UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant  

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE
14A-6(E)(2))

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

Definitive Additional Materials

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to
Section 240.14a-12

Leslie’s, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 No fee required
 Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules
14a-6(i)(1)
and
0-11.


LOGO


 

LOGO

2024

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OF SHAREHOLDERS AND

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 


LOGO


LOGO

2023

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OF SHAREHOLDERS AND

PROXY STATEMENT


    LETTER FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

LOGO

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is our pleasure to invite you to attend the 20232024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Leslie’s, Inc. The meeting will be held in a virtual format on Thursday,Friday, March 16, 2023,15, 2024, beginning at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The meeting will be conducted via a live audiocast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LESL2023.LESL2024.

The following pages contain the formal Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, which describe the specific business to be considered and voted upon at the Annual Meeting. The meeting will include a report on Leslie’s activities for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2022,September 30, 2023, and there will be an opportunity for comments and questions from shareholders.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. After reviewing the Proxy Statement, we ask you to vote as described in the Proxy Statement as soon as possible.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, we would like to thank you for your continued interest and investment in Leslie’s.

 

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

        
LOGO

LOGO

 

LOGO

Michael R. Egeck

Chief Executive Officer

2005 East Indian School Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85016

January [    ], 202324, 2024

      

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 


 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

 

 

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

DATE AND TIME

Thursday,Friday, March 16,15, 2023

12:00 p.m. Eastern Time

 

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

WHO CAN VOTE

Shareholders of record as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 17, 20232024 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment thereof.

 

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

LOCATION

Online via live audiocast on

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LESL2023LESL2024

 

 

VOTING ITEMS

 

  Proposals Board Vote Recommendation For Further Details
  1. Election of twothree Class IIIII directors, as named in this proxy statement “FOR” each director nominee listed in Proposal 1 Page 16
  2. Ratification of appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 20232024 “FOR” Page 2322
  3. Non-binding, advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation “FOR” Page 2524
  4. AdoptionApproval of Sixththe Leslie’s, Inc. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Leslie’s, Inc., which declassifies our Board of Directors and deletes certain obsolete provisions from our Certificate of Incorporation2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan “FOR” Page 4146

Shareholders will also transact any other business that may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement is first being made available to our shareholders on or about January [    ], 2023.24, 2024.

The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to consider and take action on the proposals stated above and discussed more thoroughly in the proxy materials. We are holding the Annual Meeting in a virtual-only format this year. To attend the Annual Meeting online, vote or submit questions or view the list of registered shareholders during the meeting, shareholders of record will need to go to the meeting website listed above and log in using their 16-digit control number included on their proxy card. Beneficial owners should review these proxy materials and their voting instruction form for how to vote in advance of and how to participate in the Annual Meeting.Meeting or, otherwise, contact their bank, broker or other nominee (preferably at least 5 days before the Annual Meeting) and obtain a “legal proxy” in order to be able to attend, participate in or vote at the annual meeting.

In the event of a technical malfunction or other situation that the meeting chair determines may affect the ability of the Annual Meeting to satisfy the requirements for a meeting of shareholders to be held by means of remote communication under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or that otherwise makes it advisable to adjourn the Annual Meeting, the chair or secretary of the Annual Meeting will convene the meeting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the date specified above and at the Company’s address specified below solely for the purpose of adjourning the meeting to reconvene at a date, time and physical or virtual location announced by the meeting chair. Under either of the foregoing circumstances, we will post information regarding the announcement on the Company’s Investor Relations page at https://ir.lesliespool.com/.

We encourage you to review these proxy materials and vote your shares before the Annual Meeting, your vote is important.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

Brad Gazaway

Chief Legal, Real Estate & Sustainability Officer and Corporate Secretary

2005 East Indian School Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85016

January [    ], 202324, 2024

HOW TO VOTE

 

   
LOGO LOGO LOGO

 

INTERNET

www.proxyvote.com

 

 

TELEPHONE

1-800-690-6903

 

 

MAIL

Mark, sign, date and promptly mail

the enclosed proxy card in the

postage-paid envelope

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 16, 202315, 2024

 

The notice, Proxy Statement, and 20222023 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND WEBSITE REFERENCES

 

 

This document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical or current facts, including statements regarding our environmental and other sustainability plans and goals, made in this document are forward-looking. We use words such as “may,” “will,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “future,” “intends,” “continue,” “maintain,” “remain,” “goal,” “target,” “recurring,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations are described in our 2022fiscal year 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document or as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them, notwithstanding any historical practice of doing so. Forward-looking and other statements in this document may also address our corporate responsibility and sustainability progress, plans, and goals (including environmental and diversity & inclusion matters), and the inclusion of such statements is not an indication that these contents are necessarily material to investors or required to be disclosed in the Company’s filings with the SEC. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking environmental and social-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and are subject to numerous and evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to predict or assess. In some cases, we may determine to adjust our commitments, goals or targets or establish new ones to reflect changes in our business, operations or plans. Website references throughout this document are provided for convenience only, and the content on the referenced websites is not incorporated by reference into this document.

 

 

ii    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


 

Proxy Statement Summary

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

 

   

 

LOGOLOGO

 

 

LOGOLOGO

  

 

LOGOLOGO

 

DATE AND TIME

 

March 16, 2023,15, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.

Eastern Time

 

 

LOCATION

 

Online at

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LESL2023LESL2024

 

  

 

RECORD DATE

 

January 17, 20232024

 

  Voting Matters Board’s Vote Recommendations  For Further Information
  PROPOSAL 1 Election of twothree Class IIIII directors, as named in this proxy statement “FOR”each director nominee listed in Proposal 1  Page 16
  PROPOSAL 2 Ratification of appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 20232024 “FOR”  Page 2322
  PROPOSAL 3 Non-binding, advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation “FOR”  Page 2524
  PROPOSAL 4 AdoptionApproval of Sixththe Leslie’s, Inc. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Leslie’s, Inc., which declassifies our Board of Directors and deletes certain obsolete provisions from our Certificate of Incorporation2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan “FOR”  Page 4146

COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BUSINESS STRATEGY

We are the largest and most trusted direct-to-consumer brand in the $15 billion United States pool and spa care industry, serving residential and professional consumers. Founded in 1963, we are the only direct-to-consumer pool and spa care brand with national scale, operating an integrated marketing and distribution ecosystem powered by a physical network of 990over 1,000 branded locations and a robust digital platform. We have a market-leading share of approximately 15% of residential aftermarket product spend as of 2021,2022, our physical network is larger than the sum of our 20 largest competitors and our digital sales are estimated to be greater than five times as large as that of our largest digital competitor. We offer an extensive assortment of professional-grade products, the majority of which are exclusive to Leslie’s, Inc. (“Company” or “Leslie’s”), as well as certified installation and repair services, all of which are essential to the ongoing maintenance of pools and spas. Our dedicated team of associates, pool and spa care experts, and experienced service technicians are passionate about empowering our consumers with the knowledge, products, and solutions necessary to confidently maintain and enjoy their pools and spas. Over the last five fiscal years, we have spent more than $215 million in foundational investments across new technologies and capabilities focused on transforming our consumer experience and advancing our industry leadership. The unprecedented scale of our integrated marketing and distribution ecosystem, which is powered by our direct-to-consumer network, uniquely enables us to efficiently reach and service every pool and spa in the continental United States, capabilities no competitor can match.States.

We operate primarily in the pool and spa aftermarket industry, which is broadly comprised of: (i) chemicals; (ii) equipment, parts and accessories; and (iii) services, and is one of the most fundamentally attractive consumer categories given its scale, predictability, and growth outlook. We have a highly predictable, recurring revenue model, as evidenced by our 59 consecutive years of sales growth. ApproximatelyMore than 80% of our assortment is comprised of non-discretionary products essential to the care of residential and commercial pools and spas.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

1


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

Consumers receive the benefit of extended vendor warranties on products purchased through our locations and on on-site installations or repairs by our certified in-field technicians. We offer complimentary, commercial-grade in-store water testing and analysis via our proprietary AccuBlue® system, which increases consumer engagement, conversion, basket size, and loyalty,

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

1


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

resulting in higher lifetime value. Our water treatment expertise is powered by data and intelligence accumulated from the millions of water tests we have performed over the years, positioning us as the most trusted water treatment service provider in the industry. Due to the non-discretionary nature of our products and services, our business has historically delivered strong, uninterrupted growth and profitability in all market environments, including through the Great Recession and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

We have a legacy of leadership and disruptive innovation. Since our founding in 1963, we have been the leading innovator in our category and have provided our consumers with the most advanced pool and spa care available. As we have scaled, we have leveraged our competitive advantages to strategically reinvest in our business and intellectual property to develop new value-added capabilities. We have pioneered complimentary in-store water testing, offered complimentary in-store equipment repair services, introduced the industry’s first loyalty program, implemented the industry’s first scale omni-channel capabilities and developed an expansive platform of owned and exclusive brands. These differentiated capabilities allow us to meet the needs of any pool and spa owner, whether they care for their pool or spa themselves or rely on a professional, whenever, wherever, and however they choose to engage with us.

 

2    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE

We recognize that strong corporate responsibility is essentialLeslie’s strives to make a positive difference for good governance. It bolsters the accountabilityall of our Board of Directors (“Board”)stakeholders – our consumers, associates, shareholders, and Management teamthe communities in which we operate. These efforts include integrating our ESG program throughout our culture, strategy, and supportsbusiness and monitoring our performance along the long-termway. Our focus on delivering total solutions for pool and spa owners while working to support the interests of all our stakeholders—our customers, our associates, our business partners, our communities, and our shareholders. The Board’s responsibility is grounded in a duty to govern and support our corporate strategy and to ensure decisions are made in alignment with its mission, values, purpose, and environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) priorities. Our dedicated ESG sub-committee of the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee participates in the establishment, review, and observation of ESG matters. Our full committees, including the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance committees, stay apprised and advise on specific ESG elements, such as cybersecurity and data privacy, executive compensation, human capital management, and board refreshment. It is this robust structure at the Board-level that contributes to the effective oversight of the company’s activities and management’s decision-making process. At the management level, our Chief Legal Officer leads our strategic ESG initiatives with the support from our Director of ESG.

The consideration of ESG issues is at the core of our strategic initiativesstakeholders is the foundation upon which we believe continuously improved performance and is approached fromstrong financial results are built.

The actions and accomplishments presented in our annual ESG Reports demonstrate how Leslie’s prioritizes and manages key ESG risks and opportunities. We believe that by dedicating the perspective of,necessary attention and for the benefit of, all our stakeholdersresources to internal programs and the many other individualsprocesses, we can enhance Leslie’s operational and groups we coordinate with daily. As a pool and spa retailer, our ESG priorities includereporting performance in areas including, but not limited to, diversity, equity, and inclusion, environmental, health, and safety management, sustainable products,product and supply chain sustainability, community engagement and water safety, and human capital management. This focus has led to greater depth to Leslie’s monitoring programs, which in 2023 have expanded to include procurement spend reports on business enterprises and additional waste and Scope 3 category data within its environmental management program. The measurement and management of Leslie’s ESG priorities continues to propel Leslie’s forward as a leader in our industry.

ESG Governance

ESG oversight has been a top priority since Leslie’s went public in October 2020. From the outset, we have ensured that sustainability and ESG issues are governed across our business units and up through our management team to our Board of Directors (“Board”). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board responsibilities include reviewing and monitoring ESG, and sustainability matters and is reflected in the Governance Committee’s Charter. ESG is supported by the following oversight structure:

Board: Governs and oversees our corporate strategy and decision making to ensure alignment with our mission, values, strategy, risk profile and ESG priorities.

Board Committees: Remain informed and advise the Board on specific ESG matters, such as cybersecurity, human capital management and board refreshment, among others.

ESG Sub-Committee of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: Oversees the establishment, review, and observation of our ESG priorities and outreach.

Management Team: Monitors and implements our strategies, policies, programs, and procedures and reports to the Board and its committees.

Chief Legal, Real Estate, & Sustainability Officer: Serves as executive lead of our ESG initiatives with support from our Director of ESG.

Sustainability Working Group: Guides the operational execution, monitoring, and reporting of our ESG initiatives.

More information on Leslie’s ESG efforts is available on our Investor Relations page at https://ir.lesliespool.com/esg.

Diversity & inclusion

Leslie’s is proud to have a culture of inclusion that motivates us to celebrate and embrace the different backgrounds and perspectives that drive our success. Our associates bring their own unique talents, qualities, and contributions to Leslie’s, with our executive leadership team, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council (Dive In), and associates from across the Company working together to welcome everyone and inspire each other, each and every day. We are working to foster and maintain an engaged and inclusive workplace that learns from one another through workshops, insight surveys, and our employee resource groups.

Leslie’s DEI program is advanced by the 60-member Dive In Council, which includes the Chief People Officer as its executive lead. Progress and initiatives are periodically reported to the CEO and the Board’s Compensation Committee. Among other things, Leslie’s requires annual unconscious bias training for all associates and held an inclusive leadership training with the executive team in fiscal year 2023. In 2020, Leslie’s announced its overarching goal to achieve a diverse workforce that mirrors the U.S. census population by 2025. As part of our commitment to transparency, we have disclosed our workforce diversity data by gender, race and ethnicity in our consolidated EEO-1 report in 2022. Leslie’s EEO-1 Report can be found on our Investor Relations page at https://ir.lesliespool.com/esg.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

3


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

Environmental, health, and safety management

Our highest operational priority is that Leslie’s products and locations offer safe experiences for our customers and associates. We seek to take a preventative and systematic approach to health and safety matters and to instill a culture of safety across the Company. We strive to emphasize and demonstrate our collective responsibility as members of the Leslie’s community.

We also publishedrecognize that our second annual ESG report, which highlightsmanufacturing and distribution centers, offices, and retail stores, and the logistical decisions we make, each uniquely contribute to our prioritiesresource use. Over the years, we have endeavored to improve our operational efficiencies by considering ways to enhance our monitoring programs and initiatives onimplement practices that reduce our impact. Leslie’s environmental stewardship, social commitments, corporate governance,management approach calls for compliance with all applicable local, state, federal, and community service.international laws, and regulations.

Measures we have undertaken to understand our environmental impact include expanding our environmental monitoring program to encompass waste and an enhanced list of Scope 3 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions alongside our current water, energy, and Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reporting. We will aim to continue to align our ESG reporting with leading frameworks including the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”) standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“UN SDGs”).

More information on Leslie’s ESG efforts is available on our Investor Relations page at https://ir.lesliespool.com/esg.Sustainable products & supply chain

Diversity & inclusion

As champions of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (“DEI”), our values encourage us allWe are helping to create spaces wherebackyard moments that are safe for people and the planet through the products we can proudly work together, do our best,offer, the awareness we raise, the partners we engage, and have fun along the way. Key aspects of this commitment are valuing ideas from multiple viewpoints, knowing that our ultimate success is directly linked to having talented associates from all backgroundsprocurement and perspectives,packaging practices we apply. By monitoring and developing, fostering, and celebrating a culture of DEI. Our Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council (“Dive In”) is a goal-oriented group of 59-employee members focused on advancing discussions, strategies, and action plans that promote inclusive hiring and development opportunities across the company andsetting expectations within our communities. The Council’s overarching goal issupply chain, we aim to achieve a diverse workforce, at all levels,maintain and expand responsible practices throughout our day-to-day operations. In collaboration with our vendor partners, we strive to provide new innovative products that mirrors the US census population by 2025. As part of our commitment to transparency, we have disclosed our workforce diversity data by gender, raceimprove energy and ethnicity in our consolidated EEO-1 report in 2021. Leslie’s EEO-1 Report can be found on our Investor Relations page at https://ir.lesliespool.com/esg.water conservation and reduce chemical consumption.

Environmental, health, and safety management

Providing a safe shopping experience for our customers and a safe and healthy workplace for our associates is our highest operational priority. This responsibility starts at the top of the organization and extends to every level of management and every associate. As a company dedicated to being customer focused, owning our outcomes, and measuring our impact, we are committed to identifying and implementing the appropriate policies, programs, and procedures to support safe behaviors.

As part of our efforts to reduce our emissions and create deeper environmental efficiencies, in the 2021 ESG report we initiated our inaugural greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions assessment for our total operations with full support from our Board and Management team. This assessment will serve as a valuable resource in the development of our mitigation and reduction strategies. We will continue to enhance our transparency and accountability by annually reporting our Scope 1 and 2 emissions in addition to select Scope 3 emissions.

Sustainable products

Across our product assortment, we offer a variety of eco-product options, which help our customers reduce water and energy consumption and improve water chemistry efficacy. Our expansion of sustainable products is one way we are upholding our value of investing in big ideas and new technologies. By working alongside our third-party vendors, we are continuously increasing the range of sustainable offerings.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

3


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

Community engagement and water safety

Each and every day, we are inspired to serve others. We take prideare dedicated to helping pool owners meet their needs and build backyard memories. We raise awareness and provide consumer training on proper water safety, and we support and partner with our local and national communities to make a difference in giving back to the communities in which we livepeoples’ lives. Guided by our Philanthropic Council and work from the local to the national arena. In fiscal year 2021, we established our Philanthropy Council, which oversees Leslie’s Charitable Foundation, in addition to our philanthropic partnerships and volunteerism and charitable giving programs. We supported our philanthropic partners with over $700,000 in funding during fiscal year 2022.

Nothing is more important to us than keeping our communities safewe give back both in and around pools. Our goal is to provideout of the toolswater.

Leslie’s philanthropic pursuits are guided by four core pillars and information needed to protect our family and friends by promoting guidelines on learning to swim, securing one’s swim area, and maintaining a healthy water environment. In fiscal year 2022, we continued ourtheir respective pillar partners: (i) water safety campaign with theand community: YMCA of the USA and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which collected donations at our store registersClub; (ii) diversity, equity, and inclusion: NAACP; (iii) health and wellness: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and (iv) disaster relief: American Red Cross. Leslie’s Philanthropy Council oversees the philanthropic programs and Leslie’s Charitable Foundation. Between fiscal years 2021 and 2023, Leslie’s committed $1.5 million over three years to raise moneysupport the core pillars and pillar partners. Programs Leslie’s has supported include drowning education campaigns with the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club, walk and run events with St. Jude, and disaster relief support for water safety education, swimming lessons, lifeguard training,communities impacted by the war in Ukraine and healthy water.hurricanes in Florida. In 2023, Leslie’s launched a diverse small business grant program in partnership with the NAACP.

HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

As of October 1, 2022,September 30, 2023, we employed approximately 4,2004,100 employees. Of these employees, approximately 3,1503,200 work in our physical network, approximately 350250 work as in-field service technicians, approximately 350360 work in our corporate office, and approximately 350275 work in our distribution centers. We believe that we have good relations with our employees. None of our employees are currently covered under any collective bargaining agreements.

We consider our employees to be the foundation for our growth and success. As such, our future success depends in large part on our ability to attract, train, retain, and motivate qualified personnel. The growth and development of our workforce is an integral part of our success. We place a priority on promoting from within. Over the last three years, approximately 70%80% of our retail and corporate management openings have been filled by existing employees.

4    Leslie’s, Inc.


    PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

We are also committed to developingfocused on maintaining and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion and know that a company’s ultimate success is directly linked to its ability to identify and hire talented individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives.

DIRECTOR NOMINEES

The following provides summary information about each director nominee up for election at the 20232024 Annual Meeting.

 

Name and Occupation

AgeOther Public
Boards

Committee

Memberships

ACCCNCGC

James Ray, Jr.LOGO  LOGO(1)

Former President, STANLEY Engineered Fastening, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

592LOGOLOGO

John StrainLOGO

    Former Head of e-Commerce and Technology, Gap, Inc.

540LOGOLOGO

Name and Occupation

  Age  Other Public
Boards
  

Committee

Memberships

  AC  CC  NCGC

Susan O’Farrell LOGO   LOGO

    Former CFO, BlueLinx Holdings, Inc.

  60  1  LOGO      

Claire Spofford LOGO

    CEO and President, J.Jill

  62  1     LOGO  LOGO

Seth Estep LOGO 1

    EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer, Tractor Supply Company

  44  0     LOGO  LOGO

4    Leslie’s, Inc.


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

ALL OTHER DIRECTORS

The following provides summary information about all other directors not up for election at the 20232024 Annual Meeting (“Annual Meeting”), as of January 1, 2023.2024. In 2023 we commenced the declassification of our Board with the implementation of our Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”). In accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, directors with terms expiring at our 2025 Annual Meeting will stand for re-election to a two-year term at the 2025 Annual Meeting, and directors with terms expiring at our 2026 Annual Meeting will stand for re-election to a one-year term at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Beginning with our 2027 Annual Meeting, all directors will be elected to a one-year term.

 

Name and Occupation

AgeOther Public
Boards

Committee

Memberships

ACCCNCGC

Steven L. Ortega

    Former CEO, Current Chairman, Leslie’s, Inc.

610

Michael R. Egeck

    CEO, Leslie’s, Inc.

640

Marc Magliacano(2)

    Managing Partner, L Catterton Global Flagship Fund

481

Susan O’FarrellLOGO LOGO

    Former CFO, BlueLinx Holdings, Inc.

590LOGO

Yolanda DanielLOGO LOGO

Former VP Finance, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

560LOGOLOGO

Eric Kufel

Former CEO, West Marine, Inc.

560

Claire SpoffordLOGO

    CEO and President, J.Jill

611LOGOLOGO

Jodeen KozlakLOGO (3)

    Founder & CEO, Kozlak Capital Partners

593LOGOLOGO

Name and Occupation

  Age  Other Public
Boards
  

Committee

Memberships

  AC  CC  NCGC

Michael R. Egeck

    CEO, Leslie’s, Inc.

  65  0         

Yolanda Daniel LOGO   LOGO

    Former VP Finance, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

  57  0  LOGO     LOGO

Eric Kufel

    Former CEO, West Marine, Inc.

  57  0         

John Strain LOGO  LOGO 2

Chairman-Elect, Former Head of e-Commerce and Technology, Gap, Inc.

  55  0  LOGO  LOGO   

Steven L. Ortega2

    Former CEO, Current Chairman, Leslie’s, Inc.

  62  1         

 

AC – Audit Committee

CC – Compensation Committee

NCGC – Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

LOGO        Independent

LOGO    Lead Independent Director

  

LOGO   Chair                    LOGO   Member

LOGO Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

(1)

Following the conclusion of the 20232024 Annual Meeting, James Ray, Jr.Seth Estep will become the chairman of the Nominating and Corporate GovernanceCompensation Committee.

(2)

Marc Magliacano is resigning from the Board at the conclusion of the 2023 Annual Meeting.

(3)

Jodeen KozlakSteven L. Ortega is not standing for re-election at the 2023 Annual Meeting.Meeting and will be succeeded as Chairman by Chairman-Elect John Strain.

 

    BOARD SNAPSHOT    Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

 
5

(as of January 1, 2023)


LOGOPROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

 5    BOARD SNAPSHOT      
(as of January 1, 2024)


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARYLOGO

 

 

    SKILLS & EXPERIENCE    

  
 

(as of January 1, 2023)2024)

  
  

 

 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

 Daniel Egeck KufelEstep KozlakKufel Ray,O’Farrell StrainOrtega MagliacanoSpofford O’FarrellOrtegaSpoffordStrain
          
LOGO Retail/Merchandising  🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑🌑🌑
        
LOGO Strategic Management 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑🌑🌑
        
LOGO Supply Chain 🌑  🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑  🌑🌑
        
LOGO Brand and Consumer Marketing  🌑 🌑 🌑   🌑 🌑
        
LOGO Digital Commerce and Marketing  🌑 🌑 🌑  🌑 🌑 🌑
        
LOGO Human Capital Management  🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑🌑🌑
        
LOGO 

Information Technology

and Cyber Security

     🌑 🌑  🌑
        
LOGO Finance/Accounting 🌑 🌑 🌑  🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑🌑
        
LOGO Governance/Risk Management 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑🌑🌑
        
LOGO Senior Leadership 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑🌑🌑
        
LOGO ESG/DEI 🌑   🌑 🌑  🌑 🌑
        
LOGO Public Company Experience 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑🌑🌑

BACKGROUND

        
          
LOGO 

Gender

🌑 Male         O Female

 O 🌑 🌑 O🌑 🌑O 🌑 🌑O O🌑O
        
LOGO African American or Black 🌑    🌑   
 Hispanic or Latinx      🌑  🌑
 White  🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑 🌑

6    Leslie’s, Inc.

 🌑


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

 

Skills and Experience Categories

LOGO Retail/Merchandising  

Important in understanding our industry, business needs and strategic goals

LOGO Strategic Management  

Important in implementing our goals and aligning on long-term business investments and objectives and our capital allocation

LOGO Supply Chain  

Important to oversee upstream and downstream structure and design of the supply chain, all of which are critical to our strategic goals

LOGO Brand and Consumer Marketing  

Important as marketing and communications are critical to building and expanding our market share

LOGO Digital Commerce and Marketing  

Important in overseeing the development of our multi-channel strategy

LOGO Human Capital Management  

Important to oversee our significant associate base that is growing, so that we place the best investments in our associates

LOGO

Information Technology

and Cyber Security

 

Information Technology

and Cyber Security

Important as we assess our technology and cybersecurity needs, along with the needs of our customers, among other reasons to protect our customers’ data

LOGO Finance/Accounting  

Important to oversee and understand our financial statements, capital structure and internal controls

LOGO Governance/Risk Management  

Supports our objective to have corporate governance and risk management practices that reflect industry best practices

LOGO Senior Leadership  

Important as leadership experience can provide insight on business operations, growth and culture

LOGO ESG/DEI  

Helpful in our work as a values driven organization

LOGO Public Company Experience  

Important to oversee the workings of a public company

Board Diversity Matrix (as of January 1, 2024)

 

Total Number of Directors

   8 
   Female   Male 

Part I: Gender Identity

          

Directors

   3    5 

Part II: Demographic Background

          

African American or Black

   1    0 

Hispanic or Latinx

   0    1 

White

   2    4 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

The Board consists of a diverse mix of individuals with distinctive skills and experience

 

6    Leslie’s, Inc.

 

Separate Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

 

Board Diversity Matrix (as of January 1, 2023)

 

Total Number of Directors

   10 
   Female    Male 

Part I: Gender Identity

          

Directors

   4    6 

Part II: Demographic Background

          

African American or Black

   1    1 

Hispanic or Latinx

   0    1 

White

   3    4 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Lead Independent Director designated when Chairman is not independent

 

The Board consists of a diverse mix of individuals with distinctive skills and experience

Commenced Board declassification in 2023 with classified Board to be phased out by 2027

 

Separate Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Lead Independent Director

Majority of Board directors are independent directors

 

Majority of Board directors are independent directors

Only independent directors sit on Board committees

 

Only independent directors sit on Board committees

Average director age of 58 years

 

Average director age of 58 years

Annual Board and committee self-evaluations

 

Annual Board and committee self-evaluations

Annual director evaluations

 

Annual director evaluations

Executive sessions for Independent Directors

 

Executive sessions for Independent Directors

Directors and other designated officers are subject to stock ownership guidelines

 

Directors and other designated officers are subject to stock ownership guidelines

Consistent outreach with our shareholders related to governance and other matters

 

Consistent outreach with our shareholders related to governance and other matters

Hedging/pledging prohibited

Hedging/pledging prohibited

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 7


 

Corporate Governance

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Our Board has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information provided by each director, our Board has determined that noneno person who served as a director during any part of our directors,fiscal year 2023, with the exception of Messrs. Egeck, Kufel, Ortega, and Magliacano, and Ortega, has or had a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and is independent under applicable Nasdaq rules. In making these determinations, our Board considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with the Company and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director, and the transactions involving them described in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

The Board annually reviews its leadership structure to evaluate whether the structure remains appropriate for the Company. The Board selects its Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) in a way it considers is in the best interests of the Company. The Board does not have a policy on whether the role of Chairman and CEO should be separate or combined. The Board has determined, however, that wherever and for so long as the Chairman is not an independent director, then there shall also be a lead independent director.

Currently,Prior to the expiration of his term at the Annual Meeting, our Chairman is Steven L. Ortega, and the Lead Independent Director is James Ray, Jr.John Strain. Following the expiration of Mr. Ortega’s term, Mr. Strain, as Chairman-Elect, will succeed him as Chairman and vacate the position of Lead Independent Director, as the Board is not required to designate a Lead Independent Director when the chairperson is an independent director.

LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Whenever the chairperson is not an independent director, the Board will designate a lead independent director. The Lead Independent Director’s responsibilities include the following:

 

presiding at all meetings of the Board at which the chairperson of the Board is not present, including executive sessions of non-employee directors and independent directors;

presiding at all meetings of the Board at which the chairperson of the Board is not present, including executive sessions of non-employee directors and independent directors;

 

approving information sent to the Board and overseeing that the scope, quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information between management and the Board is adequate for the Board to effectively and responsibly perform its duties;

approving information sent to the Board and overseeing that the scope, quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information between management and the Board is adequate for the Board to effectively and responsibly perform its duties;

 

consulting with the chairperson of the Board regarding agendas for all meetings of the Board as well as contributing to and approving them;

consulting with the chairperson of the Board regarding agendas for all meetings of the Board as well as contributing to and approving them;

 

approving Board meeting schedules to provide that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;

approving Board meeting schedules to provide that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;

 

serving as a liaison between the chairperson of the Board and the independent directors; and

serving as a liaison between the chairperson of the Board and the independent directors; and

 

if requested by major shareholders, being available for consultation and direct communication.

if requested by major shareholders, being available for consultation and direct communication.

In addition, the Lead Independent Director also has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors.

DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

In accordance with its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines the qualifications, qualities, skills, and other expertise required to be a director and recommends to the Board criteria to be considered in selecting nominees for directors. These will inform the committee’s annual evaluation of the experience and characteristics appropriate for Board members and director candidates in light of the Board’s composition, and the skills and expertise needed for effective operation

8    Leslie’s, Inc.


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

of the Board and its committees. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also ensures that qualified director candidates with a diversity of gender, ethnicity, tenure, skills and experience are included by the Company or any search firm it engages in each pool of candidates from which Board nominees are chosen.

8    Leslie’s, Inc.


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the qualifications of director candidates and incumbent directors in light of the criteria approved by Board, and any shareholder recommendations for director are evaluated in the same manner as other candidates considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Shareholders that wish to recommend a director candidate should follow the procedures set forth below under “Communications with Directors,” and shareholders that wish to nominate a director for election to our Board should follow the procedures described under the “Submission of Shareholder Proposals for the 20242025 Annual Meeting” heading.

We generally evaluate the following criteria regarding minimum director qualifications for our directors to possess: educational background, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and ability to represent the best interests of our shareholders. In addition, the Board believes that diversity, including gender, race and ethnicity, brings a diversity of viewpoints to the Board that is important to the effectiveness of the Board’s oversight of the Company, and the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also evaluate candidates’ ability to contribute to the Board’s diversity, including with respect to gender, ethnic diversity, and diversity of professional experience, includingsuch as whether the person is a current or was a former chief executive officer or chief financial officer of a public company or the head of a division of a prominent international organization, knowledgeorganization. The Board assesses its effectiveness in this regard as part of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom,the annual Board and ability to represent the best interests of our shareholders.Board Committee annual self-assessment process described below.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board prepares policies regarding director qualification requirements and the process for identifying and evaluating director candidates for adoption by the Board. The above-mentioned attributes, along with the leadership skills and other experiences of our officers and Board members described above, are expected to provide us with a diverse range of perspectives and judgment necessary to facilitate our goals of shareholder value appreciation through organic and acquisition growth.

BOARD AND BOARD COMMITTEES ANNUAL SELF-ASSESSMENTS

On an annual basis, the Board and the Board Committees conduct written self-assessments on their respective performance throughout the past year. These written self-assessments are completed by each Board director and Board Committee member, and then the results are compiled and reviewed by the Board and/or respective Board Committee.

BOARD COMMITTEES

Our Board has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the independent directors meet in executive session without management present on a regularly scheduled basis.

During the fiscal year ended October 1, 2022,September 30, 2023, the Board held 9eight meetings, and there were 10nine meetings of the Audit Committee, 6four meetings of the Compensation Committee and 5four meetings of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. All incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and committees on which they served occurring during 2022.fiscal year 2023.

Directors are expected to attend the annual meeting of shareholders absent unusual circumstances. Eight of the ten then-current members of the Board attended the prior year’s annual meeting, with Ms. Kozlak and Mr. Magliacano not attending.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 9


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

MEMBERS Susan O’Farrell

(Chair)

Yolanda Daniel

John Strain

  

 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

The primary role of the Audit Committee is to oversee the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Company’s financial statements. Management of the Company is responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements, determining that they are complete, accurate, and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“US GAAP”) and establishing and maintaining satisfactory disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting. The independent public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the Company’s financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those consolidated financial statements with US GAAP and expressing an opinion as to the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

We have adopted a committee charter that details the principal functions of the Audit Committee, including:

 

•  selecting a qualified firm to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements;

 

•  helping to ensureoversee the independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

•  reviewing financial statements and discussing the scope and results of the independent audit and quarterly reviews with the independent registered public accounting firm, and reviewing, with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, our interim and year-end results of operations;

 

•  preparing the audit committee report that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requires to be included in our annual proxy statement;

 

•  reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, and overseeing procedures for employees to submit concerns anonymously about accounting, internal control, or audit matters;

 

•  reviewing and approving the function of our internal audit department;

 

•  reviewing our policies on risk assessment and risk management;

 

•  reviewing related party transactions; and

 

•  approving or, as required, pre-approving, all audit and all permissible non-audit services and fees, to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Under the Nasdaq listing rules and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the Audit Committee, all of whom must be independent. Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate, and our Board has determined that Ms. O’Farrell and Ms. Daniel both qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules and have accounting or related financial management expertise.

 

The Audit Committee has established and oversees procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal controls over financial reporting and the confidential, anonymous submission by Company employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. The Audit Committee has the authority to retain counsel and other advisers as it determines necessary to fulfill its duties and responsibilities.

 

 

10    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

MEMBERS

John Strain

(Chair)

Jodeen KozlakSeth Estep

James Ray, Jr.

Claire Spofford

  

 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

The primary role of the Compensation Committee is to assist the Board with the oversight of executive compensation.

 

We have adopted a committee charter that details the principal functions of the Compensation Committee, including:

 

•  reviewing, approving and determining, or making recommendations to our Board regarding the compensation of our executive officers;

 

•  overseeing our overall compensation philosophy and compensation policies, plans and benefit programs for service providers, including our executive officers;

 

•  administering our equity compensation plans; and

 

•  reviewing, approving, and making recommendations to our Board regarding incentive compensation and equity compensation plans.

 

The Compensation Committee may delegate its duties and responsibilities to one or more subcommittees as it determines appropriate.

 

The Compensation Committee is comprised of four directors, each director meets the Nasdaq independence requirements and all four directors qualify as “non-employee directors” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”).

 

The Compensation Committee has the authority, in its sole discretion, to retain a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other advisers, and are directly responsible for the compensation, retention terms and overseeing the work of any such advisers.

 

The Compensation Committee engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“FW Cook”) in April 2021 to serve as the compensation consultant for the Compensation Committee and to provide advice in connection with the design of the Company’s 20222023 compensation program for directors and executive officers. FW Cook did not provide any other services to the Company or management, and FW Cook only received fees from the Company for the services it provided to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee evaluated FW Cook’s independence under the applicable Nasdaq and SEC standards and concluded that FW Cook was independent of the Company and that its services raised no conflicts of interest. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief FinancialPeople Officer were invited to participate in discussions regarding the 20222023 compensation program and to give their recommendations.

 

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 11


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

MEMBERS

Jodeen Kozlak Claire Spofford

(Chair)

Yolanda Daniel

James Ray, Jr.

Claire SpoffordSeth Estep

  

 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

The primary role of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to assist the Board with oversight of the director nominations process and the Company’s corporate governance.

 

We have adopted a committee charter, which details the purpose and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, including:

 

•  identifying, evaluating, and selecting, or making recommendations to our Board regarding, nominees for election to our Board and its committees;

 

•  evaluating the performance of our Board and of individual directors;

 

•  considering and making recommendations to our Board regarding the composition of our Board and its committees;

 

•  reviewing developments in corporate governance practices;

 

•  evaluating the adequacy of our corporate governance practices and reporting;

 

•  reviewing the succession planning for our executive officers; and

 

•  developing and making recommendations to our Board regarding corporate governance guidelines and matters.

 

The Board has delegated to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversight of our ESG matters. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has an ESG Sub-Committee which reviews and monitors our ESG sustainability and corporate governance trends, and conducts ESG shareholder outreach.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may delegate its duties and responsibilities to one or more subcommittees, consisting only of independent directors, as it determines appropriate.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of four directors and each director meets the Nasdaq independence requirements.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the authority to retain counsel and other advisers as it determines necessary to fulfill its duties and responsibilities, including search firms to be used to identify director candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for setting the compensation and retention terms and overseeing the work of any director search firm, outside legal counsel or any other advisors.

 

 

12    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

RISK OVERSIGHT

A core responsibility of the Board is to understand the principal risks associated with the Company’s business on an ongoing basis, and oversee the key risk decisions of management, which includes comprehending the appropriate balance between risks and rewards. While the Audit Committee has primary responsibility for risk oversight, both the Audit Committee and the Board are actively involved in risk oversight and both receive reports on our risk management activities from our executive management team on a regular basis. Members of both the Audit Committee and the Board also engage in periodic discussions with members of management as they deem appropriate to review and address the proper management of the Company’s risks. In addition, each committee of the Board considers risks associated with its respective area of responsibility.

 

 

LOGOLOGO

COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS

Shareholders may contact the Board, including to recommend director candidates, by mailing correspondence “c/o Corporate Secretary” to the Company’s principal offices at 2005 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016. Correspondence will be forwarded to the respective director, except that director candidate recommendations will be forwarded to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, the Corporate Secretary reserves the right not to forward advertisements or solicitations, customer complaints, obscene or offensive items, communications unrelated to the Company’s affairs, business or governance, or otherwise inappropriate materials.

GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS

The Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee each operate pursuant to written charters adopted by the Board. These charters, along with the Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Code of Ethics, are available at the Company’s website and in print to any shareholder who requests a copy. To access these documents from the Company’s website, go to ir.lesliespool.com and select “Governance Documents” from the “Governance” drop-down menu. Requests for a printed copy should be addressed to Corporate Secretary, Leslie’s, Inc., 2005 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 13


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

POLICIES PROHIBITING HEDGING OR PLEDGING

The Board has adopted a policy prohibiting all executive officers and directors from engaging in any form of hedging transaction involving the securities of the Company. The policy addresses short sales and transactions involving publicly traded options and also prohibits such individuals from holding our securities in margin accounts and from pledging our securities as collateral for loans. We believe that these policies further align our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The Board reviews the Company’s director compensation program annually with the assistance of FW Cook. Board compensation is reviewed in relation to the same peer group used to benchmark the executive compensation program and with reference to the market median to ensure that directors are paid competitively for their time commitment. The following table sets forth the compensation earned by our non-employee directors for service as a member of the Board for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2022.September 30, 2023. Mr. Estep does not appear in the table below as he did not join the Board until after the end of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

 

Name

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
Stock
Awards ($)(1)
All Other
Compensation ($)(2)
Total ($)  Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
   Stock
Awards ($)(1)
   All Other
Compensation ($)(2)
   Total ($) 

Yolanda Daniel

 80,000 171,886 - 251,886   85,000    125,000    -    210,000 

Jodeen Kozlak(3)

 85,000 171,886 - 256,886   38,764    -    -    38,764 

Eric Kufel(3)

 65,316 171,886 - 237,202   70,000    125,000    -    195,000 

Matt Lischick(3)

 4,107 - - 4,107

Marc Magliacano(3)

 65,632 171,886 - 237,518   29,643    -    -    29,643 

Susan O’Farrell

 87,720 171,886 9,130 268,735   95,000    125,000    9,464    229,464 

Steven L. Ortega

 125,000 365,270 9,915 500,185   125,000    125,000    10,212    260,212 

James Ray, Jr.

 103,489 73,973 - 177,462

James Ray. Jr.(4)

   112,720    125,000    -    237,720 

Claire Spofford(4)

 29,670 103,779 - 133,449

Claire Spofford

   85,000    125,000    -    210,000 

John Strain

 90,000 171,886 - 261,886   95,000    125,000    3,981    223,981 

 

(1)

The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted to our non-employeenonemployee directors during the fiscal year, computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in Note 17 – Equity-Based Compensation to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2022.September 30, 2023. The grant dates for the RSUs for all non-employee directors were November 2, 2021 and March 16, 2022, with the exception of Ms. Spofford and Mr. Ray, who received awards on May 18, 2022 and August 13, 2022, respectively. The November 2, 2021 RSU grants represented a prorated RSU award to bring the director grants through the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting and the March 16, 2022 RSU grants represented the directors’ annual RSU award. The August 13, 2022 RSU grant to Mr. Ray consisted of an annual catch up of seven months prior to the 2023 Annual Meeting.15, 2023.

In addition, Mr. Ortega received an additional stock award as former Chief Executive Officer in fiscal year 2021, as disclosed in last year’s proxy statement. Mr. Ortega received performance-vesting stock options eligible to vest 50% on the Company’s achievement of the Adjusted net income target for fiscal year 2021 and 50% on the Company’s achievement of the Adjusted net income target for fiscal year 2022. Although the performance-vesting options were approved in fiscal year 2021, the fiscal year 2022 Adjusted net income target was not established until after the end of fiscal year 2021. Therefore, the portion of the awards attributable to the fiscal year 2022 Adjusted net income target was not considered granted for accounting purposes until fiscal year 2022 and is included in the stock award values disclosed for fiscal year 2022. See our Compensation Discussion and Analysis below for the definition of Adjusted net income.

(2)

The amounts in this column reflect the portion of health insurance premiums paid by the Company. All directors are eligible to participate in the health plans generally provided to our executives (provided that they pay the same portion of the premiums, related deductibles, and copays as required to be paid by our actively employed executives).

(3)

Ms. Kozlak received prorated fees for her time on the Board prior to her not standing for reelection at the 2023 Annual Meeting on March 16, 2023. In addition, Mr. LischickMagliacano received prorated fees for his time on the Board prior to his resignation on October 25, 2021. In addition, Messrs. Kufel and Magliacano received prorated fees for their service prior to resignation from their respective committees on October 25, 2021.

(4)

Ms. Spofford joinedat the Board effective May 18, 2022 and received a prorated portionconclusion of the annual director cash compensation and RSU grant for service prior to the 2023 Annual Meeting (determined as described below).on March 16, 2023.

(4)

Mr. Ray resigned from the Board effective December 18, 2023.

 

14    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Our non-employee directors are eligible to receive cash compensation for their service on our Board and committees in the form of annual cash retainers as follows.

 

Position

  Retainer ($) 

Non-Executive Chairman

  125,000

Board Member (other than the Non-Executive Chairman)

  65,00075,000

Lead Independent Director

  25,000

Audit Committee:

  

    Chairperson

  25,000

    Committee Member

  10,000

Compensation Committee:

  

    Chairperson

  15,000

    Committee Member

  10,000

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee:

  

    Chairperson

  10,000

    Committee Member

  5,000

Equity Compensation. Upon initial election and re-election to our Board, our non-employee directors receive an award of RSUs, with the number of shares determined by dividing $125,000 by the closing price of our common stock on the date of the grant. All RSUs granted to our non-employee directors’ directors vest on the earlier of the one-year anniversary date from the grant date.date or the day prior to the Company’s next annual meeting. For grants made in connection with a director’s initial election or appointment to our Board, the $125,000 dollar amount is pro-rated based on the number of days remaining in the 365-day period following the last annual meeting.

Expense Reimbursement. Our directors will be reimbursed for travel, food, lodging and other expenses directly related to their activities as directors. Our directors are also entitled to the protection provided by the indemnification provisions in our bylaws. Our Board may revise the compensation arrangements for our directors from time to time.

Share Ownership. Our Board believes that, in order to more closely align the interests of our non-employee directors with the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders, all non-employee directors should maintain a minimum level of equity interests in the Company’s common stock. Such stock ownership guidelines are based on the value of common stock owned as a multiple of the non-employee director’s retainer. For a non-employee director, the stock ownership multiple is 5x their annual cash retainer. The guidelines will be reviewed annually and revised as appropriate to keep pace with competitive and good governance practices. For purposes of determining stock ownership levels, the following forms of equity interests in the Company are included: common stock of the Company; Company restricted stock or RSUs granted under the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (or any predecessor or successor plan) which are to be settled in shares of common stock, except to the extent such restricted stock or RSUs are subject to vesting conditions other than conditions based solely on the passage of time and continued service. Under the guidelines, non-employee directors are required to hold 50% of the net shares resulting from stock option exercises or vesting of other stock-based awards until they reach the applicable level. As of the record date, all non-employee directors were in compliance with the guidelines either by virtue of holding the required number of shares or by compliance with the 50% retention ratio.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 15


 

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

Our Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) specifies that the Board currently consists of three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. There are three Class IIIII directors whose term of office expires at the 20232024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”). Based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board nominated twothree Class IIIII directors for election at the Annual Meeting to hold office until the 20262027 annual meeting of our shareholders or until their successors have been elected and qualified, or his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. In accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, all directors, including directors elected at this Annual Meeting, will stand for election to a one-year term at the 2027 Annual Meeting.

Each of the nominees standing for election at the Annual Meeting has consented to serve as a director, if elected, and all of the nominees are currently directors. Steven L. Ortega, a Class III director, notified the Company that he is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting and the size of the Board will be reduced from eight to seven directors effective as of the Annual Meeting. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be otherwise unavailable or, if elected, will decline to serve. If any nominee becomes unable or unwilling to stand for election as a director, proxies will be voted for any substitute as designated by the Board, or alternatively, the Board may further reduce the size of the Board.

 

LOGO          

Our Board recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each nominee.

 

  
 

 

16    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

DIRECTOR NOMINEES

For each of the twothree director nominees standing for election, as well as the sixfour other directors with terms expiring at future annual meetings, the following describes certain biographical information and the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that qualify them to serve as our directors and, as applicable, the Board committees on which they serve.

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING AT THE 20262027 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Jodeen Kozlak,In accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, all members of the Board, including directors elected at this Annual Meeting, will stand for re-election to a one-year term at the 2027 Annual Meeting.

In addition, Steven L. Ortega, a Class IIIII director, notified the Company that shehe is not standing for re-election at the 2023Annual Meeting and the size of the Board will be reduced from eight to seven directors effective as of the Annual Meeting.

 

LOGOLOGO

Skills and Experience

 

•  Retail/Merchandising

•  Strategic Management

 

•  Supply Chain

 

•  Human Capital
Management

 

•  Finance/Accounting

•  Governance/Risk ManagementInformation Technology
and Cyber Security

 

 

•  Finance/Accounting

•  Governance/Risk Management

•  Senior Leadership

 

•  ESG/DEI

•  Public Company Experience

 

Other Public Company Boards  Committees

•  Commercial Vehicle Group,Savers Value Village, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVGI)

•  Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPR)


(NYSE: SVV)
  

•  Compensation

•  Nominating and Corporate GovernanceAudit (Chair)

 

Background

Mr. Ray joined the Board in August 2021. Mr. Ray served from 2013 to 2020 in various leadership capacities at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc, a global industrial and consumer products company, most recently as President of STANLEY Engineered Fastening from 2019 to 2020. He previously served from 2009 to 2013 as Senior Vice President and General Manager of TE Connectivity Inc. (f/k/a Tyco Electronics) where he was responsible for its North and South American Automotive connectivity business. From 1993 to 2009 Mr. Ray served in numerous engineering and operational leadership roles at General Motors Company, where he began his career, and at Delphi Corporation following its spin-off from GM. He currently serves on the board of directors of Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVGI) and Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPR). Mr. Ray was selected to serve as a director because he brings to the Board significant executive management and public board experience.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

17


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

LOGO

Skills and Experience

•  Retail/Merchandising

•  Strategic Management

•  Digital Commerce and Marketing

•  Human Capital Management

•  Information Technology and Cyber Security

•  Finance/Accounting

•  Governance/Risk Management

•  Senior Leadership

•  Public Company Experience

Other Public Company BoardsCommittees
None

•  Audit

•  Compensation (Chair)

Background

Mr. Strain joined the Board in August 2018. Mr. Strain was the Head of e-Commerce and Technology at Gap, Inc., between October 2019 and May 2022. Gap, Inc. is an American worldwide clothing and accessories retailer founded in 1969. Mr. Strain had responsibilities in such role for technology, product management, data and analytics, and loyalty and payments. Mr. Strain also oversaw the digital business including e-commerce strategy and operations and digital and direct marketing. With almost 30 years in the retail technology and e-commerce space, Mr. Strain brings a consumer-centric mindset to a delivery orientation that has resulted in a track record of successful digital transformations. Prior to joining Gap Inc., Mr. Strain was the General Manager of the Retail and Consumer Goods Industry for Salesforce. Mr. Strain also spent 11 years at Williams-Sonoma Inc. as the Chief Digital and Technology Officer, where he was responsible for technology, product management, and digital marketing. Mr. Strain also spent 14 years as a management consultant. Mr. Strain received a B.S. in Finance from Santa Clara University where he was a member of the Retail Management Institute. Mr. Strain was selected to serve as a director due to his experience in various positions with consumer-facing companies.

18    Leslie’s, Inc.


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Marc Magliacano notified the Company that he is resigning from the Board at the conclusion of the 2023 Annual Meeting.

LOGO

Skills and Experience

•  Retail/Merchandising

•  Strategic Management

•  Supply Chain

•  Human Capital Management

•  Information Technology and Cyber Security

•  Finance/Accounting

•  Governance/Risk Management

•  Senior Leadership

•  Public Company Experience

Other Public Company BoardsCommittees
None

•  Audit (Chair)

Background

Ms. O’Farrell joined the Board in October 2020. Previously, Ms. O’Farrell served as Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer at BlueLinx Holdings Inc., a wholesale distributor of building and industrial products, from 2014 to 2020. Ms. O’Farrell has been a senior financial executive holding several roles with The Home Depot, a home improvement retailer, from 1999 to 2014. As the Vice President of Finance at The Home Depot, Ms. O’Farrell led teams supporting the retail organization. In her final role with The Home Depot, Ms. O’Farrell was responsible for the finance function for The Home Depot’s At Home Services Group. Ms. O’Farrell began her career with Andersen Consulting, LLP, leaving as an Associate Partner in 1996 for a strategic information systems role with AGL Resources. Ms. O’Farrell served as a Director of BlueLinx Corporation, a subsidiary of BlueLinx Holdings. Ms. O’Farrell currently serves on the board of directors of Savers Value Village, Inc. (NYSE: SVV), since 2023. Ms. O’Farrell has a B.S. in business administration from Auburn University. Ms. O’Farrell was selected to serve as a director due to her extensive leadership experience in the retail and distribution industry, her broad business background, financial expertise as well as her experience as the Chief Financial Officer of a publicly listed company.

 

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 1917


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

LOGOLOGO

Skills and Experience

•  Retail/Merchandising

 

•  Strategic Management

 

•  Supply Chain

•  Human Capital Management

•  Finance/Accounting

•  Governance/Risk Management

•  Senior Leadership

•  Public Company Experience

Other Public Company BoardsCommittees
NoneNone

Background

Mr. Ortega’s prior roles at the Company include Chief Executive Officer and President from 2017 to 2020, President and Chief Operating Officer from 2015 to 2017, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer from 2014 to 2015, and EVP and Chief Financial Officer from 2005 to 2014. Prior to joining the Leslie’s organization, Mr. Ortega served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for BI-LO, LLC from 1999 to 2005. At that time, BI-LO, LLC, was a $4.8 billion leading multi-branded regional supermarket chain in the southeast United States, which operated 423 stores in six states. Mr. Ortega’s responsibilities at BI-LO, LLC included the leadership and oversight of the Finance, Treasury, Accounting, Real Estate, Construction, Information Technology, Risk Management, and Internal Audit functions. Mr. Ortega also held the position of President of Golden Gallon Convenience Stores, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BI-LO, LLC, based in Tennessee. Prior to joining BI-LO, LLC, Mr. Ortega was with American Stores Company, holding various positions within their supermarket and drug store subsidiaries, including Vice President, Finance and Administration and Vice President, Logistics. Mr. Ortega also serves on the board of directors of James Avery Artisan Jewelry. Mr. Ortega has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Arizona. Mr. Ortega was selected to serve on our Board because of his experience and knowledge of the consumer industry, including as our former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

LOGO

Skills and Experience

•  Retail/Merchandising

•  Strategic Management

•  Brand and Consumer Marketing

 

•  Human Capital Management

  

•  Governance/Risk Management

 

•  Senior Leadership

 

•  Public Company Experience

 

•  ESG/DEI

 

Other Public Company Boards  Committees
J. Jill, Inc. (NYSE: JILL)  None

•  Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair)

•  Compensation

 

 

Background

Ms. Spofford joined the Board in May 2022. Ms. Spofford currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of J. Jill, a women’s apparel company. She also serves on J.Jill’s board of directors. Prior to joining J.Jill in February 2021, Ms. Spofford was the President of Cornerstone Brands, a holding company for several catalog operators, from December 2017 to October 2020. In that role, she oversaw a portfolio of four interactive, aspirational, home and apparel lifestyle brands: Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill and Grandin Road. She led the team there in evolving the brands into profitable, digitally- drivendigitally-driven omnichannel businesses. Before being promoted into this role, from January 2014 to December 2017, Ms. Spofford was the President of Garnet Hill. Prior to that, Ms. Spofford was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of J.Jill and held numerous leadership roles at Orchard Brands, including Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Group President for Premium Brands, and President of Appleseed’s. Before joining Orchard Brands, Spofford served as Vice President, Global Marketing of Timberland. Ms. Spofford currently serves on the board of directors of Reclaim Childhood, and she previously served on the boards of White Flower Farm and Project Adventure, Inc. Ms. Spofford received her M.B.A. from Babson College and her Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from the University of Vermont.

LOGO

Skills and Experience

•  Retail/Merchandising

•  Strategic Management

•  Supply Chain

•  Human Capital Management

•  Brand and Consumer Marketing

•  Finance/ Accounting

•  Governance/Risk Management

•  Senior Leadership

•  Public Company Experience

Other Public Company BoardsCommittees
None

•  Nominating and Corporate Governance

•  Compensation

Background

Mr. Estep, age 44, has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer of Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO) since February 2020 and as a member of Tractor Supply Company’s Executive Committee since June 2019. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in retail, with deep expertise in merchandising, pricing, product development, sourcing and private brands. Prior to his current role, Mr. Estep served as Senior Vice President, General Merchandising from 2017 to 2020. He joined Tractor Supply in 2008, and held a number of merchandising roles of increasing seniority and responsibility at the company from 2008 to 2017. Mr. Estep also oversaw management of Petsense by Tractor Supply, a pet specialty retailer owned and operated by Tractor Supply, from 2020 to 2021. Mr. Estep holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and an MBA in Finance from Belmont University.

 

 

20    18    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

In 2023 we commenced the declassification of our Board with the implementation of the Certificate of Incorporation. In accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, directors with terms expiring at our 2025 Annual Meeting will stand for re-election to a two-year term at the 2025 Annual Meeting, and beginning with our 2027 Annual Meeting, all directors will be elected to a one-year term.

 

LOGO

Skills and Experience

 

•  Strategic Management

 

•  Supply Chain

 

•  Finance/Accounting

 

•  Governance/Risk Management

 

•  Senior Leadership

 

•  ESG/DEI

 

•  Public Company Experience

 

Other Public Company Boards  Committees
None  

•  Audit

•  Nominating and Corporate Governance

 

Background

Ms. Daniel joined the Board in October 2020. Ms. Daniel is the former Vice President, Finance of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago where between 2017 through 2022 she was responsible for finance, financial analytics, procurement and supplier diversity. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is one of twelve regional reserve banks that, along with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, make up the United States central bank. Ms. Daniel brings 30 years of finance, accounting and audit experience and executive leadership in the global and domestic distribution, financial services, and healthcare industries. Ms. Daniel previously served as CFO for mission-based organizations from 2015 to 2017, which included her tenures at IFF, a community development financial institution and real estate developer, where she led the finance and investor relations functions, as well as tenure at the American Board of Medical Specialties. In the preceding 15 years, Ms. Daniel held senior financial executive roles in industry which included a seven-year tenure at W. W. Grainger, Inc. as Global Chief Audit Executive, CFO and Board Director for Grainger Canada, a division of W.W. Grainger, Inc., and Vice President for finance transformation and, U.S. financial services, where she led the company’s U.S. payment operations. Ms. Daniel also held roles of increasing responsibility at CVS Health (formerly Caremark), where, as Vice President, internal audit services she was responsible for attestation and consultation activities during a highly acquisitive and extensive growth period for the company. Ms. Daniel began her finance career in public accounting in 1990 with Banks, Finley, White & Company leaving in 1994 to assume progressive roles in finance leadership with private equity and small businesses. Ms. Daniel earned an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, B.S. in accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and is a marketing alumna from Jackson State University. Ms. Daniel is actively engaged in non-profit leadership, is an Aspen Institute 2017 Finance Leaders Fellow, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Ms. Daniel was selected to serve on our Board because of her significant experience in finance and accounting, as well as her audit leadership for global and US-based operations across the distribution, financial services, and healthcare industries.

