DEF 14A 1 a2021proxy.htm DEF 14A Document

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

SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

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

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HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
901 Heartland Way
North Liberty, Iowa 52317

NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 13, 2021


Dear Fellow Stockholders:

The 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Heartland Express, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Heartland Express," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our"), will be held at 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Due to the continued public health concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Annual Meeting will be an audio meeting accessible via telephone, for the following purposes:

1.To consider and act upon a proposal to elect eight (8) directors of the Company.
2.Ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
3.To conduct an advisory, non-binding vote on the Company's executive compensation.
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Heartland Express, Inc. 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan" or the "Plan").
5.To consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof.

The foregoing matters are more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 15, 2021, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of, to participate in, and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Shares of common stock may be voted at the Annual Meeting only if the holder is present at the Annual Meeting by telephone or by valid proxy. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO PROMPTLY DATE, SIGN, AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. You may also vote on the Internet by completing the electronic voting instruction form found at www.proxyvote.com or by telephone using a touch-tone telephone and calling 1-800-690-6903. Returning your proxy now will not interfere with your right to participate in the Annual Meeting or to vote your shares by telephone at the Annual Meeting, if you wish to do so. The prompt return of your proxy may save the Company additional expenses of solicitation.

The instructions for stockholders of record as of March 15, 2021, to call into the meeting are below:

•Beginning at 7:45 a.m., up until the start time 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, call 1-877-271-1828 and enter the Participant Passcode 33604289.

•You will be prompted to state your name and personal identification number (personal identification number is your Control Number as provided in the voting materials - Voting Items).

By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Michael J. Gerdin
Michael J. Gerdin
Chairman of the Board
North Liberty, Iowa 52317
April 2, 2021





PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS



HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
901 Heartland Way
North Liberty, Iowa 52317

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 13, 2021

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Heartland Express to be voted at the Annual Meeting, which will be held via telephone on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, and any adjournment thereof. THE ENCLOSED PROXY IS SOLICITED BY OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. All costs of the solicitation will be borne by the Company. The approximate date of mailing this Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy is April 2, 2021.

The safety of our employees, customers, communities, and stockholders is our first priority. Out of an abundance of caution our Annual Meeting will be held via telephone. The instructions for stockholders of record as of March 15, 2021, to call into the meeting are below:

•Beginning at 7:45 a.m., up until the start time 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, call 1-877-271-1828 and enter the Participant Passcode 33604289.

•You will be prompted to state your name and personal identification number (personal identification number is your Control Number as provided in the voting materials - Voting Items).

We are using the SEC's Notice and Access model ("Notice and Access") that allows us to deliver proxy materials via the Internet. We believe Notice and Access provides stockholders with a convenient method to access the proxy materials and vote, while allowing us to conserve natural resources and reduce the costs of printing and distributing the proxy materials. A Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") was first mailed on or about April 2, 2021, to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2021 (the "Record Date"). The Internet Notice will instruct you as to how you may access and review the proxy materials. The Proxy Statement, the proxy card, and our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2020 ("Annual Report") are first being made available to stockholders on or about April 2, 2021.

How to Read this Proxy Statement
This Proxy Statement contains the proposals to be considered by stockholders at the Annual Meeting, as well as important information concerning, among other things: our management and our Board of Directors; executive compensation; transactions between us and our officers, directors, and affiliates; the stock ownership of management and other large stockholders; the services provided to us by and fees of our independent registered public accounting firm; and instructions for stockholders who want to make proposals at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Each stockholder should read this information before completing and returning the enclosed proxy card.
PROXY STATEMENT
Why am I receiving this proxy statement?
Our Board of Directors (the "Board") has made available to you the Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement, our Annual Report, proxy card, and voter instruction card (collectively, "Proxy Solicitation Materials") either on the Internet or by mail in connection with the Annual Meeting. The Company will bear all costs associated with this proxy solicitation. You are receiving this Proxy Statement because you owned shares of Heartland Express common stock at the close of business on the Record Date, and that entitles you to vote at the Annual Meeting. By use of a proxy, you can vote whether or not you participate in the Annual Meeting by telephone. This Proxy Statement describes the matters on which we would like you to vote and provides information on those matters so that you can make an informed decision.
What is Notice and Access and why did Heartland Express elect to use it?
We make the Proxy Solicitation Materials available to stockholders electronically via the Internet under the Notice and Access regulations of the SEC.
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Most of our stockholders have received the Notice in lieu of receiving a full set of Proxy Solicitation Materials in the mail. The Notice includes information on how to access and review the Proxy Solicitation Materials, and how to vote, via the Internet. We believe this method of delivery will decrease costs, expedite distribution of Proxy Solicitation Materials to you, and reduce our environmental impact.
Stockholders who received the Notice but would like to receive a printed copy of the Proxy Solicitation Materials in the mail should follow the instructions in the Notice for requesting such materials.
What will I be voting on?
•Election of directors
•Ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm for 2021
•An advisory, non binding vote, on executive compensation
•Approval of the 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan

How do I vote?
You can vote either by telephone at the Annual Meeting or by proxy. We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting by telephone so that we will know as soon as possible that enough votes will be present for us to hold the meeting. If you participate in the meeting by telephone, you may vote at the meeting and your prior proxy will not be counted.
To vote your shares, follow the instructions in the Notice, voting instruction form, or the enclosed proxy card. Telephone and Internet voting is available to all registered and most beneficial holders.
Stockholders voting by proxy may use one of the following three options:
•fill out the enclosed voter instruction form or proxy card, sign it, and mail it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope;
•vote by Internet (if available, instructions are on the voter instruction form, proxy card, or Notice); or
•vote by telephone prior to the Annual Meeting (if available, instructions are on the voter instruction form, proxy card, or Notice).
If you hold your shares in "street name," please refer to the information forwarded by your bank, broker, or other holder of record to see the options available to you.
The telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders to vote prior to the Annual Meeting will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 12, 2021. If you vote by telephone or over the Internet prior to the Annual Meeting, you may incur costs, such as telephone and Internet access charges, for which you will be responsible. The telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders and to allow you to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.
Can I change my proxy vote?
Yes. At any time before your shares are voted by proxy, you may change your vote by:
•revoking it by written notice to Joshua S. Helmich, our Secretary, at the address on the cover of this Proxy Statement;
•delivering a later-dated proxy (including a telephone or Internet vote); or
•voting by telephone at the meeting.
If you hold your shares in "street name," please refer to the information forwarded by your bank, broker, or other holder of record for procedures on revoking or changing your proxy.
How many votes do I have?
You will have one vote for each share of Heartland Express common stock that you owned at the close of business on March 15, 2021.
How many shares are entitled to vote?
There were 79,901,540 shares of Heartland Express common stock outstanding and 53,700 shares granted, but not vested, under the Heartland Express, Inc. 2011 Restricted Stock Award Plan as of the Record Date that are entitled to vote at the meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote. We have no other class of stock outstanding. There is no cumulative voting.

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How many votes must be present to hold the meeting?
In order to transact business at the Annual Meeting, a quorum must be present. A quorum is present if forty percent (40%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date are represented at the Annual Meeting by telephone or by proxy. Shares that are entitled to vote but that are not voted at the direction of the holder (called "abstentions") and shares that are not voted by a broker or other record holder due to the absence of instructions from the beneficial owner (called "broker non-votes") will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present.
How many votes are needed for the proposals to pass and how are votes tabulated?
The election of directors (Proposal 1) requires an affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast, which means that with respect to Proposal 1, the eight director nominees receiving the highest number of votes for their election will be elected. The ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm for 2021 (Proposal 2), the vote on executive compensation (Proposal 3), and the vote on the approval of the 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan (Proposal 4) will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting. For purposes of determining the number of votes cast with respect to a particular matter, only those cast "For" or "Against" are included. If no direction is specified by the stockholder, the proxy will be voted "For" Proposals 1, 2, 3, and 4, and at the discretion of the proxy holders, upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Proxies marked "Abstain" and broker non-votes are counted only for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting. With respect to the votes on executive compensation (Proposal 3), this vote is non-binding on the Board. Although non-binding, the Board will review and consider the voting results when evaluating our executive compensation program.
A vote to "abstain" on the election of directors will have no effect on the outcome. A vote to "abstain" on the other proposals will also have no effect on the outcome.
If you vote "abstain," your shares will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether enough votes are present to hold the Annual Meeting.
Votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the Inspector of Elections and the results of all items voted upon will be announced at the Annual Meeting.
What if I don't return my proxy card and don't participate in the Annual Meeting?
If you are a holder of record (that is, your shares are registered in your own name with our transfer agent) and you do not vote your shares, your shares will not be voted.
If you hold your shares in "street name," and you do not give your bank, broker, or other holder of record specific voting instructions for your shares, your record holder can vote your shares on the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm. However, your record holder cannot vote your shares without your specific instructions on the election of directors, the advisory approval of executive compensation, and the approval of the 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan.
For the proposals on which a broker cannot vote without your instruction, if you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, the votes will be considered "broker non-votes" and will not be counted in determining the outcome of the vote. "Broker non-votes" will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether enough votes are present to hold the Annual Meeting.
What happens if a nominee for director declines or is unable to accept election?
If you vote by proxy, and if unforeseen circumstances make it necessary for the Board to substitute another person for a nominee, we will vote your shares for that other person.

ANNUAL REPORT
Will I receive a copy of the Heartland Express Annual Report?
The information included in this Proxy Statement should be reviewed in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Reports of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, and other information included in our 2020 Annual Report to Stockholders that was made available on or about April 2, 2021, together with the Notice, to all stockholders of record as of the Record Date. A copy of our 2020 Annual Report is available free of charge on the "Investors" section of our corporate website at www.heartlandexpress.com. The information on our corporate website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this Proxy Statement nor, by reference or otherwise, incorporated into any other filings we make with the SEC. Except to the extent it is incorporated by specific reference, our 2020 Annual Report is not incorporated into this Proxy Statement and is not considered to be part of the Proxy Solicitation Materials.
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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will elect eight (8) directors to serve on the Board until the 2022 Annual Meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board, our Board has nominated for election as directors the following eight individuals, each of whom is presently serving as a director: Michael J. Gerdin, Dr. Benjamin J. Allen, James G. Pratt, Dr. Tahira K. Hira, Larry J. Gordon, Brenda S. Neville, Michael J. Sullivan, and David P. Millis. In the absence of contrary instructions, each proxy will be voted for the election of each of the below listed directors.

Information Concerning Directors

Information concerning the names, ages, positions with the Company, tenure as a director, and business experience of the nominees for directors is set forth below.
NAMEAGEPOSITIONDIRECTOR SINCE
Michael J. Gerdin51Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director1996
Dr. Benjamin J. Allen74Director1995
James G. Pratt72Director2006
Dr. Tahira K. Hira77Director2011
Larry J. Gordon77Director2013
Brenda S. Neville58Director2017
Michael J. Sullivan68Director2018
David P. Millis60Director and President of Millis Transfer2020

Michael J. Gerdin has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since September 2011. Mr. Gerdin does not serve on any committees of the Board. He was appointed President in 2006. Mr. Gerdin served as the Company's Vice President of Regional Operations from 2001 until 2006. From 1998 to 2001, he was President of A & M Express, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. From 1983 until 1998, Mr. Gerdin held a variety of positions within the Company, including positions in the operations, sales, safety, maintenance and driver recruiting departments. In addition, Mr. Gerdin also serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Steering Committee of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, an educational and advocacy group for the trucking industry. Mr. Gerdin has served as a director of West Bancorporation and West Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of West Bancorporation, Inc., since April 2013, and currently serves as a member of the compensation committee. Mr. Gerdin also serves on the Iowa State University College of Business Dean's Advisory Council. The selection of Mr. Gerdin was based upon, among other things, his 37 years of industry experience and expertise, in addition to his exemplary leadership in all roles in which he has served as an employee and director of the Company.

