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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

Definitive Proxy Statement

☐ Definitive Additional Materials

☐ Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

☒ No fee required.

☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

☐ Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

to be held on August 3, 2023

Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Destination XL Group, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the corporate offices of the Company, 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021 at 11:30 A.M., local time, on Thursday, August 3, 2023 for the following purposes:

1.
To elect seven directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified.
2.
To approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of holding advisory votes on named executive officer compensation.
3.
To approve, on an advisory basis, named executive officer compensation.
4.
To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending February 3, 2024.
5.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

These proposals are more fully described in the Proxy Statement following this Notice.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote (i) FOR the election of all seven nominees to serve as directors of the Company, (ii) FOR the “one year” option with respect to the advisory vote on the preferred frequency of holding advisory votes on named executive officer compensation, (iii) FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of named executive officer compensation, and (iv) FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending February 3, 2024.

Along with the attached Proxy Statement, we are sending you a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 12, 2023 as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A list of the stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 12, 2023 will be available for inspection by any of our stockholders for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting during normal business hours at our principal executive offices, 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, beginning on July 24, 2023 and at the Annual Meeting.

Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please mark, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy to ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

/s/ ROBERT S. MOLLOY

ROBERT S. MOLLOY

Secretary

Canton, Massachusetts

June 30, 2023

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on August 3, 2023: The Proxy Statement and 2023 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at:

https://investor.dxl.com/financial-information/annual-reports

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

Information About the Annual Meeting and Voting

 

1

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

 

3

Corporate Governance

 

6

Director Compensation

 

11

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

12

Compensation Committee Report

 

23

Summary Compensation Table

 

24

Pay Versus Performance

 

27

2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

34

2022 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

35

2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

36

Proposal 2: Advisory Vote as to the Frequency of the Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation

 

38

Proposal 3: Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation

 

39

Proposal 4: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

40

Report of the Audit Committee

 

41

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

 

42

Security Ownership of Management

 

43

Where You Can Find More Information

 

44

Solicitation

 

44

Delivery of Documents to Stockholders Sharing an Address

 

44

Stockholder Proposals

 

44

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

 

45

Other Matters

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

555 Turnpike Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

(781) 828-9300

Proxy Statement

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

August 3, 2023

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

Purpose and Distribution of Proxy Materials

This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being mailed to our stockholders on or about June 30, 2023, in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Destination XL Group, Inc. (the “Company”) of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held at the Company’s corporate headquarters located at 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021 at 11:30 A.M., local time, on Thursday, August 3, 2023 and at any and all adjournments thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). This Proxy Statement describes the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting and contains other required information.

Stockholders Entitled to Vote

Only holders of record of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at the close of business on June 12, 2023, the record date for the Annual Meeting, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. On that date, there were 62,101,398 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Each share is entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting.

How to Vote

Stockholders of record may vote by mail or in person at the meeting. If you choose to vote by mail, please complete and mail the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank, you must follow the voting procedures of your broker or bank.

Voting Instructions

When a proxy is returned properly executed, the shares represented will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions.

Stockholders are encouraged to vote on the matters to be considered. If no instructions have been specified by a stockholder, however, the shares covered by an executed proxy will be voted (i) FOR the election of all seven nominees to serve as directors of the Company, (ii) FOR the “one year” option with respect to the advisory vote on the preferred frequency of holding advisory votes on named executive officer compensation, (iii) FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of named executive officer compensation, (iv) FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, for the fiscal year ending February 3, 2024 and (v) in the discretion of the proxies named in the proxy card with respect to any other matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting. We are not aware of any other matter that may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting.

If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank, you must follow the voting procedures of your broker or bank. If you do not give voting instructions to your broker or bank, your broker or bank does not have discretion to vote your shares on the proposals in this Proxy Statement, except for Proposal 4 to ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm, which is considered a “routine” proposal. A broker “non-vote” occurs when the broker or bank who is the record holder of the shares does not vote on a particular proposal, either because it does not have discretionary voting power to vote the shares or has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

As a result, if you are not the record holder of your shares, it is critical that you provide instructions to your broker or bank if you want your vote to count.

 

1


 

Revoking Your Proxy or Changing Your Vote

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it has been exercised as follows:

by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person; or
by filing with the Secretary of the Company, c/o the Company at 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, either an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date.

If you are not a record holder and your shares are held by your broker or bank, you must contact your broker or bank to change your vote or obtain a legal proxy to vote your shares if you wish to cast your vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

Quorum Requirements

In order to carry on the business of the Annual Meeting, we must have a quorum. This means at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock eligible to vote must be represented at the Annual Meeting, either by proxy or in person. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present or represented at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum.

Approval of a Proposal

A majority of the votes properly cast “FOR” a matter is required for all proposals. In addition, as described in more detail in Proposal 2 and Proposal 3 below, Proposal 2 and Proposal 3 are advisory votes and are non-binding.

Votes cast means the votes actually cast “FOR” or “AGAINST” a particular proposal, whether in person or by proxy. With respect to all matters presented at the Annual Meeting, abstentions and non-votes will not be deemed to be votes “cast” with respect to such matters and will not count as votes “FOR” or “AGAINST” such matter. Votes will be tabulated by our transfer agent subject to the supervision of the person designated by the Board as an inspector.

 

 

 

2


 

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our Board, in accordance with our Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “By-Laws”), has set the number of members at seven directors.

At the Annual Meeting, seven nominees will be elected to serve on the Board until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified. Accordingly, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has recommended, and our Board has nominated, Harvey S. Kanter, Carmen R. Bauza, Jack Boyle, Lionel F. Conacher, Willem Mesdag, Ivy Ross and Elaine K. Rubin as nominees, all of whom currently serve as members of our Board.

Unless a proxy shall specify that it is not to be voted for a nominee, it is intended that the shares represented by each duly executed and returned proxy will be voted in favor of the election as directors of Harvey S. Kanter, Carmen R. Bauza, Jack Boyle, Lionel F. Conacher, Willem Mesdag, Ivy Ross and Elaine K. Rubin. Although management expects all nominees to serve if elected, proxies will be voted for a substitute if a nominee is unable to accept nomination or election. Cumulative voting is not permitted.

Vote Needed for Approval

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock properly cast at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, is required for the election of each of the nominees.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR”

the election of the seven individuals named above as directors of our Company.

The following table sets forth the names, ages as of June 30, 2023, and certain other information for each of our current directors, all terms expiring at the Annual Meeting.

Name

 

Age

 

Director
Since

 

Audit

 

Compensation

 

Nominating and
Corporate
Governance

 

Cybersecurity
 and
Data Privacy

Lionel F. Conacher, Chairman of the Board and Director

 

61

 

2018

 

C

 

X

 

 

 

 

Harvey S. Kanter, President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

61

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carmen R. Bauza, Director

 

61

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

X

Jack Boyle, Director

 

55

 

2017

 

 

 

X

 

C

 

 

Willem Mesdag, Director

 

69

 

2014

 

X

 

C

 

 

 

 

Ivy Ross, Director

 

67

 

2013

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

C

Elaine K. Rubin, Director

 

60

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

X

C= current member and committee chairperson

X= current member of the committee

 

Board Nominees

Set forth below is certain information regarding our current board members being nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting, and includes information furnished by them as to their principal occupations and business experience for the past five years and certain directorships held by each director within the past five years:

Lionel F. Conacher has been a director since June 2018 and became Chairman of the Board on August 12, 2020. Since September 2021, Mr. Conacher has served as a member of the board of directors for Better Choice Company Inc., a publicly-traded company. He also served as a member of the audit committee from November 2021 until September 2022. From September 2022 until May 2023, he served as its interim chief executive officer. Mr. Conacher was a managing partner of Next Ventures, GP from August 2018 until February 2021. From January 2011 to June 2018, Mr. Conacher was a senior advisor for Altamont Capital Partners LLC (“ACP”), a private equity firm. Prior to joining ACP, from April 2008 until July 2010, Mr. Conacher was the president and chief operating officer of Thomas Weisel Partners, an investment bank. Additionally, Mr. Conacher served as the chairman of Wunderlich Securities, an investee company of ACP, from December 2013 until July 2017. Mr. Conacher previously served as a member of the board of directors for AmpHP Inc., a venture-backed human performance company. He formerly served as a member of the board of directors of Mervin Manufacturing, a leading designer and manufacturer of snow boards and other board sports equipment, and PowerDot, Inc., a consumer electronics company that markets a muscle recovery and performance tool. Mr. Conacher brings extensive financial and operational experience to the Board.

