPP since the plan’s inception, with particular attention to purchases during the last three years. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, the number of shares purchased under the 2004 ESPP were 176,807 shares, 148,999 shares and 134,115 shares, respectively. The actual number of shares that will be purchased under the 2004 ESPP in any given year will depend on a number of factors, including the number of participants, the participants’ participation rates and our stock price. Based on usage in 2022, an additional 400,000 shares would meet our needs for approximately five years. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors also considered management’s recommendation as to the amount of the increase and its expectation for the number of employees who will participate in the 2004 ESPP.

Administration of the 2004 ESPP

The 2004 ESPP is administered by the Compensation Committee, which has the authority to interpret the 2004 ESPP, to make, amend and rescind rules and regulations regarding the 2004 ESPP (including rules and regulations intended to ensure that operation of the 2004 ESPP complies with Section 16 of the Exchange Act), and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable in administering the 2004 ESPP, all of which determinations shall be final and binding.

Stock Subject to the 2004 ESPP

If this proposal is approved, the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance over the term of the 2004 ESPP will be 3,100,000 shares. As of March 15, 2023, 2,307,592 shares of Class A Common Stock had been issued under the 2004 ESPP and 392,408 shares were available for future issuance. The closing price of our Class A Common Stock was $52.56 on March 15, 2023.

The shares of Class A Common Stock issuable under the 2004 ESPP may be made available from authorized but unissued shares or from treasury shares.

In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering, divestiture or extraordinary dividend (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the Compensation Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) will make appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) available for issuance or payment under the 2004 ESPP and, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants, (a) the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) subject to each outstanding option, and (b) the purchase price of outstanding options.

Offerings and Purchase Price

Options to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock are granted to participants under the 2004 ESPP through a series of two semi-annual offering periods. The first offering period of each calendar year has a beginning date of January 1 and end date of June 30, while the second offering period has a beginning date of July 1 and an ending date of December 31. Offering periods under the 2004 ESPP shall continue until either (a) the Compensation Committee decides, in its sole discretion, to cancel future offering periods because the Class A Common Stock remaining available under the 2004 ESPP is insufficient to grant options to all eligible employees, or (b) the 2004 ESPP is terminated in accordance with the termination provisions of the 2004 ESPP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may (a) accelerate the ending date of the then current offering period and provide for the exercise of options thereunder by participants in accordance with Section 9 of the 2004 ESPP or (b) accelerate the ending date of the then current offering period and provide that all payroll deductions credited to the accounts of participants will be paid to participants as soon as practicable after such ending date and that all options for such offering period will automatically be canceled and will no longer be exercisable.

Eligible employees may contribute up to $10,625 of their base earnings every six months towards the semi-annual purchase of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the 2004 ESPP. An employee’s purchase price is 85% of the lesser of the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the first business day or the last business day of the semi-annual offering period, as reported by The NASDAQ® Global Select Market (or such other national market system or established stock exchange on which shares of Class A Common Stock may then be listed).

Eligibility and Participation

Any person who: (a) is an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries on the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding the first day of an offering period; (b) is not on long-term disability or unpaid leave status at that time; and (c) has reached the age of majority in the state or province in which he or she resides is eligible to participate in the 2004 ESPP for the offering period beginning on such date, subject to the limitations imposed by Section 423(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

As of December 31, 2023, 2,104 employees, including three of our current named executive officers, were participating in the 2004 ESPP.

Special Limitations

The 2004 ESPP imposes certain limitations upon a participant’s rights to acquire common stock, including the following limitations:

The Compensation Committee will have the discretionary authority to increase, decrease, or implement the per participant and any total participant limitations prior to the start date of any new offering period under the 2004 ESPP.

Withdrawal Rights and Termination of Employment

A participant may withdraw from the 2004 ESPP at any time on or before the last business day of an offering period, and upon such timely withdrawal all, but not less than all, of his or her accumulated payroll deductions will be promptly refunded.

Upon the participant’s cessation of employment or loss of eligible employee status, payroll deductions will automatically cease. Any payroll deductions which the participant may have made during an offering period in which such cessation of employment or loss of eligibility occurs will be promptly refunded.

Stockholder Rights

No participant will have any stockholder rights with respect to the shares covered by his or her purchase rights until the shares are actually purchased on the participant’s behalf. No adjustment will be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such purchase, except as the Compensation Committee may determine in its sole discretion.

Assignability

Purchase rights are not assignable or transferable by the participant and may be exercised only by the participant.

Change in Corporate or Capital Structure

In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering, divestiture or extraordinary dividend (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the Compensation Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) will make appropriate adjustments (which determination will be conclusive) as to the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) available for issuance or payment under the 2004 ESPP and, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants, (a) the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) subject to each outstanding option, and (b) the purchase price of outstanding options.

In the event that the Company is the surviving corporation in any reorganization, merger or consolidation with or involving one or more other corporations, each outstanding option under the 2004 ESPP shall apply to the amount and kind of securities to which a holder of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to such option would have been entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the purchase price. If there is a (a) dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (b) merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with one or more other corporations in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, (c) sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another person or entity, or (d) transaction (including a merger or reorganization in which the Company is the surviving corporation) approved by the Board of Directors that results in any person or entity owning more than 50% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, then the 2004 ESPP and all options outstanding thereunder shall terminate, except as provided in the following sentence. If provision is made in writing in connection with such transaction for the continuation of the 2004 ESPP and either the assumption of the options theretofore granted or the substitution for such options of new options covering the stock of a successor corporation (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), in either case with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares and exercise prices, then the 2004 ESPP shall continue in the manner and under the terms provided. If the 2004 ESPP is terminated, then the current offering period shall be deemed to have ended on the last trading day prior to such termination, and the options of each participant then outstanding shall be deemed to have been automatically exercised on such last trading day.

Share Proration

Should the total number of shares to be purchased pursuant to outstanding purchase rights on any particular date exceed either: (a) the maximum number of shares purchasable in total by all participants on any one purchase date (if applicable); or (b) the number of shares then available for issuance under the 2004 ESPP, then the Compensation Committee will make a pro rata allocation of the available shares on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis. In such an event, the Compensation Committee will refund the accumulated payroll deductions of each participant, to the extent such deductions are in excess of the purchase price payable for the shares prorated to such individual.

Amendment and Termination

The Company’s Board of Directors may suspend or terminate the 2004 ESPP or any portion thereof at any time, and may amend the 2004 ESPP from time to time in such respects as the Board of Directors may deem advisable in order that options under the 2004 ESPP will conform to any change in applicable laws or regulations or in any other respect the Board of Directors may deem to be in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that no amendments to the 2004 ESPP will be effective without approval of the shareholders of the Company if shareholder approval of the amendment is then required pursuant to Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) or the rules of any stock exchange or similar regulatory body. Upon termination of the 2004 ESPP, the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may take any of the actions described in Section 5 of the 2004 ESPP.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following discussion summarizes the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an employee’s participation in the 2004 ESPP. It does not summarize tax consequences for any employees who are not U.S. taxpayers. This summary does not address federal employment taxes, state and local income taxes and other taxes that may be applicable and is not intended to be a complete description of the tax consequences of participation in the 2004 ESPP.

The 2004 ESPP is intended to be an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. Under a plan that so qualifies, no taxable income is recognized by a participant, and no deductions are allowed to the Company, in connection with the grant of the option under the plan that occurs on the date of grant (first trading day) for an offering period or the automatic exercise of such option and acquisition of shares under the plan that occurs on the last trading day for an offering period.

Taxable income will not be recognized until there is a sale or other disposition of the shares acquired under the 2004 ESPP or in the event the participant should die while still owning the purchased shares.

If a participant sells or otherwise disposes of the purchased shares less than two years after the date of grant, or less than one year after the date of purchase for those shares, then the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the date of purchase exceeds the purchase price paid for those shares, and the Company will be entitled to an income tax deduction equal in amount to such excess. The income is recognized by the participant, and the deduction taken by the Company, for the taxable year in which such sale or disposition occurs. For purposes of the U.S. Tax Code, the “date of purchase” means the date the shares are issued on automatic exercise of the option on the last trading day of the offering period.