Dr. Benjamin J. Allen has served as a director since 1995 and is Chairperson of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Nominating and Governance Committees. Dr. Allen served as interim president of Iowa State University (a public university) from May 2017 to November 2017. Dr. Allen served as the President of the University of Northern Iowa (a public university) from 2006 to June 2013. Dr. Allen was the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Iowa State University from 2002 through 2006. He also served as a Distinguished Professor in Business at Iowa State University, a position to which he was originally appointed in 1988. In addition, Dr. Allen served as Dean of the College of Business at Iowa State University from 1994 to 2001 and as the Interim Vice President for External Affairs of Iowa State University in 2001 and 2002. He earned his B.S. degree in business economics at Indiana University and his Ph.D. degree in economics at the University of Illinois. He taught and conducted research in the area of transportation economics and management for more than 25 years. He has gained a thorough understanding of the Company and the industry in his role as a director for the past 26 years. His experiences in leadership positions at two of Iowa's major universities are highly valuable in the performance of his duties on board committees.

James G. Pratt has served as a director since 2006 and is Chairperson of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees. Mr. Pratt retired in 2012 after 30 years of employment with Hills Bank and Trust Company, a bank providing consumer and commercial services, with several branches in Iowa, and Hills Bancorporation, the holding company for Hills Bank and Trust Company. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Pratt served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hills Bank and Trust Company in Hills, Iowa, positions he held since 1986. In
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addition, he served as the Treasurer of Hills Bancorporation, an SEC reporting one-bank holding company with over $2 billion in assets, since 1983, and Secretary of Hills Bancorporation since 2004. Mr. Pratt is an inactive holder of the certified public accountant certification. Before joining Hills Bank and Trust Company in 1982 he was employed by Ernst & Ernst, now Ernst & Young (a professional services company), and McGladrey & Pullen, now RSM (an accounting and consulting firm). Mr. Pratt brings to our Board extensive knowledge of finance, as well as significant experience in the oversight of the operations of a successful and disciplined banking enterprise. He makes a highly valuable contribution to the oversight of risk management and financial matters. Mr. Pratt has made significant contributions to the Audit Committee in his leadership role as its Chair.

Dr. Tahira K. Hira has served as a director since 2011 and is Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee and is a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. Dr. Hira is currently serving Iowa State University as Professor Emerita, providing consulting in the areas of financial education and research. Dr. Hira retired as Senior Policy Advisor to the President of Iowa State University in 2014. Dr. Hira was the Executive Assistant to the President of Iowa State University from 2000 through 2011. Dr. Hira is internationally known as a leader in the field of Personal Finance and Consumer Economics. Dr. Hira served as the Associate Vice Provost for the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach program, and has taught and conducted research in family financial management, investing, consumer credit, gambling and consumer bankruptcy in the United States and abroad. Dr. Hira received B.A. and M.A. degrees in Economics from Punjab University, Pakistan, and a M.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1973, and a Ph.D. in 1976 in Family and Consumer Economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Hira was employed by Iowa State University from 1980 until her retirement in 2014. Dr. Hira's qualifications to serve on our Board include her extensive professional experience in the fields of financial literacy, consumer bankruptcy, investment behavior, financial planning, and economics. In addition, Dr. Hira has served on numerous national committees and boards in her field of personal finance and consumer economics including membership to President George W. Bush's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, and chair of NYSE's Advisory Committee on Financial Literacy.

Larry J. Gordon has served as a director since November 2013. Mr. Gordon does not serve on any committees of the Board. Mr. Gordon is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Gordon Truck Centers, Inc. (formerly known as Valley Freightliner, Inc.), a commercial tractor dealership ("Gordon Truck Centers"). In addition, Mr. Gordon was an owner and Chief Executive Officer of Gordon Trucking, Inc. ("GTI"), a truckload carrier headquartered near Seattle, Washington, from 1980 through November 11, 2013, upon the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of GTI by the Company. The selection of Mr. Gordon to serve as a director was based upon, among other things, his many years of industry experience and expertise, in addition to his displayed exemplary leadership in all roles in which he has served as an employee and director of GTI.

Brenda S. Neville has served as a director since January 2017 and is a member of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Ms. Neville was named Vice Chairperson of the Compensation Committee in 2021. Ms. Neville is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Motor Truck Association (IMTA). Prior to being named President of IMTA in 2008, Ms. Neville was named Vice President and retained the position for 12 years. In the 34 years that Ms. Neville has been with IMTA she has been a strong advocate for Iowa's trucking industry both on the state and national level, as well as providing assistance and expertise in public policy development and trucking industry specific research. IMTA is a statewide trade association that is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa and represents approximately 700 member companies, as well as a number of different divisions that are affiliated with the trucking, towing and transportation industry. Ms. Neville is a current board member of Trucking Association Executive Council (TAEC)/Federation of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), advisory member for Iowa Freight Management Council and a committee member on the ATA Technology & Engineering Policy, ATA Automated Trucking Policy, and ATA Image & Communications. Ms. Neville is a 1985 graduate of University of Northern Iowa with a B.S. in Business/Marketing. Ms. Neville also holds a Certification in Institutes of Organizational Management (IOM) from University of Oklahoma/US Chamber of Commerce and a Certification in Association Management (CAE) both of which she obtained in 1993. Ms. Neville's qualifications to serve on our Board include her extensive background as an advocate for the trucking industry both at a state and national level, as well as her experience in the oversight of the operations of a non-profit trade association promoting the success of the trucking industry.

Michael J. Sullivan has served as a director since 2018 and is a member of the Audit Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Sullivan was named Vice Chairperson of both committees in 2021. Mr. Sullivan retired in 2015 following more than twenty years as General Manager of Kenworth Mid-Iowa (a Kenworth Truck dealer) and currently practices as a CPA providing general accounting services to his clients. Prior to his role at Kenworth Mid-Iowa, Mr. Sullivan held roles as Regional VP of Interstate Detroit Diesel, Inc. (a Detroit Diesel Allison Distributor), operated a self-employed CPA practice, was CFO/Treasurer/Controller at Hicklin GM Power Company (a Detroit Diesel Allison Distributor), and was employed by Ernst & Whinney, now Ernst & Young (a professional services company). Mr. Sullivan also served the Iowa Motor Truck Association as Treasurer of the IMTA Allied Division for over twenty years and was actively involved with the IMTA and its legislative activities in Iowa and in Washington, D.C. Mr. Sullivan graduated from Iowa State University in 1974 with a B.S. in Accounting and received the CPA designation in 1976. Mr. Sullivan is also affiliated with the Iowa Society of
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CPAs and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants professional organizations. Mr. Sullivan's qualifications to serve on our Board include a strong financial background with specific experience and expertise in the trucking industry through a variety of leadership and financial roles and as an advocate for the trucking industry.

David P. Millis has served as a director since October 2020. Mr. Millis is an employee director of the company. Mr. Millis does not serve on any committees of the Board. Mr. Millis is the President of Millis Transfer, LLC ("Millis Transfer") a subsidiary of the Company, where during his work over the last 45+ years he has worked in nearly every area of the organization, from truck wash to President. He has held top leadership roles focused on Accounting/Finance, Administration, and Operations before being named President in 1992. The selection of Mr. Millis to serve as a director was based upon, among other things, his significant industry knowledge and expertise that we believe strengthens and expands the expertise of the Board.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR PRESENTED IN PROPOSAL 1.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meetings and Director Compensation

The Board's meetings are regularly scheduled. All regularly scheduled meetings during 2020 were held virtually. The Board held a total of four regularly scheduled meetings and one special meeting during the last fiscal year. Each of the directors attended 100% of the regular meetings of the Board and the meetings held by all of the committees of the Board of which each such director is a member. We have no formal policy regarding attendance by its directors at annual meetings of stockholders. All of our then-current directors attended virtually at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Independent Directors

Of the eight members currently serving on the Board, the Board has determined that Dr. Benjamin J. Allen, James G. Pratt, Dr. Tahira K. Hira, Brenda S. Neville, and Michael J. Sullivan are "independent directors" as defined in the applicable NASDAQ Stock Market ("NASDAQ") listing standards and also meet the additional independence standards and other requirements for audit committee membership set forth by NASDAQ and SEC rules.

The Board uses the independence standards set forth in the NASDAQ rule 5605(a)(2) and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act for determining whether a director is independent.

Board Leadership Structure

Mr. Michael J. Gerdin serves as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Gerdin is the direct link between senior management and the Board and provides critical insight and perspective to the Board, as well as feedback to senior management, based on his substantial experience in the industry. Mr. Gerdin is involved in the day-to-day operations and has provided consistent leadership of key strategic objectives in his past and current positions. Historically, the Board has believed that given the size of the Company, the combination of the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board positions was the most appropriate and suitable structure for proper and efficient Board functioning and communication. Given Mr. Gerdin's history with the Company, involvement with the Board, industry knowledge, and involvement with the day-to-day operations, the Board continues to believe the current combination of roles described above continues to be the most suitable and most efficient structure.
Risk Oversight

The Board oversees an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, designed to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and enhance stockholder value. A fundamental part of risk management is not only understanding the risks we face and what steps management is taking to manage those risks, but also understanding what level of risk is appropriate for the Company. The involvement of the full Board in setting the Company’s business strategy is a key part of its assessment of management’s appetite for risk and also a determination of what constitutes an appropriate level of risk. While the Board has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, various committees of the Board also have responsibility for risk management. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial risk, including internal controls, and receives an annual risk assessment report from the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and participates in an annual risk assessment process with management. The Audit Committee reviews the risk and effectiveness of the Company's system for monitoring compliance
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with laws, regulations and the Company's business conduct polices and the results of management's investigation and follow-up on any fraudulent acts or accounting irregularities as part of the annual risk assessment with Company management. In addition, the Audit Committee Chair reviews the internal control testing results with management on a quarterly basis. The Board is focused on the Company's corporate governance practices and values independent board oversight as an essential component of strong corporate performance to enhance stockholder value. All of the members of the Board's Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees are independent directors. We will continue to re-examine our corporate governance policies and leadership structures on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet our needs.

As required by SEC rules, we have assessed the risks that could arise from its compensation policies for all employees, including employees who are not officers, and we have concluded that such policies are not reasonably likely to have a materially adverse effect on the Company.

Committees of the Board and Other Corporate Governance Matters    

The Board has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee. All three committees are composed entirely of independent directors.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee presently consists of James G. Pratt (Chairperson), Michael J. Sullivan (Vice Chairperson), Dr. Benjamin J. Allen, and Dr. Tahira K. Hira, all of whom satisfy the independence and audit committee membership criteria of NASDAQ. Three of the four members of the committee qualify as an "audit committee financial expert". The Board has designated James G. Pratt as the Company's "audit committee financial expert," as defined by the SEC and NASDAQ rules. The Audit Committee's primary duties include maintaining communication between the Board, our independent registered public accounting firm and our executive officers and accounting personnel with respect to financial affairs in general, including financial statements and audits, the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal accounting controls and systems and the retention and termination of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also reviews quarterly financial and operating results of the Company, through meetings and conference calls, with management, our independent registered public accounting firm, and, when appropriate, our securities counsel. The Board has adopted a charter for the Audit Committee, which sets forth the purpose and responsibilities of the Audit Committee in detail. A copy of the charter is available on the "Investors" section of our website at www.heartlandexpress.com. The Audit Committee met six times during fiscal year 2020. The Audit Committee or Audit Committee Chairperson also met with representatives of the independent registered public accounting firm without management or other persons present four times during 2020.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee presently consists of Dr. Benjamin J. Allen (Chairperson), Brenda S. Neville (Vice Chairperson), James G. Pratt, and Dr. Tahira K. Hira, all of whom satisfy the independence criteria of NASDAQ. In determining the independence of our Compensation Committee members, the Board considered several relevant factors, including but not limited to each director's source of compensation and affiliations. Specifically, each member of the Executive Compensation Committee (i) is independent under NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2), (ii) meets the criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, (iii) did not directly or indirectly accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the Company, and (iv) as determined by our Board, is not affiliated with the Company, any Company subsidiary or any affiliate of a Company subsidiary, and does not have any other relationship which would impair each respective member's judgment as a member of the Compensation Committee. In 2020, none of our Compensation Committee members had any business or personal relationship with any compensation consultant, legal consultant, or other advisor that was selected by or provided advice to the Compensation Committee.

The primary responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are to review the compensation policies of the Company and to periodically make salary recommendations to the Board for all Named Executive Officers. The Board has adopted a charter for the Compensation Committee, which sets forth the purpose and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee in detail. The Compensation Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of its charter on an annual basis and recommends changes to the Board when appropriate. A copy of the charter is available on the "Investors" section of our website at www.heartlandexpress.com. The Compensation Committee met three times during fiscal year 2020. A description of the functions of the Compensation Committee is included in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Overview."