3


 

Harvey S. Kanter is the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company. Mr. Kanter joined the Company in February 2019 in a transition role as Advisor to the Acting CEO and assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company in April 2019. Mr. Kanter currently serves as a non-executive co-chair of Seattle University Center for Leadership Formation, Albers School of Business and Economics. Mr. Kanter served as a director and a member of the compensation committee of Potbelly Corporation, a publicly-traded company, from August 2015 until May 2019. Mr. Kanter has over 30 years of business experience, with an extensive background in the retail industry having served from March 2012 until June 2017 as the president and chief executive officer of Blue Nile, Inc., a leading online retailer of high-quality diamonds and fine jewelry and formerly a publicly-traded company. From March 2012 until February 2020, Mr. Kanter also served as a member of the board of directors of Blue Nile, Inc. and, from January 2014 until February 2020 as its chairman. From January 2009 to March 2012, Mr. Kanter was the chief executive officer and president of Moosejaw Mountaineering and Backcountry Travel, Inc., a leading multi-channel retailer of premium outdoor apparel and gear. From April 2003 to June 2008, Mr. Kanter served in various executive positions at Michaels Stores, Inc. He was a former brand ambassador for the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Institute, and previously served as an advisory member to the Seattle University Executive MBA Program. Mr. Kanter brings an extensive knowledge of integrated-commerce retailing, with strong strategic and operational expertise.

Carmen R. Bauza was appointed a director of the Company in December 2021. In March 2023, Ms. Bauza joined the board of directors of OneWater Marine Inc., a publicly-traded company, and serves as a member of its audit and compensation committees. Since May 2022, Ms. Bauza has also served on the board of directors of Zumiez, Inc., a publicly-traded company, and serves as a member of its audit and governance and nominating committees. Ms. Bauza serves as a member of the board of managers of Claire’s Holdings LLC. which she joined in October 2018. Most recently, Ms. Bauza was the chief merchandising officer at Fanatics, Inc. from January 2019 until April 2021. Prior to that, she was the chief merchandising officer at HSN from November 2016 until December 2017 and the senior vice president, general merchandise manager consumables, health and wellness at Walmart from June 2007 to October 2016. She previously held roles at Bath & Body Works, Five Below and The Walt Disney Company. Ms. Bauza currently serves as a member of the board of trustees at Seton Hill University and as a member of the advisory board of RoundTable Healthcare Partners Council. Ms. Bauza brings extensive retail and merchandising experience to the Board.

Jack Boyle has been a director since August 2017. Since February 2019, Mr. Boyle has been the global co-president of direct to consumer/omni-channel for Fanatics, Inc., a market leader for officially licensed sports merchandise. Mr. Boyle originally joined Fanatics as president of merchandising in June 2012, and from December 2017 to February 2019, served as co-president of North America direct to consumer/omni-channel. From February 2005 to June 2012, Mr. Boyle was the executive vice president, general merchandising manager of women’s apparel, intimate, cosmetics and accessories for Kohl’s Corporation. From October 2003 to February 2005, he served as senior vice president, divisional merchandise manager of women’s apparel for Kohl’s Corporation, vice president of junior sportswear from July 2000 to October 2003 and vice president of planning/allocation for women's apparel from December 1999 to July 2000. From June 1990 to December 1999, Mr. Boyle held various merchandise positions, including divisional merchandise manager of women’s at May Company. Mr. Boyle brings to the Board extensive experience in merchandising, brand management and omni-channel leadership.

Willem Mesdag has been a director since January 2014. Since January 2005, Mr. Mesdag has been the managing partner of Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, an investment management firm. Since January 2021, Mr. Mesdag has been a consultant for HPS Investment Partners, a global investment firm. Prior to founding Red Mountain in 2005, Mr. Mesdag was a partner and managing director of Goldman Sachs & Co., which he joined in 1981. Prior to Goldman Sachs, he was a securities lawyer at Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, which he joined in 1978. He also serves on the board of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., a publicly-traded company. He previously served on the boards of 3i Group plc, Cost Plus, Inc., Encore Capital Group, Inc., Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. and Yuma Energy, Inc., all of which are or were publicly-traded companies. Having had an extensive career in international investment banking and finance and having served on domestic and international public-company boards, Mr. Mesdag brings to the Board significant knowledge and experience related to business and financial issues, corporate governance and brings an investor's perspective to the Board.

Ivy Ross has been a director since January 2013. In May 2014, Ms. Ross joined Google as head of glass and is currently a vice president of hardware design at Google. From July 2011 until April 2014, Ms. Ross was the chief marketing officer of Art.com from where she oversaw the company's marketing, branding, merchandising and user-experience functions. Prior to Art.com, from June 2008 to June 2011, Ms. Ross was EVP of marketing for the Gap brand, and also acted as the creative catalyst for all brands within Gap, Inc. Ms. Ross also has held senior creative and product design positions at Disney Stores North America, Mattel, Calvin Klein, Coach, Liz Claiborne, Swatch Watch and Avon. She also has served on Proctor and Gamble’s design board since its inception. With her industry insight and marketing expertise, Ms. Ross provides a valuable perspective to the Board as we continue to build our DXL brand.

Elaine K. Rubin has been a director since April 2021. Since January 2010, Ms. Rubin has been the founder and president of Digital Prophets Network, LLC, a consulting, advisory and placement firm with a network of digital commerce experts that supports the

4


 

growth of retail and direct-to-consumer businesses. Since October 2013, she has also served as an advisor to Hint, Inc., which produces fruit-infused water. Prior to that, Ms. Rubin previously held leadership positions at 1800flowers.com, iVillage.com and amazon.com. She previously served on the boards of Smart & Final Stores, Inc. and Blue Nile, Inc., both of which were formerly publicly-traded companies. Ms. Rubin co-founded shop.org in February 1996 and served as its elected chair of the board of directors from February 1996 to October 2007 and served on the board of the National Retail Federation (NRF) from 2001 until 2010. Ms. Rubin brings extensive knowledge and experience of digital commerce business and will provide a valuable insight to the Board as we continue to grow our direct business.

All directors hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

There are no family relationships between any of our directors and executive officers.

5


 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Composition

Our Board is currently comprised of seven members and there are no vacancies.

Our Board met seven times during our fiscal year ended January 28, 2023 (“fiscal 2022”). All directors attended at least 75% of the Board meetings and meetings of the committees of the Board on which each director served. We believe that it is important for the members of the Board to attend our annual stockholder meetings. All members of the Board attended our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Board Diversity

We recognize the value of diversity at the Board level and believe that our Board currently comprises an appropriate mix of background, diversity and expertise. Although we do not have a formal separate written policy, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is required under its charter to recommend nominees that ensure sufficient diversity of backgrounds on our Board.

The Board Diversity Matrix below presents the composition of our Board by gender identity and demographic background in accordance with Rule 5606(f) of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”).

Board Diversity Matrix as of June 30, 2023

 

 

 

Female

 

Male

 

Non-Binary

 

Did Not Disclose Gender

Total number of directors: 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part I: Gender Identity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors

 

 

3

 

4

 

-

 

-

Part II: Demographic Background

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

African American or Black

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Alaskan Native or Native American

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Asian

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Hispanic or Latinx

 

 

1

 

-

 

-

 

-

Asian

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

White

 

 

2

 

4

 

-

 

-

Two or more Races or Ethnicities

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

LGBTQ+

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Did not disclose demographic background

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Corporate Governance Highlights

We comply with the corporate governance requirements imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC and Nasdaq. To assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities, we have adopted certain Corporate Governance Guidelines (the "Governance Guidelines"). Many features of our corporate governance principles are discussed in other sections of this proxy statement, but some of the highlights are:

Annual Election of Directors. Our directors are elected annually for a term of office to expire at the next Annual Meeting (subject to the election and qualification of their successors).
Board Size. The size of the Board is seven members.
Majority Vote for Uncontested Director Elections. Under our By-Laws, in an uncontested election, a majority of the votes properly cast is required for the election of our directors. In the case of a contested election, a plurality vote will be required for the election of directors. If a nominee for director does not receive the approval of a majority of the votes properly cast in an uncontested election, our By-Laws provide that the director will promptly tender to the Board his or her offer of resignation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board will then consider the resignation offer and make a recommendation to the Board whether to accept or reject the resignation.
Independent Board and Committees. The majority of our Board is comprised of independent directors. All members of our Board’s Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance committees are independent directors, and none receives compensation from us other than for service on our Board or its committees.