If a participant sells or disposes of the purchased shares more than two years after the date of grant and more than one year after the date of purchase for those shares, then the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the lesser of (a) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the sale or disposition exceeds the purchase price paid for those shares or (b) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant for the offering period in which the shares were acquired, and any additional gain upon the disposition will be taxed as a long-term capital gain. The income is recognized by the participant for the taxable year in which such sale or disposition occurs. The Company will not be entitled to any income tax deduction with respect to such sale or disposition.

If a participant still owns the purchased shares at the time of death, the lesser of (a) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the date of death exceeds the purchase price or (b) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant for the offering period in which those shares were acquired, will constitute ordinary income in the year of death.

Plan Benefits

The amounts of future purchases under the 2004 ESPP are not determinable because participation is voluntary, participation levels depend on each participant’s elections and the restrictions of Section 423 of the Code and the 2004 ESPP, and the per-share purchase price depends on the future value of our Class A Common Stock. No purchase rights have been granted, and no shares of our Class A Common Stock have been issued, with respect to the share increase for which stockholder approval is sought under this proposal. For reference, the table below shows, as to the named executive officers and specified groups, the number of shares purchased under the 2004 ESPP for 2022, together with the value of those shares as of the date of purchase.

Summary

The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to continue to provide employees with the opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in the Company through their participation in the 2004 ESPP and thereby encourage them to remain in the Company’s employ and more closely align their interests with those of the stockholders.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. 2004 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.

Introduction

The Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company with respect to the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Amendment”) is attached hereto as Appendix C. The purpose of the Class A Amendment is to modify Article Four of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, from 60,000,000 shares to 105,000,000. The Class A Amendment would change the first sentence of Article Four specifically as follows:

“The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the corporation shall be authorized to issue is 126,000,000 shares, divided into the following:  (i) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”), (ii) 105,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”) and (iii) 20,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock”).” ¹

The authorized capital stock of the Company presently consists of 81,000,000 shares of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.01 per share, consisting of: (i) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock; (ii) 60,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock; and (iii) 20,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. As of March 15, 2023, 42,286,850 shares of Class A Common Stock and 13,061,893 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding, 1,881,887 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,129,230 shares of Class B Common Stock were held by the Company as treasury shares and 1,757,563 shares of Class A Common Stock and 589,300 shares of Class B Common Stock were reserved for issuance under the Company’s 2007 LTIP Plan, 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan and 2004 ESPP.

The terms of the additional authorized shares of Class A Common Stock will be identical to those of the currently outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock. The relative rights and limitations of the shares of issued Class A Common Stock would remain unchanged under this proposal. This Class A Amendment will not alter the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued on the date of shareholder approval.

Key Considerations for Shareholders

The Board of Directors believes that it is in the Company’s best interests to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock to give the Company greater flexibility in the future should certain opportunities arise such as the following:

The additional authorized shares would enable the Company to act quickly in response to opportunities that may arise for these types of transactions. For example, on September 15, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a 3-for-2 stock split of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, which was effected in the form of a stock dividend. On October 12, 2020, the Company distributed one additional share of stock for every two shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable. Given the amount of shares of Class A Common Stock that are currently outstanding, held by the Company as treasury shares, or reserved for issuance under the Company’s various equity incentive plans, the Company does not have the shares available to complete a 3-for-2 stock split with the respect to the Company’s Class A Common Stock and could also lack the availability of shares for the other possibilities described above. This could materially impede the ability of the Board of Directors and management to take action to achieve a valid business purpose that would create value for the Company and its shareholders.

^[1] If the Class B Amendment (as defined in Proposal 5 below) is also approved by the requisite votes of the Company’s shareholders, the Company plans to file a single amendment that will change the first sentence of Article Four specifically as follows:

“The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the corporation shall be authorized to issue is 141,000,000 shares, divided into the following:  (i) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”), (ii) 105,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”) and (iii) 35,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock”).”

The Company is not proposing to increase its authorized shares of Class A Common Stock in order to block or otherwise impede a change in control of the Company, and the Company is not aware of any current efforts to acquire control of the Company. However, under certain circumstances, the additional shares of common stock could be issued by the Company to defend against, or otherwise respond to, a hostile takeover bid. For instance, the Company could issue shares of Class A Common Stock to dilute the stock ownership of a person or entity seeking to obtain control of the Company. The Company could also respond to an unsolicited takeover bid by issuing, in a private placement or otherwise, a significant portion of its Class A Common Stock with purchasers who might align with the Board of Directors in response to a specific change in control transaction affecting the Company. Moreover, the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock to persons friendly to the Board of Directors could make it more difficult to remove incumbent officers and directors from office even if such change could be considered favorable to shareholders generally. Despite these potential anti-takeover ramifications, the Board of Directors believes that the financial flexibility offered by the Class A Amendment outweighs any such disadvantages. To the extent that the Class A Amendment may have anti-takeover effects, the Class A Amendment may encourage persons seeking to acquire the Company to negotiate directly with the Board of Directors enabling the Board of Directors to consider the proposed transaction in a manner that best serves the shareholders’ interests.

The issuance of the additional shares of Class A Common Stock (including shares authorized by the Class A Amendment) could also have the effect in certain circumstances of, among other things, diluting earnings per share, book value per share or voting power of the currently outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock.

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Company has no current plans, arrangements or understandings regarding the additional shares that would be authorized pursuant to this proposal. However, the Company reviews and evaluates transactions and other corporate actions on an on-going basis to determine if such actions would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

The Holders of Class A Common Stock will Vote Both Separately by Class and in the Aggregate with the Holders of Class B Common Stock on this Proposal

Under Texas law and the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, having a majority of the votes entitled to vote on such matter, voting as a separate class, is required to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal with respect to this separate class vote.  In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together, having a majority of the votes entitled to vote on such matter, is also required to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000. With respect to the aggregate vote of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of Rush Enterprises, Inc. to increase the number of authorized shares of class a common stock from 60,000,000 to 105,000,000.

Introduction

The Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company with respect to the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Amendment”) is attached hereto as Appendix D. The purpose of the Class B Amendment is to modify Article Four of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, from 20,000,000 shares to 35,000,000. The Class B Amendment would change the first sentence of Article Four specifically as follows:

“The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the corporation shall be authorized to issue is 96,000,000 shares, divided into the following:  (i) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”), (ii) 60,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”) and (iii) 35,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock”).”²

The authorized capital stock of the Company presently consists of 81,000,000 shares of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.01 per share, consisting of: (i) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock; (ii) 60,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock; and (iii) 20,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. As of March 15, 2023, 42,286,850 shares of Class A Common Stock and 13,061,893 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding, 1,881,887 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,129,230 shares of Class B Common Stock were held by the Company as treasury shares and 1,757,563 shares of Class A Common Stock and 589,300 shares of Class B Common Stock were reserved for issuance under the Company’s 2007 LTIP Plan, 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan and 2004 ESPP.

The terms of the additional authorized shares of Class B Common Stock will be identical to those of the currently outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. The relative rights and limitations of the shares of issued Class B Common Stock would remain unchanged under this proposal. This Class B Amendment will not alter the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issued on the date of shareholder approval.

Key Considerations for Shareholders

The Board of Directors believes that it is in the Company’s best interests to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock to give the Company greater flexibility in the future should certain opportunities arise such as the following:

The additional authorized shares would enable the Company to act quickly in response to opportunities that may arise for these types of transactions. For example, on September 15, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a 3-for-2 stock split of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, which was effected in the form of a stock dividend. On October 12, 2020, the Company distributed one additional share of stock for every two shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable. Given the amount of shares of Class B Common Stock that are currently outstanding, held by the Company as treasury shares, or reserved for issuance under the Company’s various equity incentive plans, the Company does not have the shares available to complete a 3-for-2 stock split with respect to the Class B Common Stock and could also lack the availability of shares for the other possibilities described above. This could materially impede the ability of the Board of Directors and management to take action to achieve a valid business purpose that would create value for the Company and its shareholders.

^[2] If the Class A Amendment (as defined in Proposal 4 above) is also approved by the requisite votes of the Company’s shareholders, the Company plans to file a single amendment that will change the first sentence of Article Four specifically as follows:

“The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the corporation shall be authorized to issue is 141,000,000 shares, divided into the following:  (i) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”), (ii) 105,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”) and (iii) 35,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, of the par value $.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock”).”