 

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 2119


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

LOGO

Skills and Experience

 

•  Retail/Merchandising

 

•  Strategic Management

 

•  Brand and Consumer Marketing

 

•  Digital Commerce and Marketing

 

•  Human Capital Management

  

•  Finance/Accounting

 

•  Governance/Risk Management

 

•  Senior Leadership

 

•  Public Company Experience

 

Other Public Company Boards  Committees
None  None

 

 

Background

Mr. Egeck is our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board. Mr. Egeck joined in such capacities in February 2020. Previously, Mr. Egeck served as the Chief Executive Officer of PSEB Group, a $1.5 billion operating company composed of the Eddie Bauer outdoor brand and teen retailer PACSUN. Mr. Egeck has more than three decades of experience and a proven track record of driving transformational growth for a variety of brands and business models including: Chief Executive Officer of Eddie Bauer (from 2012 to 2020); Chief Executive Officer of Hurley International, a division of Nike, Inc. (from 2011 to 2012); President of True Religion Apparel, Inc. (from 2010 to 2011); President of VF Corp’s Contemporary Brand Coalition (from 2007 to 2009); Chief Executive Officer of Seven For All Mankind, prior to its acquisition by VF Corp. (from 2006 to 2007); President of VF Corp’s Outdoor and Action Sports Coalition (from 2004 to 2006); and President of The North Face, a division of VF Corp (from 2000 to 2004). Previously, Mr. Egeck held senior leadership positions at Columbia Sportswear and Seattle Pacific Industries. Mr. Egeck has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Washington and an M.B.A. from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. Mr. Egeck was selected to serve on our Board because of his experience and knowledge of the consumer industry, including as our Chief Executive Officer.

LOGO

Skills and Experience

 

•  Retail/Merchandising

 

•  Strategic Management

 

•  Supply Chain

 

•  Brand and Consumer Marketing

 

•  Digital Commerce and Marketing

  

•  Human Capital Management

 

•  Governance/Risk Management

 

•  Senior Leadership

 

•  Public Company Experience

 

Other Public Company Boards  Committees
None  None

 

 

Background

Mr. Kufel joined the Board in January 2018 and served as our Executive Chairman from January 2019 through September 2019. Mr. Kufel is the former Chief Executive Officer of West Marine, Inc., a retailer of boating and fishing supplies, and held such role from August 2021 through December 2022. Previously, Mr. Kufel served as Chairman of CorePower Yoga from 2016 to 2020 and as its Chief Executive Officer from 2016 to 2019. From 2015 to 2016, Mr. Kufel was an Operating Partner at L Catterton and served on the board of Ferrara Candy Company. Mr. Kufel also served as a Director and the Chief Executive Officer of Van’s Foods from 2009 to 2014 and Inventure Foods, Inc. from 1997 to 2008. Mr. Kufel has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Gonzaga University and a master’s degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Mr. Kufel was selected to serve as a director due to his extensive experience in leadership roles in the consumer industry.

 

 

22    20    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

In 2023 we commenced the declassification of our Board with the implementation of the Certificate of Incorporation. In accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, directors with terms expiring at our 2026 Annual Meeting will stand for re-election to a one-year term at the 2026 Annual Meeting, and beginning with our 2027 Annual Meeting, all directors will be elected to a one-year term.

LOGO

Skills and Experience

•  Retail/Merchandising

•  Strategic Management

•  Digital Commerce and Marketing

•  Human Capital Management

•  Information Technology and Cyber Security

•  Finance/Accounting

•  Governance/Risk Management

•  Senior Leadership

•  Public Company Experience

Other Public Company BoardsCommittees
None

•  Audit

•  Compensation (Chair)

 

Background

Mr. Strain joined the Board in August 2018. Mr. Strain was the Head of e-Commerce and Technology at Gap, Inc., between October 2019 and May 2022. Gap, Inc. is an American worldwide clothing and accessories retailer founded in 1969. Mr. Strain had responsibilities in such role for technology, product management, data and analytics, and loyalty and payments. Mr. Strain also oversaw the digital business including e-commerce strategy and operations and digital and direct marketing. With almost 30 years in the retail technology and e-commerce space, Mr. Strain brings a consumer-centric mindset to a delivery orientation that has resulted in a track record of successful digital transformations. Prior to joining Gap Inc., Mr. Strain was the General Manager of the Retail and Consumer Goods Industry for Salesforce. Mr. Strain also spent 11 years at Williams-Sonoma Inc. as the Chief Digital and Technology Officer, where he was responsible for technology, product management, and digital marketing. Mr. Strain also spent 14 years as a management consultant. Mr. Strain received a B.S. in Finance from Santa Clara University where he was a member of the Retail Management Institute. Mr. Strain was selected to serve as a director due to his experience in various positions with consumer-facing companies.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

21


Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”EY”) has served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since 2000. Representatives of E&YEY are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting online and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they wish and be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

We are asking shareholders to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of E&YEY as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023.28, 2024. While such ratification is not required, the Board is submitting the selection of E&YEY to our shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If shareholders do not ratify the selection of E&YEY as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023,28, 2024, our Audit Committee may reconsider the selection of E&YEY as our independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.

 

LOGO         

 

 

Our Board recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of E&YEY as our independent registered public accounting firm.

  

FEES PAID TO THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The following is a summary of fees paid or to be paid to E&YEY for services rendered over the prior two fiscal years. All such services were pre-approved by our Audit Committee in accordance with the “Pre-Approval Policy” described below.

 

  

For the Year Ended

October 1, 2022

  

For the Year Ended    

October 2, 2021    

  

For the Year Ended

September 30, 2023

   

For the Year Ended    

October 1, 2022(3)    

 
                

    

        

          

Audit Fees(1)

   $1,954,000   $1,359,000   $2,825,000    $2,195,000 

Audit-Related Fees

    -    -   -    - 

Tax Fees

    -    -   -    - 

All Other Fees(2)

    2,000    2,000   4,300    2,000 

Total

   $1,956,000   $1,361,000   $2,829,300    $2,197,000 

 

(1)

Audit fees consist of fees associated with (i) the audits of our consolidated financial statements, (ii) reviews of our interim quarterly consolidated financial statements and (iii) assistance with SEC filings including consents and related services in connection with the Company’s offerings.

(2)

All other fees consist of license fees for E&Y’sEY’s accounting research software.

(3)

Audit fees include an invoice received from EY in 2023 that relate to services for the fiscal year 2022 audit.

PRE-APPROVAL POLICY

The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures with respect to the pre-approval of all audit and permitted non-audit services by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee undertakes a review of such policies at least quarterly, and if necessary, modifies such pre-approval procedures and policies. The Audit Committee may delegate its pre-approval responsibilities to one or more subcommittees as the Audit Committee may deem appropriate, provided that any pre-approval of services by such subcommittees pursuant to this delegated authority must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 202322    Leslie’s, Inc.

 23


PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT(1)

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements with management, and has discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and SEC. Additionally, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from our independent registered public accounting firm, as required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. Based upon such review and discussion, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year for filing with the SEC.

Submitted by:

Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Susan O’Farrell (Chair)

Yolanda Daniel

John Strain

 

(1) 

The information contained in this Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically requests that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act.

 

24    Leslie’s, Inc.Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

 23


 

Proposal 3: Non-Binding, Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”) enables our shareholders to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules (commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote).

As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation program is designed to provide an attractive, flexible and market-based compensation program tied to companyCompany and individual performance and aligned with the interests of our shareholders. Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section for additional details about our executive compensation program, including information about the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”).

We are asking shareholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, 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 disclosed in this Proxy Statement.”

This resolution will not be binding on our Board or the Compensation Committee. However, our Board and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the results of this Proposal 3 when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers. In accordance with our policy of holding annual “say-on-pay” advisory votes, the next “say-on-pay” advisory vote is expected to occur at our 20242025 annual meeting of shareholders.

LOGO     

Our Board recommends a vote “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

25


Information about Our Executive Officers

 

NameLOGO         

 Age

Our Board recommends a vote “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

24    Leslie’s, Inc.


Information about Our Executive Officers

Name

AgeTitle

Michael R. Egeck

  6465  

Chief Executive Officer

Steven M. WeddellScott Bowman

  4856  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Paula F. BakerMike Africa

  5547  

Chief RevenueDigital & Technology Officer

Brad GazawayDave Caspers

  53  

Chief LegalStores Officer and Corporate Secretary

Moyo LaBodeNaomi Cramer

  5258  

Chief People Officer

Brad Gazaway

54

Chief Legal, Real Estate & Sustainability Officer and Corporate Secretary

Moyo LaBode

53

Chief Merchandising & Supply Chain Officer

Michael R. Egeck’s biographical information can be found with the other director biographies in the Director Nominees section.

 

LOGOLOGO

Steven M. Weddell is our Executive Vice President,Scott Bowman joined the Company as its Chief Financial Officer Designate in July 2023, and became the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.Treasurer in August 2023. Mr. WeddellBowman most recently served as Chief Financial Officer for True Food Kitchen after serving as Chief Financial Officer for Dave & Buster’s (NASDAQ: PLAY), a restaurant and entertainment company, from 2019 to 2021 and Hibbett Sports (NASDAQ: HIBB), an athletic retail chain, from 2012 to 2019. Mr. Bowman previously served as a Divisional CFO at The Home Depot, where he held leadership positions in various corporate finance roles having started his career in the audit department of The Sherwin-Williams Company. Mr. Bowman is a CPA and holds an MBA from Emory Goizueta Business School and a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Miami University (Ohio).

LOGO

Mike Africa has served as our Chief Digital & Technology Officer since March 2023. Prior to that, Mr. Africa served as our Chief Digital Officer from September 2021 to March 2023. Before joining Leslie’s, Mr. Africa held multiple leadership positions at Eddie Bauer from 2017-2021 including Chief Digital Officer, VP of Commerce, and VP of Global Digital Experience. Prior to that he served as the SVP, Digital at Paula’s Choice Skincare. Mr. Africa has a B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

25


INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

LOGO

Dave Caspers has served as our Chief Stores Officer since October 2023. Prior to that, Mr. Caspers joined the Company in such capacities in June 2015.May 2023, as our Senior Vice President of Retail Operations. Prior to joining the Company Mr. WeddellCaspers served as a member of our Boardthe VP Omni Channel Retail Healthcare Operations for Walmart, from March 2016August 2022 to October 2020.May 2023. From August 2015 through August 2022, Mr. Weddell worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. from 2003 to 2015, in the Investment Banking Group,Caspers held various roles for Banner Health, including VP Healthcare Operations, VP Special Project BUMD, and served as a Managing Director in the Consumer Retail Group as well as the Merger Leadership Group. Mr. Weddell also served as a Manager in the Assurance Practice at Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Weddell earned his CPA license in California and previously held Series 7 and Series 24 licenses. Mr. Weddell has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Southern California and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

LOGO

Paula F. Baker has been our Chief Revenue Officer since March 2020.VP Patient Experience. Prior to that, Ms. BakerMr. Caspers held various positions for Target. Mr. Caspers is a graduate from St. Cloud State University and North Dakota State College of Science.

LOGO

Naomi Cramer has served as our Chief People and Performance Officer since November 2019. Before joiningMay 2023. She joined Leslie’s Ms. Baker served 15 years with Best Buy. From June 2017 to March 2019, Ms. Baker served as the President of US Retail at Best Buy, where she led the organization responsible for over 1,000 stores and $35 billion in revenue. While at Best Buy, Ms. Baker served in a variety of retail and human resources leadership roles, including Chief Human Resources Officer in September 2022. Prior to joining Leslie’s, she was the Chief Human Resources Officer at Banner Health from June 2016 and Territoryto February 2022. She joined Banner in December of 2014 as Vice President from 2012of Talent Acquisition and was later promoted to 2016. During her timeVice President of Talent Management in 2015; where she led all talent functions for the organization including recruitment, learning and development, organizational effectiveness and change, assessment and survey and workforce planning. Prior to joining Banner, Ms. Cramer had a progressive career in operations and human resources at Best Buy, Ms. BakerTarget Corporation. Her last role was also a TerritorySenior Vice President of Field HR, where she led all areas of Human Resources Director from 2010 to 2012for 350,000 employees in 1,780 retail stores and served in District Manager and General Manager roles from 2004 to 2010. Before joining Best Buy in 2004,37 distribution centers. Ms. Baker worked at Books-A-Million,Cramer holds a large chain bookstore in the southeast, Golfsmith International, a retail golf superstore, and St. Andrews Golf Company, a premier golf club manufacturer and retailer, in retail leadership roles. Ms. Baker has a bachelor’sBachelor’s of Science degree in accounting and finance from the University of Nevada—Las Vegas.Phoenix.

 

 

26    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

LOGO

Brad Gazaway has been our Chief Legal, Real Estate & Sustainability Officer and Corporate Secretary since May 2023. Prior to that, Mr. Gazaway served as our Chief Legal officer since February 2021. Prior to that, Mr. Gazaway served as our SVP, General Counsel & Store Development since July 2017. Before joining Leslie’s, Mr. Gazaway was General Counsel for RED Development, and prior to that served from 2003-2015 at Henkel Corporation (formerly The Dial Corporation) in a VP and Associate General Counsel role. Mr. Gazaway began his professional career as a corporate and securities associate at Snell & Wilmer, LLP. Mr. Gazaway has a B.S. in Political Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and a J.D. from the University of Iowa Law School.

LOGO

Moyo LaBode has been our Chief Merchandising & Supply Chain Officer since May 2023. Prior to that, Mr. LaBode served as our Chief Merchandising Officer since December 2021. Prior to that, Mr. LaBode served as our SVP, Merchandising from May 2021 to December 2021. Before joining Leslie’s, Mr. LaBode served as Vice President, General Merchandise Manager at Barnes & Noble from 2018 to 2021, where he was responsible for the gift, toys and entertainment categories. Prior to that, Mr. LaBode worked at The Home Depot, where he was the Divisional Merchandise manager for hard surface flooring and the Vice President of Merchandise Strategy, and he worked at Target Corporation, where he was responsible for a variety of merchandising, sourcing and operational roles. Mr. LaBode has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Minnesota.

 

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 27



Compensation Discussion and Analysis

In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) we provide an overview and analysis of our compensation program and policies, the material compensation decisions we have made under those programs and policies for fiscal year 20222023 with respect to our NEOs, and the material factors that we considered in making those decisions.

Fiscal year 20222023 was a transitional year in our executive compensation program. All our NEOs were paid base salary and were eligible for cash incentive opportunities in the ordinary course, however, we made only selective long-term equity grants in light of the front-loaded grants certain NEOs received in connection with our initial public offering (“IPO”) in fiscal year 2021. Looking forward, fiscal year 2023 will represent the first year of our ongoing executive compensation program. Our NEOs will receivereceived a mix of base salary, annual cash bonus opportunities, and long-term equity incentives comprised of an equal value-based mix of performance vesting restricted stock units (“PSUs”) and time-vesting RSUs.

Our NEOs for fiscal year 2023 were: Mr. Egeck, our CEO; Mr. Bowman, our CFO; Mr. Weddell, our former CFO; Paula Baker, our former Chief Revenue Officer; Mr. Gazaway, our Chief Legal, Real Estate & Sustainability Officer; and Mr. LaBode, our Chief Merchandising & Supply Chain Officer. Mr. Weddell stepped down from his position as CFO effective as of August 7, 2023, and remained employed as Special Advisor to the CEO through December 30, 2023. Ms. Baker ceased serving as our Chief Revenue Officer as of September 19, 2023, and remained employed as an advisor through December 15, 2023. The terms of Mr. Weddell and Ms. Baker’s separation are described in further detail under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY

We believe our compensation philosophy and design are well aligned with the interest of our shareholders, as well as our performance culture, growth strategy, and desire to attract and retain high-quality executives. Our executive compensation philosophy is to provide an attractive, flexible and market-based compensation program tied to company and individual performance and aligned with the interests of our shareholders. In establishing compensation levels and designing the elements of our executive compensation program, we aim to set overall compensation levels that are both internally equitable and commensurate with the companies with which we compete for talent. The principal objectives of our executive compensation program are to attract and retain highly talented executives to serve in leadership positions and advance our long-term growth strategy. Within our ongoing program, we motivate such executives to succeed by providing compensation that is based on both short- and long-term performance and aligns the interests of our officers with those of our shareholders by delivering a substantial portion of the officers’ compensation through incentives that drive long-term enterprise value creation. We regularly review our executive compensation program with the goal of motivating our executive team to achieve our strategic goals and aligning their interests with those of our shareholders.

Consistent with the foregoing philosophy:

At-risk compensation: For fiscal year 2023, 71% and 54%, respectively, of our CEO’s and average other NEOs’ (in place at the beginning of the fiscal year) target direct compensation, comprised of base salary, target cash bonus opportunities, and target long-term equity incentives, was at-risk.

Pay for performance: Our performance against our incentive plan metrics for fiscal year 2023 was below the thresholds set at the beginning of the year. Accordingly, our NEOs received no cash bonuses for the fiscal year and forfeited the first tranche of their fiscal year 2023 PSUs. Additionally, the balance of their fiscal year 2023 PSUs are not anticipated to be earned.

28    Leslie’s, Inc.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The following features of our compensation program are designed to align the interests of our executive team with those of our shareholders and with market best practice:

 

What We Do

  What We Don’t Do

 Grant compensation that is primarily at-risk and variable

  

û  Allow hedging or pledging of Company stock

 Subject short-termshort- and long-term incentive compensation to measurable and rigorous goals

  

û  Reprice stock options without shareholder approval

 Use an independent compensation consultant

  

û  Provide excessive perquisites

 Cap incentive payments

  

û  Provide supplemental executive retirement plans

 Structure compensation to avoid excessive risk taking

  

û  Provide tax gross-ups including with respect to a change in control

 Provide competitive compensation that is compared against a size appropriate industry peer group

  

û  Provide “single trigger” change in control payments

 Maintain rigorous stock ownership guidelines

  

û  Provide excessive severance benefits

 Have a robust recoupment policy

  

28    Leslie’s, Inc.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

PROCESS FOR SETTING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Generally, our Compensation Committee reviews and, as appropriate, modifies compensation arrangements for executive officers during the first quarter of each fiscal year (with equity grants generally made during the first quarter or early in the second quarter). The CEO reviews the performance and compensation of our executive officers and makes recommendations as to their compensation to the Compensation Committee. In making its decisions regarding executive compensation, the Compensation Committee meets outside the presence of executive officers when making final decisions about each executive officer. The CEO is periodically present during portions of these deliberations that relate to the compensation for other executives, but does not participate in any discussions regarding his own pay.

During fiscal year 2022,2023, we engaged FW Cook as a third-party consultant to provide services including review and analysis of our executive compensation levels and practices, executive officer and non-employee director equity ownership guidelines, peer group compensation,review and corresponding market study, and long-term incentive plan design and equity grant practices. As part of this review process, the Board and the Compensation Committee applied its values, philosophy and understanding of market trends and practices, while considering the compensation levels needed to ensure that our executive compensation program remains competitive and aligned with the interests of our shareholders.

PEER GROUP

To assist the Compensation Committee in its review of executive compensation for fiscal year 2022,2023, the Compensation Committee developed, with FW Cook, a peer group of similarly-situated companies to use for compensation benchmarking purposes. The peer group used to inform compensation decisions for fiscal year 20222023 was comprised of:

 

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.  Johnson Outdoors Inc.  Terminix Global HoldingsThe AZEK Company, Inc.
Container Store Group, Inc.  MarineMax, Inc.  Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
Crocs, Inc.  Monro, Inc.  Trex Company, Inc.
Floor & Décor Holdings, Inc.  National Vision Holdings, Inc.  YETI Holdings, Inc.
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.  Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.  

The peer group is the same as the peer group that was used to inform fiscal year 2022 decisions, except that Terminix Global (acquired) was replaced with The AZEK Company (appropriate peer in terms of size, industry and scope of operations). At the time the peer group was approved (May 2021)2022), our market capitalization and trailing four quarters revenues approximated the median of the peer group. The peer group will continue to be reviewed annually to ensure it best represents the Company’s size, industry and scope of operations.

Peer group data were supplemented with national retail and general industry survey data, scoped by each executive’s revenue responsibility, to provide an additional market reference point.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

29


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

ELEMENTS OF COMPENSATION

The compensation of our NEOs generally consists of base salary, annual cash bonus opportunities, long-term equity incentives in the form of equity awards and other benefits, each as described below.

Base salarySalary

Base salary is a fixed element within a total compensation packageelement intended to attract and retain the talent necessary to successfully manage our business and execute our business strategies. Base salaries for our NEOs, including consideration for increases, are established based on the scope of their responsibilities, taking into account relevant experience, internal pay equity, tenure, competitive market practice, and other factors deemed relevant. In addition, Mr. Gazaway’s increase was reflective of his assuming additional responsibility with respect to our real estate operations and sustainability efforts as part of his promotion from Chief Legal Officer to Chief Legal, Real Estate and Sustainability Officer in fiscal year 2023. Base salaries for our NEOs in fiscal year 20222023 and 20212022 were as follows:

 

Name

  FY2021   FY2022   % Increase   FY2022  FY2023  % Increase

Michael R. Egeck

  $1,025,000   $1,025,000    -%    $1,025,000   $1,025,000    0% 

Scott Bowman

   $-   $550,000    N/A 

Steven M. Weddell

  $570,000   $570,000    -%    $570,000   $570,000    0% 

Paula F. Baker

  $400,000   $400,000    -%    $400,000   $425,000    6% 

Brad Gazaway

  $350,000   $350,000    -%    $350,000   $425,000    21% 

Moyo LaBode

  $400,000   $400,000    -%    $400,000   $425,000    6% 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

29
Annual Cash Bonus Opportunities


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Annual cash bonus opportunities

The target performance-based cash bonus opportunity for each of the NEOs is expressed as a percentage of his or her base salary and can be earned by meeting certain predetermined corporate performance objectives, subject to an individual/strategic performance modifier. Fiscal year 20222023 annual cash bonuses for Mr.Mssrs. Egeck, Bowman, and Mr. Weddell were targeted at 100% of their base salaries, and fiscal year 20222023 annual cash bonuses for Ms. Baker, Mr. Gazaway, and Mr. LaBode were targeted at 50% of their base salaries. TheFor the NEOs other than Mr. Bowman, the target percentages did not change from those in effect for fiscal year 2021.2022. Mr. Bowman’s target percentage was set in connection with his hire and his opportunity was pro-rated for the portion of the year he was employed with us.

The Board set corporate performance objectives based on the achievement of an annual Adjusted EBITDA target, which the Board believed to best align the interest of the NEOs and our shareholders. The Board established the following matrix to map Adjusted EBITDA performance to bonus earnouts, with pre-established threshold, target and maximum performance levels, with linear interpolation applying between such levels.

Adjusted EBITDA(1)    Payout as % of Target    

Threshold

$270.0 M0%

Target

$300.0 M100%

Maximum

$330.0 M200%

Actual

$292.3 M74.3%

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA was as reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2022.

The amount earned relative to corporate performance was then subject to potential modification up or down by up to 20% based on performance against individual and strategic objectives, on a zero sum basis across all eligible employees of the Company, including the CEO and the CEO’s senior team. For fiscal year 2022 the individual and strategic objectives for the CEO’s senior team, including the NEOs were focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, where, in each case improvements were achieved, and a determination was made not to modify the earned bonuses in either direction.

Based on actual fiscal year 2022 Adjusted EBITDA performance of $292.3 million, the annual cash bonus earned by each NEO for fiscal year 2022 was equal to 74.3% of his or her target amount, as reflected in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. These amounts were paid out in December 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest (including amortization of debt issuance costs), taxes, depreciation and amortization, management fees, equity-based compensation expense, loss on debt extinguishment, costs related to equity offerings, strategic project costs, executive transition costs, loss (gain) on disposition of assets, mark-to-market on interest rate cap and other non-recurring, non-cash or discrete items.

Long-term

Adjusted EBITDA(1)Payout as % of Target

Threshold

$280.0 M0%

Target

$295.0 M100%

Maximum

$310.0 M200%

Actual

$168.1 M0%

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA was as reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2023.

30    Leslie’s, Inc.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The amount earned relative to corporate performance was then subject to potential modification upwards by up to 20% or downwards by up to 100% (i.e. 0% to 120% of the amount earned relative to corporate performance) based on performance against individual and strategic objectives, on a zero-sum basis across all eligible employees of the Company, including the CEO and the CEO’s senior team. For fiscal year 2023 the individual and strategic objectives for the CEO’s senior team, including the NEOs were focused on diversity, equity, incentivesand inclusion, where, in each case improvements were achieved.

Based on actual fiscal year 2023 Adjusted EBITDA performance of $168.1 million, no bonuses were earned for 2023, as reflected in the “Summary Compensation Table” below.

New Hire Bonus Opportunities

In connection with his hire during fiscal year 2023, Mr. Bowman received a sign-on bonus of $500,000 to be paid in two separate installments. The initial portion of the sign-on bonus in an amount of $300,000 was grossed-up to account for normal and customary payroll tax withholdings and was paid at the time he commenced employment. As a general policy, the Company does not provide tax gross-ups on bonuses paid for executives, however in this particular instance an exception was made specifically for recruitment purposes as a replacement for similar amounts forfeited from Mr. Bowman’s previous employment. Notwithstanding, the Company commits to not providing gross-up bonus arrangements for executives in the future, including those in connection with new hire packages with respect to forfeited compensation arrangements. The second portion of Mr. Bowman’s sign-on bonus payment of $200,000 was subject to normal and customary payroll tax withholdings and was paid subsequent to our fiscal year end in December 2023.

Long-Term Equity Incentives

Historically, we granted stock options and RSUs under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, including to certain of our NEOs and certain of our directors, from time to time to provide additional retention and performance incentives to these individuals. As noted above, fiscal year 2022 was a transitional year with respect to equity incentives. Taking into consideration the equity grants certain of our NEOs received in connection with our IPO, the Committee approved limited equity grants during the year. As described in further detail below, inIn fiscal year 2023, we commenced our ongoing equity grant program. As a part of the annual grant cycle, each of the NEOs received equity grants comprised 50% of PSUs and 50% of RSUs.

Fiscal year 2022 restricted stock unitsYear 2023 Restricted Stock Units

During fiscal year 2022, only two2023, each of the NEOs, other than Mr. Bowman, received RSU equity grants.RSUs as a part of the annual grant cycle. Additionally, during the fiscal year, Mr. Gazaway and Mr. LaBode each received an additional grant of RSUs as compensation for additional assumed duties. In connection with his hire, Mr. Bowman received a grant of RSUs with a value of $200,002 and Mr. LaBode received a grant of RSUs with a value of $450,004.RSUs. In each case, the RSUs vest in equal, annual installments over four years, subject to continued employment.

30    Leslie’s, Inc.

Fiscal Year 2023 Performance Stock Units (PSUs)


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Fiscal year 2022 stock options

As disclosed in last year’s proxy statement, in fiscal year 2021, certain of our NEOs received performance-vesting stock options eligible to vest 50% on the Company’s achievement of the Adjusted net income target for fiscal year 2021 and 50% on the Company’s achievement of the Adjusted net income target for fiscal year 2022. In December 2022, the Compensation Committee determined that the Company’s Adjusted net income for fiscal year 2022 was $176 million. This did not exceed the Adjusted net income target of $185 million, accordingly all performance-vesting options subject to the Company’s fiscal year 2022 performance were forfeited. Although the performance-vesting options were approved in fiscal year 2021, the fiscal year 2022 Adjusted net income target was not established until after the end of fiscal year 2021. Therefore, the portion of the awards attributable to the fiscal year 2022 Adjusted net income target was not considered granted for accounting purposes until fiscal year 2022 and is included in the option award values disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below.

Adjusted net income is defined as net income adjusted to exclude management fees, equity-based compensation expense, loss on debt extinguishment, costs related to equity offerings, strategic project costs, executive transition costs, loss (gain) on disposition of assets, mark-to-market on interest rate cap, and other non-recurring, non-cash or discrete items.