6


 

Independent Chairperson/Independent Lead Director. We have had an independent Non-Executive Chairman of the Board since January 24, 2019. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that, if the Chairman is not independent, the Board will appoint an independent Lead Director.
Independent Executive Sessions. Our Board holds independent executive sessions on at least a semi-annual basis, where independent directors meet.
Stock Ownership Guidelines. Our Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan requires that each director receive 60% of his or her annual retainer in shares of common stock until the value of his or her equity ownership is equal to at least three times the annual retainer. A director may not sell any Required Equity received under the plan while each director is still serving on the Board without the approval of the Board. We encourage our senior management to have meaningful ownership in our Company and through our long-term incentive program provide our senior management team an opportunity to acquire such stock ownership. However, we do not currently have any required stock ownership guidelines for members of senior management.
No Hedging of Company Securities. Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits our directors, officers and employees from engaging in various hedging activities with Company securities, including short sales and any transaction involving a publicly traded option, such as a put, call or other derivative security.
No Stockholder Rights Plan. We do not currently have a stockholder rights plan in effect and are not currently considering adopting one.
Vote Required for Merger or Business Combination. A majority vote of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is needed for the stockholders to approve a merger or business combination.
Clawback Policy. Our employment agreements with members of our senior management and our long-term incentive plans contain claw-back provisions that provide for remedies in the event we learn, after the senior executive is terminated by us other than for “justifiable cause,” that the senior executive could have been terminated for “justifiable cause.” Since August 2018, we have had an Executive Incentive Pay Clawback Policy (“Clawback Policy”) that permits the Company to recover incentive-based compensation (cash and/or equity) in certain circumstances. In addition, pursuant to Section 10D of the Exchange Act, Nasdaq is required to adopt listing rules requiring the repayment of incentive-based compensation (as defined in Section 10D of the Exchange Act). Therefore, such incentive-based compensation to our Named Executive Officers will be subject to the provisions of any compensation recovery policy adopted by the Company as required by Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any other Company policy that may be adopted regarding compensation recovery, including to comply with any applicable law and government regulation.
Directors Overboarding Policy. No director can serve on more than five public company boards. In addition, no director who is a named executive officer can serve on more than one public company board besides that of our Company.

Shareholder Engagement

Members of our Board and senior management regularly engage with our shareholders throughout the year and welcome their feedback on our practices and policies.

Independent Directors

A majority of the members of the Board are “independent” under the rules of Nasdaq. The Board has determined that the following current directors are independent: Mses. Bauza, Ross and Rubin and Messrs. Boyle, Conacher and Mesdag.

Committees of the Board

Our Board has four standing committees: the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Committee. Each committee is comprised of directors who are “independent.”

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”) has a written charter, which can be found under “Corporate Governance– Charters & Policies” on the Investor Relations page of our website at https://investor.dxl.com. The Nominating Committee was established to perform functions related to governance of our Company, including, but not limited to, planning for the succession of our CEO and such other officers as the Nominating Committee shall determine from time to time, recommending to the Board individuals to stand for election as directors, overseeing and recommending the selection and composition of committees of the Board, and developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to our Company. The Nominating Committee also has responsibility for periodically reviewing the Company’s policies, practices and

7


 

disclosures with respect to sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. The Nominating Committee has the authority to retain independent advisors, with all fees and expenses to be paid by the Company. The current members of the Nominating Committee are Mr. Boyle and Mses. Bauza and Rubin, each of whom is “independent” under the rules of Nasdaq. The Nominating Committee met four times during fiscal 2022.

The Board's current policy with regard to the consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders is that the Nominating Committee will review and consider any director candidates who have been recommended by stockholders in compliance with the procedures established from time to time by the Nominating Committee, and conduct inquiries it deems appropriate. The Nominating Committee will consider for nomination any such proposed director candidate who is deemed qualified by the Nominating Committee in light of the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership approved by the Nominating Committee from time to time.

While the Nominating Committee does not have a formal diversity policy for Board membership and identifies qualified candidates without regard to race, color, disability, gender, national origin, religion or creed, it does seek to ensure the fair representation of all stockholder interests on the Board. In that regard, in considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating Committee considers, among other factors, diversity with respect to viewpoint, skills and experience. The Board believes that the use of these general criteria, along with the minimum qualifications listed below, will result in nominees who represent a mix of backgrounds and experiences that will enhance the quality of the Board.

At a minimum, the Nominating Committee must be satisfied that each nominee, both those recommended by the Nominating Committee and those recommended by stockholders, meets the following minimum qualifications:

The nominee should have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards.
The nominee should have demonstrated business acumen, experience and ability to exercise sound judgments in matters that relate to our current and long-term objectives and should be willing and able to contribute positively to our decision-making process.
The nominee should have a commitment to understand our Company and our industry and to regularly attend and participate in meetings of the Board and its committees.
The nominee should have the interest and ability to understand the sometimes conflicting interests of the various constituencies of ours, which includes stockholders, employees, customers, governmental units, creditors and the general public, and to act in the interests of all of our stakeholders.
The nominee should not have, nor appear to have, a conflict of interest that would impair the nominee's ability to represent the interests of all of our stockholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of a director.

The current procedures to be followed by stockholders in submitting recommendations for director candidates can be found in Section 4.15 of our By-Laws.

The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying and evaluating individuals, including nominees recommended by stockholders, believed to be qualified to become Board members and recommending to the Board the persons to be nominated by the Board for election as directors at any annual or special meeting of stockholders and the persons to be elected by the Board to fill any vacancies on the Board. The Nominating Committee may solicit recommendations from any or all of the following sources: non-management directors, the CEO, other executive officers, third-party search firms or any other source it deems appropriate. The Nominating Committee will review and evaluate the qualifications of any such proposed director candidate, and conduct inquiries it deems appropriate. The Nominating Committee will evaluate all such proposed director candidates in the same manner, with no regard to the source of the initial recommendation of such proposed director candidate. Accordingly, there are no differences in the manner in which the Nominating Committee evaluates director nominees recommended by stockholders. In identifying and evaluating candidates for membership on the Board, the Nominating Committee will take into account all factors it considers appropriate, which may include strength of character, mature judgment, career specialization, relevant technical skills, diversity, and the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board.

8


 

Audit Committee

We have a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Conacher and Mesdag and Ms. Ross. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent, as independence for Audit Committee members is defined under the rules of Nasdaq. Messrs. Conacher and Mesdag each qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the rules of the SEC.

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which can be found under “Corporate Governance- Charters & Policies” on the Investor Relations page of our website at https://investor.dxl.com.

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to (i) assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities to the shareholders, potential shareholders and the investment community; (ii) oversee the audits of our financial statements and our relationship with our independent registered public accounting firm; (iii) promote and further the integrity of our financial statements and oversee the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm (including being solely responsible for appointing, determining the scope of, evaluating and, when necessary, terminating the relationship with the independent registered public accounting firm); and (iv) provide the Board and the independent registered public accounting firm, unfiltered access to each other on a regular basis. The Audit Committee has the authority to retain independent advisors, with all fees and expenses to be paid by the Company. The Audit Committee meets at least quarterly and as often as it deems necessary to perform its responsibilities. During fiscal 2022, the Audit Committee met six times.

For additional information regarding the Audit Committee, see the “Report of the Audit Committee” included elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.

Compensation Committee

The primary purpose of the Compensation Committee is to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to executive compensation. The Compensation Committee also reviews and independently approves, or makes recommendations to the full Board, all stock-based compensation awards to our executive officers under our equity incentive plans. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain independent advisors, with all fees and expenses to be paid by the Company. The Compensation Committee met nine times during fiscal 2022. The current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Mesdag, Boyle and Conacher, each of whom is “independent” under the rules of Nasdaq.

The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter, which can be found under “Corporate Governance – Charters & Policies” on the Investor Relations page of our website at https://investor.dxl.com.

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis recommended by the Compensation Committee to be included in the Proxy Statement is included in this Proxy Statement. Among other things, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes in greater detail the Compensation Committee’s role in the executive compensation process.

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Committee

The Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Committee (the “Cybersecurity Committee”) oversees the monitoring and management of cyber risk and data privacy in the Company. The Cybersecurity Committee has the authority to retain independent advisors, with all fees and expenses to be paid by the Company. The current members of the Cybersecurity Committee are Mses. Bauza, Ross and Rubin. The Cybersecurity Committee met four times during fiscal 2022.

The Cybersecurity Committee operates under a written charter, which can be found under “Corporate Governance –Charters & Policies” on the Investor Relations page of our website at https://investor.dxl.com.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board believes that the Company and its stockholders are best served by maintaining flexibility to have any director serve as Chairperson of the Board. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, if the Chairperson is not independent, the Board appoints an independent Lead Director.