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee presently consists of Dr. Tahira K. Hira (Chairperson), Michael J. Sullivan (Vice Chairperson), James G. Pratt, Dr. Benjamin J. Allen, and Brenda S. Neville, all of whom satisfy the independence criteria of NASDAQ. Mr. Sullivan joined the Nominating and Governance Committee in 2020. The primary responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee are to identify and recommend to the Board for nomination individuals qualified to serve as directors and monitor the Board composition to ensure the needs of the Board are met by current members. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider recommendations from many sources, including stockholders, regarding possible director candidates. Guidelines regarding the qualifications of candidates for
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directors, including stockholder proposed candidates, insofar as they apply to non-employees, generally favor individuals who have managed relatively large, complex business, educational, or other organizations or who, in a professional or business capacity, are accustomed to dealing with complex business or financial problems. In addition to these guidelines, the Committee will also evaluate whether the candidate's skills are complementary to the existing Board members' skills, and the Board's needs for operational, management, financial, and other expertise. With regard to specific qualities and skills, the Nominating and Governance Committee believes it is necessary that: (i) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors qualify as independent under NASDAQ rules; (ii) at least three members of the Board of Directors satisfy the additional independence and other requirements for audit committee membership; and (iii) at least one member of the Board that is identified to serve on the Audit Committee, has sufficient knowledge, experience, and training concerning accounting and financial matters so as to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules. The Nominating and Governance Committee met four times during fiscal year 2020.

The Board has adopted a charter for the Nominating and Governance Committee, which sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee and grants the authority necessary to perform its oversight responsibility.

Corporate governance oversight responsibilities include:

•monitoring corporate governance trends and best practices;
•annually reviewing the makeup of the Board to assure appropriate skills and diversity are represented;
•reassess the governance structure and policies;
•develop meeting schedules and plan board activities; and
•review meeting attendance.

Nominating oversight responsibilities include:

•assist the Board by identifying, screening, and recommending qualified candidates to serve as directors of the Company;
•advise the Board with respect to the size, structure, composition, and procedures of each Board committee;
•adopt and revise, from time to time, corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company; and
•serve in an advisory capacity to the Board on matters of organization and the conduct of Board activities.

Membership on the Nominating and Governance Committee is limited to directors that are independent as defined under the listing standards of The NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) and free of any relationship or affiliation with the Company, a subsidiary of the Company, or an affiliate of a subsidiary of the Company that, in the Board’s discretion, would interfere with a member’s independent judgment. Members must be a “nonemployee director” as defined in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

A copy of the charter is available on the "Investors" section of our website at www.heartlandexpress.com.

The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends that the Board nominate the eight directors named in this Proxy Statement for election at the Annual Meeting.

It is generally the policy of the Nominating and Governance Committee to consider stockholder recommendations of proposed director nominees if such recommendations are consistent with the guidelines discussed above and timely received. Such recommendations must be received by the Secretary of the Company at 901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317, for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee at least 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the mailing date of the proxy statement for the prior year's Annual Meeting, December 3, 2021, for director candidates to be considered for nomination for election at the 2022 Annual Meeting. In addition, any stockholder director nominee recommendation must include the following information:

•the proposed nominee's name, qualifications, and the reason for such recommendation;
•the name and record address of the stockholder(s) proposing such nominee;
•the number of shares of our common stock that are beneficially owned by such stockholder(s); and
•a description of any financial or other relationship between the stockholder(s) and such nominee or between the nominee and the Company including any of our subsidiaries.

In order to be considered by the Board, any candidate proposed by one or more stockholders will be required to submit appropriate biographical and other information with detail equivalent to that required of all other director candidates.
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Board Diversity. We do not have a formal policy regarding diversity in identifying nominees for directorship. We consider the Board to be diverse in terms of business experience, knowledge, and abilities. Two of our eight directors are female and one of our directors is a minority. Our board diversity and gender balance was recognized as a 2020 Women on Boards Winning Company during 2018 and 2019. 2020 Women on Boards works to raise the percentage of women who serve on corporate boards in the U.S. to 20% or greater by the year 2020. 2020 Women on Boards is a grassroots campaign supported by individuals, organizations, and companies who embrace the principle that diversity in the boardroom encourages good corporate decisions. Board members Dr. Tahira K. Hira and Brenda S. Neville were also recognized as two of Women Inc. Magazine's 2019 Most Influential Corporate Board Directors.

Stockholder Communications. Stockholders may send communications to any director in writing by sending them to the director in care of the Secretary of Heartland Express at 901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317. The Secretary will forward all such written communications to the director to whom it is addressed.

Code of Ethics. The Board has adopted a code of ethics known as the "Code of Business Conduct and Ethics" that applies to all of our employees including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, controller, and persons performing similar functions. In addition, we have adopted a code of ethics known as "Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers" that applies to our senior financial officers, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and treasurer, controller, and other senior financial officers performing similar functions who have been identified by the chief executive officer. Such code constitutes a "code of ethics" within the meaning of Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K.

Environmental and Sustainability. The Board has also adopted an "Environmental and Sustainability Mission". This document portrays our commitment to the environment and sustainability through our long track record of successful business practices. Heartland's sustainability efforts are endorsed and overseen by senior management throughout the Company.

Clawback Policy. In the event of a material financial restatement, with a three year look-back, we will require, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that an employee who was subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including our Named Executive Officers), forfeit or reimburse us for the amount by which any incentive-based compensation (including cash- and equity-based incentive compensation) received by such employee exceeds the amount such employee would have been received if it had been determined on the material financial misstatement, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board, as further provided in the Clawback Policy.

Anti-Hedging and Pledging Policy. Our anti-hedging and pledging policy prohibits our directors, CEO, CFO, and all other persons subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including our other Named Executive Officers), from (i) hedging their ownership positions in our Common Stock (including, but not limited to, short-selling, options, puts and calls, as well as derivatives such as swaps, forwards, and futures), (ii) pledging our Common Stock as collateral for loans, and (iii) purchasing our Common Stock on margin. There is no hardship exception to our anti-hedging and pledging policy.

The Code of Ethics, Environmental and Sustainability Mission, Clawback Policy, and Anti-Hedging and Pledging Policy are part of the "Heartland Express Governance Structure & Policies" available on our website at www.heartlandexpress.com (and in print to any stockholder who requests them).

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

In 2020, our Compensation Committee was comprised of Dr. Benjamin J. Allen (Chairperson), James G. Pratt, Dr. Tahira K. Hira, and Brenda S. Neville. No member of the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company, or has or had any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K. During 2020, none of our executive officers served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other committee performing equivalent functions) of any entity that had one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" for a description of certain transactions between us and our directors and executive officers, or their affiliates, and "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Director Compensation Table" and "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Narrative to Director Compensation Table".

All compensation decisions affecting our executive officers are approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Committee deliberates and votes upon the compensation to be paid to each of the current Named Executive Officers. The Committee receives recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer regarding the compensation of Named Executive Officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer).

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Compensation Committee Report

Report of the Compensation Committee. In performing its duties, the Compensation Committee, as required by applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, issues a report recommending to the Board that our Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement. The Report of the Compensation Committee follows.

The Report of the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to otherwise be considered "filed" with the SEC, nor shall this report be subject to Regulation 14A or Regulation 14C (other than as indicated) or to the liabilities set forth in Section 18 of the Exchange Act. This report of the Compensation Committee also shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any prior or subsequent filing with the SEC made by us under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, notwithstanding any general statement contained in any such filings incorporating this Proxy Statement by reference, except to the extent we incorporate such report by specific reference or treat it as soliciting material.

Report of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Heartland Express, Inc. has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement with management. Based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and that the information contained in this report be incorporated by reference into the Heartland Express, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

By the Members of the Compensation Committee:
Dr. Benjamin J. Allen (Chairperson)
Brenda S. Neville (Vice Chairperson)
Dr. Tahira K. Hira
James G. Pratt

Executive Officers

The following table sets forth summary information about the current Named Executive Officers of the Company. The executive officers are elected on an annual basis by the Board. Our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers in a policy-setting role serving at December 31, 2020, are collectively our "Named Executive Officers." Each of our Named Executive Officers for the year ended December 31, 2020, is identifiable in the table below.

2020 NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
NAMEAGEPOSITION
Michael J. Gerdin51Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director
Christopher A. Strain46Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer
David P. Millis60Director and President of Millis Transfer
Jo A. Borden68Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management
Kent D. Rigdon57Vice President of Sales

Set forth below is biographical information regarding our current executive officers, other than Michael J. Gerdin and David P. Millis, whose biographical information is set forth in "Proposal 1 - Election of Directors."

Christopher A. Strain, age 46, has served as our Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer since November 2017. From May 2015 to October 2017 he served as Vice President, Controller, and Secretary. He held the position of Secretary from November 2017 to May 2020. Mr. Strain has served in our accounting and finance department since 2007.
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Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Strain was employed by Deloitte & Touche, LLP, from 1997 to 2007 as a certified public accountant. Mr. Strain is currently an inactive holder of the certified public accountant certification.

Jo A. Borden, age 68, has served as our Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management since November 2019. Ms. Borden was formerly employed by Interstate Distributor Co. and joined the Company in July 2017. Ms. Borden has 36 years of experience in the transportation industry with roles in Finance, Administration and Operations.

Kent D. Rigdon, age 57, has served as our Vice President of Sales since May 2014. Mr. Rigdon has served in the Sales department since 2002. Including experience with another company, Mr. Rigdon has 32 years of experience in the transportation industry.

Biographical information of other employees subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act is set forth below.

Todd A. Trimble, age 50, has served as our Vice President of Southern Operations since October 2019. From November 2016 to September 2019 he served as Vice President of Midwestern Operations. From October 2015 to October 2016 he served as Vice President of Operations. From 2006 to September 2015 he served as Vice President of Regional Operations. Mr. Trimble has served in our Operations department since 1993.

K. Eric Eickman, age 49, has served as our Vice President of Information Technology since November 2016. Mr. Eickman has served in various departments in the Company since 1995. Mr. Eickman is currently an inactive holder of the certified public accountant certification.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Executive Compensation Overview
We have historically been one of the most profitable, least leveraged, and best safety and service companies in our industry. Since going public in 1986, we have never had a year end operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenue) in the 90's. We have consistently leveraged cash from operations to fund our significant capital expenditures for revenue equipment, terminal locations, and other infrastructure. Further, we have assumed debt of an acquired company or borrowed funds related to an acquisition, which resulted in debt presented on our annual balance sheets only four times within the last forty years. Finally, our safety and service have allowed us to build solid, long-term relationships with our customers, which has yielded numerous customer service and safety awards. We have accomplished this while adhering to a conservative compensation philosophy compared to the general group of public truckload carriers and hiring executives that are motivated to continue these achievements. The following are highlights of our compensation practices and policies:

•conservative pay policy limiting compensation features which could incentivize undue risk;
•double-trigger change-in-control provisions in the proposed 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan;
•clawback policy;
•anti-hedging and pledging policy;
•annual say-on-pay votes by stockholders;
•a low Chief Executive Officer pay ratio (approximately 15 times that of our median employee);
•CEO compensation consists of salary only given the alignment with stockholders' interests through his significant stock ownership;
•appropriate balance of compensation to discourage short-term risk taking at the expense of long-term results; 
•conservative use of equity grants;
•no employment contracts with Named Executive Officers;
•no severance obligations to Named Executive Officers;
•no tax gross-ups on any components of compensation;
•no perquisites for executives, except our tuition award program for children of all our full-time office and shop employees; and
•no re-pricing or back-dating of stock options or similar awards.
 
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the general executive compensation policies, including making recommendations to the Board regarding salary, bonus, and incentive compensation. The Compensation Committee consists of four directors, all of whom are independent under applicable NASDAQ and SEC rules. The Compensation Committee may designate one or more of its members to perform certain of its duties on its behalf, subject to reporting or ratification by the Compensation Committee as it shall direct. The Compensation
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Committee receives recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer regarding the compensation of Named Executive Officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer).
 
