Securities
☐ | 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 Rule 14a-12 |
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CONN’S, INC.
NOTICE OF 20212023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 25, 202124, 2023
Location Information
2445 Technology Forest Blvd.
Building 4, Suite 800
The Woodlands, Texas 77381
To the Stockholders of Conn’s, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 20212023 annual meeting of stockholders of Conn’s, Inc. will be held on Tuesday,Wednesday, May 25, 2021,24, 2022, at 2445 Technology Forest Blvd., Building 4, Suite 800, The Woodlands, Texas 77381, commencing at 12:00 P.M., Central Daylight Time, for the following purposes:
1. | to elect the eight directors nominated by our Board of Directors and named in this proxy statement; |
2. | to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, |
3. | to hold a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; |
4. | to hold a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers; |
5. | to approve the adoption of the Amended 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan; and |
to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 20213, 2023 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 20212023 annual meeting of stockholders, or any postponement or adjournment thereof. A list of such stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of and the number of shares registered in the name of each such stockholder, will be available for examination by any stockholder for any purpose relating to the meeting during ordinary business hours for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting at our principal executive offices located at 2445 Technology Forest Blvd., Building 4, Suite 800, The Woodlands, Texas 77381. If you plan on attending in person, you will need to provide proof of stock ownership, such as an account or brokerage statement reflecting stock ownership as of the record date, and a form of valid government-issued picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
We are pleased to take advantage of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rule that allows companies to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders over the Internet. As a result, on or about April 13, 2021,2023, we are mailing to our stockholders, other than those who previously requested electronic or paper delivery of proxy materials, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021.2023. The Notice contains instructions on how to access those documents over the Internet. The Notice also contains instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials, including this proxy statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021,2023, and a form of proxy card or voting instruction card.It is very important that your shares are represented and voted at the meeting. As explained in further detail in the Notice, your shares may be voted via a toll-free telephone number, on the Internet, or by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided. Your proxy card will not be used if you are present at the meeting and prefer to vote in person, or if you revoke your proxy.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
Mark L. Prior |
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
April 13, 20212023
The Woodlands, Texas
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 25, 202124, 2023
The Company’s Proxy Statement for the 20212023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 20212023 are available free of charge on our website at www.conns.com, at www.proxyvote.com, and at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
PROXY STATEMENT
20212023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Date: | May | |
Time: | 12:00 P.M., Central Daylight time | |
Location of Meeting: | Conn’s, Inc. (“we,” “us” or the “Company”) 2445 Technology Forest Blvd. Building 4, Suite 800 The Woodlands, Texas 77381 | |
Record Date and Number of Votes: | The close of business on April | |
Agenda: | 1. To elect the eight directors nominated by our Board of Directors and named in this proxy statement; | |
2. To ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, | ||
3. To hold a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; 4. To hold a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers; 5. To approve the adoption of the Amended 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan; and | ||
6. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. | ||
Proxies: | Unless you tell us on the form of proxy to vote differently, the named proxies will vote signed returned proxies: | |
1. “FOR” the election of the eight directors nominated by the Board of Directors and named in this proxy statement; | ||
2. “FOR” the proposal to ratify the appointment by the Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year | ||
3. “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive | ||
4. “FOR” a frequency of ONE YEAR as the frequency with which stockholders are provided an advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers; and 5. “FOR” the adoption of the Amended 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan. The proxy holders will use their discretion on other matters. If a nominee for the Board of Directors cannot serve as a director, the proxy holders will vote for a person whom they believe will carry on our present policies. | ||
Proxies Solicited By: | The board of directors of the Company (the “Board ofDirectors” or “Board”). | |
Distribution Date: | The Notice or the proxy materials, including this proxy statement, proxy card or voting instruction card and our Annual Report on Form 10-K, are being distributed and made available on or about April 13, | |
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE PROMPTLY. |
Table of Contents
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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS | ||||
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FEDERAL TAX EFFECTS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE AMENDED 2020 PLAN | 60 | |||
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) | ||||
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FORM OF PROXY CARD |
GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE 20212023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Our fiscal year ends on January 31. References to a fiscal year throughout this proxy statement refer to the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends.
What constitutes a quorum? What is the Record Date? How many shares are outstanding?
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock (the “Common Stock”) entitled to vote at the 20212023 annual meeting of stockholders (the “20212023 annual meeting” or the “meeting”), represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the meeting. However, if a quorum is not present or represented at the meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, have the power to adjourn the meeting, without notice, other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting.
On April 1, 2021,3, 2023, the “Record Date,” there were 29,357,72824,139,310 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, meaning that 14,678,86512,069,656 shares of our Common Stock must be present in person or by proxy to have a quorum.
What matters will be voted on at the 20212023 annual meeting?
The following matters will be voted on at the 20212023 annual meeting:
1. | the election of eight directors nominated to the Board of Directors and named in this proxy statement; |
2. | a proposal to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year |
3. | a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; |
4. | a non-binding advisory resolution on the frequency of holding the non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; |
5. | the adoption of the Amended 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan; and |
such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote:
1. | FOR the election of the eight directors nominated by the Board of Directors and named in this proxy statement. |
2. | FOR the ratification of the appointment by the Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year |
3. | FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement. |
4. | FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of a frequency of ONE YEAR as the frequency with which stockholders are provided an advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers. |
5. | FOR the adoption of the Amended 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan. |
What is the effect of a broker non-vote?
Brokers or other nominees who hold shares of our Common Stock for a beneficial owner only have the discretion to vote on routine proposals when they have not received voting directions from the beneficial owner at least ten days prior to the 20212023 annual meeting. Rule 452 of the New York Stock Exchange, which governs all brokers (including those holding NASDAQ-listed securities), provides that a broker or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner may generally vote on routine matters, but not non-routine matters, without receiving voting instructions. Other than with respect to the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal Two), which is considered routine, all of the other proposals are considered non-routine matters. Please provide instructions to your broker or nominee on how to vote your shares. If you do not provide such voting instructions to your broker, they will not be able to vote for Proposals One, Three, Four or ThreeFive for you and a “broker non-vote” will result. Shares that constitute broker non-votes will be counted as present at the meeting for the purpose of determining a
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quorum, but will only be considered entitled to vote on the proposal to ratify the appointment by the audit committee of our Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) of our independent registered public accounting firm and any other routine matters that may properly come before the meeting. To minimize the number of broker non-votes and to ensure that your voice is heard in the election of directors and the other matters to be voted on at the 20212023 annual meeting, we encourage you to provide voting instructions to the broker or other organization that holds your shares by carefully following the instructions in the Notice.
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What vote is required to approve the proposals?
Provided a quorum exists, the following votes are required for each proposal:
Proposal One: Election of Directors - —To be elected, each director must receive a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director. For purposes of this vote, a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director’s election exceeds the number of shares voted “against” that director’s election. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.
Proposal Two: Ratify the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - —An affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter at the meeting is required to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2022.2024. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.
Proposal Three: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation – An affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter at the meeting is required to give advisory (non-binding) approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board of Directors or on us; however, the Board of Directors and we will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.
Proposal Four: Advisory Vote on Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation – The frequency (one, two or three years) of the advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers receiving the greatest number of votes will be the recommended frequency that stockholders approve. Because your vote for this proposal is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board of Directors or on us; however, the Board of Directors and we will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding the frequency of the advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.
Proposal Five: Adoption of the Amended 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan – An affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter at the meeting is required for the adoption of the Amended 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.
Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 1, 2021,3, 2023, the Record Date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournments of the meeting. Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote per share.
What will happen if I do not specify how my shares are to be voted, but do submit a proxy?
Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record and you submit a proxy, but you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted:
FOR the election of the eight directors nominated by our Board of Directors and named in this proxy statement;
FOR the ratification of the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2022; and2023;
• | FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement; |
• | FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of a frequency of ONE YEAR as the frequency with which stockholders are provided an advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers; and |
FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis,adoption of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement.Amended 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan.
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Beneficial Owners. If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide voting instructions to the broker or other nominee that holds your shares, the broker or other nominee will determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote on a particular proposal, and may not be able to vote on all proposals presented for a vote at the annual meeting.
What will happen if I do not vote my shares?
Stockholders of Record. If you are the stockholder of record and you do not vote by proxy card, by telephone, by the Internet or in person at the 20212023 annual meeting, your shares will not be voted at the 20212023 annual meeting. For each of the proposals, if you are not present at the meeting in person or by proxy, the failure to vote will not affect the outcome of the proposal.
Beneficial Owners. If you are the beneficial owner of shares, your broker or nominee may vote your shares only on those proposals on which it has discretion to vote. See “What is the effect of a broker non-vote?” for more information.
How do I vote and what are the voting deadlines?
Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by any of the following methods:
By Mail. You may submit your vote by completing, signing and dating your proxy card and returning it in the prepaid envelope so that it is received no later than May 24, 2021.
• | By Mail. You may submit your vote by completing, signing and dating your proxy card and returning it in the prepaid envelope so that it is received no later than May 23, 2023. |
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By Internet or Telephone. You may vote your shares by Internet or telephone, by following the instructions in your Notice. If you vote by Internet or telephone, you should not return your proxy card. These votes must be received by 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time, on May 24, 2021.
• | By Internet or Telephone. You may vote your shares by Internet or telephone, by following the instructions in your Notice. If you vote by Internet or telephone, you should not return your proxy card. These votes must be received by 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time, on May 23, 2023. |
• | In Person at the Annual Meeting. You may vote your shares in person at the 2023 annual meeting. Proxy cards will be available for you at the meeting, or you may bring the one provided to you, and deliver the completed and executed card to the inspector of election at the 2023 annual meeting. |
In Person at the Annual Meeting. You may vote your shares in person at the 2021 annual meeting. Proxy cards will be available for you at the meeting, or you may bring the one provided to you, and deliver the completed and executed card to the inspector of election at the 2021 annual meeting.
Beneficial Owners. If you are a beneficial owner of your shares, you should receive a Notice or voting instructions from the broker or nominee holding your shares. You should follow the instructions provided to you by your broker in order to properly advise them of your voting instructions. Shares held beneficially may be voted at the 20212023 annual meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from your broker or nominee giving you the right to vote, and presenting that legal proxy together with your vote to the inspector of election at the 20212023 annual meeting.
Can I revoke or change my proxy?
Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke or change your proxy at any time before the final vote at the 20212023 annual meeting by:
signing and returning a new proxy card at a later date;
submitting a vote by telephone or the Internet at a later date;
attending the 20212023 annual meeting and voting in person; or
• | delivering a written revocation to our Corporate Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices provided to you in this proxy statement or to Broadridge Financial Services, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, Attn: Vote Processing. |
delivering a written revocation to our Corporate Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices provided to you in this proxy statement or to Broadridge Financial Services, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, Attn: Vote Processing.
Beneficial Owners. If you are the beneficial owner of your shares, you must contact your broker or nominee holding your shares and follow their instructions for revocation or changing your proxy.
Your attendance at the 20212023 annual meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote again at the 20212023 annual meeting.
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Who will count the votes?
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has been engaged as our independent agent to receive and tabulate our stockholder votes and will act as our independent inspector of election who will certify the election results and perform any other acts required by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
How are stockholder proposals included in the proposals submitted to stockholders for voting? How is any other business voted on by stockholders?
Stockholders have the right to present proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement for consideration at our 20222024 annual meeting of stockholders. To be considered at our next annual meeting, you must submit your proposals, in addition to meeting other legal requirements, within the appropriate time periods, as set forth below. If you want to make a proposal for consideration at our 20222024 annual meeting and have it included in the Company’s proxy materials relating to our 20222024 annual meeting, we must receive your proposal at our principal executive office by no later than December 14, 2021,2023, and such proposal must otherwise comply with Rule 14a-8 (“Rule 14a-8”) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and other applicable SEC rules. If you want to make a proposal or nominate a director for consideration at our 20222024 annual meeting without having the proposal included in the Company’s proxy materials, you must comply with the then-current advanced notice provisions and other requirements set forth in our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”). Under our current Bylaws, our Corporate Secretary must receive such proposals for possible consideration at our 20222024 annual meeting at our principal executive offices no earlier than January 25, 202224, 2024 and no later than February 24, 2022.23, 2024. However, if the date of the 20222024 annual meeting changes by more than 30 days from the first anniversary date of this year’s meeting, we will then provide notice of the new date of the 20222024 annual meeting in our earliest possible quarterly report on Form 10-Q. If we do not receive your proposal or nomination by the appropriate deadline, then it may not be brought before the 20212023 annual meeting even if it meets the other proposal or nomination requirements. In addition to satisfying the requirements under our Bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules under the Exchange Act, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the 1934 Act, no later than March 25, 2024.
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We do not intend to bring any business before the 20212023 annual meeting other than the matters described in this proxy statement and have not been informed of any matters or proposals that may be presented at the meeting by stockholders. If, however, any other business should properly arise and be properly submitted for a vote at the 20212023 annual meeting, the persons appointed in the proxy have discretionary authority to vote in accordance with their best judgment.
Who is paying the cost of solicitation of proxies?