Our Board delegates substantial responsibility to its committees, including as described below. We believe that the independent committees of our Board and their chairpersons are an important aspect of the leadership structure of our Board.

9


 

Risk Oversight

Our Board, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of enterprise risk management. With the oversight of our full Board, our executive officers are responsible for the day-to-day management of the material risks we face. The involvement of the full Board in setting our business strategy is a key part of its oversight of risk management and in determining what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for us. The full Board receives updates from our executive officers and outside advisors regarding certain risks our Company faces, including various operating risks and corporate governance best practices. At least annually, our senior management team meets to review our identified risks and compensating controls as well as any potential new risks and, when appropriate, presents to the full Board.

In addition, our Board committees each oversee certain aspects of risk management. Our Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks associated with the Company’s financial reporting, accounting and auditing matters; our Compensation Committee oversees risks associated with our human capital and compensation policies and programs; our Cybersecurity Committee oversees the management of risks associated with cyber risk and data privacy issues; and our Nominating Committee oversees the management of risks associated with director independence, conflicts of interest, composition and organization of our Board, and director succession planning. Our Board committees report their findings to the full Board.

Sustainability

Our Company recognizes the importance of addressing and prioritizing environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues throughout our business. In fiscal 2021, we engaged with a third-party firm to assist us in the development of the Company's initial ESG strategy and initiatives. Our Sustainability Committee, consisting of a cross-disciplinary team from corporate management, reports to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and, when appropriate, presents to our full Board. Our senior management team is working with our Sustainability Committee to develop short- and long-term ESG goals and related action plan. Information regarding our current efforts, and our ongoing ESG initiatives can be found on our corporate website at https://investor.dxl.com. The information included in, referenced to, or otherwise accessible through our website, is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be part of, this document or any document unless expressly incorporated by reference therein.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that set forth our governance principles relating to, among other things, director independence, director qualifications and responsibilities, board structure and meetings, and management succession.

A copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found under “Corporate Governance – Charters & Policies” on the Investor Relations page of our corporate website, which is at https://investor.dxl.com.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics for Directors, Officers and Financial Professionals (the “Code of Ethics”). The full text of the Code of Ethics can be found under “Corporate Governance – Charters & Policies” on the Investor Relations page of our corporate web site, which is at https://investor.dxl.com. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our Code of Ethics by posting such information on our website. We also have a Code of Ethics for all of our associates. Annually, our directors and associates, including our officers, certify that they have read and are in compliance with our Code of Ethics.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of the Compensation Committee who served on the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2022 was at any time during fiscal 2022 or at any other time an officer or employee of our Company. During fiscal 2022, none of our executive officers served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that had one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee.

 

10


 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to our Board with respect to the compensation paid to our non-employee directors.

The Company's Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, as amended to date, sets forth the compensation to be paid to our non-employee directors, including in the form of equity. The plan has a minimum equity ownership requirement that requires each director to receive at least 60% of their annual retainers in shares of common stock until the value of their equity ownership is equal to at least three times the annual retainer. Any shares issued to satisfy the minimum equity ownership requirement are issued under the Company’s 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (the “2016 Plan”). The plan also permits the Company’s non-employee directors to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock at fair market value by voluntarily electing to receive shares of common stock in lieu of cash fees for service as a director. The plan is a stand-alone plan and is not a sub-plan under our 2016 Plan. Accordingly, shares issued under the plan for voluntary elections to receive shares of common stock in lieu of cash fees do not reduce the shares available for issuance under the 2016 Plan. The maximum number of shares that can be issued in any quarter pursuant to the plan is limited to 250,000 shares in the aggregate, with the shortfall paid in cash.

We believe that our Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan will support our ongoing efforts to attract and retain exceptional directors to provide strategic guidance to our Company. We believe that the total compensation that our non-employee directors receive is in line with our current peer group. Our non-employee directors were compensated under the plan as follows in fiscal 2022:

each independent director received a quarterly retainer of $33,750;
the Chairman of the Board or Lead Director, as applicable, received a quarterly retainer of $10,000;
the Chairperson of the Audit Committee received a quarterly retainer of $5,000; and
the Chairperson of each other Board committee received a quarterly retainer of $2,500.

Director Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to our directors during fiscal 2022. Mr. Kanter is not included in the following table as he is a Named Executive Officer and, accordingly, received no compensation for his services as a director. Compensation earned by Mr. Kanter is included below in the “Summary Compensation Table.

2022 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name

 

Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
 ($)(1)

 

 

Stock
Awards
($)(2)

 

 

Option
Awards
($)(3)

 

 

All Other
Compensation
($)

 

 

Total
($)

 

Lionel F. Conacher, Chairman

 

$

195,000

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

195,000

 

Carmen R. Bauza

 

 

54,000

 

 

 

80,990

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

134,990

 

Jack Boyle

 

 

72,500

 

 

 

72,490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

144,990

 

Willem Mesdag

 

 

 

 

 

144,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

144,987

 

Ivy Ross

 

 

77,500

 

 

 

67,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

144,995

 

Elaine K. Rubin

 

 

 

 

 

134,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

134,982

 

 

(1)
For fiscal 2022, Mr. Mesdag and Ms. Rubin elected to receive all compensation in unrestricted shares of common stock. Mr. Conacher elected to receive 100% of his compensation in cash. Mr. Boyle elected to receive 50% of his compensation in unrestricted shares of common stock and 50% in cash. Ms. Ross elected to receive 50% of her retainer in cash and 50% in unrestricted shares of common stock, with any chairperson fees in cash. Until Ms. Bauza reaches the required minimum ownership threshold, she was required to elect 60% of her retainer in unrestricted shares of common stock and she elected the balance in cash. The number of shares issued as payment for an earned director fee is determined by taking the director fee earned and dividing by the consolidated closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Payments are made at the beginning of each quarter, with the grant date being the first business day of each respective quarter.
(2)
Represents the portion of each director’s compensation that was paid in the form of equity through the issuance of unrestricted shares of common stock. The fractional share value is forfeited.
(3)
There were no stock option grants to any of the directors in fiscal 2022. The following directors had the respective number of stock options outstanding at January 28, 2023: Mr. Boyle: 15,000; Mr. Conacher: 15,000; and Mr. Mesdag: 15,000.

 

 

11


 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides a summary of our executive compensation philosophy and programs, and discusses the compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and certain of our other executive officers who served in fiscal 2022 (collectively, our “Named Executive Officers”).

Our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2022 were:

 

Harvey S. Kanter, President, CEO and Director
Peter H. Stratton, Jr., Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer
Anthony J. Gaeta, Chief Stores and Real Estate Officer
Robert S. Molloy, General Counsel and Secretary
Allison Surette, Chief Merchandising Officer

Fiscal 2022 Financial and Executive Compensation Highlights

Fiscal 2022 marked another year of record-breaking sales, resulting in eight consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales growth and the second year of double-digit adjusted EBITDA margins. Total comparable sales growth was 10.9%, as compared to fiscal 2021. We reported net income of $89.1 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $56.7 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, in fiscal 2021. Net income for fiscal 2022 included the release of substantially all of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets expected to be realized in future periods, which resulted in a non-recurring tax benefit of $31.6 million, or $0.47 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $73.8 million, as compared to $76.9 million for fiscal 2021. The slight decrease in adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2021 was due to deliberate investments in our business, specifically in marketing, as well as attracting and retaining talent, to drive the transformation of digital and our brand repositioning to support sales growth.

Our fiscal 2022 results exceeded our plan. When setting our plan for 2022, there was continuing uncertainty with respect to inflation, labor shortages, COVID-19 impacts, supply chain issues and geopolitical instability from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, through much of fiscal 2022 our sales outperformed both our plan and fiscal 2021 results, with increases in both our stores as well as our direct business. We believe that our brand repositioning resonated with our customer and enabled us to grow sales while maintaining strong margins, but believe we also benefited from some level of pent-up consumer demand and the fiscal stimulus policy in fiscal 2021. The compensation earned by our Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2022 was directly tied to our fiscal 2022 financial results.

The following table shows total compensation earned and total realized pay for each of the Named Executive Officers (NEOs) in fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2021:

 

 

 

Total Compensation(1)

 

 

Total Realized Pay (2)

 

Named Executive Officer

 

Fiscal 2022

 

 

Fiscal 2021

 

 

% Change

 

 

Fiscal 2022

 

 

Fiscal 2021

 

 

% Change

 

Harvey S. Kanter

 

$

4,221,881

 

 

$

3,616,278

 

 

 

16.7

%

 

$

6,881,634

 

 

$

8,410,773

 

 

 

(18.2

)%

Peter H. Stratton, Jr.