The Company is not proposing to increase its authorized shares of Class B Common Stock in order to block or otherwise impede a change in control of the Company and the Company is not aware of any current efforts to acquire control of the Company. However, under certain circumstances, the additional shares of Class B Common Stock could be issued by the Company to defend against, or otherwise respond to, a hostile takeover bid. For instance, the Company could issue shares of Class B Common Stock to dilute the stock ownership of a person or entity seeking to obtain control of the Company. The Company could also respond to an unsolicited takeover bid by issuing, in a private placement or otherwise, a significant portion of its Class B Common Stock with purchasers who might align with the Board of Directors in response to a specific change in control transaction affecting the Company. Moreover, the issuance of shares of Class B Common Stock to persons friendly to the Board of Directors could make it more difficult to remove incumbent officers and directors from office even if such change could be considered favorable to shareholders generally. Despite these potential anti-takeover ramifications, the Board of Directors believes that the financial flexibility offered by the Class B Amendment outweighs any such disadvantages. To the extent that the Class B Amendment may have anti-takeover effects, the Class B Amendment may encourage persons seeking to acquire the Company to negotiate directly with the Board of Directors enabling the Board of Directors to consider the proposed transaction in a manner that best serves the shareholders’ interests.

The issuance of the additional shares of Class B Common Stock (including shares authorized by the Class B Amendment) could also have the effect in certain circumstances of, among other things, diluting earnings per share, book value per share or voting power of the currently outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. 

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Company has no current plans, arrangements or understandings regarding the additional shares that would be authorized pursuant to this proposal. However, the Company reviews and evaluates transactions and other corporate actions on an on-going basis to determine if such actions would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

The Holders of Class B Common Stock will Vote Both Separately by Class and in the Aggregate with the Holders of Class A Common Stock on this Proposal

Under Texas law and the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of Class B Common Stock having a majority of the votes entitled to vote on such matter, voting as a separate class, is required to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal with respect to this separate class vote.  In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, taken together, having a majority of the votes entitled to vote on such matter, is also required to approve the Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000. With respect to the aggregate vote of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK FROM 20,000,000 TO 35,000,000

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, this advisory vote to approve executive compensation gives shareholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K.

As described in detail in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth below, a core objective of our executive compensation program is to provide a competitive compensation package that enables us to attract, motivate, and retain talented executives who contribute to the success of our business. The Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s executive compensation program is strongly aligned with “pay-for-performance” principles and aligns the named executive officers’ long-term interests with those of our shareholders.

The following graph reflects our pay-for-performance philosophy and the connection between our chief executive officer’s total direct compensation (i.e., base salary, cash performance bonus, and equity incentive awards) and our income from continuing operations before taxes for the respective fiscal years.

Please read our Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth below for additional details about our executive compensation programs, including information about the 2022 compensation of our named executive officers.

You have the opportunity to vote “for” or “against” or “abstain” from voting on the following non-binding resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation discussion and analysis, the compensation tables, and the narrative discussion.”

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION PAID TO THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO ITEM 402 OF REGULATION S-K.

This advisory vote is not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program.

Pursuant to SEC rules, once every six years, we provide our shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote to determine whether the advisory vote on executive compensation (as described above in Proposal No. 5) will occur every one, two or three years. Shareholders have the option of selecting a frequency of three, two or one years, or abstaining.

Our shareholders voted on a similar proposal in 2017, with the majority of the votes cast to hold the say-on-pay vote every three years.  We believe:

The following resolution is submitted for an advisory vote by shareholders at the 2023 Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that an advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, be submitted to the Company’s shareholders every: (i) three years, (ii) two years, or (iii) one year; with such frequency that receives the highest number of votes cast being the preferred advisory vote of shareholders.”

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR EVERY “THREE YEARS” AS THE FREQUENCY FOR AN ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

Shareholders are not being asked to approve or disapprove of the Board of Directors’ recommendation, but rather to indicate their own choice as among the frequency options. A plurality of the votes cast will determine the shareholders preferred frequency for holding an advisory vote on our executive compensation.  This means that the option receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered the preferred frequency of our shareholders. 

This advisory vote is not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding the frequency of conducting say-on-pay advisory votes.

We expect that the next say-on-pay frequency advisory vote will occur at our 2029 Annual Meeting.

The Audit Committee has appointed the firm of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Although shareholder ratification is not required, the Board of Directors has directed that such appointment be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for ratification at the Annual Meeting. EY has served as the Company’s independent public accounting firm for the fiscal years 2002 through 2022 and is considered by management of the Company to be well-qualified. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment of EY, the Audit Committee may reconsider their appointment.

Representatives of EY are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and we expect them to be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023.

COMPANY INFORMATION

The Board’s Committees and Their Functions

The business of the Company is managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee are the three standing committees of the Board of Directors. The charters for the three standing committees of the Board of Directors are available at the “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website at www.rushenterprises.com.

Audit Committee – During 2022, the Company’s Audit Committee consisted of the following directors: Thomas A. Akin, Chairman of the Audit Committee, William H. Cary, Dr. Kennon H. Guglielmo and Elaine Mendoza. The Audit Committee met four times during 2022. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent, as defined by the listing standards of the NASDAQ® Global Select Market and applicable SEC rules and regulations. The Board of Directors has also determined that each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate and that Messrs. Akin and Cary and Ms. Mendoza each have the attributes of an “Audit Committee Financial Expert,” as defined in applicable SEC regulations.

As set forth in more detail in the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee’s purpose is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight responsibilities related to the quality and integrity of the Company’s accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices. The specific responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:

For more information regarding the Audit Committee, please refer to the Audit Committee Report contained in this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee – During 2022, the Company’s Compensation Committee consisted of the following directors: William H. Cary, Chairman of the Compensation Committee, Thomas A. Akin, Raymond J. Chess and Troy A. Clarke. The Compensation Committee met five times during 2022. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent, as defined by the listing standards of the NASDAQ® Global Select Market and applicable SEC rules and regulations.

The specific responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include:

The Compensation Committee may establish subcommittees of one or more members, and delegate its authority and responsibilities to such subcommittees, when appropriate and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The Compensation Committee may also engage compensation consultants and other advisors, from time to time, to advise the Compensation Committee on executive compensation practices and policies or any other matters within the scope of its charter.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation – During the 2022 fiscal year, none of the Company’s executive officers served on either the Company’s Compensation Committee or the compensation committee (or its equivalent) or board of directors of another entity whose executive officers served on the Company’s Compensation Committee or Board of Directors. No current or past officer or employee of the Company served on the Compensation Committee during the 2022 fiscal year.

For more information regarding the Compensation Committee, please refer to the Compensation Committee Report contained in this proxy statement.

Nominating and Governance Committee – During 2022, the Company’s Nominating and Governance Committee consisted of the following directors: Dr. Kennon H. Guglielmo, Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee, Raymond J. Chess, Elaine Mendoza and Troy A. Clarke. The Nominating and Governance Committee met four times during 2022. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee is independent, as defined by the listing standards of the NASDAQ® Global Select Market.

The specific responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee include:

Director Independence Determinations

Our Board of Directors has established independence guidelines that are described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The independence guidelines require a finding that the individual director satisfies all of the independence standards of the NASDAQ® Global Select Market. In accordance with its charter, and as set forth above, the Nominating and Governance Committee has reviewed the independence of all nonemployee director nominees and reported its findings to the Board of Directors, which affirmatively determined that Ms. Mendoza and Messrs. Akin, Chess, Cary, Clarke and Dr. Guglielmo are independent.

In making its determination on the independence of each nonemployee director, all transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his or her immediate family and the Company, its subsidiaries and management are reviewed based on information requested from and provided by each director on an annual basis.

Board Leadership Structure

W.M. “Rusty” Rush serves as the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that the appointment of our President and Chief Executive Officer as the Chairman of the Board of the Company promotes a unity of vision for the Company as it implements its strategic objectives. In addition, the President and Chief Executive Officer is the director most familiar with our business and operations and is uniquely situated to lead discussions on important matters affecting the business of the Company, as well as its day-to-day operations and risks. The Board of Directors believes that the Company is best served by a Chairman of the Board who is actively involved with the Company and is therefore able to bring a great depth of knowledge about the Company to the role. Mr. Rush has served as President of the Company since 1995 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2006. He has overseen all day-to-day operations of the Company since 2001, when he was named the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. Consequently, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Rush is uniquely able to serve as Chairman of the Board. By combining the Chairman of the Board with the President and Chief Executive Officer positions, the Board of Directors believes that there is a firm link between management and the Board which promotes the development and implementation of our strategic goals. Additionally, Mr. Rush serving as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer demonstrates to the manufacturers the Company represents and the Company’s customers, shareholders and employees that the Company is under stable leadership.