Fiscal year 2023 PSUs and RSUs

In fiscal year 2023, we commencedgranted PSUs for the first time to all NEOs with the exception of Mr. Bowman due to his commencing employment towards the end of our ongoing equity grant program. Each of the NEOs received equity grants comprised 50% of PSUs and 50% of RSUs.fiscal year. The PSUs are subject to cumulative Adjusted net incomeNet Income and revenue goals, weighted 75% and 25%, respectively. For the first year of the2023 PSU program, only, there are one-, two-, and three-year performance periods, after each of which one-third of the target number of PSUs is eligible to vest (at 0% - 200% of target) based on actual performance. It is anticipated that

One-third of the PSU awardstarget number of PSUs were eligible to vest based on the following fiscal year 2023 performance goals:

Performance Level

Achievement
Percentage
FY23 Adjusted
Net Income
(1)
FY23 Revenue(1)

Threshold

50%$150.0M$1,570.0M

Target

100%$160.0M$1,610.0M

Maximum

200%$165.0M$1,650.0M

Actual

0%$51.1M$1,451.2M

(1)

As reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2023.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

31


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Based on performance in fiscal year 20242023, the first tranche of the PSUs was forfeited. The remaining two tranches remain eligible to vest based on fiscal year 2023-2024 and forward willfiscal year 2023-2025 achievement, respectively, however are not anticipated to be subject to one three-year performance period. The RSUs vest in equal, annual installments over four years, subject to continued employment.earned.

Other benefits

We currently provide broad-based welfare benefits to our NEOs that are available to all of our employees, including health, dental, life, vision and disability insurance.

In addition, we maintain, and certain of the NEOs participate in, a 401(k) plan that provides eligible employees with an opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis and under which we are permitted to make discretionary employer contributions. Employees’ pre-tax contributions are allocated to their respective individual accounts and are then invested in selected investment alternatives according to their directions. The 401(k) plan is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code. We currently match participant contributions to the 401(k) plan up to 4% of eligible earnings, up to IRS limits.

We do not maintain any defined benefit pension plans or non-qualified deferred compensation plans.

Post-employment compensation arrangementsPost-Employment Compensation Arrangements

The NEOs are entitled to certain severance benefits, the terms of which are described below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” The severance benefits are an essential element of the overall executive compensation package and assist the Company in recruiting and retaining talented individuals and aligning the executive’s interests with the best interests of the shareholders.

OTHER MATTERS

Risk assessmentAssessment

During fiscal year 2022,2023, the Compensation Committee worked with FW Cook and management to assess our compensation policies and practices. Our Board and our Compensation Committee do not believe that our executive and non-executive compensation programs encourage excessive or unnecessary risk taking, and any risk inherent in our compensation programs is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on us.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

31
Say-on-Pay


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Say-on-pay

Our Compensation Committee considers feedback from our shareholders and the results of our Say-on-Pay vote in making compensation decisions for our NEOs. Our fiscal year 2021 2023 Say-on-Pay vote reflected 97.6%98.2% support from our shareholders, based on the percentage of shares voted. The Compensation Committee believes this indicates that our shareholders support the philosophy, strategy, objectives, and administration of our executive compensation program.

Clawback/Forfeiture

Our Board has adopted a clawback policy whichthat complies with the new Nasdaq listing standards and provides for the recoupment of certain cash or equity-based compensation in the event the Company is required to restate its financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the securities laws. The Board

32    Leslie’s, Inc.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Pursuant to Proposal No. 4, Approval of the Leslie’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement of its financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then the Committee may, in its sole discretion (considering any factors the Committee deems appropriate), require reimbursementa participant to disgorge or forfeitureforfeit to the Company that portion of alltime- and/or performance-based awards that were granted, earned or vested during the Company’s three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date the Company is required to prepare the accounting restatement, that the Committee determines was in excess of the amount that would have been granted, earned or vested during such period based on the restated results. This restatement-related recoupment policy will apply to awards granted on or after the Restatement Effective Date (as defined in Proposal No. 4). Further, the administrator has the full power and authority to terminate or cause a participant to forfeit an award and require the participant to disgorge to the Company any gains attributable to the award, if the participant engages in any action constituting, as determined by the administrator in its discretion, cause for termination, or a portionbreach of a material Company policy, any award agreement, or any other agreement between the incentive compensation received byparticipant and the Company concerning noncompetition, nonsolicitation, confidentiality, trade secrets, intellectual property, nondisparagement, or similar obligations. Additionally, any currentawards granted pursuant to the plan and any stock issued or former executive officer (including NEOs)cash paid pursuant to an award, are subject to any recoupment or other designated officer (as covered by the policy).

In connection with the SEC’s recent finalization of the Dodd-Frank compensation recoupment rules, we will revise our existing clawback policy or adopt an additional clawback policy that complies with the Nasdaqis adopted by, or any recoupment or similar requirement otherwise made applicable by law, regulation, or listing standards withinto, the requiredCompany from time frame.to time.

Share ownership guidelinesOwnership Guidelines

Our Board believes that, in order to more closely align the interests of our NEOs and other designated officers with the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders, all NEOs and other designated officers should maintain a minimum level of equity interests in the Company’s common stock. Such stock ownership guidelines are based on the value of common stock owned as a multiple of base salary. The guidelines will be reviewed annually and revised as appropriate to keep pace with competitive and good governance practices. The multiples are set based upon each officer’s position, as set forth below:

 

Position

  Stock

Ownership

Multiple
 

Chief Executive Officer

  6x base salary

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer (if any)

  3x base salary

Other Designated Officers

  2x base salary

For purposes of determining stock ownership levels, the following forms of equity interests in the Company are included: common stock of the Company; Company restricted stock or RSUs granted under the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (or any predecessor or successor plan) which are to be settled in shares of common stock, except to the extent such restricted stock or RSUs are subject to vesting conditions other than conditions based solely on the passage of time and continued service; and common stock of the Company held for the individuals account in the 401(k) Plan. Unearned performance-based restricted stock or PSUs, and shares underlying unexercised stock options (whether vested or unvested, whether time- or performance-based and whether in-the-money or not) do not count as stock owned for purposes of the guidelines. Under the guidelines, NEOs and other designated officers are required to hold 50% of the net shares resulting from stock option exercises or vesting of other stock-based awards until they reach the applicable level. In the case of time-vested RSUs in the categories above which are not yet fully vested, only a portion representing the net after-tax holdings at vesting will count as stock owned. For purposes of calculating these estimated net holdings, the tax withholding rate assumed to apply at vesting shall equal 40%.

As of the record date, all NEOs were in compliance with the guidelines either by virtue of holding the required number of shares or by compliance with the 50% retention ratio.

32    Leslie’s, Inc.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Prohibition on hedgingHedging or pledgingPledging

We have a policy prohibiting all executive officers and directors from engaging in any form of hedging transaction involving the securities of the Company. The policy addresses short sales and transactions involving publicly traded options and also prohibits such individuals from holding our securities in margin accounts and from pledging our securities as collateral for loans. We believe that these policies further align our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

33


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Tax deductibilityDeductibility

In connection with its determination of the various elements of compensation for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee has taken into account the impact of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code on the deductibility of compensation for federal income tax purposes. Section 162(m) limits the deductibility of compensation paid to covered employees to $1 million annually. Notwithstanding Section 162(m), the Compensation Committee has the discretion to design and implement elements of executive compensation that may not be fully deductible for income tax purposes.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT(1)

Our Compensation Committee oversees our compensation program on behalf of our Board. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, our Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” included in this proxy statement. In reliance on the review and discussion referred to above, our Compensation Committee recommended to our Board that the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” be included in our proxy statement.

Submitted by:

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

John Strain (Chair)

Jodeen KozlakSeth Estep

James Ray, Jr.

Claire Spofford

 

(1) 

The information contained in this Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically requests that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 202334    Leslie’s, Inc.

 33


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table presents information regarding the compensation of our NEOs for services rendered during the fiscal years 2023, 2022 2021 and 2020.2021.

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year   Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   

Stock
Options

($)

   

Stock
Awards

($)(1)

   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
   All Other
Compensation
($)(2)
   

Total

($)

  Year Salary
($)
 Bonus
($)
 Stock
Options
($)
 Stock
Awards
($)(1)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
 

All Other
Compensation

($)(2)

 Total ($) 

Michael R. Egeck

   2022    1,025,000    -    1,547,063(3)    -    761,575    5,800    3,339,438   2023   1,025,000   -   -   3,000,128   -   16,843   4,041,971 

Chief Executive Officer

   2021    1,023,077(4)    550,000(5)    4,803,926(3)    -    1,534,512    -    7,911,515   
2022
2021
 
 
  
1,025,000
1,023,077
 
(4)  
  
-
550,000
 
(5) 
  

1,547,063

4,803,926

(3) 

(3) 

  

-

-

 

 

  
761,575
1,534,512
 
 
  

5,800

-

 

 

  
3,339,438
7,911,515
 
 

Scott Bowman

  2023   116,346(6)    300,000(6)   -   550,005   -   120,503   1,086,854 
   2020    654,987(4)    -    7,179,102(6)    -    1,460,916    95,100    9,390,105 

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Steven M. Weddell

   2022    570,000    -    966,920(3)    -    423,510    5,800    1,966,230   2023   570,000   -   -   690,132   -   22,266   1,282,398 

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

   2021    560,769(7)    550,000(5)    3,002,451(3)    -    840,165    5,700    4,959,085 
 2020    450,000    -    -    -    900,000    39,694    1,389,694 

Former Executive Vice

President and Chief Financial

Officer

  
2022
2021
 
 
  

570,000

560,769

 

(7) 

  

-

550,000

 

(5) 

  

966,920

3,002,451

(3) 

(3) 

  

-

-

 

 

  
423,510
840,165
 
 
  
5,800
5,700
 
 
  
1,966,230
4,959,085
 
 

Paula F. Baker

  2023   419,231   -   -   330,136   -   48,519   797,886 

Paula F. Baker(8)

   2022    400,000    -    154,707(3)    -    148,600    5,800    709,107 

Chief Revenue Officer

   2021    400,000    -    480,396(3)    -    300,000    5,700    1,186,096 
   2020    327,224    75,000(9)    633,750(6)    -    327,224    127,342    1,490,540 

Former Chief Revenue Officer

  
2022
2021
 
 
  
400,000
400,000
 
 
  

-

-

 

 

  

154,707

480,396

(3) 

(3) 

  

-

-

 

 

  
148,600
300,000
 
 
  
5,800
5,700
 
 
  
709,107
1,186,096
 
 

Brad Gazaway

   2022    350,000    -    219,366(3)    200,002    130,025    5,800    905,193   2023   419,231   -   -   850,133   -   13,520   1,282,884 

Chief Legal Officer

                        

Chief Legal, Real Estate &

Sustainability Officer

  2022   350,000   -   219,366(3)   200,002   130,025   5,800   905,193 

Moyo LaBode

   2022    400,000    -    361,630(3)    450,004    148,600    -    1,360,234   2023   419,231   -   -   920,205   -   22,266   1,361,702 

Chief Merchandising Officer

                        

Chief Merchandising & Supply

Chain Officer

  2022   400,000   -   361,630(3)   450,004   148,600   -   1,360,234 

 

(1)

The amounts reported in this column represent the grant date fair value of the RSUs and PSUs granted to each of the NEOs in the specified fiscal year, calculated in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. The grant date fair value is determined by multiplying the number of units granted by the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. The value of the PSU awards granted in fiscal year 2023, assuming achievement of the maximum performance level of 200%, would have been: Mr. Egeck, $3,000,128; Mr. Weddell, $690,132; Ms. Baker, $330,136; Mr. Gazaway, $350,124; and Mr. LaBode, $420,196.

(2)

The amounts in this column are detailed in the table immediately below.

(3)

Represents the aggregate fair value of the stock options that were granted to each of our NEOs during fiscal yearyears 2021 and 2022. As disclosed in last year’s proxy statement, in fiscal year 2021, certain of our NEOs received performance-vesting stock options eligible to vest 50% on the Company’s achievement of the Adjusted net income target for fiscal year 2021 and 50% on the Company’s achievement of the Adjusted net income target for fiscal year 2022. Although the performance-vesting options were approved in fiscal year 2021, the fiscal year 2022 Adjusted net income target was not established until after the end of fiscal year 2021. Therefore, the portion of the awards attributable to the fiscal year 2022 Adjusted net income target was not considered granted for accounting purposes until fiscal year 2022 and is included in the option award values disclosed for fiscal year 2022.

(4)

Mr. Egeck joined us in February 2020 as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Egeck received a prorated base salary of $654,987 for fiscal year 2020. Mr. Egeck also received a prorated base salary of $1,023,077 due to the increase in his base salary from $1,000,000 to $1,025,000 during fiscal year 2021.

(5)

Pursuant to Messrs. Egeck and Weddell’s amended and restated employment agreements, each executive received a one-time cash bonus of $550,000 during fiscal year 2021 in connection with the Company’s IPO.

(6)

DuringMr. Bowman received a prorated base salary of $116,346 and initial sign-on bonus payment of $300,000 in connection with the commencement of his employment during fiscal year 2020, Mr. Egeck and Ms. Baker received an award of profits interest units in our then parent company, and the amount reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of these profits interest units. The unvested profits interest units upon IPO were then converted into restricted stock units.2023.

(7)

Mr. Weddell received a prorated base salary of $560,769 as result of entering into an amended and restated employment agreement which increased this base salary from $450,000 to $570,000 during fiscal year 2021.

(8)

Ms. Baker joined us in November 2019 as our Chief Performance Officer and transitioned to the role of Chief Revenue Officer in March 2020. Ms. Baker received a prorated base salary of $327,224 for fiscal year 2020.

(9)

Ms. Baker received a sign-on bonus of $75,000 in connection with commencement of her employment for fiscal year 2020.

34    Leslie’s, Inc.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Name

YearCompany
Contribution
to 401(K)
Plan ($)(a)
Personal
Use of
Company
Plane
($)(b)
Gross-Up on
Company
Plane Use
($)(b)
Relocation
Services
($)(c)
Cash
Allowance
($)(d)
Gross-Up
on Cash
Allowance
($)(e)
Reimbursement
of Legal
Expenses ($)(f)
Total
($)

Michael R. Egeck

 2022 5,800 - - - - - - 5,800
 2021 - - - - - - - -
 2020 - 39,730 9,725 - 25,000 19,524 1,121 95,100

Steven M. Weddell

 2022 5,800 - - - - - - 5,800
 2021 5,700 - - - - - - 5,700
 2020 5,600 - - - 19,144 14,950 - 39,694

Paula F. Baker

 2022 5,800 - - - - - - 5,800
 2021 5,700 - - - - - - 5,700
 2020 - - - 127,342 - - - 127,342

Brad Gazaway

 2022 5,800 - - - - - - 5,800

Moyo LaBode

 2022 - - - - - - - -

(a)

The amounts in this column represent the Company’s matching 401(k) plan contributions.

(b)

The amounts in the “Personal Use of Company Plane” column represent the aggregate incremental cost to us for personal use of Company-owned aircraft in accordance with the terms of the Company’s corporate aircraft policy. During fiscal year 2020, Messrs. Egeck and Weddell were permitted personal use of the Company-owned aircraft and were entitled to gross-ups on related imputed income up to, respectively, 20 and 10 hours of actual flight time per year, respectively, which estimated gross-ups are reflected in the “Gross-Up on Company Plane Use” column. The Company-owned aircraft was sold in October 2020.

(c)

The amount in this column represents the aggregate amount of relocation benefits paid by the Company to Ms. Baker for fiscal year 2020.

(d)

The amounts in this column represent the annual cash allowances related to employment that might be considered partially or wholly personal in nature. We eliminated these cash allowance arrangements in connection with our IPO in fiscal year 2021.

(e)

The amounts in this column represent the estimated gross-ups to be paid by the Company on the cash allowances provided. The cash allowance arrangements were eliminated in connection with our IPO in fiscal year 2021.

(f)

The amount in this column represents Company reimbursement for legal expenses paid by the Company in connection with the negotiation of Mr. Egeck’s employment agreement in fiscal year 2020.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 35


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Name

 Year  Company
Contribution
to 401(K)
Plan ($)(a)
  Company
Contribution
to Insurance
Premiums ($)(b)
  Transition
Services(c)
  Gross-Up
for
Sign-On
Bonus ($)(d)
  Total
($)
 

Michael R. Egeck

  2023   6,100   10,743   -   -   16,843 

Scott Bowman

  2023   -   3,077   -   117,426   120,503 

Steven M. Weddell

  2023   6,100   16,166   -   -   22,266 

Paula F. Baker

  2023   6,100   7,419   35,000   -   48,519 

Brad Gazaway

  2023   6,100   7,420   -   -   13,520 

Moyo LaBode

  2023   6,100   16,166   -   -   22,266 

(a)

These amounts represent the Company’s matching 401(k) plan contributions.

(b)

These amounts represent the portion of Company-sponsored health insurance plan premiums paid by the Company.

(c)

Pursuant to the Transition Agreement dated September 19, 2023, Ms. Baker was entitled to a one-time payment of $35,000 in connection with transition services as a result of her separation on December 15, 2023.

(d)

Pursuant to Mr. Bowman’s offer letter, he was entitled to a cash sign-on bonus of $300,000, of which $117,426 was paid in addition representing the portion grossed-up for taxes. Refer to discussion under “New Hire Bonus Opportunities” elsewhere in this CD&A.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 20222023

The following table sets forth equity awards under various compensation plans granted to our NEOs in fiscal year 2022.2023. Under SEC rules, the values reported in the “Grant Date Fair Value of Stock” column reflect the grant date fair value of grants of stock awards determined under accounting standards, as discussed above.

 

    

Estimated Future

Payouts Under Non-

Equity Incentive Plans(1)

                    Estimated Future
Payouts under
Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
    Estimated Future Payouts under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)
         

Name

 

Grant

Date

 

Target

($)

 

Maximum

($)

 All Other
Options:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(2)
 

All Other

Stock
Awards:

Number of

Shares

of Stock(#)(3)

 Exercise or Base
Price of Option
Awards ($/Sh)
 

Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock

($)

   Type of
Award
   Grant
Date
   Target
($)
   Maximum
($)
   Threshold
(#)
   Target
(#)
   Maximum
(#)
   

All Other

Stock Awards:
Number of
Shares of Stock
or Units (#)(3)

   

Grant Date
Fair Value

of Stock and
Option

Awards

 

Michael R. Egeck

  N/A   1,025,000   2,460,000   -   -   -   -    

ACBO
PSU
RSU
 
 
 
   

-
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
 
 
 
   

1,025,000
-

-

 
 

 

   

2,460,000
-

-

 
 

 

     

-

-

62,295

 

 

 

   

-
124,590
-
 
 
 
   

-
249,180
-
 
 
 
   


-

-
124,590

 

 
 

   

-
1,500,064
1,500,064
 
 
 
  10/14/2021   -   -   196,079   -   17.00   1,547,063 

Scott Bowman(4)

   
ACBO
RSU
 
 
   

-

8/14/2023

 

 

   

116,111

-

 

 

   

278,667

-

 

 

     

-

-

 

 

   

-

-

 

 

   

-

-

 

 

   
-
76,178
 
 
   
-
550,005
 
 

Steven M. Weddell

  N/A   570,000   1,368,000   -   -   -   -    

ACBO
PSU
RSU
 
 
 
   

-
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
 
 
 
   

570,000
-

-

 
 

 

   

1,368,000
-

-

 
 

 

     

-

-

14,330

 

 

 

   

-
28,660
-
 
 
 
   

-
57,320
-
 
 
 
   


-

-
28,660

 

 
 

   

-
345,066
345,066
 
 
 
  10/14/2021   -   -   122,550   -   17.00   966,920 

Paula F. Baker

  N/A   200,000   480,000   -   -   -   -    

ACBO
PSU
RSU
 
 
 
   

-
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
 
 
 
   

212,500

-

-

 

 

 

   

510,000

-

-

 

 

 

     

-

-

6,855

 

 

 

   

-

13,710

-

 

 

 

   

-
27,420
-
 
 
 
   

-

-

13,710

 

 

 

   


-

165,068
165,068

 

 
 

  10/14/2021   -   -   19,608   -   17.00   154,707 

Brad Gazaway

  N/A   175,000   420,000   -   -   -   -    


ACBO
PSU
RSU
RSU
 
 
 
 
   


-
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
5/18/2023
 
 
 
 
   

212,500

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

   

510,000

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

     

-

-

-

7,270

 

 

 

 

   


-
14,540
-

-

 
 
 

 

   


-
29,080
-

-

 
 
 

 

   



-

-
14,540
46,383

 

 
 
 

   



-

175,062
175,062
500,009

 

 
 
 

  10/14/2021   -   -   14,706   -   17.00   116,030 
  10/14/2021   -   -   16,667   -   22.27   131,503 
  1/27/2022   -   -   -   10,336   -   200,002 

Moyo LaBode

  N/A   200,000   480,000   -   -   -   -    


ACBO
PSU
RSU
RSU
 
 
 
 
   


-
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
5/18/2023
 
 
 
 
   

212,500

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

   

510,000

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

     

-

-

-

8,725

 

 

 

 

   


-
17,450
-

-

 
 
 

 

   


-
34,900
-

-

 
 
 

 

   



-

-
17,450
46,383

 

 
 
 

   



-

210,098
210,098
500,009

 

 
 
 

  10/14/2021   -   -   45,834   -   26.11   361,630 
  1/27/2022   -   -   -   23,256   -   450,004 

 

(1)

Represents target and maximum annual cash incentive award opportunities. The target amount isopportunities, based upon the achievement of the Adjusted EBITDA targets listed inwithin the section titled “Annual Cash Bonus Opportunities” within CD&A. As described therein, amounts below the target are linearly interpolated to the threshold value, which would result in the CD&A.a payout of $0. The actual amounts earned by each NEO are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)

As disclosed in last year’s proxy statement, in fiscal year 2021, certain of our NEOs received performance-vesting stock options eligible to vest 50% on the Company’s achievement of the Adjusted net income target for fiscal year 2021 and 50% on the Company’s achievement of the Adjusted net income target for fiscal year 2022. Although the performance-vesting options were approved in fiscal year 2021, the fiscal year 2022 Adjusted net income target was not established until after the end of fiscal year 2021. Therefore, the portion of the awards attributable to the fiscal year 2022 Adjusted net income target was not considered granted for accounting purposes until fiscal year 2022 and is included in the option award values disclosed for fiscal year 2022. As a result of not achieving the fiscal year 2022 Adjusted net income target, these awards were subsequently cancelled.

(3)

Represents RSUs granted that will vest in installments of 25% on the four anniversary dates following the grant date, subject to continued employment or service with the Company or an affiliate until the applicable vesting date.

(3)

Refer to the section titled “Fiscal year 2023 performance stock units (PSUs)” in the CD&A for a description of these awards.

(4)

Mr. Bowman was eligible for a prorated portion of the Annual Cash Bonus Opportunities for fiscal year 2023 commencing with his employment on July 17, 2023.

36    Leslie’s, Inc.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

The Company has entered into an employment agreement with Messrs. Egeck and Weddell to help ensure the retention of those executive officers critical to the future success of the Company.

Messrs. Egeck and Weddell entered into amended and restated employment agreements on October 19, 2020, in connection with the Company’s IPO. Mr. Egeck’s employment agreement provided for an indefinite term of employment, and the employment agreement for Mr. Weddell provided for an initial term of five years, with automatic one-year extensions beginning upon expiration of the initial term, which may be cancelled upon at least 90 days’ prior written notice from either the respective NEO or the Company. Under their respective employment agreements, Messrs. Egeck and Weddell were entitled to receive annual base salaries of $1,025,000 and $570,000, respectively, in each case, subject to annual review by our Board. Further, each of Messrs. Egeck and Weddell hashad the opportunity to earn an annual cash bonus targeted at 100% of his respective annual base salary.

36    Leslie’s, Inc.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Mr. Weddell stepped down from his position as CFO effective as of August 7, 2023, and remained employed as Special Advisor to the CEO through December 30, 2023.

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 20222023 FISCAL YEAR-END

The following table summarizes equity awards held by our NEOs as of fiscal year 2022:2023:

 

RSUs    Options    Stock Awards 

Name

Grant DateExercisable
(#)(1)
Unexercisable
(#)
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
Option
Expiration
Date
 Grant
Date
Number of
RSUs that
have not
vested (#)
Market Value
of RSUs that
have not
vested ($)(2)
  Grant Date   Exercisable
(#)(1)
   Unexercisable
(#)
   Option
Exercise
Price ($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number of
RSUs that
have not
vested
(#)
   Market Value
of RSUs that
have not
vested
($)(2)
   Number of
PSUs that
have not
vested
(#)(3)
   Market Value
of PSUs
that have
not vested
($)(2)
 

Michael R. Egeck(3)(4)

 10/28/2020 392,157 588,236 17.00 10/28/2030

 

 - - -   


10/28/2020
11/2/2020
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
 
 
 
 
   392,157    588,236    17.00    10/28/2030      

205,546
124,590
-
 
 
 
   

1,163,390
705,179
-
 
 
 
   


-

-
83,060

 

 
 

   


-

-
470,120

 

 
 

 - - - - -

 

 11/2/2020 616,638 9,070,745

Scott Bowman(5)

   8/14/2023                  76,178    431,167    -    - 

Steven M. Weddell(4)(6)

 10/28/2020 245,098 367,647 17.00 10/28/2030

 

 - - -   

10/28/2020
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
 
 
 
   367,647    245,098    17.00    10/28/2030      
28,660
-
 
 
   

162,216

-

 

 

   
-
19,107
 
 
   
-
108,144
 
 

Paula F. Baker(5)(7)

 10/28/2020 39,216 58,824 17.00 10/28/2030

 

 - - -   


10/28/2020
11/2/2020
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
 
 
 
 
   58,824    39,216    17.00    10/28/2030      

70,506

13,710

-

 

 

 

   

399,064

77,599

-

 

 

 

   

-

-

9,140

 

 

 

   

-

-

51,732

 

 

 

Brad Gazaway(8)

   




10/28/2020
3/3/2021
1/27/2022
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
5/18/2023
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
44,118
50,000
 
 
   
29,411
33,333
 
 
   
17.00
22.27
 
 
   
10/28/2030
3/3/2031
 
 
     


7,752
14,540

-
46,383

 
 

 
 

   


43,876
82,296

-
262,528

 
 

 
 

   



-

-
9,693
-

 

 
 
 

   



-

-
54,864
-

 

 
 
 

 - - - - -

 

 11/2/2020 141,012 2,074,287

Brad Gazaway(6)

 10/28/2020 29,411 44,118 17.00 10/28/2030

 

 - - -

 3/3/2021 33,333 50,000 22.27 3/3/2031

 

 - - -

 - - - - -

 

 1/27/2022 10,336 152,043

Moyo LaBode(7)

 5/21/2021 91,666 137,500 26.11 5/21/2031

 

 - - -

 - - - - -

 

 5/12/2021 48,750 717,113

 - - - - -

 

 1/27/2022 23,256 342,096

Moyo LaBode(9)

   




5/21/2021
5/12/2021
1/27/2022
12/15/2022
12/15/2022
5/18/2023
 
 
 
 
 
 
   137,499    91,666    26.11    5/21/2031      



32,500
17,442
17,450

-
46,383

 
 
 

 
 

   



183,950
98,722
98,767

-
262,528

 
 
 

 
 

   

-

-

-

11,633

-

 

 

 

 

 

   



-

-

-
65,845
-

 

 

 
 
 

 

(1)

The number in this column represent vested Options outstanding as of October 1, 2022.September 30, 2023.

(2)

Amounts reported are based on the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQNasdaq as of September 30, 202229, 2023, the last trading day of $14.71our fiscal year, of $5.66 per share.

(3)

The number of shares presented for performance share units assume achievement at target performance as described under the section titled “Fiscal year 2023 performance stock units (PSUs)” in the CD&A.

(4)

Reflects (i) 588,236 stock options, of which 196,079 and 196,078 become exercisable on October 28, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively and (ii) 616,638205,546 restricted stock units that vest on February 4, 2024, and (iii) 124,590 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of 205,54631,148 on February 4,December 15, 2023, August 4, 20232024, 2025, and February 4,2026, respectively. In addition, the remaining 83,060 performance share units are eligible to vest equally based on fiscal

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024 respectively. 196,079 stock options that were subject to

37


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

year 2023-2024 and fiscal year 20222023-2025 performance achievements as described under the section titled “Fiscal year 2023 performance stock units (PSUs)” in the CD&A. Approximately 41,530 units were forfeited due to the non-achievement of those criteria for fiscal year 2023 and are not included asin the goal was not achievedtotals above.
(5)

Reflects 76,178 restricted stock units which vest and the awards were forfeited.become non-forfeitable in equal installments of approximately 19,045 on August 14, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, respectively.