 

$

1,153,866

 

 

$

1,068,604

 

 

 

8.0

%

 

$

1,287,281

 

 

$

1,040,363

 

 

 

23.7

%

Anthony J. Gaeta

 

$

831,020

 

 

$

725,294

 

 

 

14.6

%

 

$

899,072

 

 

$

663,061

 

 

 

35.6

%

Robert S. Molloy

 

$

1,014,167

 

 

$

980,419

 

 

 

3.4

%

 

$

1,088,916

 

 

$

947,702

 

 

 

14.9

%

Allison Surette

 

$

818,948

 

 

$

-

 

 

-

 

 

$

850,290

 

 

$

-

 

 

-

 

(1)
Total compensation reflects amounts as reported in the “Summary Compensation Table.” The increase in total compensation in fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2021 for Mr. Kanter was primarily related to his increase in base salary (which likewise increased performance-based pay that is based on Mr. Kanter's salary). Mr. Stratton's increase in total compensation was primarily due to an increased participation percentage in the AIP and an increase in base salary. Mr. Gaeta's increase in total compensation was primarily related to his promotion to Chief Stores Officer in March 2022.
(2)
Total realized pay is calculated as total compensation per the “Summary Compensation Table” minus the value of equity awards granted, as reported in the “Stock Awards” column and “Option Awards” column of that table, plus the value of any options exercised or stock awards that vested, as reflected in the “Option Exercises and Stock Vested” table for each of the respective years. Mr. Kanter's realized pay for fiscal 2021 included 480,000 PSUs that vested during fiscal 2021 as a result of the Company's common stock achieving the related performance metric, which was a 90-day volume-weighted average closing price of $4.00 and $6.00 per share. The PSUs were granted to Mr. Kanter when he was hired in February 2019.

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Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Our Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing, implementing and monitoring adherence to the Board’s compensation philosophy, which is to ensure that executive compensation is fair, reasonable, competitive and consistent with the interests of the Company’s stockholders.

The Compensation Committee believes that an effective executive compensation program will:

Attract, retain and engage the executive talent the Company requires to perform in line with the Board’s expectations;
Recognize and reward the achievement of specific annual and long-term performance goals through a combination of cash and stock-based compensation; and
Align the Company’s executives’ interests with those of its stockholders.

When reviewing compensation, the Compensation Committee emphasizes Direct Compensation, which consists of total cash compensation (base salary and annual performance-based cash incentive awards) plus long-term incentive awards, which, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, were primarily equity awards. Every year, we assess the effectiveness of our compensation plans with the goal of strengthening our overall compensation program as appropriate, including by setting performance metrics to ensure that compensation is aligned with performance that drives stockholder value. We also compare our performance metrics to those used by our peers and take into consideration the recommendations of proxy advisory services.

Key Features of Our Executive Compensation Program

 

We believe that the Company’s executive compensation program includes key features that align the compensation for our executive officers with the interests of our stockholders.

 

What We Do

What We Don’t Do

Focus on performance-based pay

No re-pricing of underwater options

Balance short-term and long-term incentives

No hedging of Company stock

Use multiple targets for performance awards

No tax gross-up on severance payments

Provide executives with very limited perquisites

No active supplemental executive retirement plan

Require “double-trigger” change-in-control provisions

 

Maintain a “clawback” policy covering incentive cash and

       equity programs

 

Seek to mitigate undue risk in compensation plans

 

Utilize an independent compensation consultant

 

Use of Compensation Consultants

The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants and other outside advisors to assist in carrying out its duties, including the review of compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee may accept, reject or modify any recommendations by compensation consultants or other outside advisors.

The Compensation Committee periodically consults with the Segal Group ("Segal"), formerly Sibson Consulting, an independent firm that specializes in benefits and compensation, with respect to the structure and competitiveness of the Company’s executive compensation program compared to its proxy peer group. The Compensation Committee has assessed Segal’s independence, and has concluded that no conflict of interest exists with respect to the services that it performs.

In February 2022, the Compensation Committee engaged Segal to review Mr. Kanter's base salary and total direct compensation in connection with the amendment of Mr. Kanter’s employment agreement with the Company, as further described below under “Employment Agreement - Harvey S. Kanter, Chief Executive Officer and Director.” Based on market insights from Segal, including information derived from published surveys on CEO compensation in retail companies with annual revenues of up to $500 million and trends in CEO compensation, the Compensation Committee approved an increase in Mr. Kanter's annual base salary from $735,000 to $850,000.

 

13


 

Fiscal 2022 Target Compensation

CEO Compensation. The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the target compensation of our CEO. With respect to setting 2022 target compensation, working with Segal, the Compensation Committee compared each element of the CEO’s Direct Compensation to published survey data and data from the Company’s peer group. The Compensation Committee’s objective was that total target compensation should approximate the median target compensation of the Company’s compensation peer group.

Other Named Executive Officers. Our CEO is primarily responsible for recommending the compensation paid to our other Named Executive Officers, subject to the review and approval of the Compensation Committee. Our other Named Executive Officers are provided with a competitive base salary and an opportunity to earn performance awards each year, which are driven by our overall financial targets. Compensation to our other Named Executive Officers was most recently reviewed by Segal in May 2019, at which time Segal reported that such compensation was within the median (or 50% percentile) of the Company’s then proxy peer group. See “Compensation Components and Fiscal 2022 Compensation Decisions.

Our Peers

When determining peer companies for use in reviewing and establishing compensation for our Named Executive Officers, we focus primarily on public companies within the specialty retail apparel business with similar revenue and/or market capitalization. The companies in the fiscal 2022 peer group were:

 

 

Boot Barn Holding, Inc.

 

J.Jill, Inc.

 

Tilly’s Inc.

 

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

 

Kaspien Holding, Inc.

 

Vera Bradley

 

Cato Group

 

Kirkland’s, Inc.

 

Vince Holding Corp.

 

Citi Trends

 

Movado Group

 

Zumiez, Inc.

 

Delta Apparel, Inc.

 

Sportsman’s Warehouse

 

Duluth Holding, Inc.

 

Tile Shop Holdings

The Compensation Committee engaged Korn Ferry to review its peer group for fiscal 2023. As a result of that review and based on the recommendations of Korn Ferry, for fiscal 2023 the Company has removed Boot Barn Holding, Inc., Sportsman's Warehouse and Kaspien Holding, Inc. due to their annual revenues being outside of the preferred revenue parameters, and will add Shoe Carnival and Big 5 Sporting Goods to its 2023 peer group.

In order to develop an appropriate peer group, we consider companies with a range of revenues, assets and market capitalizations that may differ from those included by independent analysts such as Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS). With respect to our fiscal 2022 peers, we fell just below the median of the revenues and assets of our peer group. Our market capitalization was considered in developing our peer group, but due to the fact that our stock is so thinly traded, more weight was given to the revenue and assets. We do so because we believe that companies doing business in specialty retail markets with omni-channel distribution models provide a better benchmark for total shareholder return. An independent analyst may include a company that falls within the same Standard & Poor’s GICS code with similar revenue and market capitalization but with a different business model, business risks, geographic locations, customer base and industry traffic trends and which, consequently, may have nothing in common with our Company. For example, a company that owns automotive dealerships is within the same GICS code as our Company, but clearly has a distinctively different business model and is not affected by the same trends that affect specialty retail apparel.

14


 

Say-on-Pay

At our 2017 Annual Meeting, stockholders voted on a non-binding advisory proposal as to the frequency with which we should conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation (a "say-on-pay proposal"). At that meeting, and in accordance with the recommendation of our Board, 95.6% of votes cast voted for the “one-year” frequency for advisory votes on executive compensation. and we have held such vote every year. At our 2023 Annual Meeting, our stockholders will have another opportunity to vote on the "say on pay" frequency proposal.

At our 2022 Annual Meeting, stockholders had an opportunity to cast a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation as disclosed in the 2022 Proxy Statement. Of the votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal, 99.5% voted in favor of the proposal. The Compensation Committee considered the results of the 2022 advisory vote and believes that it affirms support of our stockholders for our approach to executive compensation, namely to align short- and long-term incentives with the Company’s financial performance. We will continue to consider the outcome of subsequent say-on-pay votes when making future compensation decisions for our executive officers.