Our Board of Directors does not have a designated “lead independent director.” The Board of Directors has determined that the appointment of a lead independent director is not necessary because each of the independent directors plays an active role in Board matters. Notwithstanding the above, the Company’s nonemployee directors communicate frequently and hold regular executive sessions with the appropriate nonemployee director presiding over each such meeting depending on the topics to be discussed.

Communications with Directors

The Board of Directors welcomes input and suggestions from shareholders and other interested parties by mail at Rush Enterprises, Inc., 555 IH-35 South, Suite 500, New Braunfels, Texas 78130, or through the Company’s Ethics Helpline at (877) 888-0002. Interested parties may direct their input or suggestions to specific directors, the standing committees of the Board of Directors, or all of the members of the Board of Directors.

To communicate to the Audit Committee issues or complaints regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, you may anonymously and, to the extent provided by law, confidentially contact the Audit Committee by calling the Company’s Ethics Helpline at (877) 888-0002.

Corporate Governance Documents

Code of Conduct for Employees and Directors – The Company has adopted the Rush Driving Principles, a code of conduct that applies to all Company officers, directors and employees. The Rush Driving Principles are available at the “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website at www.rushenterprises.com.

Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers – The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that applies to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and other employees performing similar functions, including the Principal Accounting Officer. Only the Board of Directors (or the Audit Committee or other appropriate committee thereof) can amend or grant waivers from the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, and any such amendments or waivers will be promptly posted on the Company’s website or otherwise disclosed as required by applicable laws, rules or regulations. The Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers is available at the “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website at www.rushenterprises.com.

Corporate Governance Guidelines – The Company had adopted the Rush Enterprises, Inc. Corporate Governance Guidelines, which reflect the Board of Directors’ commitment to oversee the effectiveness of policy and decision-making both at the Board of Directors and management level and to provide general direction to management of the Company. The Rush Enterprises, Inc. Corporate Governance Guidelines are available at the “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website at www.rushenterprises.com.

Nomination of Candidates for Director

Identification and Evaluation of Director Candidates

The Nominating and Governance Committee strives to identify future potential directors sufficiently in advance so that the Nominating and Governance Committee can provide both the candidates and the Board of Directors ample opportunity to evaluate one another and the candidates’ potential service on the Board of Directors. With respect to potential Board candidates identified by management, individual directors, shareholders or others, the Nominating and Governance Committee makes a preliminary review of the candidate’s background, career experience and qualifications based on publicly available information or information provided by the person who identifies the candidate. If a consensus is reached by the Nominating and Governance Committee that a particular candidate would likely contribute positively to the Board of Directors’ mix of skills and experiences, and a Board vacancy exists or is likely to occur in the foreseeable future, the candidate is contacted to confirm his or her interest and willingness to serve. Members of the Nominating and Governance Committee conduct in-person interviews and may invite executive officers of the Company to interview the candidate to assess his or her overall qualifications. In the context of the current composition and needs of the Board of Directors and its committees, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers factors such as independence, judgment, skill, diversity, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, experience as an officer of a publicly traded company, the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other members of the Board of Directors and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board of Directors and any committees thereof. The Board of Directors believes that diversity, in terms of a candidate’s gender, race, ethnicity, differences in backgrounds, experiences, and personal characteristics, is important to the effectiveness of the Board of Directors’ oversight of the Company. Accordingly, the Board of Directors is committed to seeking out highly qualified diverse candidates in each search for new candidates that the Board of Directors undertakes and has tasked the Nominating and Governance Committee with ensuring that such candidates are included. Whether such search is conducted internally or with the help of a third-party consultant, the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider a candidate’s race, gender, and ethnicity and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

At the conclusion of this identification and evaluation process, the Nominating and Governance Committee reaches a conclusion and reports the results of its review to the full Board of Directors. The report includes a recommendation whether the candidate should be nominated for election to the Board of Directors. This procedure is the same for all candidates, including director candidates identified by shareholders.

Shareholder Nominations of Candidates for Director

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider all candidates for director properly recommended by shareholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine whether candidates recommended by shareholders are qualified to become a member of the Board of Directors. Candidates recommended by shareholders are evaluated on the same basis as candidates recommended by the Company’s directors, Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers, third-party search firms and other sources.

Any shareholder wishing to submit a candidate for the Nominating and Governance Committee’s consideration should send the following information to Rush Enterprises, Inc., 555 IH-35 South, Suite 500, New Braunfels, Texas 78130, Attn: Michael Goldstone:

Minimum Qualifications for Director Nominees and Board Member Attributes

Persons considered for Board positions should, at a minimum, possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders. To comply with regulatory requirements, a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors must qualify as independent members under the listing standards of the NASDAQ® Global Select Market, all of the members of the Audit Committee must be financially literate, and one or more members of the Company’s Audit Committee must qualify as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as such term is defined by applicable regulations of the SEC.

Policies Affecting Members of the Board of Directors

Members of the Company’s Board of Directors are prohibited from serving on the board of directors of more than four public companies. Additionally, if a member of the Board of Directors changes jobs, he or she is required to notify the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall review the appropriateness of the director remaining on the Company’s Board of Directors given the director’s change in job. If the Nominating and Governance Committee concludes that it would be inappropriate for the affected director to remain on the Board of Directors, then the Nominating and Governance Committee shall ask the affected director to resign from the Company’s Board of Directors. The affected director is expected to act in accordance with the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendation. Any director nominee who is elected or appointed to the Board of Directors for the first time after February 21, 2008, will be required to submit a letter of resignation to the Board of Directors to be effective upon acceptance by the Board of Directors each year after they reach the age of 72. Such letters of resignation will be considered by the Board of Directors, but the Board of Directors may choose not to accept any such letter of resignation if it believes that it is in the best interest of the Company for the director who submitted the letter of resignation to continue to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.

Effective February 23, 2015, members of the Company’s Board of Directors who are not also officers of the Company are expected to own and hold shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to five times the value of each of their respective annual cash retainer. Each current director and any new directors will be given five years from the date of their first appointment or election to the Board of Directors to comply with these stock ownership guidelines. As of December 31, 2022, each of the directors then serving was in compliance with or on target to meet the stock ownership guidelines.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

During 2022, the Board of Directors met 9 times. Each of the current directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of which he or she was a member. The Board of Directors regularly schedules a meeting to occur the day of the annual meeting of shareholders. Although the Company has no formal policy on director attendance at annual meetings, this scheduling facilitates their attendance. All of the directors then serving attended the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and all directors currently in office are expected to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The nonemployee directors hold executive sessions at least two times per year during regularly scheduled Board meetings. Different nonemployee directors preside over these executive sessions depending on the topics to be discussed.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors is responsible for the Company’s risk oversight function. The Board of Directors, with the assistance of its standing committees, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and other officers of the Company, regularly identifies, evaluates and discusses the material enterprise risks that could impact the Company’s operations and tactical and strategic decisions. These enterprise risks include operational, financial, legal, regulatory, market and reputational risks.

The Board of Directors oversees planning and responding to risks arising from changing business conditions or the initiation of new products or services. The Board of Directors also is responsible for overseeing compliance with laws and regulations, responding to recommendations from auditors and governmental authorities, and overseeing management’s conformance with internal policies and controls addressing the material enterprise risks of the Company’s activities, including cybersecurity risks. The Board of Directors receives periodic reviews of the Company’s risk management policies and controls.

The Board of Directors believes its risk oversight function is enhanced by the leadership structure of the Company’s Board of Directors. W.M. “Rusty” Rush serves as the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. As a result of the Chairman’s in-depth knowledge of the Company’s operations and industry, the Board of Directors has greater insight into the Company’s operations and risks. Mr. Rush’s unique depth of knowledge, experience and expertise give the Board a more complete and holistic view of the material risks of the Company.