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, solicitation may be made by our directors, officers and employees by other means, including telephone, e-mail or in person. No special compensation will be paid to directors, officers or employees for the solicitation of proxies. To solicit proxies, we may also request the assistance of banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries, and, upon request, will reimburse such organizations or individuals for their reasonable expenses in forwarding the Notice and other soliciting materials to beneficial owners and in obtaining authorization for the execution of proxies.
Do we provide for Electronic Delivery of Proxy Materials?
Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, we provide access to the proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”(“Notice”)to our stockholders owning shares of our Common Stock on or about April 13, 2021.2023. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. The Notice also contains instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials, including this proxy statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 20212023 (“fiscal year 20212023”), and a form of proxy card or voting instruction card. In addition, the Notice will provide stockholders with instructions on how to request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or by e-mail on an ongoing basis. A stockholder’s election to receive proxy materials by mail or by e-mail will remain in effect until the stockholder terminates such election. We encourage stockholders to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials on the Internet to help reduce the environmental impact of the 20212023 annual meeting and lower the costs of printing and distributing our proxy materials. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by e-mail, you will receive an e-mail message each successive year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting website.
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Our proxy materials are also available free of charge on our website at www.conns.com, at www.proxyvote.com, and at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
How can I find the result of the voting at the 20212023 annual meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the 20212023 annual meeting. Final results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K or in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ending April 30, 2021,2023, which will be posted on our website at www.conns.com, under “Investor Relations.”
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Number of Directors to be Elected
Our Board currently consists of ten director positions and we currently have eightnine members on our Board. We intend for the twoany vacancies to remain until our Board of Directors desires to fill such vacancies or reduce the size of the Board. At this time the Board of Directors believes that the nominated slate of eight directors is thean appropriate number of directors and does not intend to fill the two director vacancies. The eight directors to be elected at the 20212023 annual meeting will hold office until the 20222024 annual meeting of stockholders, or until their respective successors have been elected and qualified or earlier upon their death, resignation or removal. You may not vote for a greater number of directors than those nominated.
Criteria for Nomination to the Board of Directors. Those persons nominated to our Board of Directors are selected by the nominating and corporate governance committee of our Board (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”) in accordance with the committee’s charter, our certificate of incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”) and Bylaws, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the criteria determined by the Board for our director candidates. In considering the nomination of the directors identified below to serve until the 20222024 annual meeting, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee sought and considered individuals with strong personal reputations and experience in business and other areas that are relevant and important to the financing, strategy and operations of the Company, as well as financial expertise to qualify as a “financial expert” for our Audit Committee. Each nominee for election as a director at the 20212023 annual meeting holds or has held senior executive positions in organizations providing such background and expertise, and each has the necessary business and financial experience sought by the Company in those areas, including strategic and financial planning, public company financing and reporting, compliance, risk management and leadership. Each of the director nominees also has experience of serving on boards or in senior executive management of publicly held companies or governmental services requiring strong business and leadership acumen and implementation.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considered and believes that each of the director nominees has valuable personal and business attributes that have been and will continue to be valuable to the Company in their advice and guidance to executive management of the Company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account in its consideration diversity in range of backgrounds, perspectives and experience of the individuals it recommends for nomination to our Board of Directors. Information on the specific experience of each nominee can be found under the caption “Board of Directors – Board of Director Nominees for 20212023 – 2022.2024.”
Board Nominees
Our Board of Directors met in March 20212023 and considered the candidates for nomination for election to the Board at the 20212023 annual meeting. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, consisting of three independent members of the current Board of Directors, recommended that the full Board nominate the following individuals for re-election to the Board of Directors at the 20212023 annual meeting.
In making these recommendations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each of the nominees as described above and the requirements and qualifications discussed under “Board of Directors - Nomination Policies and Procedures.” Based on this recommendation, our Board of Directors has nominated the following individuals to be elected by the stockholders at the 20212023 annual meeting.
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Name | Position | Age | Term of Office | Committee Membership | ||||
Norman L. Miller | Interim President and Chief Executive Officer | 62 | September 2015 - Current | Compliance Committee (Chair) | ||||
Karen M. Hartje | Independent Director | 65 | March 2023 - Current | Audit Committee (Financial Expert) Credit Risk Committee | ||||
James H. Haworth | Independent Director | March 2016 - Current | Compensation Committee
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | ||||||||
Bob L. Martin | Lead Independent Director | September 2003 - Current | Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Chair) Compensation Committee | |||||
Douglas H. Martin | Director | February 2003 - Current | Credit Risk Committee Compliance Committee | |||||
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William E. Saunders, Jr. | Independent Director | August 2014 - Current | Audit Committee (Financial Expert) Credit Risk Committee (Chair)
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William (David) Schofman | Independent Director | May 2012 - Current | Compensation Committee (Chair) | |||||
Oded Shein | Independent Director | March 2016 - Current | Audit Committee (Chair) (Financial Expert) Compliance Committee |
Each director nominee currently serves as a member of the Board, each, except for Ms. Hartje, having been elected at our 20202022 annual meeting and having served on the Board of Directors throughout fiscal year 2021.2023.
Those nominees identified in the table above as “independent director” have been determined by our Board to be independent under NASDAQ rules. All nominees have consented to serve as directors. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to act as a director. In the event any nominated director is unable to stand for election, the Board of Directors may either reduce the size of the Board or designate a substitute.
For biographical information and the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each director nominee that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our Board of Directors considered to determine that such nominee should serve as one of our directors, please refer to the section captioned “Board of Directors – Board of Director Nominees for 20212023 – 2022,2024,” below.
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Each director nominee will be elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director nominee. This means the number of votes cast “for” a director nominee must exceed 50% of the votes cast with respect to that director nominee (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes). Each director nominee has tendered his or her resignation from the Board, which shall be effective only in the event that (i) the votes cast “for” such director nominee are equal to or less than 50% of the votes cast with respect to that director nominee, and (ii) the Board of Directors accepts such resignation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors whether to accept any resignation in the event any director nominee fails to receive over 50% of the votes cast “for” such director nominee. The Board of Directors will then consider the recommendation and publicly disclose its decision within 90 days after the certification of the election results.
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The Board of Directors Unanimously Recommends That You Vote “FOR” the Election of Each of the Eight Board Nominees.
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RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ernst & Young LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021.2023. The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2022.2024. Our Board of Directors has further directed that we submit the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the 20212023 annual meeting. Stockholder ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young LLP to the stockholders for ratification, on an advisory, non-binding basis, as a matter of good corporate practice. The Audit Committee believes it to be in the best interests of our stockholders to retain Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2022.2024. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Ernst & Young LLP. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in our best interests and those of our stockholders. The Audit Committee annually reviews the performance of our independent public accountants and the fees charged for their services. The Audit Committee anticipates, from time to time, obtaining competitive proposals from other independent public accounting firms for our annual audit. Based upon the Audit Committee’s analysis of this information, we will determine which independent public accounting firm to engage to perform our annual audit each year. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the 20212023 annual meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions that may be asked by stockholders. These representatives will also have an opportunity to make a statement at the meeting if they desire to do so.
The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee Recommend That You Vote “FOR” the Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Principal Accounting Firm Fees and Services
Fees for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP to the Company during the fiscal years ended January 31, 20212023 and 20202022 in each of the following categories, including related expenses, are:
Fiscal Years Ended January 31, | Fiscal Years Ended January 31, | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Audit | $1,694,883 | $1,777,298 | $ | 1,579,559 | $ | 1,393,435 | ||||||
Audit-Related Fees | $90,000 | $180,000 | $ | 120,000 | $ | 90,000 | ||||||
Tax Fees | $107,991 | — | — | — | ||||||||
All Other Fees | — | — | — | — |
Audit fees: Consists of fees for professional services rendered for the annual audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, including the audit of internal control over financial reporting, reviews of the interim financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and work performed to support the Company’s debt and equity issuances, including SEC registration statements and filings and the issuance of consents.
Audit-related fees: Fees for fiscal years 20212023 and 2020fiscal 2022 consist of work performed to support the Company’s securitization transactions.
Tax fees: Consists of fees billed for professional services related to tax compliance, tax advice, and other tax planning services and advice. There were none of these services performed in fiscal 2023 or fiscal 2022.
All Other Fees: Consists of fees billed for all other services and are unrelated to specific audit or audit-related services described above. There were none of these services performed in fiscal years 20212023 or 2020.fiscal 2022.
Our Audit Committee charter requires pre-approval of all services to be rendered by our independent auditors. All of the audit, audit-related fees, tax fees, and all other fees were approved by our Audit Committee for the fiscal years ended January 31, 20212023 and 2020.2022. The Audit Committee determined that no services rendered by our outside auditors during fiscal year 20212023 were prohibited under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”Sarbanes-Oxley”). In addition, the Audit Committee has considered whether Ernst & Young LLP’s
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provision of services, other than services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and reviews of our financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q during fiscal year 2021,2023, is compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young LLP’s independence and has determined that such services rendered met the requirements of independence under applicable SEC rules.
The Committee
Our Board of Directors established the Audit Committee to be responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent auditors and to oversee our (i) financial reporting process; (ii) internal audits, internal control policies and procedures; (iii) implementation and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 requirements and authorities; and (iv) financial, tax, and risk management policies. The Audit Committee is composed of three independent, non-employee directors and operates under a written charter, a copy of which is published on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.” The Audit Committee has prepared the following report on its activities with respect to our financial statements for fiscal year 2021.2023.
Review and Discussion
Management is responsible for our financial reporting process (including our system of internal controls) and for the preparation of Conn’s, Inc.’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for auditing those financial statements and for attesting to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. It is the Audit Committee’s responsibility to monitor and review these processes. The members of the Audit Committee are not employees of the Company and do not represent themselves to be, or to serve as, accountants or auditors by profession or experts in the field of accounting or auditing.
In connection with the preparation of our audited financial statements for fiscal year 2021,2023, the Audit Committee:
reviewed and discussed our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our audited consolidated financial statements and Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting for fiscal year 2021, with management;
• | reviewed and discussed our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our audited consolidated financial statements and Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting for fiscal year 2023, with management; |
discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) and the SEC; and
• | discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) and the SEC; and |
received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB concerning independence, and discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence, including whether Ernst & Young LLP’s provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with the auditors’ independence.
• | received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB concerning independence, and discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence, including whether Ernst & Young LLP’s provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with the auditors’ independence. |
The Audit Committee meets separately with our independent auditors to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of our internal controls and the overall quality of our financial reporting.
Recommendation
Based on the review and discussion referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2021,2023, for filing with the SEC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE: |
Oded Shein, Chair William E. Saunders, Jr. Sue E. Gove |
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ADVISORY VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION
OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking our stockholders to vote on an advisory, non-binding basis to approve the compensation of our named executive officers for fiscal year 2021.2023. At our annual meeting held on May 31, 2017, our stockholders again recommended that we hold the advisory vote for approval of the compensation of our named executive officers annually. Our Board of Directors has agreed with this advisory vote and has determined to hold this vote annually. At our 2018, 20192020, 2021 and 20202022 annual meetings, 83.8%81.7%, 60.5%,95.3% and 81.7%92.7% of the votes cast, respectively, were in favor of the advisory resolution on our executive compensation.
As described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement, our compensation program for our named executive officers is designed to (i) motivate and reward performance that increases our stockholder value, including individual measured goals and objectives, (ii) attract and retain executive talent by offering competitive compensation opportunities, and (iii) build and encourage ownership of shares of our Common Stock. Toward these goals, our executive compensation program has been designed and administered to reward our named executive officers based on our financial and operating performance, their individual performance, and to align their interests with those of our stockholders. In addition, our executive compensation program is designed to encourage the long-term commitment of our named executive officers to the Company. We believe that our executive compensation program, which primarily consists of a base salary, an annual performance-based cash bonus opportunity, and time and performance-based equity awards, promotes these objectives. Please read the section captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for a discussion of these objectives, the determination of and the elements of compensation and awards for our executive officers, as well as the elements paid and awarded during our fiscal year 2021.2023.
In applying these objectives, the compensation committee of our Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) relied upon:
direct input from our stockholders through stockholder engagement during the latter half of fiscal 2020 and into fiscal 2021;
input and recommendations received from our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer regarding the performance of each executive officer (other than the Chief Executive Officer), each of whose performance is analyzed by the Compensation Committee, the documentation provided to support the attainment by individual executive officers of their respective goals and objectives, and areas of responsibilities and expectations for future performance and goal attainment;
publicly available information with respect to the executive compensation practices of certain public companies in our industry and peer groups;
the analysis and recommendations regarding our compensation programs for our executive officers composed by Frederic W. Cook & Co., the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant; and
the knowledge of the individual members of the Compensation Committee of industry compensation practices and programs.
For the reasons discussed above, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote in favor of the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion contained in the 20212023 Proxy Statement, is hereby APPROVED on a non-binding, advisory basis.”
While the resolution is non-binding, the Board of Directors values the opinions that stockholders express in their votes and in any additional dialogue. The Board of Directors will consider the outcome of the vote and those opinions when making future compensation decisions. To the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officers’ compensation, the Compensation Committee will consider our stockholders’ advisory vote, and evaluate whether, and to what extent, any actions are necessary to address our named executive officers’ compensation program.
The Board of Directors Unanimously Recommends That You Vote “FOR” the Approval, on a Non-Binding Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers.