Our executive compensation policies are designed to achieve our primary objectives:

•attract and retain well-qualified executives who will lead us and inspire superior     performance;
•provide incentives for achievement of foundational company goals and individual performance;
•provide incentives to align management actions with achievement of long-term stockholder return and value creation through profitable growth; and
•reward executive officers for creation of stockholder value through profitable growth and value creation with consideration of individual performance and years of contributions.

Elements of Compensation
 
The components of compensation are intended to accomplish one or more of the compensation objectives discussed above. We have traditionally relied on base salaries as the primary source of compensation because it provides our Named Executive Officers with stability, allowing them to focus on business objectives and creating stockholder value. Equity–based incentives have been utilized periodically and are discretionary. The payment of such elements is based upon the economic environment and the company operating results. We do not implement compensation elements for the Named Executive Officers and all other employees that would create incentives to take undue risks. We have traditionally hired self-motivated employees who are driven by the successes and achievements of the organization.
 
Base Salary and Benefits. Pursuant to the objectives of attracting and retaining officers with exceptional abilities and talent, annual base salaries are set to provide competitive levels of compensation and reward Named Executive Officers for the Company's performance. The Compensation Committee considers each officer's performance, current compensation, and responsibilities in setting each officer's base salary. Historically, the Compensation Committee has considered the form and level of compensation disclosed by other publicly traded truckload carriers, certain other transportation companies, and Iowa-headquartered publicly traded companies outside of the transportation industry of similar size and market capitalization. The Compensation Committee has established a defined peer group for compensation purposes, including evaluating Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer compensation. The Compensation Committee uses the peer group companies as reference points in its overall assessment of the competitiveness of our executives' salaries and total compensation based upon framework, design and total compensation within the peer group. However, the Compensation Committee does not set compensation elements to meet specific benchmarks as compared to the peer group companies. The peer group is made up of seven publicly traded truckload carriers with revenues ranging from approximately $400 million to $4.4 billion. The companies were selected for inclusion in our peer group based on their business profiles being similar to ours. We believe we compete with these and other similar companies for executive talent and stockholder investments. The companies in our peer group consist of the following:

•Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
•Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
•Marten Transport, Ltd.
•P.A.M Transportation Services, Inc.
•USA Truck, Inc.
•U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.
•Werner Enterprises, Inc.
 
Long-Term Equity-Based Incentives. A portion of potential compensation is also linked to company performance through equity-based compensation awards, historically in the form of restricted stock awards. Participants in the equity plans have historically included the Named Executive Officers and other key personnel. In July, 2011, the stockholders approved the Heartland Express, Inc. 2011 Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "2011 Stock Plan"). The 2011 Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the 2011 Stock Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to determine all provisions of awards of restricted stock, including, without limitation, the employees who will receive awards, the number of shares awarded to individual employees, the time or times when awards will be granted, restrictions and other conditions (including, for example, the lapse of time) to which the vesting of awards may be subject, other terms and conditions, and the form of agreement to be entered into by the Company and employees subject to awards of restricted stock. The Compensation Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers under the 2011 Stock Plan, with respect to compensation of participants other than the Named Executive Officers, to any one or more of its members, the Chief Executive Officer, or other senior members of management as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee has delegated to the Chief Executive Officer the authority to grant restricted
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stock awards to other key personnel excluding the Named Executive Officers. Per the terms of the awards, employees receiving awards will have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the unvested restricted shares including, but not limited to, the right to receive such cash dividends, if any, as may be declared on such shares from time to time and the right to vote such shares at any meeting of stockholders. All of the executive officers with the exception of Mr. Gerdin, our current Chief Executive Officer, were eligible for awards under the 2011 Stock Plan during 2020. Under the terms of the 2011 Stock Plan, no immediate family members of the late Russell A. Gerdin are eligible to participate in the 2011 Stock Plan.

We are asking stockholders to approve the 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan under Proposal 4. Similar to the 2011 Stock Plan, the 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan would allow the Compensation Committee to grant equity awards to our employees, except for the immediate family members of Ann S. Gerdin, the widow of the late Russell A. Gerdin. The 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan also includes double trigger change-in-control provisions.

Stock awards under the equity-based compensation plan are designed to:

•more closely align Named Executive Officer and stockholder interests;
•reward key employees for building stockholder value;
•reward long-tenured drivers and other employees for their contributions over their years of service; and
•encourage long-term investment in the Company by the Named Executive Officers.

The Compensation Committee believes that stock ownership by management is beneficial to stockholders. Through the 2011 Stock Plan, and upon adoption of the 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan, we seek to provide Named Executive Officers and other key employees with incentive to maximize long-term stockholder value. For purposes of making awards, the Compensation Committee considers the following factors individually or collectively: (1) the Company's operating performance, (2) the Named Executive Officer's team-building skills, (3) the executive officer's individual performance and responsibilities, (4) the executive officer's past performance and contributions towards our goals and objectives, (5) tenure with the Company, and (6) the executive officer's potential with the Company. The Compensation Committee believes Mr. Gerdin's significant beneficial ownership of our common stock aligns his interests with those of our other stockholders and therefore has not historically granted equity awards to Mr. Gerdin.

Tuition Plan. We maintain a tuition award program for the children of all our full-time office and shop employees, including executive officers, and excluding employees of Millis Transfer. Eligibility for benefits under the Tuition Plan requires a minimum of five years of service with the Company for partial benefits to begin and ten years of service for full vesting. Contributions to the program are based upon our performance. During 2020, we contributed $476,200 to the program, based upon our 2019 performance. Other than payments to Mr. Gerdin and Mr. Rigdon, which payments are included in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table, there were no tuition payments to our Named Executive Officers in 2020.

Retirement Plans. We had two qualified 401(k) savings plans during 2020, the Heartland Express Plan and the Millis Transfer Plan. The Heartland Express Plan covered all of the respective employees of Heartland, excluding Millis Transfer employees, including highly compensated employees on a limited basis. However, highly compensated employees covered by the Heartland Express Plan are not eligible to receive any employer profit sharing or matching contributions. Highly compensated employees are defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Our Named Executive Officers were eligible to participate in the Heartland Express Plan but were not eligible to receive, and did not receive, any employer profit sharing or matching contributions during 2020. Highly compensated employees covered by the Millis Transfer Plan were eligible to participate on an unlimited basis, including matching contributions, but were excluded from participation in the non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
Deferred Compensation Plan. We have a non-qualified deferred compensation plan ("DC Plan") for employees of Heartland Express, Inc., primarily for those with limited participation in our qualified retirement plan due to being highly compensated employees as determined by Code limitations. We offer this plan to allow employees to set aside a portion of their income for retirement on a pre-tax basis. The DC Plan is unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of ERISA. The Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in the DC Plan. We also have the ability to make contributions to the DC Plan, which are discretionary. Discretionary contributions made for Named Executive Officers are subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee. There were no discretionary Company contributions made to the DC Plan during 2020. Employees are fully vested in amounts they contribute to the plan but discretionary contributions are unvested and are subject to forfeiture until the employee reaches the age of fifty-five, at which time these contributions vest over the next ten years. Discretionary contributions fully vest in the event of death, disability, or change in control, if not otherwise fully vested. Contributions under the DC Plan are intended to attract and retain qualified executives and to reward our executives for contributions to Company performance.
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Participants may elect to defer up to 100% of their salary, and any cash bonus, if applicable, to the DC Plan. The election to defer compensation under the DC Plan is irrevocable for each plan year as of the beginning of each plan year. Participant contributions are made into a trust account for the purpose of administering and providing for payment of the deferred compensation under this plan. The investment of contributions are self-directed by participants within an established array of money market, equity funds, fixed income mutual funds or individual stocks at the participant's direction. Investment in Heartland Express, Inc. stock is prohibited under the DC Plan. We do not pay interest or other earnings on the invested contributions. Earnings are generated by the investments selected by the participants. Therefore, earnings on the respective accounts are not deemed to be above-market value. The aggregate earnings on these investments, by each Named Executive Officer who is a participant in the DC Plan, are included in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table set forth herein and are attributable to the specific investments selected by each participant. Participants may change the designation of their salary deferral percentage at such times as mutually agreed by the parties but the change is only effective at the beginning of each plan year. Participants can change their investment designation on a daily basis. Participants elect in advance of the deferral of their compensation when the funds will be distributable. The aggregate vested balances of the participants are distributable, when any of the following occur, based on the participants' individual election: six months following the participant's termination of employment; a change in control (as discussed below in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Potential Payments upon Change in Control"); the participant's death or disability; or obtaining retirement age. The DC Plan provides for distributions to be made in either a lump sum amount or installments at the election of the participant.

Compensation Paid to Our Named Executive Officers During 2020

A summary of the Compensation Committee's considerations for setting the compensation for 2020 earned by or paid to those persons who were at any time during 2020 our Named Executive Officers are set forth below. The Compensation Committee evaluates and sets the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer differently than it does the other Named Executive Officers.

Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Michael J. Gerdin serves as the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee recognized Mr. Gerdin's substantial responsibility and contribution to our operating performance, operating margin, revenue and net income growth rates, and attainment of our goals. The Compensation Committee believed that Mr. Gerdin's salary was reasonable compared to similarly situated executives within our peer group, and that as a direct and indirect holder of a significant amount of our common stock, Mr. Gerdin receives an incentive through exposure to the market value of our common stock and the receipt of any cash dividends payable in respect of the Company's common stock. Thus, our performance directly affected Mr. Gerdin, but not in the form of salary or bonuses. In May 2020, Mr. Gerdin voluntarily agreed to forgo a 2020 salary increase, which the Compensation Committee considers to be reflective of Mr. Gerdin's exemplary leadership in a period of great uncertainty. Mr. Gerdin received no additional equity compensation, while the only non-equity compensation received was through the Tuition Plan.

Compensation of The Other Named Executive Officers. The other Named Executive Officers are compensated through salary and periodically through incentive compensation and equity grants. The Compensation Committee relies on the business experience of its members, the historical compensation levels of the Named Executive Officers, and its general understanding of compensation levels within our peer group to determine the compensation levels for Named Executive Officers. The Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Compensation Committee the compensation levels and forms for the other Named Executive Officers. The form of compensation for 2020 was consistent with past years, with compensation consisting primarily of base salary, with the exception of new Named Executive Officers. Individuals whose employment with the Company began as the result of an acquisition may have unique pay features in addition to base salary not recently utilized as components of compensation to Named Executive Officers. Mr. Millis's pay consists of company 401(k) contributions and a discretionary cash bonus component established prior to the Company's acquisition of Millis Transfer. Ms. Borden receives deferred compensation payouts from a deferred compensation plan established by the parent of Interstate Distributor prior to the Company's acquisition (the "Interstate DC Plan"). These pay features represent a continuation of inherited compensation components. We pay base salaries that we believe are competitive in comparison to industry standards and the local business environment. In addition, we rely on conservative operating principles and generally do not implement compensation elements for Named Executive Officers or other employees that would create incentives to take undue risks. For each of the Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the financial and operating results during 2019, the duties and responsibilities of each executive, restricted stock awards granted since the adoption of the 2011 Stock Plan, as further detailed below, and the length of time each executive has been with the Company, as further described in Named Executive Officer's biography found in "Corporate Governance and the Board of Directors - Named Executive Officers."



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The base salaries of our Named Executive Officers during 2020 were as follows:

Name and Principal Position
Previous Annualized Salary ($) (1)
New Annualized Salary ($)Increase ($)
Michael J. Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, President, and Director (2)
780,000780,000—
Christopher A. Strain, Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary (3)(4)
260,000273,00013,000
David P. Millis, Director and President of Millis Transfer (5)
(5)130,000(5)
Jo A. Borden, Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management (5)
(5)253,500(5)
Kent D. Rigdon, Vice President of Sales (3)
260,000273,00013,000

(1)
Any differences between salary reported below and salary rates reported elsewhere in this Proxy Statement are attributable to payroll timing differences.
(2)
Voluntarily agreed to forgo a 2020 salary increase in May 2020.
(3)Increases effective in November 2020.
(4)Served as Secretary until May 2020.
(5)Mr. Millis and Ms. Borden were not Named Executive Officers until the approval of this Proxy Statement by the Board.