(4)(6)

Reflects 367,647(i) 245,098 stock options, of which 122,549 become exercisable on October 28, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively and (ii) 28,660 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of 7,165 on December 15, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively. 122,550 stock options that were subjectIn addition, the remaining 19,107 performance share units are eligible to vest equally based on fiscal year 20222023-2024 and fiscal year 2023-2025 performance achievements as described under the section titled “Fiscal year 2023 performance stock units (PSUs)” in the CD&A. Approximately 9,553 units were forfeited due to the non-achievement of those criteria for fiscal year 2023 and are not included asin the goal was not achieved and the awards were forfeited.totals above.

(5)(7)

Reflects (i) 58,82439,216 stock options, of which 19,608 become exercisable on October 28, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively, and (ii) 141,01270,506 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of 70,506 on November 21, 2022 and 2023, respectively. 19,608 stock options that were subject to fiscal year 2022 performance are not included as the goal was not achieved and the awards were forfeited.

(6)

Reflects (i) 44,118 stock options, of which 14,705 become exercisable on October 28, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively, (ii) 50,000 stock options, of which 16,666 become exercisable on March 3, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively, and (iii) 10,33613,710 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of approximately 3,428 on December 15, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively. In addition, the remaining 9,140 performance share units are eligible to vest equally based on fiscal year 2023-2024 and fiscal year 2023-2025 performance achievements as described under the section titled “Fiscal year 2023 performance stock units (PSUs)” in the CD&A. Approximately 4,570 units were forfeited due to the non-achievement of those criteria for fiscal year 2023 and are not included in the totals above.

(8)

Reflects (i) 29,411 stock options, of which 14,706 become exercisable on October 28, 2023 and 2024, respectively, (ii) 33,333 stock options, of which approximately 16,666 become exercisable on March 3, 2024 and 2025, respectively, (iii) 7,752 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of 2,584 on January 27, 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively, (iv) 14,540 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of 3,635 on December 15, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively, and (v) 46,383 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of approximately 11,596 on May 18, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. 31,373 stock options that were subjectIn addition, the remaining 9,693 performance share units are eligible to vest equally based on fiscal year 20222023-2024 and fiscal year 2023-2025 performance achievements as described under the section titled “Fiscal year 2023 performance stock units (PSUs)” in the CD&A. Approximately 4,847 units were forfeited due to the non-achievement of those criteria for fiscal year 2023 and are not included asin the goal was not achieved and the awards were forfeited.totals above.

(7)(9)

Reflects (i) 137,50091,666 stock options, of which 45,833 become exercisable on May 12, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively, (ii) 48,75032,500 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of 16,250 on May 12, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively, and (iii) 23,25617,442 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of 5,814 on January 27, 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively, (iv) 17,450 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of approximately 4,363 on December 15, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively, and (v) 46,383 restricted stock units which vest and become non-forfeitable in equal installments of 11,596 on May 18, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. 45,834 stock options that were subjectIn addition, the remaining 11,633 performance share units are eligible to vest equally based on fiscal year 20222023-2024 and fiscal year 2023-2025 performance achievements as described under the section titled “Fiscal year 2023 performance stock units (PSUs)” in the CD&A. Approximately 5,817 units were forfeited due to the non-achievement of those criteria for fiscal year 2023 and are not included asin the goal was not achieved and the awards were forfeited.totals above.

STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL YEAR 20222023

The following table summarizes the number of RSUs that were acquired upon vesting and the value realized upon such vesting for each of the NEOs during fiscal year 2022:2023:

 

RSUs  RSUs 

Name

Number of
RSUs
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
  Number of
RSUs
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
   Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
 

Michael R. Egeck

 411,092 7,323,604   411,092    4,497,346 

Scott Bowman

   -    - 

Steven M. Weddell

 - -   -    - 

Paula F. Baker

 70,505 1,457,338   70,506    1,090,023 

Brad Gazaway

 12,221 164,372   2,584    39,303 

Moyo LaBode

 16,250 271,863   22,064    255,156 

 

(1)

The value realized is based on the closing price of our common stock on the day of the applicable vesting date.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 202338    Leslie’s, Inc.

 37


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

Each of our NEOs is eligible to receive certain payments or benefits upon a termination of employment pursuant to their individual arrangements. Mr. Weddell stepped down from his position as CFO effective as of August 7, 2023, and remained employed as Special Advisor to the CEO through December 30, 2023. Ms. Baker ceased serving as our Chief Revenue Officer as of September 19, 2023, and remained employed as an advisor through December 15, 2023. The terms of Mr. Weddell’s and Ms. Baker’s separations are described further below.

Under Mr. Egeck’s employment agreement, upon a termination by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Egeck for “good reason” (each as defined in his employment agreement), Mr. Egeck will be entitled to severance pay equal to two times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, payable in equal monthly installments over the 24-month period following his termination. Under Mr. Weddell’s employment agreement, upon a termination by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Weddell for “good reason” (each as defined in his employment agreement) and death or disability, Mr. Weddell is eligible to receive a severance payment equal to two times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, payable in a lump sum within 14 days after the date of termination (together with certain other payments), as well as reimbursement for his COBRA premiums for up to 18 months post-termination and up to 6 months of outplacement and transition services. Each of Messrs. Egeck and Weddell must execute a release of claims in favor of the Company as a condition to receipt of severance.

The employment agreement for each of Messrs.Mr. Egeck and Weddell contains restrictive covenants prohibiting him from: (i) competing against the Company for 24 months (36 months for Mr. Weddell) after termination of his employment, (ii) soliciting (or interfering with the Company’s relationships with) the Company’s employees, consumers or suppliers for 24 months (36 months for Mr. Weddell) after termination of his employment, and (iii) disclosing the Company’s proprietary information, developments and other intellectual property.

Ms. Baker, Mr. Gazaway, and Mr. LaBodeThe rest of the NEOs are participants in the Executive Severance Plan (“ESP”), pursuant to which, upon termination of their employment by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the ESP), they will receive 12 months of continued base salary payments and medical benefits continuation (18 months in the case of Mr. Bowman), subject to their execution of a release of claims against the Company. Ms. Baker, Mr. Gazaway, and Mr. LaBodeThey will also be subject to cooperation and non-disparagement covenants under the ESP.

In addition, pursuant to the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, upon a participant’s (including our NEOs) termination of employment within two years following the change of control without cause or for good reason, all of the participant’s awards granted under the Plan that are in effect as of the date of termination shall vest in full or be deemed earned in full (assuming target performance goals provided under such award were met, if applicable) effective on the date of such termination. Pursuant to the PSU agreements, if a change of control occurs and the PSUs are assumed by the successor, then the performance measures will be deemed achieved based on actual performance for completed fiscal years within the performance period and at the target performance for any incomplete fiscal years within the performance period, and the PSUs will remain subject to continued employment through original settlement date(s).

 

38    Leslie’s, Inc.Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

 39


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the payments and benefits that the NEOs would have been eligible to receive had they experienced a qualifying termination as of October 1, 2022September 30, 2023 and had a qualifying transaction occurred on October 1, 2022:September 30, 2023:

 

Name

Death or
Disability

($)

Potential

Payment

on Change

of Control

($)(1)

Potential

Payment on

Voluntary

Termination or

Termination

for Cause

($)

Potential

Payment on

Involuntary

Termination

(Without

Cause) or

Termination

by Executive

for Good

Reason

($)

  

Death or
Disability

($)(1)(3)

   

Potential

Payment

on Change

of Control

($)(2)(3)

   

Potential

Payment on

Voluntary

Termination or

Termination

for Cause

($)

   

Potential

Payment on

Involuntary

Termination

(Without

Cause) or

Termination

by Executive

for Good

Reason

($)

 

Michael R. Egeck

        

Cash Severance

 - - - 4,100,000   -    -                -    4,100,000 

COBRA Reimbursement

 - - - -   -    -    -    - 

Accelerated Vestings: Stock Options

 - - - -   -    -    -    - 

Accelerated Vestings: RSUs

 - 9,070,745 - -   -    1,868,569    -    - 

Accelerated Vestings: PSUs

   470,120    470,120    -    - 

Total

 - 9,070,745 - 4,100,000   470,120    2,338,689    -    4,100,000 

Steven M. Weddell

Scott Bowman

        

Cash Severance

 2,280,000 - - 2,280,000   -    -    -    1,650,000 

COBRA Reimbursement

 45,188 - - 45,188   -    -    -    25,353 

Accelerated Vestings: Stock Options

 - - - -   -    -    -    - 

Accelerated Vestings: RSUs

 - - - -   -    431,167    -    - 

Total

 2,325,188 - - 2,325,188

Paula F. Baker

Cash Severance

 - - - 400,000

COBRA Reimbursement

 - - - 8,493

Accelerated Vestings: Stock Options

 - - - -

Accelerated Vestings: RSUs

 - 2,074,287 - -

Accelerated Vestings: PSUs

   -    -    -    - 

Total

 - 2,074,287 - 408,493   -    431,167    -    1,675,353 

Brad Gazaway

        

Cash Severance

 - - - 350,000   -    -    -    425,000 

COBRA Reimbursement

 - - - 8,419   -    -    -    8,049 

Accelerated Vestings: Stock Options

 - - - -   -    -    -    - 

Accelerated Vestings: RSUs

 - 152,043 - -   -    388,700    -    - 

Accelerated Vestings: PSUs

   54,864    54,864    -    - 

Total

 - 152,043 - 358,419   54,864    443,564    -    433,049 

Moyo LaBode

        

Cash Severance

 - - - 400,000   -    -    -    425,000 

COBRA Reimbursement

 - - - 28,085   -    -    -    26,702 

Accelerated Vestings: Stock Options

 - - - -   -    -    -    - 

Accelerated Vestings: RSUs

 - 1,059,208 - -   -    643,967    -    - 

Accelerated Vestings: PSUs

   65,845    65,845    -    - 

Total

 - 1,059,208 - 428,085   65,845    709,812    -    451,702 

 

(1)

Amounts shown at the number of PSUs earned had target performance been met and for which the attributable measurement period has not lapsed.

40    Leslie’s, Inc.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

(2)

Amounts shown assume thean involuntary termination without cause or termination by the executive for good reason and represent the value of unvested awards of stock options and RSUs,RSUs; PSUs reflect those that would have otherwise been earned had target performance been met and for which are valuedthe attributable measurement period has not lapsed.

(3)

Valued upon the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ as of September 30, 202229, 2023, the last trading day of $14.71our fiscal year, of $5.66 per share.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

39
NEO TERMINATIONS FOLLOWING THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISMr. Weddell stepped down from his position as CFO effective as of August 7, 2023, and remained employed as Special Advisor to the CEO through December 30, 2023. He did not receive any termination-related payments in connection with his cessation of employment.

Ms. Baker ceased serving as our Chief Revenue Officer as of September 19, 2023, and remained employed as an advisor through December 15, 2023 (the “Separation Date”). The Company and Ms. Baker entered into a transition agreement (the “Transition Agreement”) on September 19, 2023, in connection with the cessation of her role as Chief Revenue Officer. Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Ms. Baker received a cash payment of $35,000 for the provision of transition services through the Separation Date, remained eligible to receive an annual bonus for the 2023 performance period (there were no payouts based on actual performance) and continued to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans through the Separation Date, but she was not be eligible to receive new equity awards under the Company’s long-term equity incentive compensation program during the Transition Period or to participate in the Company’s annual bonus opportunities for any fiscal year following 2023. On the Separation Date, Ms. Baker became entitled to the payments and benefits applicable on a termination without cause under the Company’s Executive Severance Pay Plan, as described above (with a value of: $425,000 base salary continuation and $5,859 benefits continuation), in accordance with and subject to the terms thereof, including the Company’s receipt of an effective release of claims against the Company from Ms. Baker.

CEO PAY RATIO

Pursuant to the Exchange Act, we are required to disclose in this proxy statement the ratio of the total annual compensation of our CEO to the median of the total annual compensation of all of our employees (excluding our CEO). Based on SEC rules for this disclosure and applying the methodology described below, we have determined that our CEO’s total compensation for fiscal year 20222023 was $3,339,438$4,041,971 and the median of the total compensation of all of our employees (excluding our CEO) for fiscal year 20222023 was $55,556.$39,478. Accordingly, we estimate the ratio of our CEO’s total compensation for fiscal year 20222023 to the median of the total compensation of all of our employees (excluding our CEO) for fiscal year 20222023 to be 60102 to 1.

We selected October 1, 2022,September 30, 2023, our 20222023 fiscal year end, as the date we would use to identify our median employee. To identify the median-compensated employee (excluding our CEO), we used the amount of the employee’s base compensation and cash bonuses. In making this determination, we annualized compensation for those full-time and part-time employees who did not work for the Company for the entire fiscal year and did not make any cost-of-living adjustments in identifying the median employee.

This pay ratio is an estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on the methodology described above. The SEC rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions. As such, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

40    Leslie’s, Inc.


Proposal 4: Adoption of Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Leslie’s, Inc.

We are asking shareholders to adopt the proposed amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation, in the form attached as Appendix 1 to this Proxy Statement (“Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation”). The Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation would amend the Certificate of Incorporation to:

phase in the declassification of our Board, as described below and set forth on Appendix 1; and

remove or revise obsolete provisions relating to the Sponsors (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) that are inapplicable because the Sponsors no longer own at least a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock;

and restate the Certificate of Incorporation to reflect the foregoing amendments. Appendix 1 shows the proposed changes to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, with deletions indicated by strikeouts and additions indicated by underlining.

The Board approved the Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and recommended its adoption by the Company’s shareholders, on December 15, 2022. If adopted by the Company’s shareholders, the Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation would become effective upon the filing of that document with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Company intends to make the filing promptly after the 2023 Annual Meeting.

Declassification of the Board

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board regularly review our corporate governance practices to ensure that such practices, including the procedures for the election of directors, remain in the best interests of the Company, its shareholders and other relevant constituencies. In response to the shareholder vote with respect to the election of directors at our 2022 Annual Meeting, we announced the Board’s plans to declare advisable and submit for shareholder vote an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation at the Annual Meeting that would subject the Company’s classified board structure to a 5-year sunset. Following further review and deliberation, the Board determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to instead subject the classified board structure to a sunset concluding at the Company’s 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is prior to the seven-year anniversary of our initial public offering.

The Board believes that its classified structure, which was implemented in 2020 when we became an independent, publicly traded company, provides stability and continuity in the leadership of the business and affairs of the Company because a majority of the directors would always have prior experience as directors of the Company. A classified board has also been an important factor in assuring a focus on the Company’s long-term growth strategies and reinforcing a commitment to long-term shareholder value, and may enhance shareholder value by forcing an entity seeking control of the Company to initiate arms-length discussions with the Board because the entity is unable to replace the entire Board in a single election. While the Board believes these are important benefits, the Board also recognizes the benefit of providing shareholders an annual opportunity to express in a meaningful way their views on the performance of all our directors, as well as the sentiment among certain shareholders and members of the investment community in favor of annual elections.

After careful consideration, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (composed entirely of independent directors), the Board determined that it is appropriate to propose declassifying the Board on a phased-in basis concluding with the Company’s 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, subject to the requisite approval by shareholders of this Proposal. This phase-in is intended to support the Company during the years following its initial public offering, with a reduced risk of disruption from special interest groups, which might have an agenda contrary to the long-term interests of all shareholders, while also being responsive to the concerns of shareholders that believe annual elections increase the accountability of directors to the shareholders.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

41


PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid and the financial performance of our Company. The following table sets forth the compensation for our CEO (referred to as “PEO”) and the average compensation for our other NEOs. For further information concerning our compensation philosophy and how we align executive compensation
with
our performance, refer to “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
                    
Value of Initial $100
Investment Based on
       
Year
 
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for PEO (Egeck)
(1)
  
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO (Egeck)
(2)
  
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
PEO (Ortega)
(1)
  
Compensation
Actually Paid to
PEO (Ortega)
(2)
  
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO NEOs
  
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non-PEO NEOs
(2)
(3)
  
Total
Shareholder
Return
  
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder
Return
(5)
  
Net Income
(in thousands)
  
Adjusted
EBITDA
(6)

(in thousands)
 
2023
 
$
4,041,971
 
 
$
(3,796,598
 
$
-
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
1,162,345
 
 
$
55,905
 
 
$
26.08
 
 
$
59.20
 
 
$
27,242
 
 
$
168,149
 
2022
 
$
  3,339,438
 
 
$
72,348
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
988,153
 
 
$
829,182
 
 
$
67.79
 
 
$
65.26
 
 
$
159,029
 
 
$
292,276
 
2021
 
 
$
  7,911,515
 
 
$
  36,569,924
 
 
$
  3,989,352
 
 
$
  4,283,910
 
 
$
  1,536,295
 
 
$
  2,535,647
 
 
$
  94.65
 
 
$
  120.51
 
 
$
  126,634
 
 
$
  270,613
 
(1)
Reflects the total compensation of our current CEO, Michael Egeck, who is our PEO, and Steven Ortega, who served as PEO until Mr. Egeck’s appointment in 2021 and is therefore included in this table as an additional PEO in accordance with SEC rules. Amounts shown are as calculated in the Summary Compensation Table (SCT) for each of the years shown.
(2)
Amounts shown for compensation actually paid (“CAP”) are computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K
under the Exchange Act and do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the NEOs during the applicable year. These amounts reflect total compensation as reported in the SCT with certain adjustments as required by item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K
as described in footnote (3) below. The
Non-PEO
NEOs for each applicable year are as follows: (i) for fiscal year 2023,

Mssrs. Bowman, Weddell, Gazaway and LaBode and Ms. Baker, (ii) for fiscal year 2022, Messrs. Weddell, Gazaway and LaBode and Ms. Baker, and (iii) for fiscal year 2021, Mr. Weddell and Ms. Baker.
(3)
CAP reflects the exclusions and inclusions of equity awards for the PEO and the other NEOs as set forth below and calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. The valuation methodologies and assumptions used to calculate CAP are based on the grant date fair value
of
these awards as disclosed in the Company’s consolidated audited financial statements filed with the SEC on Form
10-K
for the years reflected in the tables below:
Summary Compensation
Table
Total to Compensation Actually Paid Reconciliation for the PEO and
non-PEOs:
   
Calculation for PEO
 
Calculation
(a)
of Compensation Actually Paid
  
2021
(Egeck)
   
2021
(Ortega)
   
2022
   
2023
 
Summary Compensation Table Total
   7,911,515    3,989,352    3,339,438    4,041,971 
Less: grant date fair value of stock and option awards granted during year
   (4,803,926   (600,495   (1,547,063   (3,000,128
Fair value of awards granted during year that remain unvested as of
year-end
   7,160,373    895,053    -    705,179 
Fair value of awards granted during year that vested during year
   -    -    -    - 
Change in fair value from prior
year-end
to current
year-end
of awards granted prior to year that were outstanding and unvested as of year end
   5,873,477    -    (4,350,070)   (3,956,184)
Change in fair value from prior
year-end
to vesting date for awards granted prior to year that vested during year
   20,428,485    -    2,630,043    (1,587,436)
Fair value of awards granted prior to year that were forfeited during year
   -    -    -    - 
Compensation Actually Paid
  
 
36,569,924
 
  
 
4,283,910
 
  
 
72,348
 
  
 
(3,796,598
)
42    
Leslie’s, Inc.

PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
   
Calculation for Average of Non-
PEOs
 
Calculation
(a)
of Compensation Actually
Paid
  
2021
   
2022
   
2023
 
Summary Compensation Table Total
   1,536,295    988,153    1,162,345 
Less: grant date fair value of stock and option awards granted during year
   (1,741,424   (588,157   (668,122
Fair value of awards granted during year that remain unvested as of
year-end
   1,730,424    98,828    275,420 
Fair value of awards granted during year that vested during
year
   -    -    - 
Change in fair value from prior
year-end
to current
year-end
of awards granted prior to year that were outstanding and unvested as of year end
   402,940    (335,362)   (675,258)
Change in fair value from prior
year-end
to vesting date for awards granted prior to year that vested during year
   607,412    665,720    (38,480)
Fair value of awards granted prior to year that were forfeited during year
   -    -    - 
Compensation Actually Paid
  
 
2,535,647
 
  
 
829,182
 
  
 
55,905
 
(a)
As shown in these tables, the CAP totals represent the SCT totals for the applicable year, but adjusted as required by SEC rules to include
the
fair value of current and prior year equity awards that are outstanding, vested or forfeited during the applicable year, instead of the grant date value of awards granted during the applicable year.
(4)
TSR shown in this table utilizes the S&P
Small-Cap
600 Index (“Index”) which we use in the stock performance graph required by Item 201(e) of Regulation
S-K
included in the Company’s consolidated audited financial statements filed with the SEC on Form
10-K
for the years reflected in the table above. The comparison assumes $100 was invested for the period from October 29, 2020, our first trading day subsequent to our initial public offering, through the last day of the applicable fiscal year in each of the Company’s Common Stock and the Index. All dollar values assume reinvestment of the
pre-tax
value of dividends paid by companies included in the Index. The historical stock price performance of our Common Stock shown is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
(5)
Pursuant to Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
we determined Adjusted EBITDA to be the most important financial performance measure used to link company performance to CAP to our PEO and other NEOs in 2023. This performance measure may not have been the most important financial performance measure for years 2022 and 2021 and we may determine a different financial performance measure to be the most important such measure in future years. Adjusted EBITDA is defined on page 16 and is a
non-GAAP
financial measure.
Required Disclosure of the Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Financial Performance Measures
As described in more detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis,
the
Company’s
ex
ecutive compensation program reflects a variable
pay-for-performance
philosophy. While the Company utilizes several performance measures to align executive compensation with Company performance,
all
of those Company measures are not presented in the Pay versus Performance table. Moreover, the Company generally seeks to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore does not specifically align the Company’s performance measures with CAP (as computed in accordance with SEC rules) for a particular year. In accordance with SEC rules, the Company is providing the following descriptions of the relationships between
information
presented
in the
Pay
versus
Performance table.
Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024
  4143 

Table of Contents
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
44    
Leslie’s, Inc.

Table of Contents
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
Financial Performance Measures
As required, we disclose below the most important measures used by the Company to link compensation actually paid to our NEOs for 2023 to Company performance. For further information regarding these performance metrics and their function in our executive compensation program, please see the discussion within CD&A beginning on page 36.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted Net Income
Revenue
Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024
45


PROPOSAL 4: ADOPTION OF SIXTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF LESLIE’S, INC.

 

Currently, members of our Board are elected for staggered terms of three years. The proposed amendments would not affect the electionProposal No. 4 Approval of the classLeslie’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan originally became effective as of October 28, 2020 (the “Original Plan”). In order to continue to provide eligible officers, directors, employees, advisors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates with equity-based incentives, on January 12, 2024, the Board approved, subject to shareholder approval, the Leslie’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Board is submitting the Plan to the shareholders for their approval at thisthe Annual Meeting. The Plan, if approved by shareholders, will be effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting (the “Restatement Effective Date”).

The Company believes a compensation policy that includes a balanced mix of cash and equity is the most effective way to attract and retain talented employees whose interests are aligned with shareholders. If the Proposed Restated Certificate of IncorporationPlan is adopted, the class of directors standing for election atapproved by our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will stand for election for three-year terms, the class of directors standing for election at our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will stand for election for two-year terms and the class of directors standing for election at our 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will stand for election for one-year terms, in each case expiring at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Commencing with the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Board shall cease to be classified and the directors elected at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (and each meeting thereafter) shall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting. All directors who are elected or appointed following the effectivenessshareholders, as of the Proposed Restated CertificateRestatement Effective Date, the maximum number of Incorporationshares that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the Plan will be 14,903,552, less one share for every one share subject to an award granted under the Original Plan after September 30, 2023 and prior to the 2027 Annual MeetingRestatement Effective Date. The 14,903,552 shares reflects the 7,724,552 shares that remained available for grant under the Original Plan as of September 30, 2023, plus 7,179,000 newly authorized shares.

Without approval of the Plan, the Company will be constrained in its ability to use equity as a component of its compensation philosophy, a result that would put the Company at a considerable competitive disadvantage to its direct and indirect competitors in attracting and retaining the special high level professional employees on which the Company’s success is largely dependent. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we strive to provide them with compensation packages that are competitive, that reward personal and Company performance and that help meet our retention needs. Equity awards, whose value depends on our stock performance and which require continued service over time before any value can be realized, help achieve these objectives and are a key element of our compensation program. Equity awards also incentivize our employees to manage our business as owners, aligning their interests with those of our shareholders. We believe we must continue to hold office untiluse equity compensation on a broad basis to help attract, retain and motivate employees to continue to grow our business and ultimately increase shareholder value. We operate in a competitive industry and geography for employee talent and do not expect required rates of compensation to decline. One alternative to using equity awards would be to significantly increase cash compensation. We do not believe this would be practical or advisable. We believe that a combination of equity and cash compensation is better for attracting, retaining and motivating employees. Any significant increase in cash compensation in lieu of equity awards would reduce the 2027 Annual Meeting. In all cases, each director will hold office until hiscash otherwise available for operations and investment in our business. Furthermore, we do not believe a more cash-oriented program would have the same long-term retention value or her successor has been elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, retirement, resignation or removal.

Removal of Obsolete Provisions

The Certificate of Incorporation also includes referencesserve to certain differentiated requirements before and after the date that the Sponsors ceasealign employees’ interests to own at least 50% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock (the “Trigger Event”). Because the Sponsors no longer own at least a majoritythose of our outstanding shares of common stock, these references no longer apply. Ifshareholders as effectively as a program that includes equity.

In addition to the Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation is adopted by our shareholders and becomes effective,increase in the obsolete references to requirements in force before the date of the Trigger Event will be removed. The Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation also would makeshare reserve, other technical and administrativematerial amendments to the Certificateplan include the following: the addition of Incorporation.

Alla minimum vesting restriction, the prohibition of “liberal” share recycling on options and stock appreciation rights (SARs), the addition of a restatement-related clawback policy within the Plan that covers time- and performance-based equity awards, and an extension to the term of the foregoing amendments, including amendmentsplan to remove obsolete language and make other technical and administrative changes referred to above, are shown in the marked copytenth (10th) anniversary of the Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation attached as Appendix 1 to this Proxy Statement.Restatement Effective Date.

Legal Effectiveness ofWhen approving the Proposed Restated Certificate of IncorporationPlan, the Board considered, among other things, the following:

If

potential dilution to its current shareholders as measured by burn rate and overhang (as described in “Key Data” below); and

the continued importance of motivating, recruiting, and retaining key employees who are highly sought after in a very competitive job market.

46    Leslie’s, Inc.


PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPROVAL OF THE LESLIE’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

REASONS FOR THE PROPOSAL

The Board unanimously recommends that the Company’s shareholders approve the Proposed Restated CertificatePlan. The Company’s ability to grant an appropriate number of Incorporation by an affirmative voteequity-based awards continues to be crucial in helping the Company compete more effectively for key employee talent. It is in the long-term interest of the holdersCompany and its shareholders to strengthen the ability to attract, motivate, and retain officers, directors, employees, advisors and consultants, and to provide additional incentive for those persons through stock ownership and other incentives to improve operations, increase profits, and strengthen the mutuality of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, we will file the Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation will become effective upon such filing. If shareholders do not approve the Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation by the requisite vote, then the Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation will not be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,interest between those persons and the Company’s Board will remain classified.shareholders.

Effective asIf the Plan is not approved, the number of shares currently available under the timeOriginal Plan is not projected to be sufficient to cover all of effectiveness ofour future equity compensation needs. Thus, if the Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation,Plan is not approved, we may not be able to provide persons eligible for awards who are presently providing services to the Company with compensation packages that are necessary to retain and motivate these individuals. In addition, if the Plan is not approved, we may not be able to provide potential new hires with compensation packages necessary to attract and motivate them. If approved, the Board intendsbelieves that the shares available under the Plan will be sufficient to approve amendments to provisions offund the Company’s bylaws thatequity compensation needs for approximately three to five years. The actual amount of time will be consistent with the amendments discussedvary depending on a number of factors, including changes in this proposal.

An affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% the voting power of the shares outstanding as of the record date is required to adopt Proposal 4. Abstentionsemployee headcount, equity award type mix, future forfeitures and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against Proposal 4. If this proposal does not receive the requisite approval by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting, the proposed amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation will not be implemented,cancellations, future acquisitions, and the Company’s Board will remain classified.stock price.

KEY DATA

The following table shows certain information about the Plan (the only equity plan under which we can currently grant equity awards), including outstanding awards, as of September 30, 2023:

Number of shares that were authorized for future grant under the Plan(1)

   7,724,552 

Number of full-value awards (restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units) outstanding

   2,083,956 

Number of stock options outstanding

   3,307,461 

Weighted average remaining term of outstanding options

   7.5 years 

Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options

  $18.10 

(1)

As of the Restatement Effective Date, the authorization will be reduced by the number of shares granted under the Original Plan after September 30, 2023 and prior to the Restatement Effective Date.

In setting and recommending to shareholders the number of additional shares to authorize under the Plan, the Compensation Committee considered the historical number of equity awards granted under the Original Plan, as well as the company’s three-year average burn rate for the preceding three fiscal years as follows:

Fiscal Year

 

Stock
Options

Granted

(A)

 

Full-Value

Awards
Granted

(RSUs and
PSUs)

(B)

 

Total

(A) + (B)

 

Basic

Weighted Average

Common Shares

Outstanding

 Burn Rate

2023

   -   1,487,426   1,487,426   183,839,000   0.81%

2022

   -   631,000   631,000   184,347,000   0.34%

2021

   5,372,000   725,000   6,097,000   185,412,000   3.29%

Three-year average

                       1.48%

An additional metric that we use to measure the cumulative dilutive impact of our equity program is fully diluted overhang (the sum of (1) the number of shares subject to equity awards outstanding, but not exercised or settled and (2) the number of shares available to be granted, divided by the sum of (1) the approximate total common shares outstanding at the Record Date, (2) the number of shares subject to equity awards outstanding but not exercised or settled, and (3) the number of shares available to be granted. Our approximate overhang as of September 30, 2023 was 6.40% as a percent of fully-diluted common shares outstanding. If the Plan is approved, our approximate overhang (as a percent of fully-diluted common shares outstanding) as of that date would increase to 9.91% and then would decline over time.

 

LOGO         Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

 47


PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPROVAL OF THE LESLIE’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

PROMOTION OF GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

The Plan provides for the following:

Our Board recommendsstock options and stock appreciation rights may not have a vote “FOR”term in excess of ten years and may not be granted at a discount to the adoptionfair market value of our common stock on the grant date;

other than in connection with a change in the Company’s capitalization, the Company may not, without shareholder approval, (i) amend a stock option or stock appreciation right to reduce the exercise or grant price of such outstanding awards; (ii) cancel outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights in exchange for options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise or grant price that is less than the exercise or grant price of the Sixth Amended and Restated Certificateoriginal options or stock appreciation rights; or (iii) cancel outstanding options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise or grant price above the current fair market value of Incorporationa share of Leslie’s, Inc.our common stock in exchange for cash or other securities.

 

 

the Company may not make a grant of an option or stock appreciation right with a grant date that is effective prior to the date the administrator takes action to approve such award;

 

no annual “evergreen” provision that automatically increases the number of shares available for issuance; instead, shareholder approval is required for any increases in the share reserve;

no excise tax gross-ups;

annual limits on compensation that may be awarded to non-employee directors;

shares that are reacquired, withheld or not issued by us to satisfy the exercise price or tax withholding obligation in connection with stock options or SARs, shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options, and any shares with respect to which a SAR is exercised will in each case not become available again for issuance under the Plan;

minimum vesting periods on all award types;

in no event will dividends or dividend equivalents be paid with respect to unvested awards; and

the administrator may cancel outstanding awards or, in some cases, “clawback” awards previously granted (including, for avoidance of doubt, time-based awards), in the event of a violation of the Company’s clawback policy, in the event a participant may be terminated for cause or a participant breaches any material Company policy or agreement with the Company, and/or in the event the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws.

PLAN SUMMARY

The following summary of the material terms of the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete statement of the Plan, which is set forth in Appendix 1 to this Proxy Statement. Shareholders are encouraged to read the text of the Plan in its entirety.

Purpose

The Plan is intended to help the Company attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as officers, directors, employees, advisors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates, and to increase shareholder value.

Administration

The “Administrator” of the Plan means the Board or the Compensation Committee, or any committee or officer of the Company to which the Board or Committee, as applicable, has delegated authority in accordance with the terms of the Plan. The Administrator has full discretionary authority, subject to and not inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan, to administer the Plan and to exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically granted to it under the Plan or necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited, to the authority to: (i) construe and interpret the provisions of the Plan or any award agreement issued thereunder; (ii) prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan and/or any award; (iii) correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, any award, or any award agreement, in the manner and to the extent it deems desirable to carry the Plan or such award into effect; (iv) make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the performance goals (if any) included in, awards; (v) determine the terms and provisions of the award agreements (which need not be identical for each participant); (vi) implement black-out periods for the exercise of stock options or delay settlement of awards to a date permitted by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); and (vii) make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

42    48    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPROVAL OF THE LESLIE’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of an award or deem an award to be earned, in whole or in part, in the event of a participant’s death, disability (as defined by the Administrator), retirement, or termination without Cause (as defined in the Plan, as otherwise provided in the Plan, or upon any other event as determined by the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion. All determinations made by the Administrator will be made in the sole discretion of the Administrator and are final and binding on all interested parties.

Eligible Participants

Awards may be granted to non-employee directors and officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and its affiliates. As of January 1, 2024, approximately 3,518 employees, and 7 non-employee directors were eligible to participate in the Plan. The Company has a historical practice of not granting awards under the Original Plan to its advisors and consultants, and at this time does not foresee changing that practice. Options intending to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code may only be granted to employees of the Company or any subsidiary.

Available Shares

Subject to adjustment for certain dilutive or related events and the Plan’s share counting provisions, as of the Restatement Effective Date, the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the Plan, other than Substitute Awards (as defined below), will be 14,903,552, less one share for every one share subject to an award granted under the Original Plan after September 30, 2023 and prior to the Restatement Effective Date. The 14,903,552 shares reflects the 7,724,552 shares that remained available for grant under the Original Plan as of September 30, 2023, plus 7,179,000 newly authorized shares.

To the extent an award lapses, expires, terminates, or is cancelled without the issuance of shares under the award or is settled in cash, it is determined during or at the conclusion of the term of an award that all or some portion of the shares with respect to which the award was granted will not be issuable, shares are forfeited under an award, shares are issued under any award and the Company subsequently reacquires them pursuant to rights reserved upon the issuance of the shares, or after September 30, 2023, shares are tendered or withheld to satisfy federal, state, or local tax withholding obligations with respect to an award other than an option or SAR, then such shares will be recredited to the Plan’s reserve and may again be used for new awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, after September 30, 2023, the following shares will not be recredited to the Plan’s reserve and may not again be used for new awards under the Plan: shares not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an outstanding option or SAR, shares used to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes related to any outstanding option or SAR, or shares reacquired by the Company with the amount received upon exercise of an option.

Substitute Awards will not reduce the share reserve and, in the event that an acquired entity has shares available for awards or grants under one or more preexisting plans not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, then, to the extent determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such preexisting plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to holders of common stock of the entities that are parties to such acquisition or combination) may be used for awards under the Plan, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, and will not reduce the share reserve.

The aggregate maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued on the exercise of incentive stock options is 14,903,552.

The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be granted during any fiscal year to any individual non-employee director for service as a non-employee director will not exceed that number of shares of common stock that has an aggregate grant date fair value (computed as of the grant date in accordance with applicable financial accounting rules) of, when added to any cash compensation received by such non-employee director for service as a non-employee director, $750,000 (excluding awards made pursuant to deferred compensation arrangements made in lieu of all or a portion of cash retainers and any dividends payable in respect of outstanding awards).

Shares issued under the Plan may consist of authorized and unissued common stock of the Company or shares of common stock reacquired at any time and held as treasury stock.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

49


PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPROVAL OF THE LESLIE’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

Termination and Amendment

The Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to shareholder approval if necessary to comply with any tax, or other applicable regulatory requirement. The Administrator may, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable award agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any award theretofore granted or the associated award agreement, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any participant will not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected participant, except as otherwise provided in the Plan. No awards may be granted after the 10th anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date, provided that ISOs may not be granted after the 10-year anniversary of the date the Board approved the Plan.

Awards

The Plan authorizes the Administrator to grant awards to eligible participants in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive (qualified) stock options, SARs, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, other stock-based awards, performance compensation awards (including cash bonus awards), other cash-based awards, or any combination of the foregoing. Awards may be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (which are referred to herein as “Substitute Awards”).

Stock Options

A stock option may be granted as an incentive stock option or a non-qualified stock option. The option exercise price may not be less than the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date the option is granted (or, with respect to incentive stock options, may not be less than 110% of the fair market value if the recipient owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any affiliate, or a Ten Percent Shareholder), unless the option was granted as a Substitute Award. Options will not be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant (or after five years, in the case of an incentive stock option issued to a Ten Percent Shareholder). Each award agreement will set forth the number of shares subject to each option. The purchase price of any shares acquired pursuant to an option may be payable in cash or shares of common stock valued at the fair market value at the time the option is exercised or in other property having a fair market value equal to the exercise price, by means of a broker-assisted cashless exercise mechanism, or by means of a “net exercise” procedure effected by withholding the number of shares otherwise deliverable in respect of an option that are needed to pay the exercise price. The vesting schedule applicable to any option, including any performance conditions, and treatment on termination will be as set forth in the award agreement.

Stock Appreciation Rights

A stock appreciation right, or SAR, is a right that entitles the participant to receive, in cash, shares of stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, value equal to or otherwise based on the excess of (i) the fair market value of a specified number of shares at the time of exercise over (ii) the exercise price of the right, as established by the Administrator on the date of grant. Upon exercising a SAR, the participant is entitled to receive the amount by which the fair market value of the stock at the time of exercise exceeds the exercise price of the SAR. The exercise price of each SAR may not be less than the fair market value of the stock subject to the award on the date the SAR is granted, unless the SAR was granted as a Substitute Award. SARs will not be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant. Each award agreement will set forth the number of shares subject to the SAR. The vesting schedule applicable to any SAR, including any performance conditions, and treatment on termination will be as set forth in the award agreement.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

Restricted shares are awards of shares, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject during specified periods of time to such conditions (including continued employment and/or the satisfaction of performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Restricted stock units, or RSUs, are an award denominated in units

50    Leslie’s, Inc.


PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPROVAL OF THE LESLIE’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

under which the issuance of shares (or cash payment in lieu thereof) is subject to such conditions (including continued employment and/or the satisfaction of performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Each award document evidencing a grant of restricted stock or RSUs will set forth the terms and conditions of each award, including vesting and forfeiture provisions, and transferability.

Other Stock Awards

The Plan permits the grant of other forms of stock awards, including awards of unrestricted shares of common stock, rights to receive grants of awards at a future date or other awards denominated in shares of common stock under such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine and as set forth in the applicable award agreement.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalent Units

No dividends or dividend equivalents may be granted in connection with an option or stock appreciation right and no dividend or dividend equivalents granted in connection with another award will be paid or settled unless and until, and only to the extent that, the underlying award vests or is earned, as applicable.

Performance Criteria

The Administrator may establish performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria that will determine the number of shares or units to be granted, retained, vested, issued, or issuable under or in settlement of or the amount payable pursuant to an award, which criteria may be based on any objective or subjective performance goals the Administrator establishes with respect to an award. Performance goals may also relate to a participant’s individual performance. The Administrator reserves the right to adjust performance goals, or modify the manner of measuring or evaluating a performance goal, for any reason the Administrator determines is appropriate. The inclusion in an award agreement of specific adjustments or modifications will not be deemed to preclude the Administrator from making other adjustments or modifications, in its discretion, as described in the Plan, unless the award agreement provides that the adjustments or modifications described in such award agreement will be the sole adjustments or modifications.

Transferability

No award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold, or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution unless the Administrator permits the award to be transferred in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

Minimum Vesting Requirements

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, stock awards granted under the Plan may not vest prior to the one-year anniversary of the date of grant except (i) with respect to an award that is granted in connection with a merger or other acquisition as a substitute or replacement award for awards held by grantees of the acquired business, (ii) with respect to shares of common stock delivered in lieu of fully vested cash awards, and (iii) with respect to an award granted to a non-employee director that vests on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the next annual meeting of shareholders which is at least 50 weeks after the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, that up to 5% of the aggregate number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan may be issued pursuant to awards subject to any, or no, vesting conditions, as the administrator determines appropriate; and, provided, further, that the foregoing restriction does not apply to the Administrator’s discretion to provide for accelerated exercisability or vesting of any award, including in cases of termination of employment, retirement, death, disability or a change in control, in the terms of the award or otherwise.

Clawback

If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement of its financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then the Committee may, in its sole discretion

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

51


PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPROVAL OF THE LESLIE’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

(considering any factors the Committee deems appropriate), require a participant to disgorge or forfeit to the Company that portion of time-and/or performance-based awards that were granted, earned or vested during the Company’s three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date the Company is required to prepare the accounting restatement, that the Committee determines was in excess of the amount that would have been granted, earned or vested during such period based on the restated results. Further, the administrator has the full power and authority to terminate or cause a participant to forfeit an Award, and require the participant to disgorge to the Company any gains attributable to the award, if the Participant engages in any action constituting, as determined by the administrator in its discretion, cause for termination, or a breach of a material Company policy, any award agreement, or any other agreement between the participant and the Company concerning noncompetition, nonsolicitation, confidentiality, trade secrets, intellectual property, nondisparagement, or similar obligations. Additionally, any awards granted pursuant to the Plan, and any stock issued or cash paid pursuant to an award, are subject to any recoupment or clawback policy that is adopted by, or any recoupment or similar requirement otherwise made applicable by law, regulation, or listing standards to, the Company from time to time.

Adjustments of and Changes in the Stock

In the event of any change in the capitalization of the Company, the Administrator will make adjustments in a manner that it deems equitable. Such adjustments may be to the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, the number of shares covered by awards then outstanding under the Plan, the limitations on awards under the Plan, the exercise price of outstanding options and such other equitable substitution or adjustments as it may determine appropriate.

In the event of Change of Control (as defined in the Plan), if the successor or surviving corporation (or parent thereof) so agrees, then, without the consent of any participant (or other person with rights in an award), some or all outstanding awards may be assumed, or replaced with a substantially equivalent type of award with similar terms and conditions, by the successor or surviving corporation (or parent thereof) in the Change of Control transaction, subject to the following requirements (and subject to the terms of the applicable award agreement):

(A)    Each award which is assumed by the successor or surviving corporation (or parent thereof) shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change of Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been issuable to the participant upon the consummation of such Change of Control had the award been exercised, vested, or earned immediately prior to such Change of Control (or cash, other property and/or any combination of the foregoing that have an equivalent value, as determined by the Administrator), and such other appropriate adjustments in the terms and conditions of the award shall be made. If, as of the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control, the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise, vesting, or settlement of an award, then such award may be terminated by the Company without payment.

(B)    Upon the participant’s termination of employment within two (2) years following the Change of Control (I) by the successor or surviving corporation without Cause (other than due to death or disability) or (II) by the participant for “good reason” (as defined in any award agreement or any employment, retention, change of control, severance, or similar agreement between the participant and the Company or any affiliate, if any), all of the participant’s awards granted under the Plan that are in effect as of the date of such termination will vest in full or be deemed earned in full (assuming target performance goals provided under such award were met, if applicable) effective on the date of such termination. In the event of any other termination of employment within two (2) years after a Change of Control, the terms of the award agreement will control.

To the extent the purchaser, successor or surviving entity (or parent thereof) in the Change of Control transaction does not assume the awards or issue replacement awards (including, for the avoidance of doubt, by reason of a participant’s termination of employment in connection with the Change of Control), then immediately prior to the date of the Change of Control, unless the Administrator otherwise determines (and subject to the terms of the applicable award agreement):

(A)    Each option or SAR that is then held by a participant who is employed by or in the service of the Company or an affiliate will become immediately and fully vested, and, unless otherwise determined by the Board or Administrator, all options and SARs will be cancelled on the date of the Change of Control in exchange for a payment (in cash and/or property) equal to the excess of the Change of Control Price (as defined in the Plan) of the shares covered by the option or SAR that is so cancelled over the purchase or grant price of such shares under the award; provided, however, that all options and SARs that have a purchase or grant price that is equal to or greater than the Change of Control Price will be cancelled for no consideration;

52    Leslie’s, Inc.


PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPROVAL OF THE LESLIE’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

(B)    Restricted stock and RSUs (that are not performance awards) that are not then vested will vest in full;

(C)    All performance shares, performance units, and cash incentive awards for which the performance period has expired will be paid based on actual performance (and assuming all employment or other requirements had been met in full); and all performance shares, performance units, and cash incentive awards for which the performance period has not expired will be cancelled in exchange for a payment (in cash and/or property) equal to the amount that would have been due under such award(s), valued assuming that the target performance goals had been met at the time of such Change of Control, but prorated based on the number of full months in the performance period that have elapsed as of the date of the Change of Control;

(D)    All dividend equivalent units that are not vested will vest (to the same extent as the award granted in tandem with the dividend equivalent unit, if applicable) and be paid; and

(E)    All other awards that are not vested will vest and if an amount is payable under such vested award, such amount will be paid in cash and/or property based on the value of the award.

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following discussion of the federal income tax consequences of the Plan is intended to be a summary of applicable federal law as currently in effect. It should not be taken as tax advice by participants, who are urged to consult their individual tax advisors.

Stock Options

Incentive stock options (“ISOs”) and nonstatutory stock options (“NQSOs”) are treated differently for federal income tax purposes. ISOs are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. NQSOs do not comply with such requirements.

An optionee is not taxed on the grant or exercise of an ISO. The difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date (the “Spread Value”) will, however, be a preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. If an optionee holds the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO for at least two years following the option grant date and at least one year following exercise, the optionee’s gain, if any, upon a subsequent disposition of such shares is long term capital gain. The measure of the gain is the difference between the proceeds received on disposition and the optionee’s basis in the shares (which generally equals the exercise price). If an optionee disposes of stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO before satisfying these holding periods and there is Spread Value, the optionee will recognize both ordinary income and capital gain on the Spread Value in the year of disposition. The Company is not entitled to an income tax deduction on the grant or exercise of an ISO or on the optionee’s disposition of the shares after satisfying the holding period requirement described above. If the holding periods are not satisfied, the Company will be entitled to a deduction in the year the optionee disposes of the shares in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the optionee.

In order for an option to qualify for ISO tax treatment, the grant of the option must satisfy various other conditions more fully described in the Code. The Company does not guarantee that any option will qualify for ISO tax treatment even if the option is intended to qualify for such treatment. In the event an option intended to be an ISO fails to so qualify, it will be taxed as an NQSO as described below.

An optionee is not taxed on the grant of an NQSO. On exercise, the optionee recognizes ordinary income equal to the Spread Value on the date of exercise. The Company is entitled to an income tax deduction in the year of exercise in the amount recognized by the optionee as ordinary income. The optionee’s gain (or loss) on a subsequent disposition of the shares is long term capital gain (or loss) if the shares are held for more than one year following exercise. The Company does not receive a deduction for any such gain.

Stock Appreciation Rights

An optionee is not taxed on the grant of a stock appreciation right. On exercise, the optionee recognizes ordinary income equal to the Spread Value on the amount of any cash paid or the fair market value of any shares received. The Company is entitled to an income tax deduction in the year of exercise in the amount recognized by the optionee as ordinary income.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

53


PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPROVAL OF THE LESLIE’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

Grantees of restricted stock or restricted stock units do not recognize income at the time of the grant. When the award vests, grantees generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the stock or stock units at such time, and the Company will receive a corresponding deduction. However, no later than 30 days after a participant receives an award of restricted stock, the participant may elect to recognize taxable ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of receipt. Provided that the election is made in a timely manner, when the restrictions on the shares lapse, the participant will not recognize any additional income. If the participant forfeits the shares to the Company (e.g., upon the participant’s termination prior to vesting), the participant may not claim a deduction with respect to the income recognized as a result of the election.

Company Deduction and Section 162(m)

Section 162(m) of the Code generally limits the federal income tax deduction for compensation paid to “covered employees” (in general, the CEO, the CFO, and the three other most highly-compensated executive officers for the year at issue and any person who was part of that group for any other year beginning after December 31, 2016) to $1,000,000. Thus, certain compensation attributable to awards may be nondeductible to the Company due to the application of Section 162(m) of the Code.

Withholding Taxes

The Company will generally be required to withhold applicable taxes with respect to any ordinary income recognized by a participant who is an employee in connection with awards made under the Plan. Whether or not such withholding is required, the Company will make such information reports available to the Internal Revenue Service as may be required with respect to any income (whether or not that of an employee) attributable to transactions involving awards.

PLAN BENEFITS; MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES

The benefits that will be awarded or paid in the future under the Plan are not currently determinable. Such awards are within the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee has not determined future awards or who might receive them. However, each non-employee director is expected to receive an annual award of restricted stock units on the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders with a target value of approximately $125,000. As of January 17, 2024, the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock was $6.56. The following table sets forth, with respect to the individuals and groups named below: the aggregate number of shares of common stock subject to options granted under the Original Plan (whether or not outstanding, vested or forfeited, as applicable) as of January 1, 2024, and the aggregate number of shares subject to awards of restricted stock units granted under the Original Plan, including those subject to achievement of performance conditions reported at target (whether or not outstanding, vested or forfeited, as applicable) as of January 1, 2024.

Name of Individual or Group

  Number of
Options
Granted (#)
   Number of
Shares subject
to Stock
Awards (#)
 

Michael R. Egeck

Chief Executive Officer and Director

   1,176,472    2,019,493 

Scott Bowman

Chief Financial Officer

   -    179,310 

Steven Weddell

Former EVP & Chief Financial Officer

   735,295    291,907 

Paula Baker

Former Chief Revenue Officer

   117,648    309,442 

Brad Gazaway

Chief Legal, Real Estate & Sustainability Officer

   188,235    184,987 

54    Leslie’s, Inc.


PROPOSAL NO. 4 APPROVAL OF THE LESLIE’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

Name of Individual or Group

  Number of
Options
Granted (#)
   Number of
Shares subject
to Stock
Awards (#)
 

Moyo LaBode

Chief Merchandising & Supply Chain Officer

   275,000    230,313 

All current executive officers as a group

   1,639,707    3,037,096 

All current non-employee directors as a group

   147,060    797,499 

Each nominee for election as a director

          

    Susan O’Farrell

   -    26,015 

    Claire Spofford

   -    16,207 

    Seth Estep

   -    7,480 

Each associate of any such directors, executive

officers, or nominees

   -    - 

Each other person who received or is to receive five

percent of such options, warrants or rights

   -    - 

All other current employees (including all current

officers who are not executive officers) as a group

   902,141    2,371,865 

REGISTRATION WITH THE SEC

We intend to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 covering the shares reserved for issuance under the Plan in the second or third quarter of calendar year 2024.

REQUIRED VOTE

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal is required for the approval of the Plan.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

55


 

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE COMPANY’S RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Our Audit Committee charter provides that our Audit Committee must review, approve and oversee any transaction between the Company and any related person (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K) on an ongoing basis, in accordance with Company policies and procedures.

Related person transaction policy

We have adopted a Related Party Transaction Policy that our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as a director, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our common stock and any members of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons are not permitted to enter into a related person transaction with us without the approval or ratification of our Audit Committee or other independent body of our Board. Any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, nominee for election as a director, beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our common stock, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and such person would have a direct or indirect interest, must be presented to our audit and risk committee or other independent body of our Board for review, consideration, and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our Audit Committee or other independent body of our Board is to consider the relevant facts of the transaction, including the risks, costs, and benefits to us and whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Other than compensation arrangements for our directors and executive officers, which are described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, below we describe transactions since October 3, 20212, 2022 to which we were a party or will be a party, in which:

 

the amounts exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and

the amounts exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and

 

any of our directors, executive officers, or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of the immediate family of, or person sharing the household with, the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

any of our directors, executive officers, or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of the immediate family of, or person sharing the household with, the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Indemnification agreements

Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions limiting the liability of directors, and our amended and restated bylaws provides that we will indemnify each of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. Our Certificate of Incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provides our Board with discretion to indemnify our employees and other agents when determined appropriate by the Board. In addition, we have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers, which requires us to indemnify them.

Registration rights

Pursuant to the terms of a Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement (“Registration Rights Agreement”), as amended, between us and certain holders of our common stock, including affiliates of L Catterton and Explorer Investment Pte. Ltd. (“GIC Investor”), an affiliate of GIC, certain holders of our common stock are entitled to demand and piggyback registration rights. The shareholders who are a party to the Registration Rights Agreement hold an aggregate of approximately 7.68% of our issued and outstanding common stock as of January 17, 2023. We will be required to pay the registration expenses of L Catterton and the GIC Investor, other than any underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the shares sold for each of their accounts and any transfer taxes payable by them on the sale of their shares pursuant to any such registration.

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

43


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On October 25, 2021, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to its Registration Right Agreement, which provided for the termination of the Registration Rights Agreement for all stockholders to the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Released Holders”) with the exception of affiliates of L Catterton and the GIC Investor. As a result of such termination, the Released Holders will no longer have the right to participate in future offerings under the Registration Rights Agreement and have been released from all restrictions under the Registration Rights Agreement, including any and all lock-up agreements.

Demand Registrations. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, L Catterton and the GIC Investor are able to require us to file a registration statement (a “Demand Registration”) under the Securities Act and we are required to notify holders of such securities in the event of such request (a “Demand Registration Request”). L Catterton and the GIC Investor may each issue up to two Demand Registration Requests for long-form underwritten registrations on Form S-1 and unlimited Demand Registration Requests for short-form underwritten registrations on Form S-3 and take down offerings off of a shelf registration statement. We are required to use our best efforts to effect such registration in accordance with the terms of the Demand Registration Request, subject to the Additional Lock-up and certain rights we have to delay or postpone such registration.

Piggyback Registrations. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, if at any time we propose or are required to register any of our equity securities under the Securities Act (other than a Demand Registration or pursuant to an employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plan) (a “piggyback registration”), we will be required to notify each eligible holder of its right to participate in such registration. We will use reasonable best efforts to cause all eligible securities requested to be included in the registration to be so included, subject to the Additional Lock-up. We have the right to withdraw or postpone a registration statement in which eligible holders have elected to exercise piggyback registration rights, and eligible holders are entitled to withdraw their registration requests prior to the execution of an underwriting agreement or custody agreement with respect to any such registration.

Additional Lock-up. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, eligible holders, including L Catterton and the GIC Investor, will be subject to lock-up provisions under which they will agree not to sell or otherwise transfer their shares for a period of 90 days following the date of the final prospectus for any other public offering.

Director designation agreement

In connection with our IPO, we entered into a Director Designation Agreement between us and Bubbles Investor Aggregator, L.P. (“Bubbles Investor”), an affiliate of L Catterton. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, among other things, we are required to take all necessary and desirable actions (including calling meetings of our Board and shareholder meetings and recommending, supporting and soliciting proxies) such that, for so long as the specified conditions in the agreements are satisfied, Bubbles Investor or its affiliates (including L Catterton) will have the right, but not the obligation, to designate for nomination or appointment either one or two directors to our Board (with such number being determined in accordance with the agreement based on the satisfaction of Bubbles Investor beneficially owning at least 5% or at least 15% of our Common Shares respectively, among other certain conditions therein). The agreement stipulates that in the event of vacancy of any of the directors appointed pursuant to the Director Designation Agreement, Bubbles Investor will be entitled to designate an individual to fill such vacancies. Each of the directors appointed pursuant to the Director Designation Agreement may, but will not be required to, qualify as independent pursuant to the Nasdaq listing standards. Currently, one director, Mr. Magliacano, nominated pursuant to the Director Designation Agreement, serves on the Board. On December 12, 2022, the Bubbles Investor ceased to beneficially own at least 5% of our Common Shares. Mr. Magliacano has notified the Company that he is resigning from the Board at the conclusion of the 2023 Annual Meeting.

Director family relationship

Stephen Ortega, an employee of the Company serving as thea Category Director, of Proprietary Brands, is the son of Steven L. Ortega, the Chairman of the Board. During fiscal year 2022,2023, Stephen Ortega earned approximately $209,000$139,000 in compensation. He was also granted restricted stock units with respect to 7761,246 RSUs, vesting over a four-year period. His compensation is consistent with the total compensation provided to other employees of the same level with similar responsibilities.