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PROPOSAL FOUR:
ADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF AN
ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION
OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Dodd-Frank Act enables our stockholders to indicate, every six years, how frequently we should seek an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, such as Proposal Three presented for vote to the stockholders in this proxy statement, and this vote is being provided as required pursuant to section 14A of the Exchange Act. By voting on this Proposal Four, stockholders may indicate their preference for an advisory vote on named executive officers’ compensation every year or every two or three years.
At the 2011 and 2017 annual meetings of stockholders, our stockholders voted, in a non-binding advisory capacity, to hold an annual advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers. After discussion and consideration of such results, our Board determined to hold an advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers annually and has held such an advisory vote at every annual meeting of stockholders since the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.
After discussions and consideration of this Proposal Four, our Board has determined that an advisory vote on our named executive officers’ compensation should occur every year in order that our Company receives the opinions of our stockholders in a timely manner on a regular basis. This annual vote would enable our Board to consider annually the views of our stockholders and to determine whether our Company’s compensation package should be adjusted to reflect those opinions.
You may cast your vote for one, two or three years or abstain from voting. The option receiving the highest number of votes will be the frequency requested by our stockholders in this advisory vote. However, since the vote is advisory, our Board may decide, in its opinion, that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders to hold the advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option receiving the most votes from our stockholders.
The Board of Directors Recommends That You Vote “FOR” The Option of Every Year as the Frequency with which Stockholders are Provided an Advisory Vote on Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers.
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Board of Director Nominees for 20212023 - 20222024
Norman L. Miller was appointed as our Interim Chief Executive Officer and President, effective October 18, 2022, and previously served as our President and Chief Executive Officer from September 7, 2015 through August 8, 2021. Mr. Miller transitioned from the role of President and Chief Executive Officer and was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board through April 1, 2022, at which time Mr. Miller transitioned from Executive Chairman of the Board to serve as a director. Mr. Miller was appointed to our Board of Directors effectiveon September 7, 2015. Mr. Miller2015 and was previously appointed as our Chairman of the Board in May 2016.2016, a role he fulfilled through August 8, 2021. In March 2018, Mr. Miller was nominatedappointed to serve as chair of the Compliance Committee.Committee, and he continues to serve in that role.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Miller most recently served as the Senior Vice President and President, Automotive at Sears Holdings, which, during his service, operated over 700 Sears Auto Center locations. Previously, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of DFC Global Corp (formerly Dollar Financial Corp) from 2007 to 2014. Prior to his employment at DFC Global Corp, Mr. Miller served as Group President, Sports and Entertainment unit at ARAMARK, where he worked for a decade. He was named to the role after serving as the President of ARAMARK’s Correctional Services unit from 2002 to 2003. Mr. Miller’s career also includes nine years with Nestle, Kraft General Foods and PepsiCo, serving in management positions in sales, marketing and operations. Mr. Miller received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Mr. Miller has extensive financial knowledge and provides valuable guidance to our Board of Directors in overseeing various aspects of our operations. In addition, his prior experience as an executive of Sears Holdings and DFC Global Corp provides valuable experience from both the retail and credit operations perspective. His previous service to our Company as our Chairman,former Chief Executive Officer and President provides Mr. Miller with additional and particular knowledge of our Company that he brings to our Board of Directors.
Bob L. Martin has served as a director since September 2003 and was appointed as our Lead Independent Director in August 2012. Mr. Bob Martin was elected as an Operating Partner of The Stephens Group LLC, a family-owned investment company in March 2012, and currently holds such position. In July 2022, Mr. Bob Martin, isas required by our Corporate Governance Guidelines, submitted his conditional resignation to the Board due to his new position as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of The Gap, Inc., effective July 11, 2022. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered the conditional resignation, and the Board accepted the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation to decline Mr. Bob Martin’s conditional resignation. Mr. Bob Martin also serves as the Chief Executive Officer (part-time) of Mcon Management Services, Ltd., a consulting company, having served since 2002. He was previously a consultant to that entity.Mcon Management Services, Ltd. Mr. Bob Martin has over 35 years of retailing and merchandising experience. Prior to retiring from the retail industry in 1999, he headed the international operations of Wal-Mart International, Inc. for 15 years. From 1968 to 1983, Mr. Bob Martin was responsible for technology services for Dillard’s, Inc. Mr. Bob Martin has also served as a director of Dillard’s, Inc., Sabre Holdings Corporation, Furniture Brands International and Guitar Center, Incorporated. Mr. Bob Martin currently serves as Executive Chairman on the board of directors of The Gap, Inc. He has experience as chairman of a corporate governance and compensation committee, and has been a member of an audit committee, in each case, of publicly held companies. Mr. Bob Martin attended South Texas University and holds an Honorary Doctorate degree from Southwest Baptist University.
Mr. Bob Martin was selected to serve on our Board of Directors due to his extensive experience in information technology and the retail industry, as well as his service and experience on a host of other public company boards. While Mr. Bob Martin is age 72, and pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines in effect through March 2021 would not normally stand for re-election at such age, the Board discussed the qualifications and importance of Mr. Bob Martin to the Company and resolved to nominate him for further service and further resolved to increase the retirement age as set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines to age 75. Mr. Bob Martin’s experiences contribute to our Board of Directors’ understanding of innovations and issues affecting information technologies and retail strategies in our industry and marketplace. Mr. Bob Martin is the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.
Sue Gove was appointed as a director in March 2020 and was also appointed to the Company’s Audit Committee and Credit Risk Committee. In March 2021, Ms. Gove was also appointed to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Gove is President of Excelsior Advisors, LLC, a retail consulting and advisory firm, and served as a Senior Advisor to Alvarez & Marsal, a corporate consulting firm from March 2017 to March 2019. Prior to founding Excelsior Advisors in August 2014, she was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc., an American golf specialty retailer, from October 2012 to April 2014 and President, from February 2012 to April 2014. Ms. Gove also served Golfsmith as Chief Operating Officer from September 2008 to October 2012, as Chief Financial Officer from March 2009 to July 2012, and as Executive Vice President from September 2008 to February 2012. From 1980 to 2008, Ms. Gove held senior level positions with national retailers and consulting firms in the retail sector. Ms. Gove currently serves on the boards of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., an omni-channel retailer of goods and services that help make a house a home since 2019, and IAA, Inc., a leading North American salvage auto auction since July 2019. Ms. Gove obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas, Austin.
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Ms. Gove brings significant knowledge of financial, consumer finance and operational matters in the consumer retail industry, to the Board.
Douglas H. Martin served as a director of the predecessor to the Company beginning in 1998 and was appointed as one of our directors in February 2003. Mr. Doug Martin is a Senior Executive Vice President of Stephens Inc., an investment bank, where he has been employed since 1981. He is responsible for the investment of the firm’s capital in private companies. Mr. Doug Martin serves as a member of the board of directors of numerous privately held companies. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Economics from Vanderbilt University and his Master of Business Administration from Stanford University.
Mr. Doug Martin brings to our Board of Directors diverse experience in investment analysis and valuation and has extensive experience and insights into debt and equity financing and structuring, capital markets and capitalization strategies. Mr. Doug Martin brings historical working knowledge of our Company to our Board of Directors due to his long tenure and relationship with us. Mr. Doug Martin’s relationship with Stephens,
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Inc., which owns a substantial amount of the Company’s Common Stock, also helps the Board of Directors to have more direct insight into how its decisions impact our stockholders. Mr. Doug Martin was a member of each of the Credit Risk Committee and Compliance Committee in fiscal year 20212023 and will remain a member of each of the Credit Risk Committee and the Compliance Committee in fiscal year 2022.2024.
There is no relation between Mr. Bob Martin and Mr. Doug Martin.
William E. Saunders, Jr. was appointed as a director in August 2014 and has served on the Company’s Audit Committee since his appointment. He also chaired the Company’s Credit Risk and Compliance Committee from the committee’s formation in December 2014 until it became two separate committees, the Credit Risk Committee and the Compliance Committee in March 2018, when Mr. Saunders was then nominated to serve as chair of the Credit Risk Committee and as a member of the Compliance Committee, both roles he continuesCommittee. In March 2023, Mr. Saunders was nominated to serve in today.on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee but will no longer serve on the Compliance Committee. On February 15, 2023, Mr. Saunders, hasas required by our Corporate Governance Guidelines, submitted his conditional resignation to the Board due to his departure from Community Choice Financial and new position as a consultant of BasePoint Capital, LLC. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered the conditional resignation, and the Board accepted the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation to decline Mr. Saunders’ conditional resignation. Mr. Saunders served as the Chief Executive Officer of Community Choice Financial Inc., a leading retailer of alternative consumer financial services products, sincefrom June 2008 to January 2023, and Chairman of its Board of Directors sincefrom May 2014 after joining the company as its Chief Financial Officer in March 2006.to January 2023. Prior to joining Community Choice Financial (previously CheckSmart Financial Holdings), Mr. Saunders was a Vice President for Stephens Inc., an investment bank, from 2004 to 2006 and, prior to that was an associate at Houlihan Lokey, an investment bank, SunTrust Equitable Securities, an investment bank, and Arthur Andersen, an accounting firm. Mr. Saunders holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with Special Attainment in Accounting and Commerce from Washington & Lee University and is a certified public accountant in the State of Georgia.
Mr. Saunders brings extensive investment banking, finance, management, credit and regulatory experience to our Board.
William (David) Schofman was appointed as a director in March 2012. Mr. Schofman is an active executive, investor and board member for several companies including: PureWRX, Inc., a value-added distributor and reseller of information technology hardware;hardware and Coro Health, LLC, a new media healthcare company and CPO Commerce, Inc., the largest online tool retailer.company. In addition, Mr. Schofman participates in several other business ventures through his private equity and management services business, AnderSchof Investments, LLP. Mr. Schofman previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf Interactive from June 2004 to September 2007, and as the Executive Vice President Global Ecommerce of Callaway Golf from 2004 to 2007. Mr. Schofman was the co-founder and CEO of FrogTrader from 2000 until 2004, before the Company was sold to Callaway Golf. Prior to that, Mr. Schofman was the co-founder and CEO of International Golf Outlet from 1995 until 1999, which was sold to CBS Sportsline. Mr. Schofman graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994.
Mr. Schofman has varied and valuable experience in marketing, electronic media, E-commerce, retail operations, branding and merchandising strategies. Having built and operated several business ventures, Mr. Schofman brings invaluable background to our Board of Directors. He also brings to our Board of Directors a high level of executive experience due to his serving as chief executive officer of businesses, as well as his serving as a director of and advisor to other companies. Mr. Schofman currently serves onas the chair of our Compensation Committee.
Oded Shein was appointed as a director in March 2016 and was appointed to the Company’s Audit Committee and Credit Risk and Compliance Committee concurrent with his joining the Board. Mr. Shein was nominated to serve as chair of the Audit Committee for fiscal year 2020 and will continue to serve in that role. In March 2018, the Credit Risk and Compliance Committee became two separate committees, the Credit Risk Committee and the Compliance Committee. Mr. Shein was then nominated to serve on both the Credit Risk Committee and the Compliance Committee, roles he no longer serves. In March 2020, Mr. Shein was appointed to serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and served in such role through March 2021. Mr. Shein continues to serve as chair of the Audit Committee. In March 2023, Mr. Shein was nominated to serve on the Compliance Committee. Mr. Shein has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Shift Technologies, Inc. since March 2021. Mr. Shein served as Chief Financial Officer of The Fresh Market, Inc. from August 2018 to September 2020. On September 8, 2020,
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Mr. Shein, as required by our Corporate Governance Guidelines, submitted his conditional resignation to the Board due to his resignation as Chief Financial Officer of The Fresh Market, Inc. On March 19, 2021, Mr. Shein, also as required by our Corporate Governance Guidelines, submitted his conditional resignation to the Board due to his new position as Chief Financial Officer of Shift Technologies, Inc. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered both conditional resignations and in both cases the Board accepted the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation to decline Mr. Shein’s conditional resignation. Mr. Shein previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Stage Stores from January 2011 to August 2018. From July 2004 until January 2011, Mr. Shein served in various financial positions at Belk, Inc., including as its Vice President, Finance and Treasurer. Prior to joining Belk, Inc., Mr. Shein served as the Vice President, Treasurer of Charming Shoppes, Inc. Mr. Shein holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Systems from Baruch College and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Columbia University.
Mr. Shein brings significant knowledge of financial and operational matters in the retail industry, including his experience as a public company Chief Financial Officer, to the Board.
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James H. Haworth was appointed as a director in March 2016 and was appointed to the Company’s Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee concurrent with his joining the Board. Mr. Haworth has served as the Executive Chairman of NOWDiagnostics located in Springfield, Arkansas since January 27, 2022. In August 2016, Mr. Haworth joined Outdoor Cap, a privately held company in Bentonville, Arkansas, as President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to Outdoor Cap, Mr. Haworth served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Professional Bull Riders Inc. from 2011 to 2016. From 2010 through 2011 he served as Executive Vice President and President, Retail Services for Sears Holding Corporation. Prior to that, he served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Office for Chia Tai Enterprises International Limited & CP Lotus, an investment holding company principally engaged in the operation of shopping centers in China, from 2006 to December 2009. Mr. Haworth is also the founder and President of Business Decisions Inc., a consulting firm specializing in strategic product marketing for the retail, merchandising and supply chain industries. Previous to Business Decisions Inc., Mr. Haworth spent 20 years with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., in roles of increasing responsibility including Executive Vice President of Operations for Sam’s Club and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Mr. Haworth received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Missouri State University.