Risk Assessment/Clawback

We believe that our compensation programs do not provide incentives for unnecessary risk taking by our employees. Our employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers include a “clawback” provision that permits us to demand full repayment of certain amounts paid to the executive in the event we learn, after the executive’s termination, that the executive could have been terminated for “justifiable cause.” In addition, in August 2018, our Compensation Committee approved the Executive Incentive Pay Clawback Policy (“Clawback Policy”) that would allow the Company to recover all Excess Incentive-Based Compensation, as defined in the Clawback Policy, from each executive who willfully committed an act of fraud, dishonesty, or recklessness that contributed to any error or noncompliance that resulted in a financial restatement. Incentive-Based Compensation includes all cash and equity awards. In addition, pursuant to Section 10D of the Exchange Act, Nasdaq is required to adopt listing rules requiring the repayment of incentive-based compensation (as defined in Section 10D of the Exchange Act). Therefore, such incentive-based compensation to our Named Executive Officers will be subject to the provisions of any compensation recovery policy adopted by the Company as required by Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any other Company policy that may be adopted regarding compensation recovery, including to comply with any applicable law and government regulation.

Our emphasis on performance-based annual and long-term incentive awards is also designed to align executives with preserving and enhancing shareholder value. Based on these considerations, among others, we do not believe that our compensation policies and practices create risks that are likely to have a material adverse effect on our Company.

Compensation Components and Fiscal 2022 Compensation Decisions

We believe that our executive compensation policies and practices appropriately align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders and emphasize the shared responsibility of our executive officers for the Company’s financial performance. Accordingly, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers is heavily weighted toward “at-risk” performance-based compensation.

The primary components of compensation for our Named Executive Officers include base salary (“fixed compensation”), annual performance-based cash incentives and long-term incentives (“at-risk compensation”). The annual weight of each component leads to the following allocation of potential compensation that each executive can earn.

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/3c9857e14439bc7c09572a5b11631702-img232849226_0.jpghttps://cdn.kscope.io/3c9857e14439bc7c09572a5b11631702-img232849226_1.jpg 

 

15


 

The components of executive compensation are as follows:

Base salary

Base salary represents the fixed component of an executive’s annual compensation. In order to attract and retain top executive talent, we believe that it is important that our base salary be competitive, generally at or near the median of our industry peers.

Base salaries are reviewed annually and adjustments are influenced by the Company’s performance in the previous fiscal year and the executive’s contribution to that performance. The executive’s performance is measured by various factors, including, but not limited to, achievement of specific individual and department goals. Additionally, adjustments may consider an individual’s promotion that may have occurred during the fiscal year, and any modifications in the individual's level of responsibility.

The Compensation Committee expects the CEO’s base salary to be at or near the peer group median, and to approximate 25%-33% of his target Direct Compensation. Our CEO determines the base salary of our other Named Executive Officers, subject to the review and approval of the Compensation Committee, and targets the median of the peer group and published industry compensation surveys.

In March 2022, Mr. Gaeta was promoted to Chief Stores Officer and his base salary was increased from $295,000 to $325,000. In March 2022, Ms. Surette was promoted to Chief Merchandise Officer, and her base salary was increased from $285,000 to $314,000. Mr. Kanter's salary for fiscal 2022 was increased from $735,000 to $850,000 effective April 1, 2022, in accordance with the terms of his amended and restated employment agreement, discussed below.

Subsequent to fiscal 2022, Ms. Surette's base salary was adjusted to $350,000, effective January 29, 2023 and was adjusted to $375,000, effective April 16, 2023. Effective April 16, 2023, Mr. Gaeta was named Chief Stores and Real Estate Officer, and his salary was increased from $325,000 to $400,000.

Performance-based annual incentive plan

The Compensation Committee believes that a substantial portion of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation should tie directly to our Company’s financial performance. On April 2, 2022, the Compensation Committee approved our Fifth Amended and Restated Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”) that provides for an annual performance-based cash incentive for all executives as well as certain non-executive employees, which was effective beginning with our 2022 AIP awards. The AIP was amended, among other things, to change the definition of employees eligible to participate in the AIP, which resulted in increased participation in the AIP.

 

2022 AIP Awards

On April 9, 2022, the Compensation Committee established the performance metrics for the 2022 AIP. For fiscal 2022, Mr. Kanter’s target participation in the AIP was at 100% of his earned salary and Mr. Molloy participated at 50% of his earned salary. Effective March 6, 2022, Mr. Stratton's participation rate increased from 55% to 60% and Mr. Gaeta's and Ms. Surette's participation rates increased from 40% to 50% and therefore resulted in a blended participation rate for each of them.

The performance metrics and potential payout levels were derived from the Company’s annual operating plan for fiscal 2022. The Compensation Committee believed that Sales growth and profitability (Adjusted EBITDA) continued to be the two most significant financial metrics for the 2022 AIP. In addition to the two financial metrics, specific departmental metrics were set for Store Operations, Marketing & Digital, and Merchandise/Planning and Allocation, as well as personal goals. For Messrs. Kanter, Stratton and Molloy, the financial metrics represented 80% of their AIP, and for Mr. Gaeta and Ms. Surette, these financial metrics represented 40%, and their respective departmental metrics represented 40% of their AIP. The remaining 20% for each of the Named Executive Officers was attributable to the achievement of pre-defined personal goals. See footnote 3 to the below table for a discussion of these personal goals.

The 2022 AIP metrics were intended to be achievable, with an approximate 50% probability of achievement; however, given the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the pandemic, the rollout of vaccines and its impact on our financial results, there was an inherent risk that these metrics might not be attainable. The decrease in our adjusted EBITDA target for fiscal 2022 as compared to actual adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2021 was due to planned investments in our business, specifically in marketing and, as we reported, our cost structure in fiscal 2021 was not sustainable to support the current level of sales and future sales growth.

 

16


 

The 2022 AIP performance metrics and actual results against these metrics were as follows:

 

 

 

Metric

 

Award %
Weight

for Metric other than Mr. Gaeta and Ms. Surette

 

 

 

 

Award %

Weight of Metric for

Mr. Gaeta

 

 

 

 

 

Award %

Weight of

Metric

for

Ms. Surette

 

Minimum/Maximum

Potential Payout

 

2022 Target

2022 Actual

Payout % earned

Corporate

Target 1

 

Sales

 

40.0%

20.0%

20.0%

 

100% payout at target, with 50% payout at 96.2% of target and 150% payout at 101.9% of target, with the exception of Mr. Kanter who was eligible for maximum payout of 200% at 101.9% of target.

 

 

$520.0 million

$545.8 million

150.0% (200.0% for

Mr. Kanter)

Corporate

Target 2

 

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

 

40.0%

20.0%

20.0%

 

100% payout at target, with 50% payout at 94.3% of target and 150% payout at 103.9% of target, with the exception of Mr. Kanter who was eligible for a maximum payout of 200% at 103.9% of target.

 

 

$53.0 million

$73.8 million

150.0%

(200.0% for Mr. Kanter)

Department goals, if applicable

 

Store

Operations

 

--

15.0%

--

 

Store conversion

 

(2)

(2)

150.0%

 

 

 

15.0%

 

 

Payroll as a % of sales

 

(2)

(2)

150.0%

 

 

 

10.0%

 

 

Net promoter score (NPS)

 

74

76

150.0%

 

 

 

Merchandise

 

 

10.0%

 

Sales by category

 

(2)

(2)

150.0%

 

 

Planning &

Allocations

--

--

10.0%

 

Gross margin by category

 

(2)

(2)

139.6%

 

 

 

 

10.0%

 

Inventory turnover

 

(2)

(2)

150.0%

 

 

 

 

10.0%

 

Store conversion

 

(2)

(2)

150.0%

 

Personal Target 3

 

Discretionary – Personal

     Goals

 

20.0%

20.0%

20.0%

 

Discretionary, at target, based upon individual performance, as evaluated by the CEO (except with respect to the CEO whose individual performance was evaluated by the Compensation Committee). Participants were eligible to receive a discretionary award up to 30%, with the exception of Mr. Kanter who was eligible to receive a discretionary award up to 40%. (3)

 

Varies by

 NEO

Varies by

NEO

25.0%-30.0%

(40.0% for Mr. Kanter)

 

(1)
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, adjusted to add back any asset impairment (gain).
(2)
The Company does not publicly disclose its store conversion rates, sales by category or gross margin by category. Any discussion of conversion rates, store payroll as a percentage of sales, and inventory turnover is limited to the percentage and/or dollar increase or decrease over a comparable period.
(3)
Personal goals are part of the Company’s annual performance review. At the start of the fiscal year, each associate, including each of our Named Executive Officers, develops his/her “SMART” (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals, each containing a quantifiable measure. The personal goals for Messrs. Molloy and Gaeta and Ms. Surette, which are approved by the CEO, consisted of a combination of quantifiable goals specific to their respective corporate function. Mr. Molloy’s personal goals were tied to ensuring strong corporate governance, legal and ethical compliance, and legal support and guidance throughout the organization. Mr. Gaeta’s personal goals were directly tied to the Company's stores achieving their metrics as well as team development. Ms. Surette's personal goals were strategic and tied to inventory management to maximize sales and gross margin growth, brand awareness and team development. The personal goals for our CFO were quantifiable and were tied directly to the Company's performance, as well as team development and professional development of staff. Our CEO’s personal goals were tied to the Company's current performance and development of a long-term strategic plan.