 

44    56    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


 

Beneficial Ownership of Securities

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our shares as of January 17,December 31, 2023 by:

 

each of our NEOs;

each of our NEOs;

 

each of our current directors;

each of our current directors;

 

all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and

all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and

 

each person or entity known by us to own beneficially more than five percent of our preferred stock and common stock (by number or by voting power).

each person or entity known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our preferred stock and common stock (by number or by voting power).

Except as indicated in the footnotes below, we have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, which generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting and/or investment power. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole or shared voting and/or investment power with respect to all shares that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.

Applicable percentage ownership is based on 183,564,172184,513,174 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2022.2023. Shares of common stock subject to RSUs that will vest within 60 days of December 31, 20222023 or options that are exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 20222023 are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options or RSUs for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the individuals named below is Leslie’s, Inc., 2005 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owners

  Number of
Shares
  Ownership
Percentage (%)
  Number of
Shares
   % 

Michael R. Egeck(1)

    3,015,259         1.6%    3,520,747        1.9

Steven M. Weddell

    1,779,024        1.0% 

Paula R. Baker

    304,414        ** 

Scott Bowman

   -        *

Brad Gazaway

    210,481        **    246,342        *

Moyo LaBode

    109,034        **    174,119        *

Paula R. Baker

   334,657        *

Steven M. Weddell

   1,881,914        1.0

Steven L. Ortega(2)

    2,306,604        1.3%    2,337,212        1.3

Yolanda Daniel

    9,560        **    15,658        *

Jodeen Kozlak

    9,560        ** 

Seth Estep

   -        *

Eric Kufel

    80,645        ** 

Marc Magliacano(3)

    9,560        ** 

Eric Kufel(3)

   74,522        *

Susan O’Farrell

    9,560        **    15,658        *

James Ray

    5,179        ** 

John Strain

    72,223        **    78,321        *

Claire Spofford

    -        **    5,850        *

All directors and executive officers as a group (14 individuals)

    7,921,103        3.9%    6,500,168        3.5

Blackrock, Inc.(4)

    19,434,979        10.6%    29,476,444        16.0

Ariel Investments, LLC(5)

   20,000,131        13.5

The Vanguard Group(6)

   18,624,433        10.1

Champlain Investment Partners, LLC(7)

   14,757,588        8.0

Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC(8)

   11,257,760        6.1

William Blair Investment Management, LLC(9)

   9,999,142        5.4

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 4557


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

Name and Address of Beneficial Owners

  Number of
Shares
  Ownership
Percentage (%)

The Vanguard Group(5)

    13,335,067        7.3% 

William Blair Investment Management, LLC(6)

    10,975,142        6.0% 

Champlain Investment Partners, LLC(7)

    10,511,925        5.7% 

Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC(8)

    9,657,371        5.3% 

 

**

Less than one percent.

(1)

Mr. Egeck’s number of common stockshares includes shares totaling 2,221,4772,512,519 held by the Michael R. Egeck Living Trust, for estate planning purposes.

(2)

Mr. Ortega’s number of common stockshares includes shares totaling 1,876,035 held by a family trust, of which Mr. Ortega is a trustee.

(3)

Mr. Magliacano holds 9,560 sharesKufel’s number of common stock for the benefitincludes shares totaling 74,522 held by a family trust, of Bubbles Investor.which Mr. Magliacano has no voting or investment power over such shares.Kufel is a trustee.

(4)

Based solely on the information disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock, Inc. and certain related entities on October 7, 2022.January 8, 2024. The number of shares reported is as of September 30, 2022.December 31, 2023. BlackRock, Inc. reported sole power to vote or direct the vote over 19,161,670 shares of our common stock and sole power to dispose or direct the disposition over 19,434,97929,476,444 shares of our common stock. The principal business address for BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street,50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10055.10001.

(5)

Based solely on the information disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed by Ariel Investments, LLC on August 10, 2023. The number of shares reported is as of July 31, 2023. Ariel Investments, LLC reported sole power to vote or direct the vote over 18,103,693 shares of our common stock and sole power to dispose or direct the disposition over 20,000,131 shares of our common stock. The principal business address for Ariel Investments, LLC is 200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2900, Chicago, IL 60601.

(6)

Based solely on the information disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group on FebruaryOctober 10, 2022.2023. The number of shares reported is as of December 31, 2021.September 29, 2023. The Vanguard Group reported shared power to vote or direct the vote over 75,575129,983 shares of our common stock, sole power to dispose or direct the disposition over 13,145,29118,299,006 shares of our common stock, and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition over 189,776325,427 shares of our common stock. The principal business address for The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.

(6)(7)

Based solely on the information disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed by Champlain Investment Partners, LLC on February 13, 2023. The number of shares reported is as of December 31, 2022. Champlain Investment Partners, LLC reported sole power to vote or direct the vote over 13,286,247 shares of our common stock and sole power to dispose or direct the disposition over 14,757,588 shares of our common stock. The principal business address for Champlain Investment Partners, LLC is 180 Battery St., Burlington, VT 05401.

(8)

Based solely on the information disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed by Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC on February 14, 2023. The number of shares reported is as of December 31, 2022. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC reported sole power to vote or direct the vote over 6,710,970 shares of our common stock, shared power to vote or direct the vote over 2,877,423 shares of our common stock, sole power to dispose or direct the disposition over 8,380,337 shares of our common stock, and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition over 2,877,423 shares of our common stock. The principal business address for Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC is 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1110, Los Angeles, CA 90067.

(9)

Based solely on the information disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed by William Blair Investment Management, LLC on February 10, 2022.9, 2023. The number of shares reported is as of December 31, 2021.2022. William Blair Management, LLC reported sole power to vote or direct the vote over 9,743,1318,867,932 shares of our common stock and sole power to dispose or direct the disposition over 10,985,1429,999,142 shares of our common stock. The principal business address for William Blair Management, LLC is 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606.

(7)

Based solely on the information disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed by Champlain Investment Partners, LLC on February 11, 2022. The number of shares reported is as of December 31, 2021. Champlain Investment Partners, LLC reported sole power to vote or direct the vote over 9,991,839 shares of our common stock and sole power to dispose or direct the disposition over 10,511,925 shares of our common stock. The principal business address for Champlain Investment Partners, LLC is 180 Battery St., Burlington, VT 05401.

(8)

Based solely on the information disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed by Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC on February 14, 2022. The number of shares reported is as of December 31, 2021. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC reported sole power to vote or direct the vote over 5,774,591 shares of our common stock, shared power to vote or direct the vote over 2,675,939 shares of our common stock, sole power to dispose or direct the disposition over 6,981,432 shares of our common stock, and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition over 2,675,939 shares of our common stock. The principal business address for Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC is 1800 Avenue of the Stars, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission reports of ownership of Company securities and changes in reported ownership. Based on a review of reports filed with the SEC, or written representations from reporting persons that all reportable transaction were reported, the Company believes that during fiscal year 2022,2023, the Company’s officers, directors and greater than ten percent owners timely filed all reports they were required to file under Section 16(a), except that one report, covering a total of one transaction, was filed late by Mr. Gazaway and one report, covering a total of one transaction, was filed late by Mr. LaBode..

 

46    58    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


 

Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting

This proxy statement is being provided to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of the Company for use at the Annual Meeting to be held on Thursday,Friday, March 16, 202315, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

WHERE IS THE ANNUAL MEETING BEING HELD?

We are pleased to inform you that this year’s meeting will again be a virtual meeting, which will be conducted via live webcast. You will be able to attend the annual meeting online, vote your shares electronically, and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LESL2023.LESL2024.

Our Board considers the appropriate format for our annual meeting of shareholders on an annual basis. We are pleased to continue to embrace the latest technology to provide expanded access, improved communication, and cost savings for our shareholders and Leslie’s. Our virtual format allows shareholders to submit questions and comments and to vote during the meeting. We believe the virtual meeting format allows our shareholders to engage with us no matter where they live, and is accessible and available on any internet-connected device, be it a phone, a tablet, or a computer. We believe that a virtual meeting allows our shareholders to have robust engagement with Leslie’s, and is in the best interests of our shareholders at this time.

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN AND VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING ONLINE?

Shareholders of record as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 17, 2023,2024, the record date, are entitled to participate in and vote at the Annual Meeting. To participate in the Annual Meeting, including to vote and ask questions and view the list of registered shareholders as of the record date during the meeting, shareholders of record should go to the Annual Meeting website at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LESL2023,LESL2024, enter the 16-digit control number found on your accompanying proxy card and follow the instructions on the website.

If your shares are held in street name and your voting instruction form indicates that you may vote those shares through the http://www.proxyvote.com website, then you may access, participate in, and vote at the Annual Meeting with the 16-digit access code indicated on that voting instruction form. Otherwise, shareholders who hold their shares in street name should contact their bank, broker or other nominee (preferably at least 5 days before the Annual Meeting) and obtain a “legal proxy” in order to be able to attend, participate in, or vote at the Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday,Friday, March 16, 2023.15, 2024. Online check-in will begin at approximately 11:45 a.m. Eastern Time, and we encourage you to provide sufficient time before the Annual Meeting begins to check-in. Technicians will be available to assist you with any difficulties you may have accessing the Annual Meeting. We will make a replay of the Annual Meeting available on our Investor Relations website until the next annual meeting.

Shareholders may submit questions before the Annual Meeting at www.proxyvote.com and during the Annual Meeting at the meeting website. We plan to answer as many questions as possible during the time permitted. If a question is not answered due to time constraints, the Company encourages shareholders to contact the Company’s Investor Relations at investorrelations@lesl.com. To allow us to answer questions from as many shareholders as possible, we will limit each shareholder to one question. Questions from multiple shareholders on the same topic or that are otherwise related may be grouped, summarized and answered together. Shareholder questions that are not pertinent to the Company’s business or to Annual Meeting matters, or that contain derogatory references to individuals, further the shareholder’s personal or business interests, or are otherwise out of order or not suitable for the conduct of the Annual Meeting will not be addressed during the Annual Meeting. In addition, please note that unauthorized recording of the meeting is prohibited. More information regarding the question and answer process, including the number and types of questions permitted, and how questions will be recognized, answered, and disclosed, will be available in the meeting rules of conduct, which will be posted on the Annual Meeting website before and during the meeting.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 4759


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

WHAT PROPOSALS WILL BE ADDRESSED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?

Shareholders will be asked to consider the following proposals at the Annual Meeting:

 

1.

To elect twothe three directors named in this proxy statement to serve as Class IIIII directors on the Board until the 20262027 annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified;

 

2.

To ratify the selection by our Audit Committee of E&YEY to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending September 30, 2023;28, 2024;

 

3.

To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our NEOs; and

 

4.

To approve the adoption of the SixthCompany’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Leslie’s, Inc.2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting.

HOW DOES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE?

Our Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” each nominee for director, “FOR” the ratification of the selection of E&YEY as our independent registered public accounting firm, “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our NEOs, and “FOR” the approval of the adoption of the SixthCompany’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Leslie’s, Inc.Omnibus Incentive Plan.

WHO MAY VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS?

Shareholders who owned shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 17, 20232024 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, there were [                ]184,513,174 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

HOW MANY VOTES MUST BE PRESENT TO HOLD THE ANNUAL MEETING?

In order for us to conduct the Annual Meeting, a quorum, consisting of a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, must be present in person or represented by proxy.

HOW MANY VOTES DO I HAVE?

Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter that comes before the Annual Meeting.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD AND A BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES HELD IN STREET NAME?

Shareholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares, and the proxy materials were sent directly to you by the Company.

Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name. If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and the proxy materials were forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct that organization on how to vote the shares held in your account. Those instructions are contained in a “vote instruction form.”

WHAT IS THE PROXY CARD?

The proxy card enables you to appoint Michael R. Egeck, our CEO, and Steven M. Weddell,Scott Bowman, our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, as your representatives at the Annual Meeting. By completing and returning the proxy card, you are authorizing Messrs. Egeck and WeddellBowman to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card. This way,

 

48    60    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it is strongly recommended that you complete and return your proxy card before the Annual Meeting date in case your plans change. If a proposal comes up for vote at the Annual Meeting that is not on the proxy card, the proxies will vote your shares, under your proxy, according to their best judgment.

IF I AM A SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD OF THE COMPANY’S SHARES, HOW DO I VOTE?

Before the Annual Meeting, you may vote:

 

By mail, by completing, signing, and dating your proxy card.

By mail, by completing, signing, and dating your proxy card.

 

Online at www.proxyvote.com.

Online at www.proxyvote.com.

 

By telephone, at 1-800-690-6903.

By telephone, at 1-800-690-6903.

During the Annual Meeting, you may vote online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LESL2023.LESL2024.

IF I AM A BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES HELD IN STREET NAME, HOW DO I VOTE?

Beneficial owners should check their voting instruction form for how to vote in advance of and how to participate in the Annual Meeting. Otherwise, shareholders who hold their shares in street name should contact their bank, broker or other nominee (preferably at least 5 days before the Annual Meeting) and obtain a “legal proxy” in order to be able to attend, participate in, or vote at the Annual Meeting.

WILL MY SHARES BE VOTED IF I DO NOT PROVIDE MY PROXY?

If you hold your shares directly in your own name, they will not be voted if you do not provide a proxy.

Your shares may be voted under certain circumstances if they are held in the name of a brokerage firm. Brokerage firms generally haveholding shares must vote according to specific instructions they receive from the authoritybeneficial owners of those shares. If a brokerage firm does not receive specific instructions, it may in some cases vote the shares in a shareholder’s discretion, but is not permitted to vote shares not voted by customers on certain “routine” matters, includingproposals and may elect not vote on any of the ratification of an independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly,proposals unless you provide voting instructions.

Voting your shares will help to ensure that your interests are represented at the Annual Meeting, your shares may only be voted bymeeting. If you do not provide voting instructions and your brokerage firm elects to vote your shares on some but not all matters, it will result in a “broker non-vote”for the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm.

Brokers are prohibited from exercising discretionary authoritymatters on non-routine matters. The election of directors is considered a non-routine matter, and therefore brokers cannot exercise discretionary authority regarding this proposal for beneficial owners who havewhich the brokerage firm does not returned proxies to the brokers (so-called “broker non-votes”).vote. In the case of broker non-votes, and in cases where you abstain from voting on a matter when present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote, thoseyour shares will still be counted for purposes of determining if a quorum is present.present, but they will not be considered as votes cast and will not be counted in determining the outcome of the vote on the election of directors or on any of the other proposals.

WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO ELECT DIRECTORS?

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. As a result, the nominees who receive the highest number of shares voted “FOR” his or her election are elected. A “WITHHOLD” vote against a director will have no direct effect on his or her election. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on this proposal.

WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS?

Assuming that a quorum is present:

 

Approval of the proposal to ratify the selection of E&Y as our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against this proposal.

Approval of the proposal to ratify the selection of EY as our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against this proposal. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on this proposal.

 

Approval of the proposal to approve on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our NEOs requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against this proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.

Approval of the proposal to approve on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our NEOs requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 4961


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against this proposal. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on this proposal.

Approval of the proposal to approve adoption of Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Leslie’s, Inc. requires the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the shares outstanding as of the record date. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against this proposal.

Approval of the proposal to approve the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against this proposal. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on this proposal.

CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I HAVE VOTED?

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting. You may vote again by signing and returning a new proxy card or voting instruction form with a later date or by attending the Annual Meeting online and voting. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting online will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote again at the Annual Meeting or specifically request that your prior proxy be revoked by delivering to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at 2005 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016 a written notice of revocation prior to the Annual Meeting.

Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, you must instruct your broker, bank or other nominee that you wish to change your vote by following the procedures on the voting form provided to you by the broker, bank or other nominee.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT INDICATE HOW TO VOTE MY PROXY?

If you sign your proxy card without providing further instructions, your shares will be voted “FOR” each of the director nominees, “FOR” the ratification of E&YEY to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023,28, 2024, “FOR” the approval on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our NEOs, and “FOR” the approval of the adoption of the SixthCompany’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Leslie’s, Inc.2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

IS MY VOTE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL?

Proxies, ballots and voting tabulations identifying shareholders are kept confidential and will not be disclosed except as may be necessary to meet legal requirements.

WHERE DO I FIND THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?

We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting. The final voting results will be tallied by the inspector of election and published in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, which the Company will file with the SEC within four business days following the Annual Meeting.

WHO BEARS THE COST OF SOLICITING PROXIES?

The Company will bear the cost of soliciting proxies in the accompanying form and will reimburse brokerage firms and others for expenses involved in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners or soliciting their execution. In addition to solicitations by mail, the Company, through its directors and officers, may solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by electronic means. Such directors and officers will not receive any special remuneration for these efforts.

 

50    62    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


 

Other Matters

OTHER BUSINESS

We are not currently aware of any business to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting other than the matters discussed in this proxy statement. The form of proxy accompanying this proxy statement confers discretionary authority upon the named proxy holders with respect to amendments or variations to the matters identified in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and with respect to any other matters which may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If other matters do properly come before the Annual Meeting, or at any such adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, we expect that shares of our common stock, represented by properly submitted proxies, will be voted by the proxy holders in accordance with the recommendations of our Board.

SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 20242025 ANNUAL MEETING

Rule 14a-8 Proposals. For any proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for submission to the shareholders at our 20242025 annual meeting of shareholders, it must be submitted in writing and comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. Such proposals must be received by the Company at its offices at 2005 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016 no later than [                    ], 2023.September 26, 2024.

Advance Notice Proposals and Nominations. In addition, our bylaws provide notice procedures for shareholders to nominate a person as a director and to propose business to be considered by shareholders at a meeting (but not for inclusion in the proxy statement). Notice of a nomination or proposal must provide the information set forth in our bylaws (which includes information required under Rule 14a-19 with respect to nominations) must be delivered to the Corporate Secretary at 2005 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016 no later than the close of business on the 90th day, nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to, the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held infor any reason the preceding year,Annual Meeting does not occur, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by us. Accordingly, for our 20242025 annual meeting of shareholders, notice of a nomination or proposal must be delivered to us no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on December 17, 202313, 2024 and no earlier than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on November 17, 2023.15, 2024. Nominations and proposals also must satisfy the other requirements set forth in the bylaws.

HOUSEHOLDING INFORMATION

Unless we have received contrary instructions, we may send a single copy of this proxy statement to any household at which two or more shareholders reside. This process, known as “householding,” reduces the volume of duplicate information received at any one household, helps to reduce our expenses, and benefits the environment. However, if shareholders prefer to receive multiple sets of our disclosure documents at the same address this year or in future years, the shareholders should follow the instructions described below. Similarly, if an address is shared with another shareholder and together, both of the shareholders would like to receive only a single set of our disclosure documents, the shareholders should follow these instructions: If the shares are registered in the name of the shareholder, the shareholder should contact our Corporate Secretary at our offices by sending a written request to 2005 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016 or calling 602-366-3999, to inform us of his or her request; or if a bank, broker or other nominee holds the shares, the shareholder should contact the bank, broker or other nominee directly.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 20232024

 5163


OTHER MATTERS

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual and quarterly reports and other reports and information with the SEC. We distribute to our shareholders annual reports containing financial statements audited by our independent registered public accounting firm and, upon request, quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited financial information. In addition, the reports and other information are filed through Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (known as “EDGAR”) system and are publicly available on the SEC’s website, located at http://www.sec.gov.

Upon written or oral request, we will provide you, without charge, a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2022,September 30, 2023, including the financial statements and schedules. Any requests for copies of information, reports or other filings with the SEC should be directed to Corporate Secretary, Leslie’s, Inc., 2005 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016.

 

52    64    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


 

APPENDIX 1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

LESLIE’S, INC.

ARTICLE IAMENDED & RESTATED 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

NAME1. Purpose and Effective Date.

The name of the corporation is Leslie’s, Inc. (the “Company”)(a) Purpose.

ARTICLE II

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The address of the Company’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purpose This Plan has two complementary purposes: (i) to attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as officers, directors, employees, advisors and consultants of the Company isand its Affiliates, that now exist or hereafter are organized or acquired, and (ii) to engageincrease stockholder value. This Plan will provide participants incentives to increase stockholder value by offering the opportunity to acquire Shares, receive monetary payments based on the value of the Stock, or receive other incentive compensation, on the terms that this Plan provides.

(b) Effective Date. This Plan came into existence on the Effective Date and was most recently amended and restated on the Restatement Effective Date. This Plan will terminate as provided in Section 15.

2.Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Plan, or in any lawful actAward Agreement, have the following meanings:

(a) “Administrator” means the Board or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation LawCommittee; provided, that, to the extent the Board or the Committee has delegated its authority and responsibility as an Administrator of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”).

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL STOCK

I. Authorized Capital.

The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Company shall have authoritythis Plan to issue is 1,001,000,000, which shall be divided into two classes as follows: 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Preferred Stock”).

The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stockone or Common Stock may be increasedmore committees or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then-outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stockofficers of the Company entitledas permitted by Section 3(b), the term “Administrator” shall also mean such committee(s) and/or officer(s).

(b) “Affiliate” has the meaning ascribed to vote thereon irrespectivesuch term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining those individuals to whom an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted, the term “Affiliate” means any entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company (within the meaning of Code Sections 414(b) or (c)); provided, that, in applying such provisions, the phrase “at least 20 percent” shall be used in place of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears therein.

(c) “Applicable Exchange” means the national securities exchange or automated trading system on which the Stock is principally traded at the applicable time.

(d) “Award” means a grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Stock, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, a Cash Incentive Award, or any other type of award permitted under this Plan.

(e) “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award.

(f) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the provisions ofCompany.

(g) “Cash Incentive Award” means the right to receive a cash payment to the extent Performance Goals are achieved (or other specified requirements are met), as described in Section 242(b)(2)10.

(h) “Cause”, with respect to a Participant, shall have the meaning given in an Award Agreement, or, if none, shall mean one of the DGCL (orfollowing, which are listed in the order in which determination of such meaning is to be made:

(i) the meaning given in a Participant’s employment, retention, change of control, severance, or similar agreement with the Company or any successor provision thereto), and no voteAffiliate; or, if none, then

(ii) the meaning given in the Company’s employment policies as in effect at the time of the holdersdetermination (or if the determination of eitherCause is being made within two (2) years following a Change of Control, the Common Stockmeaning given in the Company’s employment policies as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control); or, if none, then

(iii) the Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor, unless a voteoccurrence of any such holder is required pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock).

II. Common Stock.

A. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by applicable law, each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held as of the applicable record date on any matter that is submitted to a votefollowing: (A) the repeated failure or for the consentrefusal of the stockholdersParticipant to follow the lawful directives of the Company.Company or an Affiliate (except due to the Participant’s sickness, injury, or disabilities), (B) gross inattention to duty or any other willful, reckless, or grossly negligent act (or omission to act) by the Participant, which, in the good faith judgment of the Company, could result in a material injury (financial, reputational, or otherwise) to the Company or an

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

 A-1


APPENDIX 1

 

B. Dividends. SubjectAffiliate, including, but not limited to, the preferences applicablerepeated failure to follow the policies and procedures of the Company, or (C) the commission by the Participant of a felony, any crime involving moral turpitude, or an act of financial dishonesty against the Company or an Affiliate.

(i) A “Change of Control” shall have the meaning given in an Award Agreement, or, if none, shall be deemed to occur if, following the Effective Date, and excluding the transaction pursuant to which the Company became a separate public corporation for the first time:

(i) a Person (other than an Excluded Person) acquires, in any single transaction or series of Preferred Stock, if any,related transactions, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company, other than pursuant to a transaction described in clause (iv) below that is not considered to be a Change in Control pursuant to such clause (iv); or

(ii) Continuing Directors shall, at any time, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitledcease to share equally, onconstitute a per share basis, in such dividends and other distributions of cash, property or shares of stockmajority of the Company as may be declared byBoard; or

(iii) the Board of Directorsconsummation of the Company (the “Board”) from time to time with respect to the Common Stock outsale or other disposition, in any single transaction or series of related transactions, of assets or fundsrepresenting more than seventy- five percent (75%) of the Company legally available therefor.

C. Liquidation. Subject to the preferences applicable to any seriesall of Preferred Stock, if any, outstanding at any time, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of the Company, all assets of the Company of whatever kind available for distribution to the holders of Common Stock shall be divided among and paid ratably to the holdersits subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis); or

(iv) there is consummated a merger, consolidation, or share exchange of Common Stock.

III. Preferred Stock.

A. Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time by the Company for such consideration as may be fixed bywith any other entity, or the Board. The Board is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions, to provide, outissuance of voting securities of the unissued sharesCompany in connection with a merger, consolidation, or share exchange of Preferred Stock, for onethe Company (or any direct or more seriesindirect Subsidiary), other than (A) a merger, consolidation, or share exchange which would result in the voting securities of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix, without further stockholder approval, the designation of such series, the powers (including voting powers), preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such series of Preferred Stock and the number of shares of such series, and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of each series of Preferred Stock, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

B. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or moreCompany outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.

C. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to only such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relatingimmediately prior to such seriesmerger, consolidation, or share exchange continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of Preferred Stock).

ARTICLE V

AMENDMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, from and after the date on which Sponsors (as defined below) cease to beneficially ownsurviving entity or any parent thereof) at least a majorityfifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Trigger Event”), the following provisions in this Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 6623% incombined voting power of allthe voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation, or share exchange, in substantially the same proportions as immediately before the relevant transaction, or (B) a merger, consolidation, or share exchange effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person (other than an Excluded Person) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates after the Effective Date pursuant to express authorization by the Board) representing fifty percent (50%) or more of either the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon: Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX and Article X. or the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding voting securities.

For the purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, beneficial ownership of shares shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated underPlan, (I) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (thetermExchange Act”). For the purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, except for Article IX, (i) “AffiliateContinuing Director” shall mean a member of the Board who either (x) was a member of the Board on the Effective Date or (y) subsequently became a Director and whose election, or nomination for election, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Continuing Directors then in office (excluding, however, a Director whose election, or nomination for election, occurred as the result of an actual or threatened proxy contest), and (II) the term “Excluded Person” shall mean (w) the Company or its subsidiaries, (x) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, including, for the avoidance of doubt, one or more employee stock ownership plans, (y) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (z) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock in the Company.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, with respect to any Person, any Person directlyan Award that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A, an event shall not be considered to be a Change of Control under this Plan for purposes of triggering payment of such Award, unless such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control” or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control witha “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company, in each case, within the meaning of Code Section 409A, and the Administrator may include such Person; (ii) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity, whether domestic or foreign;and (iiiii) “control” (includingamended definition in the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”),Award Agreement issued with respect to such Award.

(j) “Code” means the relationship between or among two or more Persons, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly,Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a specific provision of the power to directCode includes any successor provision and any regulations or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and (iv) “Sponsor” shall mean any of L Catterton and GIC Pte. Ltd. and each of their respective Affiliates.other interpretive guidance promulgated under such provision.

 

A-2    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


APPENDIX 1

 

B.(k) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, any successor committee thereto, or such other committee of the Board that is designated by the Board with the same or similar authority. The Committee shall consist only of Non-Employee Directors (not fewer than two (2)) to the extent necessary for this Plan and Awards to comply with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. If for any reason the appointed Committee does not meet the requirements of Rule 16b-3, such noncompliance with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 shall not affect the validity of the Awards, grants, interpretations, or other actions of the Committee.

(l) “Company” means Leslie’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

(m) “Director” means a member of the Board.

(n) “Dividend Equivalent Unit” means the right to receive a payment, in cash or Shares, equal to the cash dividends or other cash distributions paid with respect to a Share.

(o) “Effective Date” means the day the Board originally adopted this Plan.

(p) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any reference to a specific provision of the Exchange Act includes any successor provision and the regulations and rules promulgated under such provision.