Mr. Haworth brings extensive leadership experience in retail and strategic planning through his positions with other public companies to our Board.
Karen M. Hartje was appointed as a director in March 2023. Ms. Hartje has served as Chief Financial Officer of Sezzle, Inc., a purpose driven payments company operating a digital payments platform, since April 2018. From April 2016 until joining Sezzle, Ms. Hartje operated her own financial consulting business, Grand Group LLC. Prior to her own financial consulting business, Ms. Hartje occupied finance and credit management roles at Bluestem Brands, a retail finance company that was a reboot of Fingerhut Direct Marketing and generated well over $1 billion in retail sales. Ms. Hartje was on the founding team of Bluestem Brands, where she led the finance department reporting to the President of Bluestem Brands. During her tenure, Ms. Hartje led financial planning and analysis, management of credit policies, and forecasting. Bluestem Brands was acquired in 2014. Before Bluestem Brands, Ms. Hartje started her career with KPMG and has held senior leadership positions at US Bank and Lenders Trust. Ms. Hartje has served on the not-for-profit board of Saint Paul Figure Skating Club, Inc. since 2015, and was previously a member of the board of Upworks from 2016 to 2018. Ms. Hartje was appointed to our board following her recommendation by a third-party search firm. Ms. Hartje was appointed to our Board following her recommendation by a third-party search firm. Ms. Hartje has a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Minnesota and was a certified public accountant.
In March 2023, Ms. Hartje was nominated to serve on the Audit Committee and the Credit Risk Committee. Ms. Hartje brings extensive leadership experience in financial and operational matters, and payment systems, in the consumer credit industry, to the Board.
If elected by our stockholders, each nominee will serve for a one-year term expiring at our 20222024 annual meeting of stockholders. Each director will hold office until his or her successor has been elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier resignation or removal.
Nomination Policies and Procedures
The goal of our Board has been, and continues to be, to identify nominees for service on the Board of Directors who will bring diverse and varied perspectives and skills from their professional and business experience, including financial and accounting experience, as appropriate. In carrying out its function to nominate candidates for election to our Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the mix of skills, experience, character, commitment, and diversity – diversity being broadly construed to mean a variety of opinions, perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, such as gender, race and ethnicity differences, as well as other differentiating characteristics – all in the context of the requirements of our Board at the time of such consideration. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assesses the effectiveness of its charter annually in connection with the nomination of directors for election at the annual meeting of stockholders. In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance,” contain provisions regarding the identification and selection of our director nominees.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities by (1) identifying individuals believed to be qualified to become members of the Board, consistent with Board approved criteria, (2) recommending candidates to the Board for election or reelection as directors, including director candidates submitted by our stockholders, and (3) overseeing, reviewing and making periodic recommendations to the Board concerning our corporate governance policies. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a specific written policy or process regarding the nominations of directors, nor does it maintain minimum standards for director nominees other than as set forth in its charter and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates for nomination proposed by stockholders so long as they are made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15 of our Bylaws. Section 2.15 of our Bylaws requires that a
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stockholder provide written notice to our Secretary no later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of the stockholders. The Bylaws specify the requirements as to the form and substance of such stockholder notice. Details of such provisions of the Bylaws may be obtained by any stockholder from the Secretary of the Company. Notwithstanding the above, the Board may, in its discretion, exclude from any proxy materials sent to stockholders any matters that may properly be excluded under the Exchange Act, SEC rules or other applicable laws. The Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee treats recommendations for directors that are received from the Company’s stockholders equally with recommendations received from any other source, so long as the recommendations comply with the procedures for stockholder recommendations set forth in the Company’s Bylaws, as outlined above.
The charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee sets forth the minimum requirements for a person to be qualified to be a member of the Board of Directors, which are that a person must (i) be an individual of the highest character and integrity and have an inquiring mind, a vision and a willingness to ask hard questions, and the ability to work well with others; (ii) be free of any conflict of interest that would violate any applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper and reasonable performance of the responsibilities of a director; (iii) be willing and able to devote sufficient time to the affairs of the Company and be diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities of a director and Board committee member (including developing and maintaining sufficient knowledge of the Company and its industry; reviewing and analyzing reports and other information important to the Board and committee responsibilities; preparing for, attending and participating in Board and committee meetings; and satisfying appropriate orientation and continuing education guidelines); and (iv) have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interest of the stockholders as a whole and not primarily a special interest group or constituency. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates whether certain individuals possess the foregoing qualities and recommends to the Board for nomination candidates for election or re-election as directors at the annual meeting of stockholders, or if applicable, at a special meeting of stockholders. This process is the same regardless of whether the nominee is recommended by our Board or by one of our stockholders.
As discussed above with respect to the nomination of Mr. Bob Martin to the Board, in March 2021, the Board resolved to increase the retirement age as set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines from age 72 to age 75.
NASDAQ requires that a majority of the board of directors of a listed company be “independent.” NASDAQ’s rules provide that an independent director is a person other than an officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board has determined that each of Ms. Gove, Mr. Bob Martin, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Schofman, Mr. Shein, and Mr. Haworth and Ms. Hartje is “independent” as defined under applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules. Mr. Bob Martin was appointed our Lead Independent Director in August 2012 and has since served as our Lead Independent Director.
The independent directors of the Board held executive sessions at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors during fiscal year 2021.2023.
At the meeting of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held in March 2021,2023, the Committee discussed the relationships of Mr. Bob Martin with The Stephens Group, LLC, and whether his relationship or ownership interest impacted his ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his responsibility as a director. The Committee discussed the current position of Mr. Bob Martin with The Stephens Group, LLC, and the fact that the position is not substantively different from the consulting work that Mr. Bob Martin has done in previous years for The Stephens Group, LLC, the continuous exercise of independent judgment by Mr. Bob Martin since his election to our Board in 2003, and his lack of control of voting of Common Stock owned by The Stephens Group, LLC or any of its affiliates, including SG-1890 LLC. The Committee has determined that Mr. Bob Martin is properly considered an independent director and recommended to the Board of Directors that it approve Mr. Bob Martin’s independence as defined under the SEC and the NASDAQ rules.
At its meeting in March 2021,2023, our Board of Directors approved the independence of Mr. Bob Martin.
During fiscal year 2021,2023, the Board of Directors held twenty-foureight meetings. Each director attended 80% or more of all meetings of the Board and the committees on which such director served during fiscal year 2021.2023.
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Policy Regarding Director Attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
It is our policy that each member of the Board of Directors is encouraged to attend our annual meeting of stockholders. All of our directors serving at the time of last year’s annual meeting attended our May 28, 202025, 2022 annual meeting of stockholders.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent auditors. It also approves audit reports and plans, accounting policies, audit fees and certain other expenses. In connection with the rules adopted by the SEC and NASDAQ, we adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is posted on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.” The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the written charter on an annual basis.
During fiscal year 2023, the members of the Audit Committee were Mr. Shein, Mr. Saunders, and Ms. Gove. The current members of our Audit Committee are Mr. Shein, who was appointed as Chair of the Audit Committee in May 2018, Mr. Saunders and Ms. GoveHartje, who was appointed onin March 24, 2020.2023. The Audit Committee held sixfour meetings during fiscal year 2021.2023. The Board has determined that Mr. Shein, Ms. GoveHartje and Mr. Saunders are “audit committee financial experts” as described in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. In addition, each of the members of the Audit Committee is “independent” as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards and Sarbanes-Oxley, as determined by our Board of Directors.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee establishes, reviews and approves the compensation program for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers based upon recommendations by its independent compensation consultant. Our Chief Executive Officer does not play a role, nor does he make any recommendations in respect of, the determination of his own compensation. The Compensation Committee also evaluates the compensation plans, policies and programs of the executive officers of the Company and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning such plans, policies and programs. In addition, it advises the Board regarding compensation plans, policies and programs applicable to non-employee directors for their services as members of our Board, and administers our stock option, stock purchase and other equity plans. The Compensation Committee also evaluates the competitiveness of our compensation and the performance of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. In connection with rules adopted by the SEC and NASDAQ, the Company adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, which was amended by our Board in March 2014 to provide that, before engaging a compensation adviser (other than in-house legal counsel), the Compensation Committee shall consider all factors that could affect the independence of such consultant, counsel or advisor as may be identified from time to time in the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of NASDAQ relevant to that adviser’s independence from management. A copy of the Compensation Committee charter, as amended, is posted on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.”
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Bob MartinSchofman (Chair), Mr. SchofmanBob Martin and Mr. Haworth. Mr. Schofman replaced Mr. Bob Martin as Chair of the Compensation Committee on March 21, 2022. Mr. Bob Martin continues to serve as a member of the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee held four meetings during fiscal year 2021.2023. All members of the Compensation Committee were determined by the Board of Directors to be independent directors, as defined by NASDAQ listing standards. Additional information on the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for consideration of executive compensation are addressed in the section of this proxy statement captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
For fiscal year 2021,2023, the Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Haworth, Mr. Bob Martin and Mr. Schofman, each of whom our Board determined was independent in accordance with NASDAQ listing requirements. No member of the Compensation Committee during fiscal year 20212023 is or was formerly an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or was a related person in a related person transaction with the Company required to be disclosed under applicable SEC rules.
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in identifying and recommending individuals for election or reelection as directors, including director candidates submitted by our stockholders, and advises the Board with respect to corporate governance policies and procedures. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will periodically review and
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make recommendations regarding our corporate governance policies and procedures, which are discussed in part below under the caption “Corporate Governance” and copies of which are posted on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.” We adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and a summary “corporate governance policies and procedures” which are posted on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.”
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for overseeing a formal evaluation process to assess the composition and performance of the Board, each committee, and each individual director on an annual basis. The assessment is conducted to identify opportunities for improvement and skill set needs, as well as to ensure that the Board, committees, and individual members have the appropriate blend of diverse experiences and backgrounds and are effective and productive. As part of the process, each member of the Board completes a questionnaire that includes Board, committee and individual assessments. While results are aggregated and summarized for discussion purposes, individual responses are not attributed to any member and are kept confidential to ensure honest and candid feedback is received.
Members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are appointed by the Board. The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified, and they may be removed by the Board of Directors in its discretion. Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is an independent director (who, for the avoidance of doubt, is not an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries).
During fiscal year 2023, the members of Nominating and Governance Committee were Mr. Martin, Mr. Haworth and Ms. Gove. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Mr. Bob Martin (Chair), Ms. GoveMr. Saunders, and Mr. Haworth.
All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee were determined by the Board to be “independent” as defined by the SEC and NASDAQ listing standards. The Nominating and Governance Committee held one meeting during fiscal year 2021.2023.
Credit Risk Committee
In December 2014, the Board established a Credit Risk and Compliance Committee. In March 2018, the Board approved the continuation of the Credit Risk Committee and the formation of a separate Compliance Committee. The Credit Risk Committee is responsible for reviewing credit risk, underwriting strategy, the provision methodology, and monitoring trends in the Company’s loan portfolio. We have adopted a written charterscharter for the Credit Risk Committee, and Compliance Committee, which areis posted on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.” Our Credit Risk Committee currently consists of Mr. Saunders (Chair)(chair), Mr. Doug Martin and Ms. Hartje. During fiscal year 2023, the members of Credit Risk Committee were Mr. Doug Martin, Mr. Saunders, and Ms. Gove. The Credit Risk Committee held sixteenten meetings during fiscal year 2021.2023.
Compliance Committee
The Compliance Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company’s compliance activities and the Company’s compliance management system. We adopted a written charter for the Compliance Committee, which is posted on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.” Our Compliance Committee consists of Mr. Miller (chair), Mr. SaundersShein and Mr. Doug Martin. During fiscal year 2023, the members of Compliance Committee were Mr. Miller, Mr. Doug Martin and Mr. Saunders. The Compliance Committee held eleventen meetings during fiscal year 2021.2023.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
The Company is committed to making a difference throughout our communities and creating a sustainable future for our employees, consumers, investors, and other stakeholders. It is important to define our success beyond just financial growth and profitability and look at business practices that promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. The Board continues to actively look for ways to improve our company and partners along these fronts and to be good corporate citizens. You can learn more about our ESG efforts at www.conns.com/esg.