17


 

As a result of achieving the performance targets for fiscal 2022 pursuant to the 2022 AIP, as shown above, in March 2023 the Compensation Committee approved, upon the completion of the audited financial statements, cash bonus payouts to our NEOs as follows:

Named Executive Officer

 

Payout at
Target

 

 

Total
Payout %

 

 

Total Cash Payout

 

Harvey S. Kanter

 

$

830,539

 

 

 

200

%

 

$

1,661,077

 

Peter H. Stratton, Jr.

 

$

241,609

 

 

 

150

%

 

$

362,413

 

Anthony J. Gaeta

 

$

158,221

 

 

 

145

%

 

$

229,421

 

Robert S. Molloy

 

$

192,471

 

 

 

145

%

 

$

279,083

 

Allison Surette

 

$

152,866

 

 

 

149

%

 

$

227,702

 

 

2023 AIP

 

On April 27, 2023, the Compensation Committee established the financial, operating and performance metrics for the 2023 AIP. Traditionally, the metrics for the AIP have been focused on the financial and operating performance of the Company in relation to our board-approved budget. However, given the significant uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economy, and the retail industry in particular, in 2023, in order to keep employees engaged and motivated to achieve strategic objectives should the macroeconomic situation deteriorate in 2023, the Compensation Committee added a second tier to the 2023 AIP program that would be a relative measure, comparing the Company's financial performance in fiscal 2023 against the financial performance of its 2023 compensation peer group.

Under this two-tier structure, the payout, if any, will be determined based on the higher achievement of either TIER I (based on the Company’s approved financial plan) or TIER II (based on the relative financial performance of the Company to its 2023 compensation peers). The maximum payout under TIER I remains 150% (200% for Mr. Kanter); however, the maximum payout under TIER II is capped at 100%.

TIER I is structured in the same manner as our 2022 AIP, and consists of two Corporate financial metrics with departmental targets for Store Operations, Marketing & Digital, and Merchandise/Planning and Allocation. Under TIER I, the Company’s financial performance metrics represent 80% for Messrs. Kanter, Stratton and Molloy and 40% for Mr. Gaeta and Ms. Surette. Mr. Gaeta’s performance metrics include specific store operation targets, and Ms. Surette's performance metrics include specific merchandising, planning and allocation targets, and represent 40% of their respective TIER I targets. Discretionary personal goals represent the remaining 20% for each of the Named Executive Officers.

TIER II consists of two Corporate financial metrics (Comparable Sales and Adjusted EBITDA Margin), each weighted 40% for each participant, with the remaining 20% representing discretionary personal goals. Our Comparable Sales and Adjusted EBITDA Margin results for fiscal 2023 will be compared to our 2023 compensation peer group on a quartile ranking. For each metric, if the Company ranks in (i) the top quartile, the payout would be 100%; (ii) the second quartile, the payout would be 75%; and (iii) the third quartile, the payout would be 50%. No payout is earned if the Company finishes in the fourth quartile.

 

 

18


 

The 2023 AIP performance metrics approved by the Compensation Committee are as follows:

 

 

 

Metric

 

Award %
Attributable to Metric, other than Mr. Gaeta and Ms.
Surette

 

Award % Attributable to Metric for Mr. Gaeta

Award % Attributable to Metric for Ms. Surette

Minimum/Maximum

Potential Payout

 

TIER I - Company's Financial Performance

 

 

 

 

Corporate

Target 1

 

Sales

 

40.0%

 

20.0%

20.0%

100% payout at target, with 50% payout at 95.3% of target and 150% payout at 100.5% of target, with the exception of Mr. Kanter who is eligible for a maximum payout of 200% at 100.5% of target.

 

 

Corporate

Target 2

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

40.0%

 

20.0%

20.0%

100% payout at target, with 50% payout at 91.6% of target and 150% payout at 102.3% of target, with the exception of Mr. Kanter who is eligible for a maximum payout of 200% at 102.3% of target.

 

 

Personal Target

 

Discretionary- Personal Goals

 

20.0%

 

20.0%

20.0%

Discretionary, at target, based upon individual performance, as evaluated by the CEO (except with respect to the CEO whose individual performance will be evaluated by the Compensation Committee). Participants are eligible to receive a discretionary award up to 30%, with the exception of Mr. Kanter who is eligible to receive a discretionary award up to 40%.

 

Departmental Goals, if applicable

 

Store Operations

 

-

 

40.0%

-

Includes payroll as a percentage of sales target, net promoter score target and store conversion target.

 

 

 

Merchandise, Planning and Allocation

 

-

 

-

40.0%

Includes targets for sales by category, gross margin rates by category, inventory turnover and store conversion target.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Departmental goals payouts range from 50% to 150% dependent upon achievement of the various targets.

 

TIER II - Measured Against the Company's 2023 Peers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate - Target 1

 

Comparable Sales

 

 

40.0%

 

40.0%

40.0%

Top Quartile 100%; 2nd Quartile 75%; 3rd Quartile 50%; 4th Quartile no payout.

 

Corporate - Target 2

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

 

40.0%

 

40.0%

40.0%

Top Quartile 100%; 2nd Quartile 75%; 3rd Quartile 50%; 4th Quartile no payout.

 

Personal Targets

 

Discretionary- Personal Goals

 

20.0%

 

20.0%

20.0%

Same as discussed above, except that elements of departmental goals will be factored in with respect to participants who have departmental goals under Tier I, including Mr. Gaeta and Ms. Surette.

 

The above targets for each metric in TIER I were derived from the Company’s annual operating plan and budget for the 2023 fiscal year, and are intended to be achievable, with an approximate 50% probability of achievement. The likelihood of achieving the 2023 targets reflects the challenges inherent in achieving the goals and objectives of an ambitious operating plan, given the continuing uncertainty with respect to the economy, rising costs, and consumer spending. The Compensation Committee's adoption of the TIER II plan is to ensure that all participants in the recently expanded AIP will be motivated, despite any economic headwinds faced by the Company and, in all likelihood, its 2023 compensation peer group, in fiscal 2023.

For fiscal 2023, Mr. Kanter will continue to participate at 100% of his salary, Mr. Stratton will continue to participate at 60% of his salary, and Messrs. Molloy and Gaeta and Ms. Surette will continue to participate at 50% of their respective salaries.

 

 

19


 

Long-term incentive plans

 

The Company’s long-term incentive plan is designed to ensure that the interests of our executives are aligned with those of our stockholders to create sustainable shareholder value and to promote executive retention.

 

On March 30, 2022, the Compensation Committee approved the Fourth Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"), which was effective beginning with the 2022-2024 LTIP. The LTIP was amended to, among other things, add a definition for "Structured Retirement" and the related vesting of both time-based and performance-based awards under such Structured Retirement. The addition of Structured Retirement provides an opportunity for greater vesting upon retirement where the participant assists the Company in ensuring the succession of the participant’s position within the Company prior to the participant’s retirement. In order to be eligible to participate in a Structured Retirement, the participant must terminate employment after meeting the age and service requirements set forth in the LTIP, the Compensation Committee must confirm through proper corporate action that the participant has met all of the succession planning objectives set by the Compensation Committee for the participant, the participant must continue to work until the date required by the Compensation Committee (which may not be more than 60 days after the Compensation Committee confirms that the objectives have been met), and the participant must execute a release of claims in favor of the Company. The final determination as to whether the requirements of a Structured Retirement have been met is in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee.

 

2020-2022 LTIP

 

The performance period for the Company’s 2020-2022 LTIP ended on January 28, 2023. The performance target, which was established by the Compensation Committee on June 11, 2020, and the actual performance achieved was as follows:

2020-2022 LTIP Performance Period

 

Metric

 

Weight of each target

 

Potential Payout

 

Target

 

Actual

 

Payout %

 

3-yr. relative total shareholder return as compared to 2020 disclosed proxy peers

 

100.0%

 

100% payout at target (2nd quartile), with 50% payout (3rd quartile) and 150% payout (1st quartile). No payout in the 4th quartile.