Corporate Responsibility – Environmental, Social and Governance Matters

The Board of Directors has designated the Nominating and Governance Committee with the responsibility of overseeing and developing our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) strategy. The Board of Directors and management recognize that the sustainability and societal impact of an investment in our Company is of critical importance to many investors. We believe that monitoring and taking action to address the ESG factors utilized by investors to measure the sustainability and societal impact of investments benefits all of our stakeholders, including our employees, customers, communities and shareholders, and are essential to the sustainable growth of the Company. Our Corporate Responsibility Report, which contains our most recent ESG disclosures, is available at the “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website at https://www.rushenterprises.com/corporate-responsibility. Our Corporate Responsibility Report is not part of this proxy statement, is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date of this proxy statement and irrespective of any general incorporation language therein. Furthermore, references to our website URLs are intended to be inactive textual references only.

Risk-Related Compensation Policies and Practices

As part of its annual review of the executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee assessed the risk profile of its executive and nonexecutive compensation programs to determine if any of them created undesired or excessive risks of a material nature. With the assistance of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel, the Compensation Committee (a) reviewed the Company’s compensation policies and practices for employees generally, (b) identified the risks that could result from such policies and practices, (c) identified the risk mitigators and controls and (d) analyzed the potential risks against the risk mitigators and controls and the Company’s business strategy and objectives.

In performing the assessment and reaching its conclusion, the Compensation Committee noted the following factors that reduce the likelihood of undesired or excessive risk-taking:

Based on its analysis, the Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Executive Officers

Set forth below is information with respect to each executive officer of the Company as of April 17, 2023.

W.M. “Rusty” Rush has served as President of the Company since 1995 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2006. He has overseen all day-to-day operations of the Company since 2001, when he was named the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Rush served as Vice President and Executive Vice President of the Company from 1990 until November 1995 when he began his service as President of the Company. He was appointed Chairman of the Board in May 2013.

Michael J. McRoberts was appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer in July 2016. Prior to his promotion, he served as Senior Vice President – Dealer Operations from March 2013 to July 2016. Mr. McRoberts joined the Company in 2011 and served as Regional Manager for Rush Truck Centers in California from 2011 to 2013. Mr. McRoberts served as the Vice President – General Manager and Chief Operating Officer for the Scully Companies, a regional full-service leasing and dedicated contract carriage organization, from 2006 until he joined the Company in 2011. Mr. McRoberts’s background also includes 13 years of experience with other commercial vehicle dealerships serving in various positions including Chief Financial Officer and President. Mr. McRoberts has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern Illinois University.

Steven L. Keller has served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since April 2011. In March 2007, Mr. Keller was promoted to Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company after being intimately involved in the Company’s finance and accounting functions since 1997, with responsibility for financial analysis and planning, business acquisitions, SEC reporting, investor relations and corporate taxes. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Keller, a Certified Public Accountant, worked in the San Antonio office of Ernst & Young LLP and obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.

Jody Pollard has served as Senior Vice President – Truck and Aftermarket Sales since March 2021. Prior to his current role, Mr. Pollard served as Senior Vice President – Operations from March 2017 to March 2021. Mr. Pollard joined the Company in 1999 and participated in the Company’s New Graduate Management Trainee program. Upon completion, Mr. Pollard served in multiple roles of increasing responsibility until eventually being promoted to the Regional General Manager of North Texas and Oklahoma, a position he held from 2010 until his promotion to Senior Vice President – Operations in March 2017. Mr. Pollard has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Leadership and Development from Texas A&M University.

Scott Anderson has served as Senior Vice President – Finance, Insurance and Leasing of the Company since 2007. He served as Vice President – Finance and Insurance of the Company from 2005 until his promotion to Senior Vice President – Finance and Insurance in February 2006. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Anderson served as Manager of Continental European Operations for CIT Group from 2004 to 2005 and was Managing Director of European Commercial Finance for Associates Capital Corp from 1998 to 2004. Mr. Anderson has over 40 years of experience in the commercial equipment finance industry.

Michael L Goldstone was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in March 2023. Prior to his promotion, he served as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company from March 2017 to February 2023. Mr. Goldstone previously served as Associate General Counsel from 2010 until he was named Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company in March 2017. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Goldstone served as Associate General Counsel for Cooper Industries for 13 years and was an associate attorney at Locke, Sapp, Zively, Hill & LaBoon, LLP (now known as Locke Lord LLP). Mr. Goldstone received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Drew University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University School of Law.

Each of the Company’s executive officers was chosen by the Board of Directors and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until his successor is appointed or until his earlier resignation or removal in accordance with applicable law.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

The table below sets forth certain information with respect to each person or entity known by us to beneficially own more than five percent (5%) of either class of Common Stock as of March 15, 2023. Beneficial ownership of our Common Stock has been determined in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. The percentage of total voting power is based on 1/20^th of one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock, and one vote for each share of Class B Common Stock, beneficially owned by each person.

Security Ownership of our Executive Officers and Directors

The table below sets forth certain information as of March 15, 2023, with respect to our Common Stock that is beneficially owned by each director and named executive officer and all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership of our Common Stock has been determined in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. The percentage of total voting power is based on 1/20^th of one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock, and one vote for each share of Class B Common Stock, beneficially owned by each person. Unless otherwise stated, each of the persons named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities beneficially owned by them as set forth opposite their name.

Note Regarding Rush Family Holdings

SEC rules require reporting of beneficial ownership of certain shares by multiple parties, resulting in the same shares being listed multiple times in the tables above. The 4,123 shares of Class A Common Stock and the 4,504,123 shares of Class B Common Stock held by 3MR Partners, L.P. are included twice in the above tables under the name of W.M. “Rusty” Rush (that is, there are only 4,123 shares of Class A Common Stock and 4,504,123 shares of Class B Common Stock rather than 8,246 shares of Class A Common Stock and 9,008,246 shares of Class B Common Stock). For purposes of the above tables, removing the shares counted multiple times results in an aggregate total ownership of less than 1.0% of outstanding Class A Common Stock and 45.9% of outstanding Class B Common Stock for W.M. “Rusty” Rush and 3MR Partners, L.P. W.M. “Rusty” Rush disclaims beneficial ownership over shares owned by other members of the Rush family and 3MR Partners, L.P., except as specifically disclosed in the footnotes above.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This compensation discussion and analysis provides information regarding our executive compensation program in 2022 for the following executive officers of the Company (collectively, the “named executive officers”):

Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Chairman of the Board is an executive officer of the Company.

2022 Financial Highlights

In 2022, we achieved record-high revenues of $7.1 billion and record-high net income of $369.1 million, or $6.51 per diluted share, excluding one-time gains of $22.3 million associated with our joint venture with Cummins and the acquisition of an additional 30% equity interest in RTC Canada. Our financial results mark the successful achievement of our previously announced strategic financial goals of achieving $7 billion in revenue with a 5% pre-tax return on sales and demonstrate our ability to execute on our strategy. Our annual absorption ratio was 136.6%. We returned a total of $138.3 million of capital to our shareholders in 2022 in the form of quarterly cash dividend payments totaling $44.6 million and common stock repurchases totaling $93.7 million. Our total return of capital to shareholders in 2022 was approximately 80% more than what was returned in 2021 and included a dividend increase of approximately 10%, our fourth annual dividend increase in a row. We are proud of our record high revenues and profitability in 2022, especially given that we were working within the confines of truck allocation and parts supply constraints. We remain dedicated to returning value to shareholders through earnings growth, quarterly dividends and our stock repurchase program while keeping our balance sheet and cash position strong and continuing to invest in our company’s future.

Executive Compensation Highlights

Key aspects of our executive compensation program include the following:

The Compensation Committee believes that our 2022 executive compensation program is strongly aligned with pay-for-performance principles. Specifically, a significant percentage of the total direct compensation (i.e., base salary, cash performance bonus and annual equity incentive awards) of Messrs. Rush, McRoberts, Keller, Pollard and Anderson that was granted in 2022 was “at-risk,” as the following graphs illustrate:

RUSH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
2022 TOTAL DIRECT COMPENSATION MIX⁽¹⁾

Shareholder Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

We conducted our fourth advisory vote to approve executive compensation at our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. While this vote was not binding on the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors or the Company, the Compensation Committee values the opinions of our shareholders on executive compensation matters. Based upon the Inspector of Election’s report, the advisory vote to approve executive compensation received the favorable support of approximately 85% of the votes cast thereon. The Compensation Committee reviewed these final vote results and determined that, given the significant level of support, no changes to our executive compensation program were necessary solely as a result of the advisory vote. We are conducting our fifth advisory vote to approve executive compensation at the Annual Meeting. See “Proposal No. 5 – Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation” above.