Except as provided by the terms of the DC Plan and award notices under the 2011 Stock Plan, whereupon employer contributions to the DC Plan and unvested stock under the 2011 Stock Plan immediately become fully vested in the event of a change of control of our Company, there are generally no employment contracts, termination of employment agreements, change in control agreements, or other arrangements with our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, that provide for payment or benefits to any executive officer at, following, or in connection with a change in control of the Company, a change in an executive officer's responsibilities, or an executive officer's termination of employment, including resignation, severance, retirement, or constructive termination. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Potential Payments upon Change in Control" for additional details. We did not make any contributions under the 401(k) Heartland Express Plan or DC Plan to our Named Executive Officers in 2020. Mr. Millis participates in the 401(k) Millis Transfer Plan and is eligible to receive matching contributions, but is excluded from participation in the DC Plan. See "Summary Compensation Table" for matching contributions.

The Role of Stockholder Say-on-Pay Vote. At our 2020 Annual Meeting, the stockholders had the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of the executive officers (a "say-on-pay" proposal) as disclosed in our proxy statement for that meeting. Stockholders approved the say-on-pay proposal by the affirmative vote of 99.7% of the votes cast on that proposal. The Compensation Committee believes this affirms stockholders' strong support of our approach to executive compensation and did not change its approach to executive compensation following this advisory stockholder vote. A say-on-pay advisory vote has been included as Proposal 3 for the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the say-on-pay proposals when making future compensation decisions for the Named Executive Officers.
During the 2017 Annual Meeting, our stockholders also had the opportunity to cast an advisory vote (a "say-on-frequency" proposal) on how often we should include a say-on-pay proposal in its proxy statements for future annual meetings. Stockholders had the choice of voting to have the say-on-pay vote every year, every two years or every three years. The Board recommended holding a say-on-pay vote every year. The frequency receiving the highest number of votes was every year and therefore, the say-on-pay vote will take place each year until the next vote on say-on-frequency, which will take place at our 2023 Annual Meeting.
Compensation Decisions with Respect to 2021. The Compensation Committee annually reviews and considers increases in the base salaries of the Named Executive Officers, as well as the possibility of granting restricted stock awards, based on performance, current compensation, and responsibilities, as described above. As of April 2, 2021, the Compensation Committee
15

had not considered any changes to the salaries of or equity grants to the Named Executive Officers for 2021. Nevertheless, the Compensation Committee may consider such changes or grants in the future.
Potential Payments upon Change in Control. As noted above, we generally do not have any employment contracts, termination of employment agreements, change in control agreements, or other arrangements with any of the Named Executive Officers. However, as discussed above, under certain circumstances in which there is a change in control of the Company, unvested stock under the 2011 Stock Plan and employer contributions to the DC Plan immediately become fully vested, notwithstanding that such shares or contributions may not have otherwise been fully vested. In addition, under the DC Plan upon a change in control, employees can change elections on the timing of distributions, which could result in immediate payment of all contributions.

Generally speaking, and qualified by the terms of the 2011 Stock Plan award notices, a "change in control" under the 2011 Stock Plan occurs if: (i) any person acquires 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s stock, unless after the transaction more than 75% of the acquirer is owned by the Company, one of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or one of its subsidiaries, or Ann S. Gerdin or certain of her relatives and affiliates (a "Permitted Holder"), (ii) the incumbent directors (including certain new directors approved by at least 75% of the existing directors) cease to constitute a majority of the Board, (iii) we consummate a reorganization, merger, or consolidation, other than one with respect to which a Permitted Holder or group of Permitted Holders owns, after such transaction, more than 75% of the resulting corporation, (iv) the Company sells or liquidates all or substantially all of the assets, other than to a subsidiary, or (v) a going private transaction is consummated, after which greater than 50% of the resulting corporation is owned by Ann S. Gerdin or certain of her relatives and affiliates. Generally speaking, and qualified by the terms of the DC Plan, a "change in control" under the DC Plan occurs if: (i) there is a change in ownership of the Employer, as defined in the DC Plan, (ii) there is an effective change in control of the Employer, or (iii) there is a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company.

The estimated value of restricted stock granted under the 2011 Stock Plan and contributions under the DC Plan that would have vested for the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2020, under the respective acceleration scenarios described above is set forth in the table below. The value for the accelerated restricted stock was calculated by multiplying the closing market price of the stock on December 31, 2020 ($18.10) by the number of shares of accelerated restricted stock. Payments upon a change in control under the DC Plan may be made in installments or a lump sum at the election of the participant.

NameValue of Accelerated Restricted Stock ($)
Value of Accelerated Contributions to Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan ($) (1)
Michael J. Gerdin—118,853
Christopher A. Strain22,625411,735
David P. Millis90,500—
Jo A. Borden36,200—
Kent D. Rigdon—410,824

(1)This column represents the aggregate vested and unvested deferred compensation account balance at December 31, 2020.

Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act"), the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a rule requiring annual disclosure of the ratio of the median employee's annual total compensation to the total annual compensation of the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO").

The CEO to median employee pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K. We identified the median employee by examining the 2020 total annual compensation for all individuals, except the CEO, who were employed by us and our consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020, the last day of our fiscal year. We did not make any assumptions, adjustments, or estimates with respect to total cash compensation, except to annualize the compensation for full-time and part-time employees that were not employed by us for all of 2020.

Mr. Gerdin, the CEO, had 2020 annual total compensation of $820,753 as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table included in this proxy statement. The median employee's annual total compensation for 2020 was $55,627. As a result, we estimate that Mr. Gerdin's 2019 annual total compensation was approximately 15 times that of our median employee.
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SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION
PAID TO THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the total compensation for the fiscal year 2020 awarded to, earned by, or paid to those persons who were our Named Executive Officers. There was no other compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers other than as detailed below.
Name and Principal PositionYear
Salary
($)(1)
Bonus
($)
Stock Awards ($)(2)
All Other Compensation ($)Total
($)
Michael J. Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, President and Director2020795,370——
25,383 (3)
820,753
2019757,591———757,591
2018705,892———705,892
Christopher A. Strain, Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer2020266,880———266,880
2019252,056—22,100—274,156
2018238,286———238,286
David P. Millis, Director and President of Millis Transfer (4)
2020130,000
51,780 (5)
221,364
5,931 (6)
409,075
Jo A. Borden, Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management (4)
2020252,625———252,625
Kent D. Rigdon, Vice President of Sales2020266,930——
9,417 (3)
276,347
2019252,106—11,050
7,423 (3)
270,579
2018237,548——
29,787 (3)
267,335

(1)
Any differences between salary reported below and salary rates reported elsewhere in this Proxy Statement are attributable to payroll timing differences.
(2)This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock grants computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board authoritative guidance on stock-based compensation, FASB ASC Topic 718. The amount reflects the accounting expense to be recognized over the vesting period of the restricted stock award, and does not necessarily correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the Named Executive Officer.
(3)Amounts reflect payments made under our Tuition Plan as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
(4)Mr. Millis and Ms. Borden were not Named Executive Officers in 2019 and 2018.
(5)
Mr. Millis's compensation includes components that were established prior to the Company acquiring Millis Transfer, with discretionary cash bonuses being a component of his compensation. Mr. Millis is the only Named Executive Officer that received a cash bonus.
(6)
Represents Company contributions to Mr. Millis under the 401(k) Millis Transfer Plan. Mr. Millis is the only Named Executive Officer that received Company 401(k) contributions.

Narrative to Summary Compensation Table

See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" for a complete description of the compensation plans pursuant to which the amounts listed under the Summary Compensation Table were paid or awarded and the criteria for such award or payment.








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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of an award made to the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The awards detailed in the table below were discretionary and were not related to any performance-based criteria that would change the amount of the award.
NameGrant Date
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock (#) (1)
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards ($) (2)
Michael J. Gerdin———
Christopher A. Strain———
David P. MillisOctober 26, 202011,700221,364
Jo A. Borden———
Kent D. Rigdon———

(1)Represents the number of shares under new awards granted during 2020. 4,200 shares immediately vested on October 26, 2020 and 2,500 shares vested on December 31, 2020. Subject to the terms and conditions of the award notice, including continued employment, the remainder of the shares underlying this grant will vest in two equal installments on June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
(2)This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock grants computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board authoritative guidance on stock-based compensation, FASB ASC Topic 718. The amount was determined based on the market closing price of the stock on the October 26, 2020 grant date, which was $18.92 per share.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth information concerning all outstanding equity grants held as of December 31, 2020 by the Named Executive Officers. All outstanding equity awards are restricted shares of the Company's Common Stock. There were no shares forfeited by Named Executive Officers during 2020. Unvested stock under the 2011 Stock Plan immediately becomes fully vested in the event of a change of control of the Company, as described in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Potential Payments upon Change in Control."

Stock Awards Outstanding
NameStock Award Grant DateNumber of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
Market Value of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (1)
Michael J. Gerdin———
Christopher A. StrainDecember 20, 2017
1,250 (2)
22,625
David P. MillisOctober 26, 2020
5,000 (3)
90,500
Jo A. BordenNovember 15, 2019
2,000 (4)
36,200
Kent D. Rigdon———

(1)Market value of unvested stock awards was based on the market closing price of our stock on December 31, 2020, the last trading day of 2020, which was $18.10 per share.
(2)Stock award that vested on January 1, 2021.
(3)Stock award that vests in two equal installments on June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(4)Stock award that vests in two equal installments on July 20, 2021 and July 20, 2022, respectively.






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Stock Vested

The following table sets forth information concerning the values realized upon vesting of restricted stock for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The stock awards were contingent upon the recipient’s continued employment through each vesting date.
Stock Awards
NameNumber of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) Value Realized on Vesting ($)
Michael J. Gerdin——
Christopher A. Strain (1)
1,25026,050
David P. Millis (2)
6,700124,714
Jo A. Borden (3)
1,00021,380
Kent D. Rigdon——

(1)Represents stock vested on January 1, 2020, upon achieving service requirements. The value realized on vesting was based on the closing price of $20.84 on January 2, 2020 the first trading date following the vesting date.
(2)Represents 4,200 shares of stock vested on October 26, 2020 and 2,500 shares of stock vested on December 31, 2020, upon achieving service requirements. The value realized on vesting was based on the closing price of $18.92 on October 26, 2020 and $18.10 on December 31, 2020, the respective vesting dates.
(3)Represents stock vested on July 20, 2020, upon achieving service requirements. The value realized on vesting was based on the closing price of $21.38 on the July 20, 2020 vesting date.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The following table provides information with respect to the DC Plan (or, in the case of Ms. Borden, the Interstate DC Plan) as discussed in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Elements of Compensation - Deferred Compensation Plan." The amounts shown include compensation earned and deferred in current and prior years, and earnings on, or distributions of, such amounts.

NameExecutive Employee Contributions in 2020
($)
Aggregate Earnings in 2020 ($) (1)
Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions
($)
Aggregate Balance at December 31, 2020 ($) (2)
Michael J. Gerdin—(33,120)—118,853
Christopher A. Strain29,34262,524—411,735
David P. Millis————
Jo A. Borden——31,76155,582
Kent D. Rigdon21,10048,402—410,824

(1)Amounts reported in this column are not reported as compensation for 2020 in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)Amounts reported in this column were not reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for previous years, except for amounts attributable to employer discretionary contributions. No such contributions were made in 2020.

Narrative to Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

A complete description of the DC Plan is included in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Elements of Compensation - Deferred Compensation Plan." Under the terms of the DC Plan, in the event of a change of control of the Company, the employer contributions to this plan immediately become fully vested as described in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Potential Payments upon Change in Control."


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Director Compensation

The following table provides information concerning the compensation of all directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. Mr. Gerdin and Mr. Millis do not receive compensation as directors that is separate from their compensation as employees of the Company.
NameFees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)Total ($)
Dr. Benjamin J. Allen62,75062,750
James G. Pratt68,25068,250
Dr. Tahira K. Hira62,75062,750
Larry J. Gordon46,75046,750
Brenda S. Neville52,00052,000
Michael J. Sullivan52,75052,750

Narrative to Director Compensation Table

All directors are paid an annual cash retainer of $40,000, paid in quarterly installments of $10,000. Directors are paid additional compensation of $1,500 and $750 based on attendance at each regular board and committee meeting, respectively. Mr. Pratt is the Audit Committee chairperson and earned an additional $12,500 in 2020 for his service in this position. Dr. Hira, the Nominating and Governance Committee chairperson and Dr. Allen, the Compensation Committee chairperson, each earned an additional $7,000 in 2020, for their service in their respective chair positions. There were no changes to these respective fees during 2020. All directors are also reimbursed for expenses incurred related to travel associated with board meetings.