 

2nd quartile

 

1st quartile

 

 

150.0

%

 

Based on the above achievement, subsequent to the end of fiscal 2022, on March 6, 2023, the Compensation Committee approved, subject to the Audit Committee's approval of the Company's audited financial results, a total performance award of $2.8 million to be granted on March 23, 2023, in a combination of 50% cash and 50% RSUs. All awards are subject to further vesting through August 31, 2023. Approximately $1.6 million of the $2.8 million of the 2020-2022 LTIP award was earned by the Named Executive Officers.

The following is a summary of the awards granted to our Named Executive Officers on March 23, 2023 as a result of achieving the performance metrics under the 2020-2022 LTIP:

Name

 

RSUs

 

 

Cash

 

 

Total Award

 

Harvey S. Kanter

 

$

468,563

 

 

$

468,563

 

 

$

937,126

 

Peter H. Stratton, Jr.

 

$

103,688

 

 

$

103,688

 

 

$

207,376

 

Anthony J. Gaeta

 

$

77,438

 

 

$

77,438

 

 

$

154,876

 

Robert S. Molloy

 

$

98,438

 

 

$

98,438

 

 

$

196,876

 

Allison Surette

 

$

74,813

 

 

$

74,813

 

 

$

149,626

 

 

 

20


 

2021-2023 LTIP and 2022-2024 LTIP

 

The following is a summary of the 2021-2023 LTIP and 2022-2024 LTIP in effect, but not completed, during fiscal 2022:

 

Summary of LTIPs

 

2021-2023

 

2022-2024

Effective date

 

March 8, 2021

 

April 9, 2022

Performance period

 

3yrs

 

3yrs

End of Performance Period

 

February 3, 2024

 

February 1, 2025

Target cash value

 

Annual Salary * Participation Rate

 

Annual Salary * Participation Rate

 

 

Time-Based

Performance-Based

 

Time-Based

Performance-Based

Allocation of Target Cash Value

 

50%

50%

 

50%

50%

Award type

 

at effective date:
25% Options
75% Cash

RSUs, Cash or a combination thereof, when earned

 

at effective date:
50% RSUs
50% Cash

RSUs, Cash or a combination thereof, when earned

Vesting period

 

25% April 1, 2022
25% April 1, 2023
25% April 1, 2024
25% April 1, 2025

any award earned subject to additional vesting through August 31, 2024

 

25% April 9, 2023
25% April 1, 2024
25% April 1, 2025
25% April 1, 2026

any award earned subject to additional vesting through August 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Targets (1):

 

Target:

Min/Max Payout:

 

Target:

Min/Max Payout:

 

 

3-yr. relative total shareholder return as compared to 2021 disclosed proxy peers (2)
(100% weight)

100% payout at target (2nd quartile), with 50% payout (3rd quartile) and 150% payout (1st quartile). No payout in the 4th quartile.

 

3-yr. relative total shareholder return as compared to 2022 disclosed proxy peers (3)
(100% weight)

100% payout at target (2nd quartile), with 50% payout (3rd quartile) and 150% payout (1st quartile). No payout in the 4th quartile.

(1)
The Compensation Committee established just one performance metric, “Three-Year Relative Total Shareholder Return”, for both LTIPs and believed that this metric appropriately aligned management with the interests of our stockholders. The use of stock options for the 2021-2023 LTIP helped to preserve share availability under the Company’s 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (the “2016 Plan”) given the depressed stock price at the time these LTIPs were approved. The issuance of only 25% Options in connection with the 2021-2023 LTIP was a direct result of the then-share price and share availability.
(2)
For the Company and each of its 2021 disclosed proxy peers, the three-year relative total shareholder return will be calculated as the percentage change in the 30-day trailing volume-weighted average closing stock price at January 29, 2021 and February 2, 2024, adjusted for any dividends paid.
(3)
For the Company and each of its 2022 disclosed proxy peers, the three-year relative total shareholder return will be calculated as the percentage change in the 30-day trailing volume-weighted average closing stock price at January 28, 2022 and January 31, 2025, adjusted for any dividends paid.

At the time of establishing the performance targets, the Compensation Committee believed that the above metrics reflected the Company’s primary objective of returning to profitability in fiscal 2021 and, in both instances, driving shareholder return.

The following table illustrates the components of the LTIPs with the respective vesting dates, illustrating that the time-based portion of the LTIP acts as a retention tool:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

Vesting of Awards by Fiscal Year:

 

Approval date

 

Performance Period

 

total award

 

2022

 

2023

 

2024

 

2025

 

2026

 

3/8/2021

 

2021-2023 LTIP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time-Based Awards, vest April 1 (1), subject to forfeiture

 

50%

 

25%

 

25%

 

25%

 

25%

 

 

 

 

 

Performance-Based Awards- vest August 31, if achieved

 

50%

 

 

 

 

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/9/2022

 

2022-2024 LTIP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time-Based Awards, vest April 1 (1), subject to forfeiture

 

50%

 

 

 

25%

 

25%

 

25%

 

25%

 

 

 

Performance-Based Awards- vest August 31, if achieved

 

50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100%

 

 

 

(1)
The first tranche of time-based awards vest on April 1 following the end of the first year of the performance period or one year from the date of grant, whichever is later.

 

21


 

2023-2025 LTIP

Effective May 1, 2023, the Compensation Committee established and approved the metric for the 2023-2025 LTIP. Consistent with the past three years, the Compensation Committee established a 3-year relative total shareholder return ("TSR") as the only metric under the 2023-2025 LTIP. The Compensation Committee believes that the selection of a relative total TSR against the Company’s 2023 compensation peers aligns the interests of the LTIP participants with the interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Compensation Committee granted the time-based awards for the 2023-2025 LTIP in a combination of 50% restricted stock units and 50% cash.

Discretionary Cash and Equity Awards

No discretionary cash or equity awards were granted to our Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2022.

Other Compensation

We offer our senior executives, including our Named Executive Officers, supplemental disability insurance and long-term care and pay a portion of the premiums, which we do not do for our other employees.

Our Named Executive Officers also receive benefits under certain group health, long-term disability and life insurance plans that are generally available to all of our eligible employees.

After six months of service with us, all of our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in our 401(k) Plan, and after one year of employment are eligible for a Company match. For the 2021 plan year, the Company suspended its QACA ("Qualified Automatic Contribution Arrangement") safe harbor and, while not required, the Company made a discretionary employer match for 2021. The Company resumed its QACA safe harbor status for fiscal 2022.

We have employment agreements with our CEO and all of our other Named Executive Officers. Upon termination of employment, each executive is entitled to receive severance payments under his or her employment agreement(s) and under the Company’s incentive programs in the event of a termination without justifiable cause. These employment agreements and incentive programs, as they relate to terminations, are discussed in detail below in the section “Employment Agreements” following the “Summary Compensation Table.” Our employment agreements do not contain any tax gross-ups pursuant to Section 280(g) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

 

22


 

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on this review and discussion, recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

 

 The Compensation Committee

 

 Willem Mesdag, Chair

 Jack Boyle

 Lionel F. Conacher

 

 

 

23


 

Summary Compensation Table. The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth certain information regarding compensation paid or accrued by us with respect to our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2022.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

 

Bonus ($)

 

 

Stock
Awards
($) (1) (2)

 

 

Option
Awards
($) (1)

 

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)

 

 

All Other
Compensation
($)(4)

 

 

Total ($)

 

Harvey S. Kanter

 

2022

 

$

830,539

 

 

 

 

 

$

829,813

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,402,969

 

 

$

158,560

 

 

$

4,221,881

 

President and Chief Executive

 

2021

 

$

735,000

 

 

$

73,500

 

 

$

443,260

 

 

$

207,035

 

 

$

2,069,448

 

 

$

88,035

 

 

$

3,616,278

 

Officer

 

2020

 

$

686,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

436,880

 

 

$

902,425

 

 

$

84,682

 

 

$

2,110,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter H. Stratton, Jr.

 

2022

 

$

405,846

 

 

 

 

 

$

195,263

 

 

 

 

 

$

526,585

 

 

$

26,172

 

 

$

1,153,866

 

Executive Vice President, Chief

 

2021

 

$

395,000

 

 

$

39,500

 

 

$

98,088

 

 

$

51,844

 

 

$

458,525

 

 

$

25,647

 

 

$

1,068,604

 

Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

2020

 

$

369,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

61,358