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Compensation of Non-Employee Directors
The Compensation Committee periodically reviews director compensation for service on the Board and Board committees and recommends director compensation and any changes to such compensation to the Board for approval. The Board annually reviews and approves director compensation for Board and committee service based on the recommendations of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee partners with Frederic W. Cook & Co. (“F.W. Cook”) to review the competitiveness of the compensation program for our non-employee directors on a regular basis. The following table summarizes the fiscal year 2021 2023 non-employee director compensation program:
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Fee | Annual Amount | |||
Annual Cash Retainer (1) | $ | 80,000 | ||
Additional Annual Retainer for: | ||||
• Lead Independent Director | $ | 25,000 | ||
• Audit Committee Chair | $ | 20,000 | ||
• Credit Risk Committee Chair | $ | 15,000 | ||
• Compliance Committee Chair | $ | 10,000 | ||
• Compensation Committee Chair | $ | 15,000 | ||
• Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee Chair | $ | 10,000 | ||
Annual Equity Award (2) | $ | 125,000 |
(1) |
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In addition to the annual cash retainers and equity awards, the Company reimburses all directors for reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their duties as directors, including attendance at meetings. |
Annual equity awards are granted on the day following the date of the annual stockholders meeting, in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) |
In November 2017, the Compensation Committee approved, and the Board ratified, the stock ownership guidelines for non-employee directors to attain aggregate equity in Conn’s stock valued at four times the annual cash retainer before the five year anniversary of their appointment as non-employee directors. As of January 31, 2021,2023, Messrs. Bob Martin, Doug Martin, Haworth, Shein, Schofman and Saunders met these ownership requirements, while Ms. Gove continuescontinued to make progress toward the ownership threshold as she is still within the five-year achievement period.threshold.
Directors who are also employees of the Company do not receive any compensation for service as a Board or Committee member. Non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the employee discount program on the same terms as Company employees. Pursuant to the employee discount program, non-employee directors can purchase Conn’s merchandise at product cost plus ten percent.
At our 2020 annual meeting, our stockholders approved the adoption of the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan. The 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan replaces the previously adopted 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan. The 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee and provides for equity grants, including but not limited to restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options to both employees and non-employee directors.
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InOn May 2020,26, 2022, all non-employee directors received 13,851 RSUs8,772 restricted stock units with an aggregate fair value of approximately $100,000.$120,527 for accounting purposes. The number of restricted stock units granted is determined by dividing the total dollar amount awarded by the average closing price of the Company’s common stock during the 20-day period prior to and including the grant date. The following table presents the total compensation for each non-employee director for fiscal year 2021:2023:
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | ||||||||||||||
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)1 | Stock Awards ($)2 | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Change in Pension and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||
Bob L. Martin | $125,000 | $100,004 | — | — | — | — | $225,004 | |||||||
Douglas H. Martin | $75,000 | $100,004 | — | — | — | — | $175,004 | |||||||
James H. Haworth | $75,000 | $100,004 | — | — | — | — | $175,004 | |||||||
Sue E. Gove | $88,334 | $100,004 | — | — | — | — | $188,338 | |||||||
Oded Shein | $95,000 | $100,004 | — | — | — | — | $195,004 | |||||||
William (David) Schofman | $75,000 | $100,004 | — | — | — | — | $175,004 | |||||||
William E. Saunders, Jr. | $90,000 | $100,004 | — | — | — | — | $190,004 |
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)1 | Stock Awards ($)2 | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Change in Pension and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Bob L. Martin | $ | 115,000 | $ | 120,527 | — | — | — | — | $ | 235,527 | ||||||||||||||||||
Douglas H. Martin | $ | 80,000 | $ | 120,527 | — | — | — | — | $ | 200,527 | ||||||||||||||||||
James H. Haworth | $ | 80,000 | $ | 120,527 | — | — | — | — | $ | 200,527 | ||||||||||||||||||
Sue E. Gove | $ | 80,000 | $ | 120,527 | — | — | — | — | $ | 200,527 | ||||||||||||||||||
Oded Shein | $ | 100,000 | $ | 120,527 | — | — | — | — | $ | 220,527 | ||||||||||||||||||
William (David) Schofman | $ | 95,000 | $ | 120,527 | — | — | — | — | $ | 215,527 | ||||||||||||||||||
William E. Saunders, Jr. | $ | 95,000 | $ | 120,527 | — | — | — | — | $ | 215,527 |
(1) |
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(2) | Represents aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during the year in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Information regarding the assumptions used in calculating the fair value under FASB ASC Topic 718 can be found in Note 1 to the financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year |
Listed below are the aggregate outstanding stock awards (unvested) held by each non-employee director as of January 31, 2021:2023:
Name | Stock Awards | |||
Bob L. Martin | 8,772 | |||
Douglas H. Martin | 8,772 | |||
James H. Haworth | 8,772 | |||
Sue E. Gove | 8,772 | |||
Oded Shein | 8,772 | |||
William (David) Schofman | 8,772 | |||
William E. Saunders, Jr. | 8,772 |
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides stockholders with an understanding of our compensation philosophy, objectives, policies and practices in place during fiscal year 2021,2023, as well as the factors considered by our Compensation Committee in making compensation decisions for fiscal year 2021.2023. This Compensation Discussion and Analysis focuses on the compensation of each person that served as our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer during fiscal year 2023, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers serving as of the end of fiscal year 20212023 other than our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (the “named executive officers”).
Name | Title | |||
Norman L. Miller | Interim President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
George L. Bchara | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | |||
Rodney D. Lastinger | President, Retail | |||
Mark L. Prior | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | |||
Thomas J. Fenton | Senior Vice President, Chief Credit Officer |
* Mr. Wright’s position was eliminated on February 19, 2021, resulting in his departure from the Company.
Business Highlights and Outlook
Business Highlights and Company Initiatives During the Unprecedented Fiscal Year 20212023
We are a leading specialty retailer that offers a broad selection of quality, branded durable consumer goods and related services in addition to a proprietary credit solution for our core credit-constrained consumers. We operate an integrated and scalable business through our retail stores and website. Our complementary product offerings include furniture and mattresses, home appliances, consumer electronics and home office products from leading global brands across a wide range of price points. Our credit offering provides financing solutions to a large, under-served population of credit-constrained consumers who typically have limited financing options. We provide customers the opportunity to comparison shop across brands with confidence in our competitive prices as well as affordable monthly payment options, next-day delivery and installation in most of our markets, and product repair service. We believe our large, attractively merchandised stores and credit solutions offer a distinctive shopping experience compared to other retailers that target our core customer demographic. We are generally classified as an essential business by government authorities in the jurisdictions in which
In fiscal year 2023, we operaterefocused our efforts on serving our core credit constrained customers as we provide essential goodscontinue to face the impacts of macroeconomic headwinds and serviceschanges in consumer behavior. Providing multiple financing options is our key differentiator and we continued pursuing profitable growth strategies aimed at enhancing the payment options we provide to our communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic was unfolding aroundexisting and prospective customers. Despite the world at the beginningnumber of our fiscal year 2021 and its impact on society and the global economy was unascertainable at that time. Despite widespread stay-at home orders and mandates for consumer facing businesses to temporarily close or suspend face-to-face operations, most of our stores were able to remain open, although we operated, at times, on reduced schedules due to state and local mandates. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we initiated several measures to ensure the safety of Company personnel and our customers.
Throughout fiscal year 2021, the Company, like nearly all other companies, constantly adjusted to national, state and local restrictions on retail sales activities, particularly for consumer retail companies with in-person sales and purchases. Despite these unprecedented challenges the Company continued to offer, sell and deliver essential home merchandise such as refrigerators and computers to consumers as they also adjusted to the societal and employment impacts during the pandemic. Throughout fiscal year 2021, the Company successfully executed the following operational initiatives and goals in the face of the pandemic:
Instituted health and safety measures, including enhanced cleaning in our stores and offices, a mask requirement for in-store personnel, and social distancing;
Adopted information technology initiatives to facilitate work-from-home that allowed a majority of administrative and support personnel to work from home;
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Maintained store openings in nearly all of our stores while observing local and state emergency declaration restrictions;
Initiated curb-side sales and pick-up in our stores;
Secured highly sought-after home merchandise such as refrigerators and home computers and safely executed home-stop deliveries to our customers;
Implemented payment deferral programs to provide relief to credit customers who were economically impacted by COVID-19;
Increased operating cash flow year-over-year by approximately 477% compared to fiscal year 2020 with approximately 48% of sales in cash, or by credit card or third-party financing;
Captured new customers who purchased merchandise using cash and credit cards while also de-levering risk in our credit portfolio by restricting credit underwriting terms and increased down-payments;
Expanded our credit underwriting strategies with development and testing;
Improved our underwriting infrastructure with additional hiring of e-commerce personnel and integration of new systems;
Increased liquidity by successfully launching an ABS transaction; and
Completed a tender offer for approximately $85.8 million in aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 7.250% high yield notes.
In the midst of the most disruptive societal, health-care and global economic crisis of the last 50 years, in fiscal year 2021, the Company saw the resilience of its unique hybrid retail2023, we achieved record eCommerce sales as we expanded our digital capabilities and improved our customer experience.
We further maintained our focus on enhancing our credit business model as the Company intentionally de-risked its credit business while continuingplatform to support retail demand through its diverse credit offerings. Retail operating margins also remained strong, demonstratingthe pursuit of our differentiated business model, improved product mix and emphasis on disciplined cost management. Stockholders experienced total return of 79.6% during the fiscal year and the Companylong-term growth objectives. We delivered the following financial and operational results in fiscal year 2021:2023:
Increased cash and third-party credit sales by 32%, reflecting strong demand for home-related products and our ability to serve a broader customer segment;Total consolidated revenue of approximately $1.3 billion;
Same storeeCommerce sales declined 12.8% for the fiscal year, primarily dueincreased 10.8% to a nearly 22.9% decline in sales financed by Conn’s in-house credit becausean annual record of tighter underwriting associated with the COVID-19 crisis;$79.0 million;
Increased e-commerce sales by $13.7 million, or 109.4% during fiscal year 2021, compared to the prior fiscal year period;
Improved net cash provided by operating activities to $462.1 million for fiscal year 2021 as compared to $80.1 million for fiscal year 2020;
Reduced overall debt balance by $416.6 million as compared to fiscal year 2020;
Reduced customer accounts receivable 60+ days past due at January 31, 2021 by 24% as compared to January 31, 2020;
• | Carrying value of re-aged accounts declined to $160.9 million from $182 million; and
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Credit spread of 910 basis points.
Leadership Transitions
The Interim CEO Offer provides that while Mr. Miller serves as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, he is entitled to the following: (i) a monthly salary payment of $210,000; (ii) an initial equity award with a grant value of $1,000,000 that will vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date; and (iii) an equity award valued at $750,000 granted at the beginning of each fiscal year quarter (i.e., February, May, August and November) that will vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. Any equity awards that vest from grants made pursuant to the Interim CEO Offer are subject to a two-year holding period, measured from the date the equity awards vest. The Interim CEO Offer also provides that Mr. Miller is not subject to the stock ownership guidelines applicable to the Chief Executive Officer but is instead subject to the stock ownership guidelines appliable to non-employee directors detailed in the Compensation of Non-Employee Directors discussion above.
Outlook
We believe that the broad appeal of our value proposition to our geographically diverse core demographic, the unit economics of our business and the current retail real estate market should provide the stability necessary to maintain our business. As the COVID-19 outbreak is contained, weWe expect our brand recognition and long history in our core markets should give us the opportunity to further penetrate our existing footprint, particularly as we leverage existing marketing spend, logistics infrastructure, and service footprint. There are also many markets in the U.S. with demographic characteristics similar to those in our existing footprint, which provides substantial opportunities for future growth. We plan to continue to improve our operating results by leveraging our existing infrastructure and seeking to continually optimize the efficiency of our marketing, merchandising, distribution and credit operations. As we expand in existing markets and penetrate new markets, we expect to increase our purchase volumes, achieve distribution efficiencies and strengthen our relationships with our key vendors. Over time, we also expect our increased store base and higher net sales to further leverage our existing corporate and regional infrastructure.
At our 2020 annual meeting, approximately 81.7% of shares cast were voted in favor of our advisory vote on executive compensation (commonly referred to as “Say-on-Pay”). This was an improvement from the 60.5% stockholder support we received at the 2019 annual meeting and put us back on track with the substantial support stockholders expressed in the 2017 and 2018 Say-on-Pay votes (approximately 91% and 84% in favor, respectively).
Following our extensive stockholder engagement leading up to the 2020 Annual Meeting which led to the significant inprovement on say-on-pay, we continued engaging with our stockholders to understand their concerns. For example, in August 2020, Mr. Bob L. Martin and members of our management team held a telephonic meeting with one of our stockholders, among the largest pension funds in the world, to discuss our executive compensation plan and philosophy and address its questions.
In conversations with stockholders during our extensive stockholder engagement in fiscal year 2020 and continuing into fiscal year 2021, we have emphasized that the Compensation Committee is committed to its pay-for-performance philosophy and designed the programs such that management’s real pay delivery is aligned with the achievement of superior financial performance and value created for stockholders. Starting in fiscal year 2020 and continuing into fiscal year 2021, equity compensation to management has consisted of 50% RSUs and 50% PSUs with the PSUs awarded to management requiring the achievement of multi-year EBITDA targets with a total stockholder return (TSR) modifier that aligns pay outcomes with stockholder results. Our CEO’s stock options also reflect our pay-for-performance philosophy and require stock appreciation from the date of grant for him to realize any value.
We believe that our stockholder outreach efforts have been effective in understanding our stockholder concerns and we plan to continue to engage with our stockholders going forward and use stockholder and proxy advisor firm concerns and input to further implement and emphasize pay-for-performance.