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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS, MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS

The following table sets forth, as of March 15, 2021, the number and percentage of outstanding shares of common stock beneficially owned by each person known to beneficially own more than 5% of such stock, by each director and Named Executive Officers, and by all directors and executive officers as a group. The percent of ownership is based on 79,955,240 diluted shares of common stock outstanding as of March 15, 2021. Ann S. Gerdin and direct family members (Michael J Gerdin, Angela K. Janssen, and Julie K. Durr), the "Gerdin Family" collectively own through respective direct ownership or various trusts controlled by the Gerdin Family beneficially own 40% of outstanding shares.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
Title of ClassName and Address of Beneficial OwnerAmount and Nature of Beneficial OwnershipPercent of Class
Michael J. Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, President and Director
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317
30,830,136 (1)
38.6%
Dr. Benjamin J. Allen, Director
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 523171,595*
Brenda S. Neville, Director
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317500*
James G. Pratt, Director
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 5231713,000*
Dr. Tahira K. Hira, Director
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317
36,500 (2)
*
Larry J. Gordon, Director
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317303,159*
Michael J. Sullivan, Director
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317
12,102 (3)
*
David P. Millis, Director and President of Millis Transfer
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 5231724,250*
Christopher A. Strain, Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 5231714,227*
Jo A. Borden, Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 523173,648*
Kent D. Rigdon, Vice President of Sales
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 523171,477*
Angela K. Janssen
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317
26,390,949 (4)
33.0%
Julie J. Durr
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317
26,383,136 (5)
33.0%
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Common Stock4500 Main Street, 9th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64111
7,477,911 (6)
9.4%
Ann S. Gerdin
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317
16,414,508 (7)
20.5%
Ann S. Gerdin Revocable Trust
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317
16,414,508 (8)
20.5%

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2009 Gerdin Heartland Trust, UTA July 15, 2009
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 523174,245,2755.3%
BlackRock, Inc.
Common Stock55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055
8,088,711 (9)
10.1%
2007 Gerdin Heartland Trust
Common Stock901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 523175,003,8056.3%
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Common Stock100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
4,857,525 (10)
6.1%
All directors and executive officers as a group
Common Stock(13 individuals)31,257,56839.1%

*Less than one percent (1%)
(1)Includes (i) 4,500,000 shares of common stock owned by grantor retained annuity trusts established by Ann S. Gerdin, the mother of Mr. Michael Gerdin (the "GRATS"), of which Mr. Michael Gerdin is trustee, (ii) 38,424 shares owned by four trusts established for the benefit of Mr. Michael Gerdin's children, of which Mr. Michael Gerdin is trustee (the "Michael Gerdin Children’s Trusts"), (iii) 1,936,276 shares of common stock owned by Gerdin Family Investments, LP ("GFI"), of which Mr. Michael Gerdin is a co-general partner, (iv) 628,124 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Michael Gerdin, (v) 5,003,805 shares of common stock owned by the 2007 Gerdin Heartland Trust (the "2007 Trust"), of which Mr. Michael Gerdin is a co-trustee, (vi) 4,245,275 shares of common stock owned by the 2009 Gerdin Heartland Trust, UTA July 15, 2009 (the "2009 Trust"), of which Mr. Michael Gerdin is a co-trustee, and (vii) 14,478,232 shares of common stock owned by the Ann S. Gerdin Revocable Trust (the "Ann Gerdin Trust," and with the 2007 Trust and the 2009 Trust collectively, the "Heartland Trusts"), of which Mr. Michael Gerdin is a co-trustee. As the trustee of the GRATS and the Michael Gerdin Children’s Trusts, Mr. Michael Gerdin has sole voting and dispositive power of all shares owned by the GRATS and the Michael Gerdin Children’s Trusts. Mr. Michael Gerdin has no pecuniary interest in any of the shares owned by the GRATS or the Michael Gerdin Children’s Trusts, other than an indirect remainder interest in the GRATS, if any, and disclaims beneficial ownership over such shares. Mr. Michael Gerdin disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the Heartland Trusts, because as one of three co-trustees of the 2007 Trust and the 2009 Trust, and one of four co-trustees of the Ann Gerdin Trust, he does not have the power to vote or dispose of those shares without the consent of the other co-trustees. Mr. Michael Gerdin disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by GFI, because as one of the co-general partners, he does not have the power to vote or dispose of those shares without the consent of the majority of the other co-general partners.
(2)All shares of common stock are owned by a revocable trust, of which Dr. Hira is a co-trustee.
(3)All shares of common stock are owned jointly by Mr. Sullivan and his wife, except for 2,200 shares that are held in a Trust of which Mr. Sullivan's wife is trustee.
(4)Includes (i) 38,424 shares owned by four trusts established for the benefit of Ms. Janssen's children, of which Ms. Janssen is trustee (the "Janssen Children’s Trusts"), (ii) 1,936,276 shares of common stock owned by GFI, of which Ms. Janssen is a co-general partner, (iii) 681,124 shares of common stock owned directly by Ms. Janssen, (iv) 5,003,805 shares of common stock owned by the 2007 Trust, of which Ms. Janssen is a co-trustee, (v) 4,245,275 shares of common stock owned by the 2009 Trust, of which Ms. Janssen is a co-trustee, (vi) 14,478,232 shares of common stock owned by the Ann Gerdin Trust, of which Ms. Janssen is a co-trustee, and (vii) 7,813 shares owned by Ms. Janssen's husband. Ms. Janssen has sole voting power and dispositive power over shares owned by the Janssen Children’s Trusts, but has no pecuniary interest in such shares and disclaims beneficial ownership. Ms. Janssen disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the Heartland Trusts, because as one of three co-trustees of the 2007 Trust and the 2009 Trust, and one of four co-trustees of the Ann Gerdin Trust, she does not have the power to vote or dispose of those shares without the consent of the other co-trustees. Ms. Janssen disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by GFI, because as one of the co-general partners, she does not have the power to vote or dispose of those shares without the consent of the majority of the other co-general partners.
(5)Includes (i) 38,424 shares owned by four trusts established for the benefit of Ms. Durr's children, of which Ms. Durr is trustee (the "Durr Children’s Trusts"), (ii) 1,936,276 shares of common stock owned by GFI, of which Ms. Durr is a co-general partner, (iii) 681,124 shares of common stock owned directly by Ms. Durr, (iv) 5,003,805 shares of common stock owned by the 2007 Trust, of which Ms. Durr is a co-trustee, (v) 4,245,275 shares of common stock owned by the 2009 Trust, of which Ms. Durr is a co-trustee, and (vi) 14,478,232 shares of common stock owned by the Ann Gerdin Trust, of which Ms. Durr is a co-trustee. Ms. Durr has sole voting power and dispositive power over shares owned by the Durr Children’s Trusts, but has no pecuniary interest in such shares and disclaims beneficial ownership. Ms. Durr disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the Heartland Trusts, because as one of three co-trustees of the 2007 Trust and the 2009 Trust, and one of four co-trustees of the Ann Gerdin Trust, she does not have the power to vote or dispose of those shares without the consent of the other co-trustees. Ms. Durr disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by GFI, because as one of the co-general partners, she does not have the power to vote or dispose of those shares without the consent of the majority of the other co-general partners.
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(6)
American Century Investment Management, Inc. has sole voting power over 7,378,537 shares and sole dispositive power over 7,477,911 shares; American Century Companies, Inc. has sole voting power over 7,378,537 shares and sole dispositive power over 7,477,911 shares; American Century Capitol Portfolios, Inc. has sole voting power over 5,367,561 shares and sole dispositive power over 5,367,561 shares; and Stowers Institute for Medical Research has sole voting power over 7,378,537 shares and sole dispositive power over 7,477,911 shares. Information for the foregoing beneficial owners is based solely upon the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2021 jointly by American Century Companies, Inc., American Century Capitol Portfolios, Inc., American Century Investment Management, Inc., and Stowers Institute for Medical Research.
(7)Includes (i) 14,478,232 shares of common stock owned by the Ann Gerdin Trust and (ii) 1,936,276 shares of common stock owned by GFI, of which the Ann Gerdin Trust is a co-general partner. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed except to the extent of the beneficial owner’s pecuniary interest. As co-general partner of GFI, the Ann Gerdin Trust has shared voting and dispositive power over the shares owned by GFI. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed, because as one of the co-general partners, the Ann Gerdin Trust does not have the power to vote or dispose of those shares without the consent of one other co-general partner.
(8)Includes (i) 14,478,232 shares of common stock owned by the Ann Gerdin Trust and (ii) 1,936,276 shares of common stock owned by GFI, of which the Ann Gerdin Trust is a co-general partner. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed except to the extent of the beneficial owner’s pecuniary interest. As co-general partner of GFI, the Ann Gerdin Trust has shared voting and dispositive power over the shares owned by GFI. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed, because as one of the co-general partners, the Ann Gerdin Trust does not have the power to vote or dispose of those shares without the consent of one other co-general partner.
(9)BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power over 7,927,553 shares and sole dispositive power over 8,088,711 shares. Information for BlackRock, Inc. is based solely upon the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 8, 2021.
(10)
The Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole voting power over zero shares, shared voting power over 51,205 shares, sole dispositive power over 4,768,872 shares and shared dispositive power over 88,653 shares. Information for The Vanguard Group, Inc. is based solely upon the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2021.
                            
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Pursuant to our Audit Committee Charter, our Audit Committee has established procedures relating to the review, approval, or ratification of any transaction, or any proposed transaction, in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any "related person" (as that term is defined in Instruction 1 to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K) had or will have a direct or indirect material interest ("Interested Transactions"). Upon review of the material facts of all Interested Transactions, the Audit Committee will either approve or disapprove the Interested Transactions, subject to certain exceptions, by taking into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the terms are fair and the extent of the related person's interest in the transaction. No director may participate in any discussion or approval of an Interested Transaction for which he or she is a related party. If an Interested Transaction will be ongoing, the Audit Committee may establish guidelines for management to follow in its ongoing dealings with the related party and then at least annually must review and assess ongoing relationships with the related party. The following Interested Transactions were submitted to the Audit Committee for approval or ratification during 2020.

We purchased $0.2 million in parts and services during 2020 from Gordon Truck Centers, a commercial tractor dealership whose owners include board member Larry J. Gordon.

Michael J. Gerdin has served on the Board of Directors of West Bancorporation and West Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of West Bancorporation, Inc., the financial institution that holds a portion of our deposits, since 2013. We have had a banking relationship with West Bank since 2003. At December 31, 2020, we had approximately $51.1 million on deposit with West Bank including dedicated cash balances of $0.5 million which are included in non-current assets per our December 31, 2020 consolidated balance sheet. Included in the deposits at West Bank is $36.9 million of Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) deposits where West Bank acts as our agent and custodian while the cash is deposited to other FDIC-insured institutions allowing for the deposit to be fully FDIC-insured.

On July 21, 2020, Heartland Express, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with the 2009 Gerdin Heartland Trust, UTA July 15, 2009 (the “Selling Stockholder”) and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (the “Underwriter”), in connection with the offer and sale by the Selling Shareholder of 3,260,870 shares (the “Firm Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a public offer price of $20.50 per share in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”). Pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Selling Stockholder granted the Underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 489,130 shares (the “Option Shares” and, together with the Firm Shares, the “Shares”) of common stock on the same terms and conditions. The sale of the Firm Shares pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement was completed on July 24, 2020. The price per share after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $0.48 per share was $20.02 per share. The Underwriter exercised the option to purchase 489,130 shares of
23

common stock which settled on August 14, 2020. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholder. The Underwriting Agreement contains representations and warranties and covenants that are customary for transactions of this type. In addition, each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder has agreed to indemnify the other and the Underwriter against certain liabilities on customary terms. Michael J. Gerdin is one of the three beneficiaries of the 2009 Gerdin Heartland Trust. Any interest and distributions from the Trust, if any, are subject to the terms of the Trust agreement. Mr. Gerdin also serves as one of the three co-trustees over shares held by the trust. Beneficial ownership is disclaimed with respect to the trust because none of the trustees have the power to vote or dispose shares without consent of the other two trustees. Prior to the Offering, the 2009 Gerdin Trust beneficially owned 9.4% of our outstanding common stock. All costs incurred by the Company in relation to the Offering were reimbursed by the 2009 Gerdin Trust.