We currently hold our advisory votes to approve executive compensation every three years and are seeking to continue that practice. See “Proposal No. 6 – Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation” above.

Compensation Objectives

Our executive compensation program is intended to accomplish the following objectives:

As further discussed below, in 2022, the Compensation Committee reviewed and considered competitive pay information derived from its independent compensation consultant prior to approving the individual pay components of the named executive officers to help ensure such compensation was competitive in our marketplace for executive talent. Furthermore, as illustrated in the above graph, a significant portion of total direct compensation (base salary, cash performance bonus and equity incentive awards) of Messrs. Rush, McRoberts, Keller, Pollard and Anderson was “at risk” compensation, delivered in the form of a cash performance bonus and annual equity incentive awards. The Compensation Committee designed the cash performance bonus and equity incentive awards with the intention that such awards would focus the named executive officers on achieving both our short- and long-term business objectives and strategies and align their interests with our shareholders.

Clawback Policy

On February 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee adopted, and the Board approved, a clawback policy, which allows the Company to recover certain forms of compensation in certain situations. The clawback policy applies to the Company’s current and former executive officers, including all of the named executive officers and it also applies generally to all employees who receive equity awards. The clawback policy provides for the recoupment of certain compensation in the event of an accounting restatement resulting from material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws or from material misconduct or fraud. If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements, the Board of Directors will require reimbursement or forfeiture of any excess incentive compensation received by a named executive officer during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare the accounting restatement, and for all other persons, the Board of Directors will require reimbursement if it is determined that such individual’s conduct was directly related to the restatement. If the Board of Directors determines that a named executive officer or other employee has committed any act of embezzlement, fraud, theft or any other financial misconduct, the Board of Directors may require such person to forfeit or reimburse the Company for some or all (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the incentive compensation awarded to or received during the three years following the discovery of the act.

Compensation-Setting Process

The Compensation Committee approves all compensation decisions for the named executive officers, including base salaries, cash performance bonuses, and equity incentive awards. The Compensation Committee aims to structure executive compensation in a manner that achieves the compensation objectives described above. In approving executive compensation from year to year, the Compensation Committee reviews and considers, among other things:

In general, the named executive officers’ compensation is impacted by individual performance, as noted above. However, the assessment of the named executive officers’ individual performance by the Compensation Committee and W.M. “Rusty” Rush is a subjective assessment of each officer's accomplishment and contribution to the Company and is not based upon quantitative performance measures. The Compensation Committee believes that individual performance evaluation using a qualitative approach, including a judgment of individual effort and achievement, in connection with the Company's overall performance measures, is the most effective assessment of performance for compensation purposes, provides appropriate behavioral incentives and is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Compensation Committee further believes its approach to evaluating each officer's individual performance and contribution to the Company provides a balanced relationship between pay-for-performance and appropriate risk management and fosters team cohesiveness.

In approving 2022 executive compensation, the Compensation Committee reviewed tally sheets for each named executive officer that were prepared by management. The tally sheets set forth the base salary, cash performance bonus, total cash compensation, number of stock option awards, and number of restricted stock awards for each of our executive officers, including the named executive officers, for 2022. The Compensation Committee used the tally sheets as a reference point to ensure its members understood the individual pay levels of the named executive officers. In 2022, the Compensation Committee did not increase or decrease the named executive officers’ compensation as a result of its review of the tally sheets.

Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

In 2022, certain executive officers, including W.M. “Rusty” Rush, regularly attended Compensation Committee meetings and, upon the Compensation Committee’s request, provided compensation and other related information to the Compensation Committee. However, W.M. “Rusty” Rush was not present during the Compensation Committee’s discussions and approval of his own compensation nor did he attend executive sessions of the Compensation Committee.

In setting and approving 2022 executive compensation, W.M. “Rusty” Rush: (a) formulated recommendations on matters of compensation philosophy, objectives and design; (b) provided an overview of our financial and operating performance; (c) provided the results of his annual performance evaluation of Messrs. McRoberts, Keller, Pollard and Anderson; and (d) provided compensation recommendations for Messrs. McRoberts, Keller, Pollard and Anderson.

W.M. “Rusty” Rush discussed with the Compensation Committee the following individual performance considerations that impacted his compensation recommendations for Messrs. McRoberts, Keller, Pollard and Anderson:

Based on his performance evaluations of the above-named executive officers and one or more of the other factors set forth above under “Compensation-Setting Process,” W.M. “Rusty” Rush made a recommendation to the Compensation Committee regarding the base salary levels, the amount of the cash performance bonus, and the form and amount of the annual equity incentive awards granted to Messrs. McRoberts, Keller, Pollard and Anderson for 2022.

Mr. Rush did not use any formula in determining his compensation recommendations. The Compensation Committee has complete discretion to approve, disapprove, or alter Mr. Rush’s compensation recommendations.

In 2022, the Compensation Committee accepted, without modification, the recommendations of Mr. Rush regarding the base salary, cash performance bonus, and annual equity incentive awards of Messrs. McRoberts, Keller, Pollard and Anderson. The entire Board of Directors ratified the individual pay components, as well as the total direct compensation, of these named executive officers in 2022.

Mr. Rush did not make any compensation recommendations regarding his compensation in 2022.

The Chief Executive Officer’s and Chairman’s Compensation

The Compensation Committee approved W.M. “Rusty” Rush’s 2022 compensation, including his base salary, cash performance bonus, and equity awards, based upon its subjective evaluation of his role and responsibilities within the Company, the Company’s financial and operating performance, and his personal contributions to the Company’s success in 2022, which was the strongest year financially in the Company’s history. In addition to successfully managing the business to record-high revenues of $7.1 billion and record-high profitability and achieving previously announced financial goals of achieving $7 billion in revenue with a 5% pre-tax return on sales, his efforts also included successfully navigating the business through a challenging operating environment that included working within the confines of truck allocation and parts supply constraints due to continued supply chain constraints. Mr. Rush also oversaw the Company’s successful integration of 33 dealerships into the Company’s network in 2022.

Role of Compensation Consultant in Compensation Decisions

Generally, the Compensation Committee engages a compensation consultant every two years to assess our executive compensation program. In 2022, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensation Advisory Partners LLC (“CAP”), an independent compensation consultant, to:

The Compensation Committee has established procedures that are intended to maintain CAP’s independence. These procedures include a direct reporting relationship of CAP to the Compensation Committee. With the consent of the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, CAP may contact our executive officers, including the named executive officers, for information necessary to fulfill its assignment and may make reports and presentations to and on behalf of the Compensation Committee that the named executive officers also receive.

CAP was hired to serve as the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant in 2018. CAP has never provided any services to the Company, nor received any payments from the Company, other than in its capacity as a consultant to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee assessed whether the services provided by CAP in 2022 raised any conflicts of interest pursuant to the SEC rules and concluded that no such conflicts of interest existed.

Peer Analysis

As indicated above, one of the factors that the Compensation Committee generally considers in setting the named executive officers’ compensation is competitive pay information. In June 2022, CAP derived certain competitive pay information from a custom peer group and certain survey data as further discussed below.

The June 2022 peer group was composed of the following 18 companies:

There were no material changes to the composition of the peer group from 2021 to 2022. The above peer companies were approved by the Compensation Committee based upon an analysis of their annual revenues (roughly 0.2x to 2.5x our revenues), the fact that these companies are in similar industries, are subject to similar market conditions and compete for the same executive talent, based upon data compiled by CAP in June 2022. At the time of CAP’s evaluation, the Compensation Committee believed that the composition of the June 2022 peer group reflected an appropriate set of comparator companies for purposes of assessing the Company’s executive compensation program.

CAP performed its executive compensation review in February 2023. CAP derived the February 2023 competitive pay information from surveying the most recent year of proxy data for each peer company and by analyzing executive compensation surveys from both proprietary sources and general industry executive compensation databases, including Mercer Executive Compensation, Towers Watson Compensation Data Bank and Economic Research Institute.

As part of CAP’s February 2023 assessment, it developed market norms by evaluating the base salary, target bonus and three-year average of long-term incentive awards provided to the named executive officers of the Company’s peer group. To reduce the effects of outliers, CAP defined “market norms” to be between the 25^th and 75^th percentiles, with a focus on the median rather than the arithmetic average.