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Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
We have developed a compensation program for our named executive officers designed to: (i) reward and motivate individual and Company performance; (ii) attract and retain executive talent with competitive compensation opportunities; and (iii) build and encourage ownership of our Common Stock by our named executive officers. Toward these goals, our compensation program has been designed and administered to reward our named executive officers based on our financial and operating performance and their individual performance, and to align their interests with those of our stockholders. In addition, these goals are intended to encourage long-term commitment to the Company by our named executive officers. We believe that our executive compensation program, which consists primarily of a base salary, an annual performance-based cash bonus opportunity, and long-term time-based and performance-based equity incentive awards, promotes these objectives.
Compensation Philosophy
The following is the executive compensation philosophy that has been adopted by our Compensation Committee:
Compensation realized by executives should reflect the individual skills and contributions of the executive, as well as the Company’s overall performance against its business plan and changes in stockholder value.
The basic objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program include:
Attracting, motivating and retaining skilled executives necessary to execute its business strategy;
Motivating executives by linking compensation opportunity to the achievement of the Company’s short-term and long-term growth and profitability goals as well as execution of its business strategy;
Aligning interests of management and stockholders by linking realized compensation directly to increases in stockholder value and requiring ownership of our Common Stock over a sustained period; and
Promoting a pay-for-performance culture on a risk-appropriate basis with a majority of the named executive officer’s compensation to be earned, or increase in value, based on Company and stock performance.
• | Promoting a pay-for-performance culture on a risk-appropriate basis with a significant portion of the named executive officer’s compensation to be earned, or increase in value, based on Company and stock performance. |
In addition, the efficiency of the overall program from a tax, accounting, cash flow and stockholder dilution perspective should be balanced against the above objectives. In support of the stated objectives, the Company delivers an executive compensation program that includes the following fundamental elements:
1. | Base salary; |
2. | Annual cash incentive bonuses; and |
3. | Long-term equity incentives in the form of time-based nonqualified stock options (“ |
Additional benefits and perquisites may be included when appropriate. A named executive officer’s total direct compensation opportunity (i.e., base salary, annual cash incentives and long-term equity incentives) should be competitive with market practice. “Market practice” generally means the median (i.e., 50th percentile) of the total direct compensation opportunity of peer executives at companies in our peer group (defined below). However, the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, provide a named executive officer with a total direct compensation opportunity above or below market practice, based on the following factors:
The named executive officer’s individual skills, experience, and performance; and
The difficulty of replacing the named executive officer and importance of the position to the Company.
Actual compensation earned by a named executive officer may be above or below market level depending on the named executive officer’s individual performance and the Company’s absolute or relative performance compared with its peers.
Compensation Objectives
Reward Performance: A significant portion of the total direct compensation of each of our named executive officers is performance-based. One way in which we reward performance is through grants of equity, the value of which is tied to changes in our
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stock price. While we recognize that stock price performance is a closely monitored measure of performance, given the volatile nature of business conditions in our industry and the financial markets, we believe that it may not always be the most appropriate performance measure for incentive plan purposes. As a result, in fiscal year 2021,2023, a portion of our named executive officers’ total direct compensation is based on the Company’s strategic and operationalfinancial results, as measured by performance on certain key initiatives in the areas of credit, retail and e-commerce, maintaining compliance with debt covenants, meeting budget reductions for the second half of fiscal year 2021, and maintaining a minimum liquidity of $150 million. While adjusted EBITDA has often been used to determine ourand increases in same store sales (for purposes of earning bonuses under the annual cash incentive bonuses, due to the impact of COVID-19 our Compensation Committee and Board felt these measures of operational performance were more appropriate measures of management performance than adjusted EBITDA or other financial performance measures. The Compensation Committee may also award discretionary bonuses based on its review of individual performance.plan).
Attract, Retain and Motivate: We structure the compensation of our named executive officers with the goal of attracting and retaining excellent executives in our significant areas of operations – sales, merchandising, financial and liquidity, consumer credit, distribution, product service and training. We promote these objectives by ensuring that our compensation is competitive within our industry and by providing that equity awards vest over a three or four-year period (subject to our Compensation Committee’s discretion in determining a different vesting schedule as it deems appropriate under the circumstances) for purposes of retention. In addition, a significant portion of a named executive officer’s total direct compensation opportunity is tied to performance-based incentives that motivate our named executive officers to achieve strong financial and operational results.
Encourage Ownership of our Common Stock: We believe that ownership of our Common Stock by our named executive officers directly aligns their interests with those of our stockholders. To reinforce this belief, our Compensation Committee adopted stock ownership guidelines for our named executive officers, as further described under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-StockAnalysis- Stock Ownership Guidelines.”
The Compensation Committee is responsible for administering the executive compensation program for each of the named executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer assists the Compensation Committee with administering the executive compensation program for the other named executive officers, except with regard to certain actions and responsibilities that are specifically reserved to the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer plays no role in the compensation process, and is not present during voting or deliberations, with respect to hisher own compensation. The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities are identified in its charter posted on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.”
Our Compensation Committee seeks to structure compensation of our named executive officers in such a manner as to avoid encouraging excessive risk taking. To align stockholder interests and appropriate risk-taking the Compensation Committee: (i) caps the annual incentive bonus opportunity at 200% of the target bonus; (ii) adopted stock ownership guidelines for our named executive officers; and (iii) imposes varying time horizons for short and long-term incentive compensation, intending to balance the executive’s attention to our short and long-term performance goals and business objectives. The Compensation Committee also periodically reviews and adjusts the cash and equity award amounts tied to our short-short and long-term performance goals and objectives to better address changes in the market and Company risks as they arise and adjust our direction and actions to compensate for such risks. We believe that these actions ensure ongoing alignment of our pay-for-performance objectives and our stockholder interests with a view to long-term value creation.
In applying the above-described objectives for our executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee, in making its final determination, primarily relies upon:
input and recommendations received from the Chief Executive Officer regarding the day-to-day performance, areas of responsibilities and expectations for future performance of executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer;
• | input and recommendations received from the Chief Executive Officer regarding the day-to-day performance, areas of responsibilities and expectations for future performance of executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer; |
publicly available information with respect to the executive compensation practices of our peer group companies;
the analysis and recommendations of its independent compensation consultant, F.W. Cook, regarding our compensation programs for our executive officers; and
its own judgment and knowledge of the industry.
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Input Received from our Chief Executive Officer
The Compensation Committee relies in part on the input and recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer in making its determination regarding base salaries of the executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer), individual levels for annual incentive bonus compensation, and whether to grant long-term equity awards to such executive officers and if so, in what forms and amounts. The Compensation Committee believes that our Chief Executive Officer, by virtue of hisher role in overseeing the day-to-day performance of such individuals and hisher experience in the industry, is appropriately suited to make informed recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to the foregoing elements of our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee alone, with input and guidance from its independent compensation consultant, F.W. Cook, determines the compensation for our Chief Executive Officer.
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Industry Peer Group
While the Compensation Committee does not rely solely on any comparative analyses of the amounts and forms of compensation which are paid to the named executive officers with comparable roles at other public companies, it does review annually and take into consideration such analyses for public companies of comparable size and nature to our businesses (i.e., retail businesses including those that provide in-house financing of their merchandise sales), as well as similarly situated public companies outside the retail business industry. We refer to such companies collectively as our peer group. For fiscal year 2021,2023, the peer group was reviewed by the Compensation Committee based on selection criteria that reflect the Company’s size and business. The selection criteria werewas based on industry classification, revenue, and market capitalization, and developed by the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant acting at the Compensation Committee’s direction. The companies that comprisedcomprise our peer group were: Restoration Hardware,are both retail and consumer finance companies. Retail companies in the peer group are as follows: Aaron’s,Rent-A-Center,La-Z-Boy, Ethan Allen, EZCORP,Haverty Furniture, Hooker Furniture, Kirkland’s, La-Z-Boy,Rent-A-Center and Sleep Number. Consumer finance companies in the peer group are as follows: Encore Capital, Enova International, Encore Capital, Haverty Furniture, Tuesday Morning, Kirkland’s,EZCORP, First Cash Financial, PRA Group and Select Comfort.PROG Holdings. This peer group was used for purposes of reviewing the compensation of our named executive officers for fiscal year 2021.2023.
The Compensation Committee considers the amount and structure of peer company compensation when determining the compensation of executive officers, but the Compensation Committee does not target compensating our named executive officers to a specific benchmark level relative to our peer group, since our business model and resulting areas of responsibility are not directly comparable with those of named executives within our peer group. Instead, the Compensation Committee utilizes the competitive peer group compensation data to confirm that our compensation and incentive opportunities are appropriate and competitive relative to the market. The Compensation Committee may determine to modify the compensation levels of our named executive officers if they are deemed to not be competitive. The Compensation Committee also relies on its knowledge of the industry practices and our peers in determining our named executive officers’ base salary, annual bonus and long-term equity awards, as it deems appropriate and necessary to reward overall performance and achievements and to promote retention and stability within our executive team.
Compensation Consultant
The Compensation Committee has engaged F.W. Cook as its independent compensation consultant. F.W. Cook is responsible for preparing and presenting a comprehensive competitive market study of the compensation levels and practices for a group of industry peers on a periodic basis. The fiscal year 2021 Compensation Committee-approved2023 industry peer group is listed and described in more detail in the above section captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Determining Compensation - Industry Peer Group.” F.W. Cook is also responsible for preparing and presenting an outside director compensation study using the same industry peer group. The Compensation Committee relies on F.W. Cook for input on pay philosophy, current market trends, regulatory considerations and prevalence of benefit and perquisite programs.
The Compensation Committee considered whether F.W. Cook is independent from management, utilizing, among other things, the independence factors required by the SEC and NASDAQ. Based on this review, the Compensation Committee determined that F.W. Cook is independent from Company management and that F.W. Cook has no conflicts of interest in performing its work.
A representative of F.W. Cook attends Compensation Committee meetings as requested by the Compensation Committee. F.W. Cook works with management only under the direction of the Compensation Committee and does not provide any other advice or consulting services to the Company.
Other Factors
The Compensation Committee also considers our financial performance and business outlook to the extent that the Compensation Committee believes it may be fairly attributed to or related to the performance of a particular named executive officer. The Compensation Committee considers the contribution of each named executive officer relative to their individual responsibilities and capabilities.
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The compensation of our named executive officers consists of three basic elements: (i) base salary; (ii) annual cash incentive bonus (based on Company performance (and, in some cases, individual performance) and with discretionary aspects to reward outstanding performance); and (iii) equity awards. These components work together in determining the overall compensation of our named executive officers.
Base Salary
Each named executive officer receives a base salary determined by the Compensation Committee to be commensurate with the officer’s area of responsibility and that officer’s area and extent of responsibility in relation to our performance as a whole.Company performance. Individual salaries take into accountare determined based on our established salary policies, the individual’s level of responsibility, contribution and value to the Company, individual performance, and prior relevant experience. No specific formula is applied to determine the weight of each factor, and the factors are considered by our Compensation Committee in its discretion. Salary reviews are conducted annually in which individual performance is evaluated; however, individual salaries are not necessarily adjusted each year. Our Compensation Committee generally establishes base salaries at levels that are competitive with market practice, as further described above under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Compensation Philosophy and Objectives.”
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, theThe Compensation Committee did not increase Messrs. Bchara, Lastinger and Prior’s base salaries of our named executive officers were reduced for the 12-week period beginning on April 19, 2020 and ending on July 11, 2020 as follows:
Name | Base Salary Reduction % | Total Salary Reduction $ | ||||||
Norman L. Miller | 25.00 | % | $ | 57,692 | ||||
George L. Bchara | 20.00 | % | $ | 18,462 | ||||
Lee A. Wright | 20.00 | % | $ | 30,000 | ||||
Rodney D. Lastinger | 20.00 | % | $ | 24,923 | ||||
Mark L. Prior | 20.00 | % | $ | 15,231 |
Following the restoration of salaries in July 2020, the Compensation Committee increased the base salaries of certain named executive officersduring fiscal year 2023 due to: (i) internal pay equity considerations, (ii) overall market conditions; and (iii) the Compensation Committee’s belief that these salary increasesnamed executive officers’ salaries are competitive when compared to recent market survey data. Mr. Fenton received a salary increase effective October 30, 2022 in order to align his overall compensation with recent market survey data. Mr. Miller’s base salary changed in connection with his appointment to the position of Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. The salary changes for Messrs. Miller and Fenton are detailed below.