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Board has selected Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. The Audit Committee has also pre-approved the engagement of Grant Thornton LLP to provide federal tax return preparation, advisory and related services to the Company during 2021 and to audit our 401(k) benefit plan. Although ratification by the stockholders of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by law or by the Bylaws of the Company, (the "Bylaws"), the Audit Committee believes it is appropriate to seek stockholders' ratification of this appointment in light of the critical role played by the independent registered public accounting firm in auditing our consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. If this selection is not ratified at the Annual Meeting, the Audit Committee intends to reconsider its selection of an independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. Even if the resolution is approved, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Audit and Other Fees

The following table shows the fees for professional services provided by Grant Thornton LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, for the audit of our annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during those periods, as well as fees billed by Grant Thornton LLP for other services rendered during those periods:

20202019
Audit Fees (1)
$430,000$556,215
Audit-Related Fees (2)
12,500240,185
Tax Fees (3)
112,57795,824
All Other Fees——
Total$555,077$892,224

(1)Audit Fees represent fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal independent registered public accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, audits of internal controls over financial reporting, or services that are normally provided by such accountant in connection with statutory or regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The 2019 fees are inclusive of audit fees related to the acquisition of Millis Transfer.
(2)Audit-Related Fees consist of fees for 401(k) plan audits and due diligence services during 2019 associated with the acquisition of Millis Transfer.
(3)Tax Fees represent fees paid for professional services rendered by the applicable principal independent accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

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Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

The Audit Committee approved all audit and non-audit services that Grant Thornton LLP was engaged to perform in advance of such engagement. There were no other specific policies or procedures relating to the pre-approval of services performed by Grant Thornton LLP. No audit-related, tax, or other non-audit services were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception to the pre-approval requirement under Rule 2-01, paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C), of Regulation S-X during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Audit Committee Review

The Audit Committee has reviewed the services rendered by Grant Thornton LLP during 2020 and has determined that the services rendered were compatible with maintaining the independence of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2021.

The Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to otherwise be considered "filed" with the SEC, nor shall this report be subject to Regulation 14A or Regulation 14C (other than as indicated) or to the liabilities set forth in Section 18 of the Exchange Act. This Audit Committee Report also shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any prior or subsequent filing with the SEC made by us under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, notwithstanding any general statement contained in any such filings incorporating this Proxy Statement by reference, except to the extent we incorporate such report by specific reference or treat it as soliciting material.

Audit Committee Report for Fiscal 2020

The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee's actions are governed by a written charter, which has been adopted by the Board of Directors. All of the members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined by Rule 5605(a)(2) of NASDAQ's listing standards, and also meet the additional independence and other requirements for audit committee membership under Rule 5605(c)(2) of those standards. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The Audit Committee does not prepare financial statements or perform audits, and its members are not auditors or certifiers of our financial statements. Rather, the Company’s management has primary responsibility for our financial statements and the overall reporting process, including maintenance of our system of internal controls. In its capacity as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP is responsible for conducting an independent audit of our financial statements and our internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") and issuing reports thereon.

In performing its duties, the Audit Committee has discussed the Company's financial statements, management's assessment of internal controls over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting with management and Grant Thornton LLP and, in issuing this report, has relied upon the responses and information provided to the Audit Committee by management and Grant Thornton LLP. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Audit Committee (i) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements, management's assessment of internal controls over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting with management and Grant Thornton LLP; (ii) reviewed with Grant Thornton LLP its judgment as to the quality and appropriateness of the Company’s accounting principles and the adequacy of our financial statement disclosures, (iii) discussed with Grant Thornton LLP the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees issued by the PCAOB, (iv) received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Grant Thornton's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, (v) considered the compatibility of non-audit services with Grant Thornton LLP's independence, and (vi) discussed with Grant Thornton LLP its independence. During 2020 the Audit Committee also: (i) reviewed
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with management our major financial risk exposures and steps management had taken to monitor and control such exposure, (ii) reviewed the effectiveness of our systems for monitoring compliance with laws, regulations and our business conduct policies, (iii) reviewed in advance all transactions entered into with related parties which would require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, and (iv) reviewed and reassessed the adequacy of the Audit Committee's charter.

Based on the foregoing reviews and meetings, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, for filing with the SEC.
By the Members of the Audit Committee:
James G. Pratt (Chairperson)
Michael J. Sullivan (Vice Chairperson)
Dr. Benjamin J. Allen
Dr. Tahira K. Hira



PROPOSAL 3
 
NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act (which was added by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the related rules of the SEC), we are including in this Proxy Statement a separate resolution, subject to stockholder vote, to approve, in a non-binding vote, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. We urge stockholders to read the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" of this Proxy Statement for more information on our executive compensation policies and procedures. The Board has previously approved the 2020 compensation.

The following resolution is submitted for stockholder approval:

"RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, in an advisory, non-binding vote, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K in this Proxy Statement, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables, and narrative discussion."

Approval of this resolution requires the number of votes cast for the proposal to exceed the number of votes cast against the proposal at the Annual Meeting. In tabulating this vote, abstentions will be disregarded and have no effect on the outcome of the vote. While this say-on-pay vote is required, as provided in Section 14A of the Exchange Act, it is not binding on the Board and may not be construed as overruling any decision by the Board. However, the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the votes when considering future compensation arrangements. 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE NON-BINDING APPROVAL OF COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

PROPOSAL 4
 
APPROVAL OF THE HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC. 2021 RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD PLAN

Introduction

The Board has adopted, subject to stockholder approval, the Heartland Express, Inc. 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan will make available up to six hundred thousand (600,000) shares for the purpose of making restricted stock grants to promote the growth and profitability of the Company and to provide eligible officers, directors, employees, and contractors with an incentive to achieve corporate objectives and to provide such individuals with a proprietary interest in the
26

Company. The full text of the Plan is included as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement, and a brief description of its material terms is provided below.

Description of the Plan

Purpose of Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable certain employees, directors, and consultants of the Company to have an increased proprietary interest in the Company.

Plan Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Administrator"). In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator will have the authority to determine all provisions of awards of restricted stock ("Awards"), including, without limitation, the following: (a) the Employees, Directors, and Consultants who will receive Awards (each, a "Participant"); (b) the Awards to be made to each Participant (including the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"), to be subject to each Award); (c) the time or times when Awards will be granted; (d) the restrictions and other conditions (including, for example, the lapse of time) to which the vesting of Awards may be subject; and (e) the other terms and conditions and form of agreement to be entered into by the Company and the Participant in connection with such Award (the "Award Notice"). The Administrator may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers under the Plan to any one or more of its members, the Chief Executive Officer, or other senior members of management as the Administrator deems appropriate, and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any such person or persons; provided, that any such allocation or delegation be in writing. The Administrator may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time for any reason with or without prior notice. The decisions of the Administrator and its actions with respect to the Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon all persons having or claiming to have any right or interest in or under the Plan. Neither the Administrator nor any member of the Company’s Board of Directors will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan.

Maximum Number of Shares Available. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance under the Plan will be six hundred thousand (600,000). The Plan is separate from the 2011 Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "2011 Plan") and no shares remaining available under the 2011 Plan will be available for issuance under the Plan. The shares remaining available under the 2011 Plan will continue to be available for issuance under the 2011 Plan. Such number and kind of shares shall be appropriately adjusted in the event of any stock splits, reverse stock splits or stock dividends hereafter paid or declared with respect to such stock.

Eligibility. All employees, directors and consultants of the Company, except for immediate family members of Ann S. Gerdin, will be eligible to participate in the Plan. The Administrator will select the individuals to participate in the Plan by determining the individuals who, in the judgment of the Administrator or its designee, have contributed, are contributing or are expected to contribute to the achievement of objectives of the Company.

Grant and Agreements. Each Award will be subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Administrator. Each Award may vary in its terms among Participants, as determined by the Administrator. Upon the granting of an Award to a Participant, the Company shall prepare and deliver to such Participant an Award Notice containing the specific terms and conditions of the Award, but in no event inconsistent with the Plan.

Restrictions on Transfer. Except as may be otherwise expressly permitted by the Award Notice evidencing an Award, no right or interest of any Participant in shares subject to an Award prior to the vesting of such shares will be assignable or transferable, or subjected to any lien, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise.

Payment of Withholding Taxes. The Company is entitled to require the Participant promptly to remit, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Company for such payment, the amount necessary to satisfy the Participant's share of any and all federal, state and local withholding and employment-related tax requirements attributable to an Award to the Company before taking any action, including issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Award.

Rights of Participants. Subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations set forth in the applicable Award Notice, a Participant will have, with respect to shares of Common Stock (vested and unvested) issued to the Participant as an Award, all voting and dividend rights of a stockholder of the Company.

Plan Amendment, Modification and Termination. The Administrator may suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, and may amend the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Administrator may deem advisable in order that Awards under the Plan will conform to any change in applicable laws or regulations or in any other respect the Administrator may deem to be in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that no amendments to the Plan will be effective
27

without approval of the stockholders of the Company if stockholder approval of the amendment is then required under the Securities Act of 1933 Securities, as amended, Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or the rules of any stock exchange or stock market on which the Company's securities are listed or traded. No termination, suspension or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Award without the consent of the affected Participant.

Change in Control. Full double trigger provisions are in place that could result in vesting of awards following a change in control. Within a period of twenty-four (24) months following the consummation of a Change in Control vesting only occurs if the participant's employment or services is terminated without Cause or Good Reason.

Federal Tax Consequences of the Plan. Generally, a grant under the Plan of shares of the Company's Common Stock that are subject to vesting and transfer restrictions will not result in taxable income to the recipient for U.S. federal income tax purposes or a tax deduction to the Company at the time of the grant. Instead, the value of the shares will generally be taxable to the recipient as ordinary income in the years in which the restrictions on the shares lapse. Such value will be the fair market value of the shares on the dates the restrictions lapse. Any recipient, however, may elect pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to treat the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant as ordinary income in the year of the grant, provided the recipient makes the election within 30 days after the date of the grant. In any case, the Company would receive a deduction corresponding to the amount of compensation included in the recipient's income in the year in which that amount is so included. In accordance with applicable regulations, the Company will require the recipient to pay to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy withholding taxes in respect of such compensation income at the time the restrictions on the shares lapse or the recipient makes a Section 83(b) election. If the Company withholds shares to satisfy this withholding tax obligation, instead of cash, the recipient nonetheless will be required to include in income the fair market value of the shares withheld.

This summary of the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Plan, a copy of which is included as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement. You are urged to read the actual text of the Plan in its entirety. Unless otherwise defined in this summary, capitalized terms used in this summary have the meanings given to such terms in the Plan. In addition, the tax information is based upon current U.S. federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Moreover, because the tax consequences to any Participant may depend on his or her particular situation, each Participant should consult his or her tax adviser as to the federal, state, local, and other tax consequences of the grant of restricted stock award or the disposition of stock required as a result of an Award.

Plan Benefits

If our Stockholders approve this proposal, six hundred thousand (600,000) shares of Common Stock will be issuable to Participants as restricted stock under the Plan. The Administrator has not at this time considered or approved any awards under the Plan so the identity of future Participants and the size and terms of future Awards are not known at this time.

Required Vote

The approval of the Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC. 2021 RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD PLAN.


PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS

Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2022 Annual Meeting must be received on or before December 3, 2021, to be eligible for inclusion in the proxy materials relating to the meeting. If, however, the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting is more than thirty days before or after May 13, 2022, then the deadline for submitting any such stockholder proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials relating to the 2022 Annual Meeting shall be a reasonable time before we begin to print or mail such proxy materials. The inclusion of any such stockholder proposals in such proxy materials will be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted under the Exchange Act, including Rule 14a-8.
We must receive in writing any stockholder proposals intended to be considered at its 2022 Annual Meeting, but not included in the proxy materials relating to the meeting, by February 16, 2022. Any such proposal received after February 16, 2022 is untimely. Pursuant to Rule 14(a)-4(c)(1) under the Exchange Act, the proxy holders designated by an executed proxy in the form accompanying the 2022 proxy statement will have discretionary authority to vote on any stockholder proposal that is considered at the 2022 Annual Meeting, but not received on or prior to the deadline described above.
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Proposals must concern a matter that may be properly considered and acted upon at the annual meeting in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and our Bylaws, committee charters, and policies, and must otherwise comply with Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act and we reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these requirements. All stockholder proposals should be sent via certified mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to Joshua S. Helmich, Secretary, Heartland Express, Inc., 901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, Iowa 52317.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board does not intend to present at the Annual Meeting any matters other than those described herein and does not presently know of any matters that will be presented by other parties. If any other matters do properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their judgment. The proxy will also have the power to vote for the adjournment of the meeting from time to time.

By order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Michael J. Gerdin
Michael J. Gerdin
Chairman of the Board
North Liberty, Iowa 52317
April 2, 2021





































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APPENDIX A

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
2021 RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD PLAN


1.    Purpose. The purpose of the Heartland Express, Inc. 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "Plan") is to encourage and enable certain Employees, Directors, and Consultants of Heartland Express, Inc. (the "Company") or its Subsidiaries to have an increased proprietary interest in the Company. "Consultant" means the consultants, advisors, and independent contractors retained by the Company or its Subsidiaries. "Director" means a Non-Employee member of the Company’s Board of Directors. "Employee" means any person employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries on a full or part-time basis. "Subsidiary" means a corporation or other business entity in which the Company directly or indirectly has an ownership interest of twenty percent (20%) or more.

2.    Plan Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Administrator"). In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator will have the authority to determine all provisions of awards of restricted stock ("Awards"), including, without limitation, the following: (a) the Employees, Directors, and Consultants who will receive Awards (each, a "Participant"); (b) the Awards to be made to each Participant (including the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"), to be subject to each Award); (c) the time or times when Awards will be granted; (d) the restrictions and other conditions (including, for example, the lapse of time) to which the vesting of Awards may be subject; and (e) the other terms and conditions and form of agreement to be entered into by the Company and the Participant in connection with such Award (the "Award Notice"). The Administrator may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers under the Plan to any one or more of its members, the Chief Executive Officer, or other senior members of management as the Administrator deems appropriate, and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any such person or persons; provided, that any such allocation or delegation be in writing. The Administrator may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time for any reason with or without prior notice. The decisions of the Administrator and its actions with respect to the Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon all persons having or claiming to have any right or interest in or under the Plan. Neither the Administrator nor any member of the Company’s Board of Directors will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan.

3.    Maximum Number of Shares Available. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance under the Plan will be six hundred thousand (600,000). The Plan is separate from the 2011 Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "2011 Plan") and no shares remaining available under the 2011 Plan will be available for issuance under the Plan. The shares remaining available under the 2011 Plan will continue to be available for issuance under the 2011 Plan. In the event that there is, with respect to the Company, a stock dividend or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, or transaction or exchange of Common Stock or other corporate exchange, or any distribution to stockholders of Common Stock or other property or securities (other than regular cash dividends), or any transaction similar to the foregoing or other transaction that results in a change to the Company’s capital structure, then the Administrator shall make substitutions and/or adjustments to the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the Plan, the number of shares to be issued pursuant to outstanding Awards, and/or any other affected terms of an Award or the Plan as the Administrator, in its sole discretion and without liability to any person, deems equitable or appropriate.

4.    Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in the Plan will be those Employees, Directors, and Consultants who, in the judgment of the Administrator or its designee, have contributed, are contributing or are expected to contribute to the achievement of objectives of the Company; provided, that no immediate family member of Ann S. Gerdin shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

5.    Grant and Agreements. Each Award will be subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Administrator. Each Award may vary in its terms among Participants, as determined by the Administrator. Upon the granting of an Award to a Participant, the Administrator shall prepare and deliver to such Participant an Award Notice containing the specific terms and conditions of the Award, but in no event inconsistent with the Plan.

6.    Restrictions on Transfer. Except as may be otherwise expressly permitted by the Award Notice evidencing an Award, no right or interest of any Participant in shares subject to an Award prior to the vesting of such shares will be assignable or transferable, or subjected to any lien, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise.

7.    Evidence of Award. Any Award granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator deems appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or
30

certificates, with such restrictive legends and/or stop transfer instructions as the Administrator deems appropriate. Upon the Participant's execution of the Award Notice, the Administrator shall transfer, or instruct the Company's transfer agent to transfer, to the Participant the shares awarded thereby through book-entry registration. Thereafter, the Participant shall be entitled to the rights but shall be subject to the forfeiture and transfer restrictions specified in the Award Notice.

8.    Payment of Withholding Taxes. The Company is entitled to require the Participant promptly to remit, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Company or a Subsidiary for such payment, the amount necessary to satisfy the Participant’s share of any and all federal, state, and local withholding and employment-related tax requirements attributable to an Award to the Company before taking any action, including issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Award.

9.    No Right to Continued Employment or Grants. Participation in the Plan shall not give any Participant the right to remain in the employ or other service of the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company and its Subsidiaries reserve the right to terminate the employment or other service of a Participant at any time. Further, the adoption of the Plan shall not be deemed to give any Employee, Director, or Consultant any right to be selected as a Participant or to be granted an Award. In addition, no Participant shall have at any time the right to receive any additional Awards.

10.    Plan Amendment, Modification, and Termination. The Administrator may suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, and may amend the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Administrator may deem advisable in order that Awards under the Plan will conform to any change in applicable laws or regulations or in any other respect the Administrator may deem to be in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that no amendments to the Plan will be effective without approval of the stockholders of the Company if stockholder approval of the amendment is then required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or the rules of any stock exchange or stock market on which the Company’s securities are listed or traded. No termination, suspension, or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Award without the consent of the affected Participant.

11.    Other Provisions. In all other respects, the provisions of the relevant Award Notice shall control disposition of the shares awarded.

12.    Nonassignability. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Notice, no Awards or any other payment under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to alienation, anticipation, sale, transfer (except by will or the laws of descent and distribution), assignment, or pledge, nor shall any Award be payable to or exercisable by anyone other than the Participant to whom it was granted.

13.    Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, except as superseded by applicable federal law, without giving effect to its conflicts of law provisions.

14.    No Right, Title, or Interest in Company Assets. No Participant shall have any rights as a stockholder as a result of participation in the Plan until the date of issuance of stock in his or her name and such rights are granted to the Participant under the Plan. To the extent any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under the Plan, such rights shall be no greater than the rights of an unsecured creditor of the Company and the Participant shall not have any rights in or against any specific assets of the Company. All of the Awards granted under the Plan shall be unfunded.

15.    Change in Control. Subject to the terms and conditions provided in an Award Notice and other provisions of the Plan, the following provisions shall apply in the event of a Change in Control:

(a)    To the extent the successor company (or a subsidiary or parent thereof) assumes the Award, with appropriate adjustments pursuant to Section 3 to preserve the value of the Award, or provides a substitute for the Award on substantially the same terms and conditions, existing vesting terms will continue to apply;

(b)    To the extent (x) the successor company (or a subsidiary or parent thereof) does not assume or provide a substitute for an Award on substantially the same terms and conditions or (y) the successor company (or a subsidiary or parent thereof) assumes the Award and the Participant’s employment or service is terminated without Cause or with Good Reason within twenty-four (24) months following the consummation of a Change in Control, any restrictions on Awards shall lapse and any unvested portion of such Award shall immediately vest in full.

As used herein, “Cause” for termination by the Company of any Participant's employment or service shall mean: (i) failure by Participant to perform the essential functions of Participant’s position with the Company, other than any failure resulting from Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental disability, it being understood that a reasonable, good faith attempt to perform but failure to do so will not be deemed a failure to perform essential functions; (ii) failure to comply with any lawful directive by the Company’s Board of Directors, it being understood that a reasonable, good faith attempt to comply with such directive
31

but failure to do so will not be deemed a failure to comply for purposes of this definition of "Cause"; (iii) a material violation by Participant of the corporate governance guidelines, code of ethics, insider trading policy, governance policy, or other policy of the Company; (iv) a breach of any fiduciary duty to the Company; (v) misconduct in the course and scope of employment by Participant that in any material respect is injurious to the financial condition or reputation of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (vi) any attempt to willfully obtain any personal profit from any transaction which is adverse to the interests of the Company or in which the Company has an interest or any act of fraud or embezzlement against the Company or any of its respective customers or suppliers; (vii) a breach by Participant of any of the covenants contained in any employment, severance or other agreement applicable to the Participant, if any; (viii) the repeated use of alcohol or abuse of prescription drugs by Participant that interferes with Participant’s duties, the use of illegal drugs by Participant, or a violation by Participant of the drug and/or alcohol policies of the Company; (ix) violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation, including without limitation the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or other federal or state securities law, rule, or regulation, in each case, that in any material respect is injurious to the financial condition or reputation of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; or (x) the conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. For purposes of this definition following a Change in Control, the determination of "Cause" made by the Company’s Board of Directors must be made in good faith and will be binding on Participant.

As used herein, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred when:

(i)    Any “person” as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, and as used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (but excluding the Company and any Subsidiary and any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary (including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee)), directly or indirectly, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities (other than indirectly as a result of the Company’s redemption of its securities); provided, however, that in no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred under this Section so long as (x) the combined voting power of shares beneficially owned by (A) the Company’s executive officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) then in office (the “Executive Officer Shares”), (B) members of the Ann Gerdin or Michael Gerdin family or their lineal descendants (the “Founder Shares”), and (C) the shares beneficially owned by any other members of a “group” that includes the Founder Shares and/or a majority of the Executive Officer Shares, exceeds 75% of the combined voting power of the Company’s current outstanding securities and remains the person or group with beneficial ownership of the largest percentage of combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities and (y) the Company remains subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act; or

(ii)    The consummation of a merger or other business combination of the Company, a sale of 51% or more of the Company’s assets, liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a combination of the foregoing transactions (each, a “Transaction”) other than a Transaction immediately following which either (x) the stockholders of the Company and any trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company immediately prior to the Transaction own at least 51% of the voting power, directly or indirectly, of (A) the surviving corporation in any such merger or other business combination; (B) the purchaser of or successor to the Company’s assets; (C) both the surviving corporation and the purchaser in the event of any combination of Transactions; or (D) the parent company owning 100% of such surviving corporation, purchaser or both the surviving corporation and the purchaser, as the case may be ((A), (B), (C) or (D), as applicable, the “Surviving Entity”) or (y) the Incumbent Directors, as defined below, shall continue to serve as a majority of the board of directors of the Surviving Entity without an agreement or understanding that such Incumbent Directors will later surrender such majority; or

(iii)    Within any 365 day period, the persons who were directors immediately before the beginning of such period (the “Incumbent Directors”) shall cease (for any reason other than death) to constitute at least a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors or the board of directors to any successor to the Company. For this purpose, any director who was not a director at the beginning of such period will be deemed to be an Incumbent Director if such director was elected to the Company’s Board of Directors by, or on the recommendation of, or with the approval of, at least two-thirds of the directors who then qualified as Incumbent Directors (so long as such director was not nominated by a person who commenced or threatened to commence an election contest or proxy solicitation by or on behalf of a person (other than the Company’s Board of Directors) or who has entered into an agreement to effect a Change in Control or expressed an intention to cause such a Change in Control).

As used herein, “Good Reason" means the occurrence of any of the following, without Participant’s express written consent, resulting in the termination of Participant’s employment or service with the Company:

(i)    The material diminution in the overall scope of Participant’s duties, authorities and/or responsibilities from those held by Participant immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control, it being understood that the fact that the
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Company may be a subsidiary of a different public company or becomes a private company, and any diminution of duties in respect of no longer having public company related duties will not be considered a diminution; or

(ii)    Written requirement for geographic relocation of the Participant’s assigned principal business location to a location greater than fifty (50) miles from the place of the Participant’s principal business location immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control; or

(iii)    Diminution by ten percent (10%) or more of Participant’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control.
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