With respect to our 2022 executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee made the following determinations using the competitive pay information derived by CAP:

Based upon the above findings and in light of the Company’s record-high net income of $369.1 million (excluding one-time gains of $22.3 million), which was approximately 50% higher than any other year in the Company’s history, the Compensation Committee believes that the individual pay components and total direct compensation levels of Messrs. Rush, McRoberts, Keller, Pollard and Anderson in 2022 were competitive with the pay practices of the Company’s peer group.

Notwithstanding the above, the Compensation Committee believes the competitive pay information should be used as a point of reference and not as the sole factor in setting executive compensation. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee does not target any individual pay component to fall within a specific range or percentile of the competitive pay information. The competitive pay information is only one of a number of factors used by the Compensation Committee in setting executive compensation. Consequently, each named executive officer’s individual pay components and total direct compensation may be below, at, or above the 25^th percentile, 50^th percentile or the 75^th percentile of the competitive pay information. The Compensation Committee approves individual pay components and total direct compensation levels based upon its subjective judgment and discretion as to the overall fairness and competitiveness of the named executive officers’ compensation.

The competitive pay information derived by CAP provided the Compensation Committee a basic framework from which to make determinations with regard to the individual pay components and total direct compensation of Messrs. Rush, McRoberts, Keller, Pollard and Anderson, as well as assistance in determining whether such compensation levels accomplished the objectives of the executive compensation program in 2022.

Compensation Program Components

In general, our 2022 executive compensation program was comprised of the following four primary components:

We do not have a specific policy, practice or formula regarding the allocation of total compensation between: (a) base salary and equity incentive awards; (b) cash performance bonus and equity incentive awards; or (c) total cash compensation and equity incentive awards.

Each of the named executive officers is a participant in our Executive Transition Plan. For a further description of the benefits afforded to the named executive officers under the Executive Transition Plan, please refer to the “Severance and Change in Control Arrangements” section set forth below.

Base Salary

We provide the named executive officers with a base level of monthly income for the expertise, skills, knowledge, and experience they offer to our management team. The Compensation Committee believes that competitive levels of base salary are necessary for the motivation and retention of the named executive officers.

The named executive officers’ base salaries at the end of 2021 and 2022 were as follows:

Cash Performance Bonus

Generally, each of the named executive officers is eligible to earn an annual cash performance bonus based upon: (a) our income from continuing operations before taxes during the prior year; and (b) one or more of the following: (i) historical bonus levels; (ii) competitive pay information; and (iii) individual performance. Performance bonuses are intended to focus management on increasing our income from continuing operations before taxes (one of our key financial objectives), as well as to provide incentives for building shareholder value. The cash performance bonuses are traditionally paid on March 15^th of the year following the year in which they are earned.

For 2021 and 2022, the Compensation Committee approved the following cash performance bonuses for the named executive officers:

The 2022 cash performance bonuses were based, in part, upon our 2022 income from continuing operations before taxes, as reported in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Compensation Committee believes that income from continuing operations before taxes provides a direct link between an officer’s compensation and our financial performance, causing the officers’ compensation to fluctuate with our financial performance. Our income from continuing operations before taxes increased to a record-high $509.3 million in 2022, which was approximately 60% higher than the $313.6 million generated in 2021, which was the previous record-high.

Traditionally, cash performance bonuses are increased or decreased by a discretionary percentage that is less than the actual percentage that income from continuing operations before taxes increased or decreased from the prior fiscal year. In determining the amount of the 2022 cash performance bonuses, the Compensation Committee also considered the February 2023 competitive pay information derived by CAP for each of the named executive officers and approved bonus amounts that it subjectively determined appropriate to maintain the competitiveness of the named executive officers’ total cash compensation (i.e., base salary plus the cash performance bonus).

The Compensation Committee subjectively determined to increase the amount of cash performance bonuses for each of Messrs. Rush, McRoberts, Pollard and Anderson by approximately 30% compared to 2021. With respect to Mr. Keller, the Compensation Committee subjectively determined to increase his cash performance bonus by 35.5% compared to 2021. This decision was primarily based on the fact that Mr. Keller took on a new leadership role in 2022 when he assumed responsibility for the human resources department and related initiatives.

In making its determinations regarding cash performance bonuses, the Compensation Committee considered the following:

The 2022 cash performance bonuses were not based upon specific benchmark percentiles. Instead, the amount of the bonuses was based upon the Compensation Committee’s subjective judgment and discretion as to the overall competitiveness of the named executive officers’ total cash compensation. Nevertheless, these decisions were taken, as in the past, within the framework of the Compensation Committee’s overall objective of linking the named executive officer’s performance bonus to the increase or decrease in our income from continuing operations before taxes. The following graph illustrates how the then named executive officers’ aggregate cash performance bonuses in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 compared to our income from continuing operations before taxes for the respective fiscal years.

Equity Incentive Awards

The Compensation Committee annually grants equity incentive awards to key employees, including the named executive officers, to: (a) allow such employees to participate in our profitability and long-term growth; (b) maximize retention leverage; and (c) align such employees’ interests with those of our shareholders. Equity incentive awards are typically awarded on March 15^th of each year, unless that date falls on a weekend. The Compensation Committee administers the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on May 12, 2020 (the “2007 LTIP”), which includes, without limitation, selecting award recipients, determining the type of awards to be granted, fixing the terms and conditions of awards, and interpreting the provisions of the 2007 LTIP.

Beginning in 2008, the Compensation Committee annually granted a combination of restricted stock and stock options to our key employees, including the named executive officers. However, in 2011, the Compensation Committee began granting our key employees restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards in lieu of restricted stock awards to provide them more flexible tax planning options, as further described below. In 2019, the Compensation Committee determined that it was in the Company’s best interest to revert back to restricted stock in lieu of RSUs.

In 2022, the Compensation Committee subjectively allocated the total value of the equity incentive awards of Mr. McRoberts by allocating approximately 12% to stock options and approximately 88.0% to restricted stock, and of Mr. Rush by allocating approximately 14% to stock options and approximately 86.0% to restricted stock, and of Mr. Keller by allocating approximately 16% to stock options and approximately 84.0% to restricted stock, and of Mr. Pollard by allocating approximately 18% to stock options and approximately 82.0% to restricted stock, and of Mr. Anderson by allocating approximately 20% to stock options and approximately 80.0% to restricted stock. The Compensation Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to allocating the annual equity incentive awards between stock options and restricted stock.

Under the terms of the 2007 LTIP, the Compensation Committee may grant equity incentive awards for shares of the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share and each share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to 1/20^th of one vote per share. In the past, the Company granted equity incentive awards for Class A Common Stock in lieu of Class B Common Stock. However, beginning in 2013, the Compensation Committee granted RSU awards covering Class B Common Stock, in lieu of Class A Common Stock, in order to help ensure select members of management maintain the requisite voting control of the Company’s capital stock as required by the Company’s dealership agreements with Peterbilt Motors Company, as further discussed in our public filings with the SEC. In 2019, the Compensation Committee reverted back to granting restricted stock covering Class B Common Stock rather than RSUs. The Compensation Committee retains discretion to continue to grant equity incentive awards for Class B Common Stock in the future.

Equity incentive awards are granted at fair market value on the date of grant. “Fair market value” is internally defined as the closing market price on the grant date of the respective class of the Company’s Common Stock as quoted on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market. All equity incentive awards that have been granted to our directors and employees, including the named executive officers, have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance contained in Accounting Standards Codification 718, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). Generally, stock options vest in one-third increments annually beginning on the third anniversary of the grant date and have a term of ten years. Restricted stock awards generally vest in one-third increments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. The vesting schedules of the equity incentive awards and term of stock options were strategically chosen to be competitive and enhance the Company’s retention efforts.

In 2021 and 2022, the Compensation Committee approved the following stock options and restricted stock awards to the named executive officers:

On October 12, 2020, we effected a three-for-two stock split with respect to both our Class A and Class B Common Stock in the form of a stock dividend. The share amounts listed throughout this document, as well as the stock prices, have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the stock split for all periods presented.