Name | FY 21 Annual Base Salary | FY 20 Annual Base Salary | % Change | FY 23 Annual Base Salary | FY 22 Annual Base Salary | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||
Norman L. Miller | $ | 1,000,000 | $ | 1,000,000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 1,214,923 | (1) | $ | 1,000,000 | (2) | 21.49 | % (1) | ||||||||||
George L. Bchara | $ | 475,000 | $ | 400,000 | 18.8 | % | $ | 550,000 | $ | 550,000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Lee A. Wright (1) | $ | 650,000 | $ | 650,000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Chandra R. Holt | $ | 1,000,000 | $ | 1,000,000 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
Rodney D. Lastinger | $ | 540,000 | $ | 540,000 | 0.0 | % | $ | 540,000 | $ | 540,000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Mark L. Prior | $ | 365,000 | $ | 330,000 | 10.6 | % | $ | 400,000 | $ | 400,000 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Thomas J. Fenton | $ | 425,000 | $ | 350,000 | 21.4 | % |
(1) | Mr. |
(2) | Fiscal year 2022 salary for Mr. Miller reflects his salary prior to his transition from President and Chief Executive Officer to a non-employee director in August 2022. |
Annual Cash Incentive Plan
The Company uses annual cash incentives to focus attention on current strategic priorities and drive achievement of annual objectives. The annual cash incentive plan is designed to focus executive officers towards continuing to improve both corporate and individual performance. The Compensation Committee establishes our bonus programannual cash incentive plan for all named executive officers, as well as certain other executive officers and employees, after receiving recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer. The annual incentive bonus opportunity is stated as a percentage of base salary consistent with the competitive market for executives in similar positions. Typically, the named executive officers receive annual cash incentive bonus payments based on the achievement of pre-determined Company
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performance goals (and in some cases, individual performance goals) approved by the Compensation Committee each fiscal year. Upon completion of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee determines the annual cash incentive bonuses based on the results of the bonus plan and each named executive officer’s bonus target percentage. The Compensation Committee discusses and approves the annual cash incentive bonus payments annually, considering the factors stated above.
Individual named executive officers may also receive bonus payments based on individual performance. These bonus levels, in the case of named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, are recommended by the Chief Executive Officer, and in all cases, are established by the Compensation Committee, based on the applicable named executive officer’s level of responsibility
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and ability to affect the performance of his area of responsibility and the Company’s performance. At the end of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee may additionally establish individual performance bonus awards for each named executive officer upon recommendation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (for named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer), or as separately determined by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee also believes that it is important to have the flexibility to grant discretionary bonuses if the Company achieves or exceeds one or more specific performance goals, and if the Compensation Committee determines that management’s overall performance during the year merits special financial recognition. Further, the Chief Executive Officer may recommend discretionary bonuses, outside of our annual incentive bonus program,plan, for executive officers (other than himself) to the Compensation Committee when deemed appropriate and provide the Compensation Committee with his rationale for the recommended bonus amounts. The Compensation Committee makes all final decisions as to the compensation of the named executive officers including the award of any discretionary bonuses.
The Compensation Committee has historically selected adjusted EBITDA and increase in same store sales as the primary performance benchmarkbenchmarks for purposes of the annual cash incentive bonus program, because itplan. The Compensation Committee believes adjusted EBITDA serves as an appropriate measure of the Company’s operating cash flow and overall financial performance prior to the effects of capital structure, taxes and depreciation policies. However,The calculation of adjusted EBITDA is based on net income plus interest expense, plus provision for fiscal year 2021,income taxes, plus depreciation, plus amortization, plus loss from early extinguishment of debt, plus non-cash stock compensation expense and plus charges and credits. The achievement of adjusted EBITDA goals were not pre-established under the annual incentive bonus program due to the unknown impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead,targets and same store sales growth targets are each weighted 50% in the second quarterdetermination of fiscal year 2021, certain strategic goals and specific financial performance objectives were established for fiscal year 2021. Ultimately, the Compensation Committee selected performance benchmarks for fiscal year 2021 that included success with key strategic initiatives in the areas of credit, retail and e-commerce, compliance with debt covenants, meeting budget reductions for the second half of fiscal year 2021 and maintaining a minimum liquidity of $150 million. While adjusted EBITDA and other benchmarks have been used as the performance criteria for our annual cash incentive bonuses in the past, including last year, due to the impact of COVID-19, our Compensation Committee, as well as our Board and Chief Executive Officer, concluded that these alternative measures of operational performance were more appropriate benchmarks of management performance for the unprecedented year. Given the uncertain business outlook caused by the pandemic-related economic conditions, the Compensation Committee deferred approving these operational benchmarks until its November 2020 meeting, although it began the process of establishing these alternative measures in late summer 2020.
The Compensation Committee determined that payout at 75% percent of the target bonuspayment amounts under the annual cash incentive plan.
For fiscal year 2023, the Compensation Committee established adjusted EBITDA and increase in same store sales performance targets for purposes of the Company’s annual cash incentive plan was appropriatefor our named executive officers as benchmarks were met by management, including maintaining liquidity during the pandemic, successfully launching an asset-backed notes transaction in an aggregate amount of approximately $303 million, completing a tender offer of approximately $85.8 million of its outstanding 7.250% high yield notes to decrease interest expense, and growing the e-commerce business 109.4% year-over-year. follows:
Performance Measure | Threshold | Target | Maximum | |||||||||
EBITDA (50%) | $ | 141.9 million | $ | 159.0 million | $ | 178.1 million | ||||||
Same Store Sales Increase (50%) | 2.0% | 4.7% | 6.0% |
The following chart details the threshold, target and maximum annual cash incentive opportunity for fiscal year 20212023 for each named executive officer as a percentage of base salary in effect at the end of the year:
Name | Threshold* | Target* | Maximum* | Threshold | Target | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||
Norman L. Miller | 75 | % | 150 | % | 300 | % | 75 | % | 150 | % | 300 | % | ||||||||||||
George L. Bchara | 50 | % | 100 | % | 200 | % | 50 | % | 100 | % | 200 | % | ||||||||||||
Lee A. Wright (1) | 50 | % | 100 | % | 200 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Chandra R. Holt (2) | 75 | % | 150 | % | 300 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Rodney D. Lastinger | 37.5 | % | 75 | % | 150 | % | 50 | % | 100 | % | 200 | % | ||||||||||||
Mark L. Prior | 37.5 | % | 75 | % | 150 | % | 37.5 | % | 75 | % | 150 | % | ||||||||||||
Thomas J. Fenton | 37.5 | % | 75 | % | 150 | % |
(1) | Mr. |
(2) |
|
Fiscal year 2023 adjusted EBITDA performance was below Threshold at $48.2 million and same store sales increase was also below Threshold at -20%. Therefore, there were no annual cash incentive plan bonuses paid for fiscal year 2023.
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Equity Awards
We use equity awards to complement base salary and short-term cash incentive bonus compensation components provided to our named executive officers and to further align executive pay with the long-term financial performance of the Company. We further believe that stock ownership by our executive officers aligns executive interests with those of our stockholders.
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We do not target any set mix of compensation components. Our Compensation Committee reviews the goals of our Company and the status of the markets in which we compete to determine the appropriate combination of short-term and long-term incentive compensation should be structurednecessary in order to properly incentivize our executives to best implement both the short-term and long-term elements of our Company strategies. We further believe that stock ownership by our executive officers aligns executive interests with those of our stockholders.
Prior to fiscal year 2021, annual equity awards have typically been granted to our named executive officers at the Company’s regular meeting of the Board scheduled for the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. At the beginning of fiscal year 2021, annual equity awards were granted to our named executive officers were during the first quarter of the fiscal year in order to align the annual equity award granting process with the beginning of our fiscal year and industry practice. Off-cycle (non-annual) awards may be made if our Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee deem it appropriate for those not receiving grants on the regular schedule, newly-promoted employees, strategic new hires, or in other special or unique circumstances.
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, grant equity awards to the named executive officers from time-to-time, which may include time-based Options, restricted stock, RSUs, and PSUs, as well as other forms of equity awards, pursuant to our 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan. In making any awards, the Compensation Committee will consider:
the number of equity awards previously granted to the named executive officer; and
the named executive officer’s past and expected future contributions to the Company.
In making long-term incentive compensation decisions, no formal weighting formula is used in deciding award amounts under our equity incentive programs. Our Compensation Committee instead considers each executive’s ability and individual responsibility to directly impact our Company’s overall performance in the long-term and makes equity awards based on considerations for each individual executive.
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, grant equity awards to the named executive officers from time-to-time, which may include Options, RSUs, and PSUs, as well as other forms of equity awards, pursuant to our 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan.
Fiscal Year 20212023 Annual Equity Awards to Named Executive Officers
ForAt the beginning of fiscal year 2021,2023, the Compensation Committee elected to grant time-based RSUs and performance-based PSUs with vesting based on the attainment of specific stock price targets to our named executive officers. Fifty percent (50%) of the awards were granted in the form of time-based RSUs that vest ratably over the three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of the award wasawards were granted in the form of performance-based PSUs that vest, if at all, at the end of the three-year period following the date of grant based on the attainmentachievement of specific stock pricespecified TSR targets at the end of the three-year vesting period. period as follows:
Performance Level | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Premium | ||||
Percentage of PSUs Vesting | 50% of Target | 100% of Target | 150% of Target | 200% of Target | ||||
Annualized TSR | 5% | 9% | 12% | 15% |
The percentage of PSUs vesting will be determined using straight-line interpolation between the performance levels set forth above, provided that no PSUs shall vest for performance at levels below the Threshold.
The value of the equity awards granted was determined by multiplying each executive’s target annual incentive cash opportunity percentage by their annual salarybased on the datereview of grant.each named executive officer’s total direct compensation compared to competitive market data as well as that executive’s area of responsibility and performance in relation to other executive’s performance and overall Company achievement. The value of the annual fiscal year 20212023 equity awards granted on February 6, 20201, 2022, is as follows: Mr. Miller - $1,405,860;$1,500,000; Mr. Bchara - $281,174; Mr. Wright$700,000; Ms. Holt - $609,208;$3,000,000; Mr. Lastinger - $379,591; and$600,000; Mr. Prior - $231,974.$350,000 and Mr. Fenton - $350,000. Additional details regarding the fiscal year 2021 equity awards to our named executive officers, including grant date fair value, are described in the Grant of Plan Based Awards table below.
CertainAdditional Fiscal Year 20202023 Equity Awards to Certain Named Executive Officers other than
In addition to the CEO
Effective June 1, 2019,fiscal year 2023 annual equity awards described above, Mr. Wright was promotedMiller received an equity award in the form of RSUs valued at $99,000 on August 10, 2022 in connection with his transition from an employee director to Executive Vicea non-employee director. This award represented the pro rata value of the annual equity award for directors who serve on our Board. Mr. Miller also received an equity award in the form of RSUs on October 18, 2022 valued at $1,000,000 in connection with his appointment to serve as Interim President and Chief OperatingExecutive Officer. Both RSU awards vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
Messrs. Bchara, Lastinger, Prior and Fenton each received an equity award valued at $200,000 in the form of RSUs on November 17, 2022 as part of a special retention award granted to a select group of key leaders who were identified by the Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Bchara was promotedthe Board as critical to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In connection with their promotions, Mr. Wright and Mr. Bchara received equity grants valued at $674,360 and $311,264, respectively,business operations. Fifty percent (50%) of which 50% are time basedthe RSUs vesting ratably over three years beginningawarded vest on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 50% of the RSUs awarded vest on the second anniversary of the grant date. Additional details regarding these additional equity awards to our named executive officers, including grant date fair value, are performance-based PSUs,described in the Grant of Plan Based Awards table below.
Interim CEO Compensation
The Interim CEO Offer provides that while Mr. Miller serves as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, he is entitled to the following: (i) a monthly salary payment of $210,000; (ii) an initial equity award with a grant value of $1,000,000 that will vest ifon the one-year anniversary of the grant
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date; and (iii) an equity award valued at all, upon satisfaction$750,000 granted at the beginning of cumulative EBITDA growth performance targets achieved ineach fiscal years 2021year quarter (i.e., February, May, August and 2022. In addition, these PSUsNovember) that will vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. Any equity awards that vest from grants made pursuant to the Interim CEO Offer are subject to a modifier based ontwo-year holding period, measured from the Company’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) performance during the vesting period. Vesting levels will be determined after completion of the 30-day period following the end of fiscal year 2022.
Effective June 3, 2019, in connection with his appointment as President of Retail, Mr. Lastinger received an equity grant of $500,010 in the form of time-based RSUs. The RSUs vest ratably over a four-year period beginning on first anniversary of the grant date.
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Certain Fiscal Year 2019 Retention Equity Awards to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer
On March 28, 2018, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of retention equity awards to Messrs. Miller and Wright. The primary purpose ofdate the equity awards were, at the time of grant, to maintain the continuity of the highly successful leadership under our Chief Executive Officer and our former Chief Financial Officer, who became our Chief Operating Officer, and to ensure their retention over the next three to four years (i.e. through fiscal year 2023). Additionally, the purpose of the retention equity grants was to ensure that they continue to focus on achieving the Company’s long-term goals in growing a sustainable business model and in creating stockholder value. We further believe that increased potential equity ownership by Messrs. Miller and Wright would align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders.vest.
Specifically, the Compensation Committee granted a retention equity award to Mr. Miller of 500,000 time-based Options, vesting ratably over two years as follows: 250,000 Options vesting on March 28, 2021 (fiscal year 2022), and 250,000 Options vesting on March 28, 2022 (fiscal year 2023). In addition, the Compensation Committee granted a retention equity award to Mr. Wright of 77,280 time-based RSUs and 120,166 Options. The RSUs and Options vest ratably in two equal installments with 38,640 RSUs and 60,083 Options vesting on March 28, 2021 (fiscal year 2022), and the same number of RSUs and Options vesting on March 28, 2022 (fiscal year 2023). The Options granted to Messrs. Miller and Wright are exercisable at the strike price of $32.35, the Company’s closing stock price on the date of these awards.
Health, Retirement, Perquisites and Other Benefits
Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in the same retirement and other health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, life insurance, employee discount, and in the Company’s employee stock purchase plan, in each case on the same basis as our other eligible employees.
In August 2011, our Board of Directors adopted stock ownership guidelines for our named executive officers to align their interests more closely with the interests of our stockholders. During fiscal year 2015,On March 23, 2022, our Board of Directors approved the Compensation Committee increasedamendment and restatement of the stock ownership guidelines. The stock ownership guidelines for ourthe Chief Executive Officer did not change with the amendment and other named executive officers.restatement. Under thesethe guidelines, within five years from the date of hire, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer is required to own shares of Common Stock with a value equal to at least five times his or her annual base salary, and eachsalary. The stock ownership guidelines for all other named executive officer is required to own sharesofficers now require ownership of our Common Stock with a value equal to at least fourtwo times his or her annual base salary. All beneficially owned shares of Common Stock, including vested options, options that will vest within 60 days and unvested RSUs are counted towards achievement of the ownership requirements. Individuals are required to achieve the applicable level of ownership within five years after first becoming subject to the guidelines.
If an individual becomes subject to the stock ownership guidelines or is subject to a greater ownership amount due to promotion or an increase in base salary, the individual is expected to meet the applicable ownership amount within the later of the original period or 12 months from the effective date of the promotion or salary change. If an individual’s ownership level falls below the applicable guideline due solely to a decline in the value of the Common Stock, the individual will not be required to acquire additional shares to meet the guideline, but he or she will be required to retain all shares then held (except for shares withheld to pay withholding taxes or the exercise price of options) until such time as the individual again attains the stock ownership threshold. Stock ownership holding calculations do not include unexercised stock options or unvested PSUs.
As of January 31, 2021, Mr.2023, Messrs. Miller, Bchara and Prior met thetheir applicable stock ownership guidelines. Messrs. Bchara, Lastinger and PriorFenton did not meet the guidelines but continue to make progress towards meeting theirthe ownership threshold. The guidelinesMs. Holt is no longer applysubject to Mr. Wrightthe stock ownership guidelines as his position was eliminated asa result of February 19, 2021, resulting in his departure from the Company.her termination of service.
Consistent with our 2020 Omnibus Equity Plan, our equity award agreements include clawback features which allow the Company to recoup and clawback compensation, payments, equity grants, equity vesting and any other equity payments pursuant to a Company plan in the event of the recipient’s termination for cause or violation of plan terms, and to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of any applicable law, including but not limited to, Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, any Securities and Exchange Commission rule, and any implementing rules and regulations thereunder.
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Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging
The Company’s insider trading policy, a copy of which is available on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance”, restricts all officers, directors and certain employees from engaging in any of the following activities with respect to the securities of the Company:
Purchases on margin (where money is borrowed to make the purchase);
Short sales;
Buying or selling puts or calls;
Hedging or monetization transactions, such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts, that allow an employee to lock in much of the value of his or her stock holdings, often in exchange for all or part of the potential upside appreciation in the stock; or
• | Hedging or monetization transactions, such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts, that allow an employee to lock in much of the value of his or her stock holdings, often in exchange for all or part of the potential upside appreciation in the stock; or |
Holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging Company securities as collateral for a loan without adequate financial resources to prevent a forced sale.
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To the Company’s knowledge, none of our officers or directors have entered into any hedging transactions with respect to our Common Stock, nor have they pledged any Common Stock to secure any personal indebtedness or deposited Company stock into any margin account. To the Company’s knowledge, none of our officers or directors have entered into any of the foregoing restricted transactions.
We provide our named executive officers with limited perquisites and other benefits, as reflected in the All Other Compensation column in the “Summary Compensation Table” below, which the Compensation Committee believes are reasonable, competitive and consistent with the objectives of our executive compensation program.
Employment and Related Agreements
Certain of the named executive officers have entered into Executive Severance Agreements with the Company and others are party to the Company’s Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan adopted in September 2020, the material terms of which are explained in more detail under the section “Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangements” below.
Tax Implications of Our Compensation Policies
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation that we may deduct in any given year with respect to the CEO and certain of our other most highly paid executive officers. There was an exception to the $1,000,000 limitation prior to calendar year 2018 for performance-based compensation meeting certain requirements. Our Options and PSUs generally are performance-based compensation for these purposes and, as such, were typically fully deductible. Performance-based cash bonus compensation awards under our Management Incentive Compensation Program were also possibly tax deductible. Our annual base salary and time-based restricted stock units are generally subject to the Section 162(m) deduction limitations. As a result of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, the performance-based exception to Section 162(m) has been eliminated, resulting in the foregoing performance compensation in excess of $1,000,000 in calendar year 2018 or later generally not being deductible for the Company, subject to the transition rule for plans and agreements in place on November 2, 2017. To maintain flexibility in compensating executive officers in view of the overall objectives of our compensation program, the Compensation Committee has not adopted a policy requiring that all compensation be tax deductible.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and discussed it with the Company’s management. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 20212023 and the Company’s 20212023 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A related to the 20212023 annual meeting, for filing with the SEC.
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Compensation Committee: |
William (David) Schofman (Chair) |
Bob L. Martin |
James H. Haworth |
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Name | Fiscal Year | Salary ($)(1) | Bonus ($)(2) | Stock Awards ($)(3) | Option Awards ($)(4) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(5) | All Other Compensation ($)(6) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Norman L. Miller | 2021 | $ | 942,308 | — | $ | 1,405,860 | — | $ | 1,125,000 | $ | 12,000 | $ | 3,485,168 | |||||||||||||||||||
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board | 2020 | $ | 1,000,000 | — | — | — | — | $ | 43,158 | $ | 1,043,158 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | $ | 987,500 | — | — | $ | 10,418,952 | $ | 3,000,000 | $ | 37,773 | $ | 14,444,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||
George L. Bchara(7) | 2021 | $ | 419,038 | — | $ | 281,174 | — | $ | 356,250 | — | $ | 1,056,462 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2020 | $ | 375,000 | — | $ | 311,264 | — | — | $ | 11,200 | $ | 697,464 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lee A. Wright | 2021 | $ | 620,000 | $ | 400,000 | $ | 609,208 | — | — | — | $ | 1,629,208 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | 2020 | $ | 633,333 | — | $ | 674,360 | — | — | $ | 37,990 | $ | 1,345,683 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | $ | 591,667 | — | $ | 2,500,000 | $ | 2,504,005 | $ | 1,200,000 | $ | 23,354 | $ | 6,819,026 | |||||||||||||||||||
Rodney D. Lastinger(7) | 2021 | $ | 515,077 | — | $ | 379,591 | — | $ | 303,750 | — | $ | 1,198,418 | ||||||||||||||||||||
President, Retail | 2020 | $ | 353,077 | — | $ | 500,011 | — | — | $ | 22,626 | $ | 875,714 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mark L. Prior (7) | 2021 | $ | 332,269 | — | $ | 231,974 | — | $ | 205,313 | — | $ | 769,556 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Vice President and General Counsel |
Name | Fiscal Year 1 | Salary ($)2 | Bonus ($)3 | Stock Awards ($)4 | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)5 | All Other Compensation ($)6 | Totals ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Norman L. Miller | 2023 | $ | 1,214,923 | — | $ | 2,769,421 | — | — | $ | 447,869 | $ | 4,432,214 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interim President & Chief Executive Officer | 2022 | $ | 1,000,000 | — | $ | 1,667,574 | — | $ | 3,000,000 | $ | 23,600 | $ | 5,691,174 | |||||||||||||||||||
2021 | $ | 942,308 | — | $ | 1,405,860 | — | $ | 1,125,000 | $ | 12,000 | $ | 3,485,168 | ||||||||||||||||||||
George L. Bchara | 2023 | $ | 550,000 | — | $ | 1,032,391 | — | — | $ | 13,892 | $ | 1,596,284 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | 2022 | $ | 504,135 | — | $ | 528,072 | — | $ | 1,100,000 | $ | 8,976 | $ | 2,141,183 | |||||||||||||||||||
2021 | $ | 419,038 | — | $ | 281,174 | — | $ | 356,250 | — | $ | 1,056,462 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chandra R. Holt | 2023 | $ | 738,462 | — | $ | 3,515,724 | — | — | $ | 379,398 | $ | 4,633,584 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Former President & Chief Executive Officer | 2022 | $ | 461,538 | — | $ | 8,508,778 | — | $ | 2,223,288 | $ | 348,214 | $ | 11,541,818 | |||||||||||||||||||
Rodney D. Lastinger | 2023 | $ | 540,000 | — | $ | 915,190 | — | — | $ | 13,031 | $ | 1,468,221 | ||||||||||||||||||||
President, Retail | 2022 | $ | 540,000 | — | $ | 600,342 | — | $ | 1,080,000 | $ | 11,600 | $ | 2,231,942 | |||||||||||||||||||
2021 | $ | 515,077 | — | $ | 379,591 | — | $ | 303,750 | — | $ | 1,198,418 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Mark L. Prior | 2023 | $ | 400,000 | — | $ | 622,212 | — | — | $ | 12,200 | $ | 1,034,412 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President & General Counsel | 2022 | $ | 386,539 | $ | 50,000 | $ | 304,345 | — | $ | 600,000 | $ | 11,600 | $ | 1,352,484 | ||||||||||||||||||
2021 | $ | 332,269 | — | $ | 231,974 | — | $ | 205,313 | — | $ | 769,556 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas J. Fenton | 2023 | $ | 367,308 | — | $ | 622,212 | — | — | $ | 12,431 | $ | 1,001,950 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President & Chief Credit Officer |
(1) | Information is not included for fiscal year 2021 for Ms. Holt because she joined the Company during fiscal year 2022. Information is not included for Mr. Fenton for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 because he was not a named executive officer until fiscal year 2023. |
(2) | Salary paid in fiscal year |
Salary paid to Mr. Bchara in fiscal year 2022 reflects an increase in base salary from $475,000 to $550,000 effective August 8, 2021. Salary paid in fiscal year 2022 to Ms. Holt represents the pro-rata portion of her annual base salary ($1,000,000) paid during the fiscal year based on her commencement of employment on August 9, 2021. Salary paid to Mr. Prior in fiscal year 2022 reflects an increase in base salary from $365,000 to $400,000 effective June 13, 2021.
Salary paid in fiscal year 20202021 reflects a temporary 12-week reduction in base salary of 25% for Mr. Miller and 20% for Messrs. Bchara, Lastinger and Prior due to COVID-19 as well as the following increases in base salary effective June 1, 2019:July 26, 2020: Mr. Bchara – base salary increased from $325,000$400,000 to $400,000 in connection with his promotion to Chief Financial Officer,$475,000, and Mr. WrightPrior – base salary increased from $600,000$330,000 to $650,000 in connection with his promotion to Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Lastinger’s base salary represents the pro-rata portion of his annual base salary ($540,000) paid in fiscal year 2020 based on his commencement of employment on June 3, 2019.$365,000.
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Bonus amounts paid to the named executive officers upon the achievement of pre-established Company goals appear in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column. |
Represents aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the year in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, which may be greater or less than the value that the named executive officer realizes upon vesting of the awards. Information regarding the assumptions used in calculating the fair value under FASB ASC Topic 718 can be found in Notes 1 and 9 to the financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year |
For fiscal year 2023, represents the grant date fair value of the following RSUs and PSUs granted: Mr. Miller – 171,571 RSUs and 31,407 PSUs, Mr. Bchara – 38,725 RSUs and 14,657 PSUs, Ms. Holt – 62,815 RSUs and 62,814 PSUs, Mr. Lastinger – 36,631 RSUs and 12,563 PSUs, Mr. Prior – 31,397 RSUs and 7,328 PSUs and Mr. Fenton – 31,397 RSUs and 7,328 PSUs. The fiscal year 2023 annual equity awards are discussed in more detail under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
For fiscal year 2022, represents the grant date fair value of the following RSUs and PSUs granted: Mr. Miller – 47,741 RSUs and 47,740 PSUs, Mr. Bchara – 15,118 RSUs and 15,118 PSUs, Ms. Holt – 200,650 RSUs and 115,688 PSU, Mr. Lastinger – 17,187 RSUs and 17,187 PSUs, and Mr. Prior – 8,713 RSUs and 8,713 PSUs. The fiscal year 2022 annual equity awards are discussed in more detail under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
For fiscal year 2021, represents the grant date value of the following RSUs and PSUs granted: Mr. Miller – 78,452 RSUs and 78,452 PSUs, Mr. Bchara – 15,691 RSUs and 15,690 PSUs, Mr. Wright – 33,996 RSUs and 33,996 PSUs, Mr. Lastinger – 21,183 RSUs and 21,182 PSUs, and Mr. Prior – 12,945 RSUs and 12,945 PSUs. The RSUs vest ratably over the three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. The PSUs vest, if at all, at the end of the three-year period following the date of grant based on the attainment of specific stock price targets at the end of the three-year vesting period. The fiscal year 2021 annual equity awards are discussed in more detail under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
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For fiscal year 2020, represents the value of the following RSUs and PSUs granted to Messrs. Bchara, and Wright: Mr. Bchara – 6,894 RSUs and 6,894 PSUs, and Mr. Wright – 14,936 RSUs and 14,936 PSUs. Messrs. Bchara and Wright’s awards were granted in connection with their promotions during fiscal year 2020 and are