In determining the amount of equity incentive awards to grant the named executive officers, the Compensation Committee considered the following factors:

The Compensation Committee kept the amount of stock options awarded to the named executive officers in 2022 the same as the amounts awarded in 2021, while the amount of restricted stock awarded to the named executive officers in 2022 was roughly in line with the amount of restricted stock awarded in 2021, with Mr. Anderson receiving the same amount of restricted stock in 2022 as he received in 2021, Mr. Pollard receiving 400 more restricted stock shares in 2022 than he received in 2021, Messrs. McRoberts and Keller each receiving 2,000 more restricted stock shares in 2022 than they received in 2021 and Mr. Rush receiving 5,000 more restricted stock shares in 2022 than he received in 2021. While the amount of equity incentive awards granted to the named executive officers in 2022 were roughly in line with the amounts awarded in 2021, the aggregate grant date fair values for Messrs. Anderson and Pollard increased by approximately 12.3% and 14.7%, respectively, due primarily to the increase in the Company’s Common Stock price and the aggregate grant date fair values for Messrs. Rush, McRoberts and Keller increased by approximately 19.5%, 20.7% and 24.5%, respectively, due to both and increase in the number of restricted stock shares awarded to each of them and the increase in the Company’s Common Stock price. The Compensation Committee’s decisions with respect to the amount of equity incentive awards to grant named executive officers in 2022 served the function of increasing the named executive officers’ total direct compensation to reflect the Company’s increase in profitability.

The amount of the 2022 equity incentive awards was not based upon a formula-driven framework or specific benchmark percentiles, nor does the Compensation Committee have a specific policy, practice, or formula regarding the allocation of total direct compensation to equity awards. Instead, the amount of equity awards awarded were based upon the Compensation Committee’s subjective judgment and discretion as to: (a) the competitiveness of the named executive officers’ equity incentive awards and total direct compensation for 2022; and (b) appropriate levels of retention incentives.

As discussed above, we typically grant equity incentive awards to our employees, including the named executive officers, on March 15^th of each year. However, we may grant equity incentive awards at other times during the year for legitimate business purposes, including, without limitation, upon employment of new hires. The Compensation Committee does not have a formal policy on timing equity awards in connection with the release of material nonpublic information to affect the value of compensation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that material nonpublic information becomes known to the Compensation Committee prior to granting equity awards, the Compensation Committee will take such information under advisement and make an assessment in its business judgment after consultation with our executives and counsel whether to delay the grant of the equity awards in order to avoid any potential impropriety.

The Board of Directors believes that executive officers should own and hold our Common Stock to further align their interests and actions with the interests of our shareholders. Therefore, the Board of Directors has adopted stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers. Pursuant to the guidelines, our Chief Executive Officer is expected to own and hold shares of our Common Stock equal to five times the value of his base salary and our other executive officers are expected to own and hold shares of our Common Stock equal to two times the value of each of their respective base salaries. Each current executive officer was given five years to comply with these stock ownership guidelines from the date they were first appointed an executive officer and any new executive officers will be given five years from the date they are first appointed as an executive officer to comply, while any executive officer who is promoted to Chief Executive Officer would have five years from the date of such promotion to comply. Until the stock ownership guideline is achieved, each executive officer is encouraged to retain at least 75% of net shares obtained through the Company’s stock incentive plans. “Net shares” are the number of shares realized from the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock awards, less the number of shares the executive officer sells or has withheld to cover any exercise price and tax withholding obligations. As of December 31, 2022, each of the named executive officers was in compliance with the above stock ownership guidelines.

Employee Benefits and Other Perquisites

General

The named executive officers are eligible to participate in our flexible benefits plans that are generally available to all employees. Under these plans, employees are entitled to medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and other similar benefits. Additionally, employees are entitled to vacation, sick leave and other paid holidays. The Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s commitment to provide these benefits recognizes that the health and well-being of its employees contribute directly to a productive and successful work life that enhances results for the Company and our shareholders.

401(k) Plan

We maintain a 401(k) plan for all of our employees, including the named executive officers, as a source of retirement income. Each employee who has completed 30 days of continuous service is eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan in the following month. Employees may contribute from 1% to 50% of their total gross compensation, up to a maximum dollar amount established in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). However, certain higher paid employees are limited to a maximum contribution of 15% of their total gross compensation. Our 401(k) matching policy currently provides that: (a) with respect to employees with less than five years of service, we contribute an amount equal to 20% of an employee’s contribution, up to 10% of such employee’s compensation; and (b) with respect to employees with more than five years of service, we contribute an amount equal to 40% of an employee’s contribution, up to 10% of such employee’s compensation. This 401(k) matching policy applies to all of our employees, including the named executive officers. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative impact it has had on the Company’s business, our 401(k) matching policy was temporarily modified effective June 16, 2020 through March 15, 2021. The modification provided that for the first 10% of the employees’ contributions, the Company contributed an amount equal to 5% of the employees’ contributions for those employees with less than five years of service and an amount equal to 10% of the employees’ contributions for those employees with more than five years of service. For further information on the named executive officers’ participation in the 401(k) plan, please refer to the 2022 Summary Compensation Table contained in this proxy statement.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Beginning with compensation earned in 2011, certain highly compensated employees, which included the named executive officers and the directors of the Company, were eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, participants may elect to defer payment of a portion of their annual compensation. Payment of amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan is made upon the occurrence of specified payment events. For further discussion of the Deferred Compensation Plan, see the “2022 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” table below.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan that allows, generally, all employees, including the named executive officers, to contribute up to 10% of their base earnings toward the semi-annual purchase of our Class A Common Stock. An employee’s purchase price is 85% of the lesser of the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the first business day or the last business day of the semi-annual offering period, as reported by the NASDAQ ® Global Select Market. Employees may purchase shares having a fair market value of up to $25,000 (measured as of the first day of each semi-annual offering period) each calendar year.

Perquisites

The named executive officers also receive various perquisites, including one or more of the following:

In addition to the perquisites above, W.M. “Rusty” Rush is: (a) provided automobile insurance under the Company’s fleet insurance policy; (b) allowed personal use of the Company’s ranch when it is not being used for Company business; (c) permitted to use Company-owned aircraft for personal air travel to the extent it is not otherwise being used for Company business; and (d) provided term life insurance, the premiums of which are paid by the Company. The Company also provides Mr. Rush with the use of a Company-owned automobile (in lieu of the above automobile allowance).

The Compensation Committee believes that providing these additional benefits to Mr. Rush provides a more tangible incentive than an equivalent amount of cash compensation. Other named executive officers may also be permitted to use Company-owned aircraft for personal air travel to the extent it is not otherwise being used for Company business.

The Compensation Committee has decided to offer the above benefits in order to attract and retain the named executive officers. In determining the named executive officers’ total direct compensation, the Compensation Committee considers these benefits. For further discussion of these employee benefits and other perquisites, including the methodology for computing their costs, please refer to the 2022 Summary Compensation Table.

Indemnity Agreements

We have entered into indemnity agreements with all of our directors and certain of our executive officers. These agreements provide that we will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify the officer or director against expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with their service to us. Additionally, the indemnity agreements require that we maintain director and officer liability insurance.

Tax Treatment

For tax years prior to 2018, Section 162(m) of the Code generally imposed a $1,000,000 per taxable year ceiling on the tax deductibility to a company of compensation paid (not including amounts deferred) to a company’s chief executive officer and the other three most highly compensated executive officers of a publicly held corporation (with the exception of such company’s chief financial officer), unless the compensation was treated as performance-based or was otherwise exempt from the provisions of Section 162(m). For such years, the Compensation Committee structured certain annual cash incentive awards and long-term incentive awards with the goal of maximizing the tax deductibility of certain awards as “performance-based” compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent practical and deemed appropriate, consistent with maintaining competitive compensation. The Compensation Committee, however, did not guarantee that any particular awards would qualify as “performance-based” compensation or that any such awards would be tax deductible.

For tax years starting in 2018, the “performance-based” compensation exemption to the deduction limitation under Section 162(m) of the Code has been repealed, except to the extent of certain grandfathered awards. In general, beginning in 2018, all compensation (other than certain grandfathered compensation) we paid in excess of $1,000,000 to anyone who has served as one of our named executive officers will be non-deductible. While we intend to maximize the tax efficiency of our compensation programs generally, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors will award compensation and act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, including awarding compensation that may not be deductible under Section 162(m).

Executive Compensation

2022 Summary Compensation Table

2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table