(q) “Fair Market Value” means a price that is expressly authorizedbased on the opening, closing, actual, high, or low sale price, or the arithmetic mean of the selling prices of, a Share, on the Applicable Exchange on the applicable date, the preceding trading day, the next succeeding trading day, or the arithmetic mean of selling prices on all trading days over a specified averaging period weighted by volume of trading on each trading day in the period that is within thirty (30) days before or thirty (30) days after the applicable date, as determined by the Board or the Committee in its discretion; provided, that, if an arithmetic mean of prices is used to make, repeal, alter, amendset a grant price or an exercise price for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the commitment to grant the applicable Award based on such arithmetic mean must be irrevocable before the beginning of the specified averaging period in accordance with Treasury Regulation §1.409A- 1(b)(5)(iv)(A). The method of determining Fair Market Value with respect to an Award shall be determined by the Board or the Committee and rescind,may differ depending on whether Fair Market Value is in wholereference to the grant, exercise, vesting, settlement, or payout of an Award; provided, that, if the Board or the Committee does not specify a different method, the Fair Market Value of a Share as of a given date shall be the closing sale price as of the trading day immediately preceding the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined or, if there shall be no such sale on such date, the next preceding day on which such a sale shall have occurred. If the Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange at the time of grant or other applicable event, the Committee shall determine in part,good faith the bylawsFair Market Value in the manner it considers appropriate in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an actual sale of Shares, the actual sale price shall be the Fair Market Value of such Shares.

(r) “ISO” means any Option intended to be and designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422.

(s) “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not also an employee of the Company (asor one of its Subsidiaries.

(t) “NQSO” means any Option that is not designated, or does not qualify, as an ISO.

(u) “Option” means the right to purchase Shares at a stated price for a specified period of time.

(v) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in effect from timeCode Section 424(e).

(w) “Participant” means an individual selected by the Administrator to time,receive an Award.

(x) “Performance Goals” means any objective or subjective performance goals the Bylaws”) without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or this Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders, from and after the Trigger Event, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company required herein (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock), the Bylaws or applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 6623% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Company to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any provision of the Bylaws or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.

ARTICLE VI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof (including any certificate of designationAdministrator establishes with respect to an Award. Performance Goals may also relate to a Participant’s individual performance. The Administrator reserves the right to adjust Performance Goals, or modify the manner of measuring or evaluating a Performance Goal, for any seriesreason the Administrator determines is appropriate. The inclusion in an Award Agreement of Preferred Stock) and this Article VI relatingspecific adjustments or modifications shall not be deemed to preclude the rights ofAdministrator from making other adjustments or modifications, in its discretion, as described herein, unless the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors,Award Agreement provides that the total number of directorsadjustments or modifications described in such Award Agreement shall be determined from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by the Board. ThePrior to the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2027 (the “2027 Annual Meeting”), the directors (other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a seriessole adjustments or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. Class I directors shall initially serve for a termDirectors with terms expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date the Common Stock is first publicly traded (the “IPO Date”), Class II directors shall initially serve for ato be held in 2024 shall serve out the remainder of their current terms, and they and any successors shall stand for re-election to a three-year term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the IPO Date and Class IIIto be held in 2024; directors shall initially serve for a termwith terms expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the IPO Date. At each succeeding annual meeting, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meetingshall be elected for a term expiring at thethird succeedingto be held in 2025 shall serve out the remainder of their current terms, and they and any successors shall stand for re-election to a two-year term at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2025; and directors elected at the annual meeting of stockholders. Ifheld in 2023 shall serve out their three-year terms, and they and any successors shall stand for re-election to a one-year term at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2026. Until the 2027 Annual Meeting, if the number of such directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any such additional director of any class elected to fill a newly created directorship resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors remove or shorten the term of any incumbent director. AnyUntil the 2027 Annual Meeting, any such director shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. ThePrior to the 2027 Annual Meeting, the Board is authorized to assign members of the Board to their respective class. All directors of the Company elected at or after the 2027 Annual Meetingshall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, with each such director to hold office until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any director whose term expires at any annual meeting of stockholders prior to the 2027 Annual Meeting shall continue to hold office until the end of the term for which such director was elected and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, retirement, resignation or removal.

B. Subject to the rights granted to the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any newly-created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause) shall be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, by a sole remaining director or by the stockholders; provided, however, that from and after the Trigger Event, any newly-created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurringon the Board shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, ormodifications.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

 A-3


APPENDIX 1

 

by(y) “Performance Shares” means the right to receive Shares to the extent Performance Goals are achieved (or other specified requirements are met).

(z) “Performance Unit” means the right to receive a sole remaining director (and not bycash payment and/or Shares valued in relation to a unit that has a designated dollar value or the stockholders). Any director electedvalue of which is equal to fill a vacancythe Fair Market Value of one or newly created directorship shall hold office untilmore Shares, to the next electionextent Performance Goals are achieved (or other specified requirements are met).

(aa) “Person” has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the class forExchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, or any group of Persons acting in concert that would be considered “persons acting as a group” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

(bb) “Plan” means this Leslie’s, Inc. Amended & Restated 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

(cc) “Restatement Effective Date” means the day the Company’s shareholders approve the Plan, as amended and restated, at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

(dd) “Restricted Stock” means Shares that are subject to a risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer, or both a risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, which such director shall have been chosen(i) inmay lapse upon the caseachievement or partial achievement of any vacancy so filled priorPerformance Goals or upon the completion of a period of service, or both.

(ee) “Restricted Stock Unit” means the right to receive one (1) Share or a cash payment the value of which is equal to the 2027 Annual Meeting, forFair Market Value of one (1) Share.

(ff) “Section 16 Participants” means Participants who are subject to the remainderprovisions of Section 16 of the termExchange Act.

(gg) “Share” means a share of Stock.

(hh) “Stock” means the common stock of the director being replacedCompany.

(ii) “Stock Appreciation Right or inSAR” means the case of an additional director, forright to receive a cash payment, and/or Shares with a Fair Market Value, equal to the remainderappreciation of the termFair Market Value of a Share during a specified period of time.

(jj) “Subsidiary” means any corporation, limited liability company, or other limited liability entity in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company, if each of the class to which the director has been assigned and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal and (ii) in the case of any vacancy so filled at or after the 2027 Annual Meeting, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

C. Any or all of the directorsentities (other than the directors elected bylast entities in the holders of any series of Preferred Stockchain) owns the stock or equity interest possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the Company, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) may be removed at any time either with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority intotal combined voting power of all outstanding sharesclasses of Common Stock entitledstock or other equity interests in one of the other entities in the chain.

(kk) “Substitute Award” means an Award granted in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to vote thereon; provided, however, that from and after the Trigger Event, any such director or all such directors may be removed, but only for cause and onlymake future awards, in each case by a company acquired by the affirmative voteCompany or any Subsidiary or Affiliate with which the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate combines.

(ll) “Ten Percent Shareholder” means a Person owning stock of the holdersCompany possessing more than ten percent (10%) of at least 662/3% inthe total combined voting power of all the then-outstanding sharesclasses of stock of the Company, entitledits Parent, or any Subsidiary.

3. Administration.

(a) Administration. In addition to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

D. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall so provide.

E. During any period whenauthority specifically granted to the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more series, haveAdministrator in this Plan, the right to elect additional directors, then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then otherwise total authorized number of directors of the Company shall automatically be increased by such specified number of directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or fixed pursuant to said provisions, and (ii) each such additional director shall serve until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to said provisions, whichever occurs earlier,Administrator has full discretionary authority, subject to hisand not inconsistent with the express provisions of this Plan, to administer this Plan and to exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically granted to it under this Plan or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualificationnecessary or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Boardadvisable in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, wheneveradministration of this Plan, including, but not limited, to the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant toauthority to: (i) construe and interpret the provisions of this Plan or any Award Agreement issued hereunder; (ii) prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan and/or any Award; (iii) correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement, in the manner and to the extent it deems desirable to carry this Plan or such stock,Award into effect; (iv) make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate and the total authorized numberPerformance Goals (if any) included in, Awards; (v) determine the terms and provisions of directors of the Company shall be reduced accordingly.

ARTICLE VII

LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY

A. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of the Company shall not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Company or its stockholders.

B. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, any modification of law shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any right or protection of a current or former director of the Company existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, adoption or modification.

C. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the CorporationCompany shall indemnify (and provide advancement of expenses to) directors and officers of the CorporationCompany from and against any and all liabilities, costs, expenses or damages that they may incur on account of, related to, or in connection with, directly or indirectly, their service to the CorporationCompany. The CorporationCompany may indemnify (and provide advancement of expenses to) employees and agents of the CorporationCompany (and any other persons to which the DGCL permits the CorporationCompany to provide indemnification). Indemnification may be made through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

A-4    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


APPENDIX 1

 

ARTICLE VIIIthe Award Agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant); (vi) implement black-out periods for the exercise of Options or delay settlement of Awards to a date permitted by Code Section 409A; and (vii) make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. All determinations made by the Administrator shall be made in the sole discretion of the Administrator and are final and binding on all interested parties.

CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS IN LIEU OF MEETING;

ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

A. Prior(b) Delegation to Other Committees or Officers. To the Trigger Event, any action requiredextent applicable law permits, the Board may delegate to another committee of the Board, or permittedthe Committee may delegate to be taken at any annuala subcommittee of the Committee or special meeting of stockholdersto one or more officers of the Company, may be taken withoutany or all of their respective authority and responsibility as an Administrator of this Plan; provided, that, no such delegation is permitted with respect to Stock-based Awards made to Section 16 Participants at the time any such delegated authority or responsibility is exercised, unless the delegation is to another committee of the Board consisting entirely of Non-Employee Directors. If the Board or the Committee has made such a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at whichdelegation, then all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be deliveredreferences to the Company by delivery to its registered officeAdministrator in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business,this Plan include such other committee, subcommittee, or an officer or agent of the Company having custody of the books in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Company’s registered office shall be made by hand, overnight courier or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. From and after the Trigger Event, anyAny action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Company must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote,officers, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable certificate of designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock.

B. Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Company for any purpose or purposes may only be called in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

C. An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such place, if any, on such date, and at such time as shall be fixed in the manner provided in the Bylaws.delegation.

ARTICLE IX

COMPETITION AND CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

A. In recognition and anticipation that (i) certain directors, principals, members, officers, associated funds, employees and/or other representatives of one or more of the Sponsors and their respective Affiliates (as defined below) may serve as directors, officers or agents of the Company, (ii) one or more of the Sponsors and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (iii) members(c) No Liability; Indemnification. No member of the Board who are not employeesor the Committee, and no officer or member of any other committee to whom a delegation under Section 3(b) has been made, will be liable for any act done, or determination made, by the Company (“Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engageindividual in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article IX are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Companygood faith with respect to certain classesthis Plan or categories of business opportunitiesany Award. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each such individual as theyto any acts or omissions, or determinations made, in each case, done or made in good faith, with respect to this Plan or any Award to the maximum extent that the law and the Company’s by-laws permit.

4.Eligibility. The Administrator may involvedesignate any of the Sponsors,following as a Participant from time to time, to the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilitiesextent of the Company and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.

B. NoneAdministrator’s authority: (a) any officer or other employee of (i) the Sponsors or any of their respective Affiliates or (ii) any Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of the Company in both his or her director and officer capacities) or his or her Affiliates (the Persons (as defined below) identified in (i) and (ii) above being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (1) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Company or any of its Affiliates now engagesAffiliates; (b) any individual whom the Company or proposesan Affiliate has engaged to engagebecome an officer or (2) otherwise competing withemployee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person shall be liableAffiliates; (c) any consultant or advisor who provides services to the Company or any of its stockholdersAffiliates; (d) any individual whom the Company or an Affiliate has engaged to become a consultant or advisor to the Company or any of its Affiliates; (e) any Director, including a Non-Employee Director; or (f) any individual whom the Company has engaged to become a Non-Employee Director; provided, that, any individual described in clauses (b), (d) or (f) must actually become so employed or engaged in order to receive an Award hereunder. The Administrator’s designation of, or granting of an Award to, a Participant will not require the Administrator to designate such individual as a Participant or grant an Award to such individual at any future time. The Administrator’s granting of a particular type of Award to a Participant will not require the Administrator to grant any other type of Award to such individual.

5. Types of Awards; Minimum Vesting Restriction.

(a) Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator may grant any type of Award to any AffiliateParticipant and determine the terms, conditions, restrictions, and performance criteria relating to any Award (including, without limitation, whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled, cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered), but only employees of the Company or a Subsidiary may receive grants of ISOs. Awards may be granted alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or (subject to the prohibition on repricing set forth in Section 15(e)) in substitution for breachany other Award (or any other award granted under another plan of the Company or any Affiliate, including the plan of an acquired entity).

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, equity-based Awards granted under the Plan shall vest no earlier than the first anniversary of the date the Award is granted (excluding, for this purpose, any (i) Substitute Awards, (ii) Shares delivered in lieu of fully vested cash Awards, and (iii) Awards to Directors that vest on the earlier of the one year anniversary of the date of grant or the next annual meeting of stockholders which is at least 50 weeks after the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting); provided, that, the Administrator may grant equity-based Awards without regard to the foregoing minimum vesting requirement with respect to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the available share reserve authorized for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 6(a) (subject to adjustment under Section 17); and, provided further, for the avoidance of doubt, that the foregoing restriction does not apply to the Administrator’s discretion to provide for accelerated exercisability or vesting of any fiduciary duty solely by reasonAward, including in cases of retirement, death, disability or a Change of Control, in the terms of the factAward or otherwise.

6. Shares Reserved under this Plan.

(a) Plan Reserve. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 17 and the Share counting provisions below, as of the Restatement Effective Date, the maximum number of Shares that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. Tomay be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity toPlan, other than

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

 A-5


APPENDIX 1

 

participate in, any business opportunity whichSubstitute Awards, shall be 14,903,552,1 less one Share for every one Share subject to an Award granted under the Plan after September 30, 2023 and prior to the Restatement Effective Date. Out of such aggregate, the maximum number of Shares that may be a corporate opportunity for an Identified Person and the Company or any of its Affiliates, exceptcovered by ISOs shall not exceed 14,903,552 Shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section D17. The Shares reserved for issuance may be either authorized and unissued Shares or Shares reacquired at any time and now or hereafter held as treasury stock.

(b) Depletion and Replenishment of Shares Under this Plan.

(i) The aggregate number of Shares reserved under Section 6(a) shall be depleted on the date of grant of an Award by the maximum number of Shares, if any, with respect to which such Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Award that may be settled solely in cash shall not cause any depletion of this Article IX.Plan’s Share reserve at the time such Award is granted.

(ii) To the extent (A) an Award lapses, expires, terminates, or is cancelled without the issuance of Shares under the Award (whether due currently or on a deferred basis) or is settled in cash, (B) it is determined during or at the conclusion of the term of an Award that all or some portion of the Shares with respect to which the Award was granted will not be issuable, (C) Shares are forfeited under an Award, (D) Shares are issued under any Award and the Company subsequently reacquires them pursuant to rights reserved upon the issuance of the Shares, or (E) after September 30, 2023, Shares are tendered or withheld to satisfy federal, state, or local tax withholding obligations with respect to an Award other than an Option or SAR, then such Shares shall be recredited to this Plan’s reserve and may again be used for new Awards under this Plan, but Shares recredited to this Plan’s reserve pursuant to clauses (D) or (E)may not be issued pursuant to ISOs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, after September 30, 2023, the following Shares shall not be recredited to this Plan’s reserve and may not again be used for new Awards under this Plan: (x) Shares not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an outstanding Option or SAR, (y) Shares used to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes related to any outstanding Option or SAR, or (z) Shares reacquired by the Company with the amount received upon exercise of an Option.

(c) Non-Employee Director Award Limitation. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section D17, the maximum number of this Article IX,Shares that may be granted during any fiscal year to any individual Non-Employee Director for service as a Non-Employee Director shall not exceed that number of Shares that has an aggregate grant date fair value (computed as of the grant date in accordance with applicable financial accounting rules) of, when added to any cash compensation received by such Non-Employee Director for service as a Non-Employee Director, $750,000 (excluding Awards made pursuant to deferred compensation arrangements made in lieu of all or a portion of cash retainers and any dividends payable in respect of outstanding Awards).

(d) Substitute Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator may grant Substitute Awards under the Plan. Substitute Awards shall not reduce the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan. In the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledgean acquired entity has shares available for awards or grants under one or more preexisting plans not adopted in contemplation of a potential transactionsuch acquisition or combination, then, to the extent determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such preexisting plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other matteradjustment or business opportunity whichvaluation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to holders of common stock of the entities that are parties to such acquisition or combination) may be a corporate opportunityused for itself, herself or himselfAwards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Company or anynumber of its Affiliates,Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan; provided, however, that Awards using such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no fiduciary duty or other duty (contractual or otherwise) to communicate, present or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Company or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by law,available shares shall not be liablemade after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of such preexisting plans, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall be made only to the Companypersons who were not employees or its stockholders or to any Affiliatedirectors of the Company for breach of any fiduciary duty or other duty (contractual or otherwise) as a stockholder, director or officer of the Company solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person, or does not present such corporate opportunity to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

C. The Company and its Affiliates do not have any rights in and to the business ventures of any Identified Person, or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the Company agrees that each of the Identified Persons may do business with any potential or actual customer or supplier of the Company or may employ or otherwise engage any officer or employee of the Company.

D. The Company does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of the Company) if such opportunity is expressly offered to such person in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company, and the provisions of Section B of this Article IX shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity.

E. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article IX, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Company if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Company is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Company’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Company or (iii) is one in which the Company has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

F. For purposes of this Article IX, (i) “Affiliate” shall mean (a) in respect of any Sponsor, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Sponsor, controls such Sponsor or is under common control with such Sponsor and shall include any principal, member, director, partner, stockholder, officer, employee or other representative of any of the foregoing (other than the Company and any entity that is controlled by the Company), (b) in respect of a Non-Employee Director, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Non-Employee Director (other than the Company and any entity that is controlled by the Company) and (c) in respect of the Company, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Company; (ii) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other entity; (iii) “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and (iv) “Sponsor” shall mean any of L Catterton and GIC Pte. Ltd. and each of their respective Affiliates.

G. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article IX. Neither the alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) inconsistent with this Article IX, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article IX in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article IX, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, addition, repealacquisition or adoption.combination.

ARTICLE X7. Options.

MISCELLANEOUS

A. If any provision or provisions(a) Type of Award; Terms and Conditions. Subject to the terms of this CertificatePlan, the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of Incorporation shalleach Option, including, but not limited to: (i) whether the Option is an ISO (which meets the requirements of Code Section 422) or an NQSO (which does not meet the requirements of Code Section 422); (ii) the grant date, which may not be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii)day prior to the fullestdate that the Administrator approves the grant; (iii) the number of Shares subject to the Option; (iv) the exercise

1

The 14,903,552 Shares reflects 7,724,552 Shares that remained available for grant under the Plan as of September 30, 2023, plus 7,179,000 newly authorized Shares.

 

A-6    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


APPENDIX 1

 

extent possible,price, which, other than in the case of Substitute Awards, may never be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Option as determined on the date of grant; (v) subject to Section 5(b), the terms and conditions of vesting and exercise; (vi) the term, except that an Option must terminate no later than ten (10) years after the date of grant; and (vii) the manner of payment of the exercise price. In all other respects, the terms of any Option intended to qualify as an ISO must comply with the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision heldCode Section 422. If an Option that is intended to be invalid, illegalan ISO fails, for any reason, to meet the requirements thereof, the Option shall automatically be treated as an NQSO to the extent of such failure. To the extent previously approved by the Administrator (which approval may be set forth in an Award Agreement or unenforceable) shallin administrative rules), and subject to such procedures as the Administrator may specify, the payment of the exercise price of Options may be construed so as to permit the Company to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respectmade by (A) delivery of their good faith servicecash or for the benefitother Shares or other securities of the Company (including by attestation) having a then Fair Market Value equal to the fullest extent permittedpurchase price of such Shares, (B) by law.

B. Exclusive Forum.

(i) Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, another state court sitting in the State of Delaware or, if and only if neither the Court of Chancery nor any state court sitting in the State of Delaware has subject matter jurisdiction, then the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee or stockholder of the Companydelivery to the Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form, together with irrevocable instructions to a broker-dealer to sell or margin a sufficient portion of the Company’s stockholders, creditorsShares and deliver the sale or other constituents, or a claim of aiding and abetting any such breach of fiduciary duty, (3) any action asserting a claim againstmargin loan proceeds directly to the Company to pay for the exercise price, (C) by surrendering the right to receive Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant upon exercise of the Award having a Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total exercise price, or (D) by any combination of clauses (A), (B), and/or (C). Except to the extent otherwise set forth in an Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no rights as a holder of Stock as a result of the grant of an Option, unless and until the Option is exercised, the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes are paid, and the Shares subject to the Option are issued thereunder. Options may be subject to such other conditions including, but not limited to, restrictions on transferability of the Shares acquired upon exercise of such Options, as the Administrator may prescribe in its discretion or as may be required by applicable law.

(b) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year, under this Plan and/or any director or officerother stock option plan of the Company, arising pursuantits Parent, or any Subsidiary, exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as NQSOs. In addition, if a Participant does not remain employed by the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary at all times from the time the Option is granted until three (3) months prior to any provisionthe date of exercise (or such other period as required by applicable law), such Option shall be treated as an NQSO. If an ISO is granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, the per share exercise price shall not be less than 110% of the DGCLFair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such ISO. The term of an ISO granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder may not exceed five (5) years. Should the foregoing provisions not be necessary in order for an Option to qualify as an ISO, or should any additional provisions be required, the Administrator may amend this CertificatePlan accordingly, without the necessity of Incorporation orobtaining the Bylaws (as eitherapproval of the stockholders of the Company.

8.Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of each SAR, including, but not limited to: (a) the grant date, which may not be amended and/or restated from timeany day prior to time) or asthe date that the Administrator approves the grant; (b) the number of Shares to which the DGCL confers jurisdictionSAR relates; (c) the grant price, which, other than in the case of Substitute Awards, may never be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the SAR as determined on the Courtdate of Chancerygrant; (d) subject to Section 5(b), the terms and conditions of exercise or maturity, including vesting; (e) the term, provided, that, a SAR must terminate no later than ten (10) years after the date of grant; and (f) whether the SAR will be settled in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof.

9.Performance and Stock Awards. Subject to the terms of this Plan (including Section 11 regarding Dividends and Dividend Equivalent Units), the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of each award of Shares, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, or Performance Units, including, but not limited to: (a) the number of Shares and/or units to which such Award relates; (b) whether, as a condition for the Participant to realize all or a portion of the Statebenefit provided under the Award, one or more Performance Goals must be achieved during such period as the Administrator specifies; (c) subject to Section 5(b), the length of Delaware, (4) any actionthe vesting and/or performance period and, if different, the date on which payment of the benefit provided under the Award will be made; (d) with respect to interpret, apply, enforcePerformance Units, whether to measure the value of each unit in relation to a designated dollar value or determine the validityFair Market Value of one or more Shares; and (e) with respect to Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units, whether to settle such Awards in cash, in Shares (including Restricted Stock), or in a combination of cash and Shares.

10.CashIncentiveAwards. Subject to the terms of this CertificatePlan, the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (5) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine or (6) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL. The choice of forum provision set forth in this Section B(i) of Article X doesCash Incentive Award, including, but not apply to any actions arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act.

(ii) Unless the Company consents in writinglimited to, the selectionPerformance Goals, performance period, the potential amount payable, and the timing/conditions of an alternative forum, the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act against the Company or any director or officer of the Company.

(iii) To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section B of Article X and personal jurisdiction and venue in any state or federal court located in the State of Delaware for any action or proceeding set forth in above clauses 1 to 6 of Section B(i) of Article X and any complaint set forth in Section B(ii) of Article X.payment.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

 A-7


APPENDIX 1

 

[Remainder11.Dividends and Dividend Equivalent Units. Subject to the terms of Page Intentionally Left Blank]this Plan, the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of each award of Dividend Equivalent Units, including, but not limited to, whether: (a) such Award will be granted in tandem with another Award; (b) payment of the Award will be made concurrently with dividend payments or credited to an account for the Participant which provides for the deferral of such amounts until a stated time; (c) the Award will be settled in cash or Shares; and (d) as a condition for the Participant to realize all or a portion of the benefit provided under the Award, one or more Performance Goals must be achieved during such period as the Administrator specifies; provided, that, Dividend or Dividend Equivalent Units may not be granted in connection with an Option or Stock Appreciation Right; and, provided, further, that no Dividend or Dividend Equivalent Unit granted in connection with another Award shall provide for payment prior to the date such Award vests or is earned, as applicable.

12.Other Stock-Based Awards. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator may grant to a Participant shares of unrestricted Stock as replacement for other compensation to which the Participant is entitled, such as in payment of director fees, in lieu of cash compensation, in exchange for cancellation of a compensation right, or as a bonus.

13.Discretion to Accelerate Vesting. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of an Award or deem an Award to be earned, in whole or in part, in the event of a Participant’s death, disability (as defined by the Administrator), retirement, or termination without Cause, or as provided in Section 17(c), or upon any other event as determined by the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion.

14.Transferability. Awards are not transferable, including to any financial institution, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and to the extent the Administrator allows a Participant to: (a) designate in writing a beneficiary to exercise the Award or receive payment under the Award after the Participant’s death; (b) transfer an Award to the former spouse of the Participant as required by a domestic relations order incident to a divorce; or (c) transfer an Award; provided, however, that with respect to clause (c) above, the Participant may not receive consideration for such a transfer of an Award.

15. Termination and Amendment of Plan; Amendment, Modification or Cancellation of Awards.

(a) Term of Plan. Unless the Board earlier terminates this Plan pursuant to Section 15(b), this Plan will terminate on, and no further Awards may be granted under this Plan after, the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Restatement Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no ISOs may be granted more than ten (10) years after the earlier of approval by the Board or the shareholders of the Plan (or any amendment to the Plan that constitutes the adoption of a new plan for purposes of Section 422 of the Code).

(b) Termination and Amendment. The Board or the Administrator may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate this Plan at any time, subject to the following limitations:

(i) the Board must approve any amendment of this Plan to the extent the Company determines such approval is required by: (A) prior action of the Board, (B) applicable corporate law, or (C) any other applicable law;

(ii) stockholders must approve any amendment of this Plan (which may include an amendment to materially increase the number of Shares specified in Section 6(a), except as permitted by Section 17) to the extent the Company determines such approval is required by: (A) Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (B) the Code, (C) the listing requirements of the Applicable Exchange, or (D) any other applicable law; and

(iii) stockholders must approve an amendment that would diminish the protections afforded by Section 15(e).

If the Board or the Administrator takes any action under this Plan that is not, at the time of such action, authorized by this Plan, but that could be authorized by this Plan, as amended by the Board or the Administrator, as applicable, the Board or Administrator action will be deemed to constitute an amendment to this Plan to authorize such action to the extent permissible under applicable law and the requirements of any principal securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then traded.

(c) Amendment, Modification, Cancellation and Disgorgement of Awards.

(i) Except as provided in Section 15(e) and subject to the requirements of this Plan, the Administrator may modify, amend, or cancel any Award, or waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Award or the exercise of the Award; provided,

 

A-8    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


APPENDIX 1

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Leslie’s, Inc. has causedthat, except as otherwise provided in this CertificatePlan or the Award Agreement, any modification or amendment that materially diminishes the rights of Incorporationthe Participant, or the cancellation of an Award, shall be effective only if agreed to by the Participant or any other person(s) as may then have an interest in such Award, but the Administrator need not obtain Participant (or other interested party) consent for the modification, amendment or cancellation of an Award pursuant to the provisions of subsection (ii) or Section 17 or as follows: (A) to the extent the Administrator deems such action necessary to comply with any applicable law or the listing requirements of any principal securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then traded; (B) to the extent the Administrator deems necessary to preserve favorable accounting or tax treatment of any Award for the Company; or (C) to the extent the Administrator determines that such action does not materially and adversely affect the value of an Award or that such action is in the best interest of the affected Participant (or any other person(s) as may then have an interest in the Award). Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, any such amendment shall be made in a manner that will enable an Award intended to be executedexempt from Code Section 409A to continue to be so exempt, or to enable an Award intended to comply with Code Section 409A to continue to so comply.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in an Award Agreement, the Administrator shall have full power and authority to terminate or cause the Participant to forfeit the Award, and require the Participant to disgorge to the Company any gains attributable to the Award, if the Participant engages in any action constituting, as determined by the Administrator in its duly authorized officerdiscretion, Cause for termination, or a breach of a material Company policy, any Award Agreement, or any other agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate concerning noncompetition, nonsolicitation, confidentiality, trade secrets, intellectual property, nondisparagement, or similar obligations.

(iii) If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement of its financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then the Committee may, in its sole discretion (considering any factors the Committee deems appropriate), require a Participant to disgorge or forfeit to the Company that portion of time- and/or performance-based Awards that were granted, earned or vested during the Company’s three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date the Company is required to prepare the accounting restatement, that the Committee determines was in excess of the amount that would have been granted, earned or vested during such period based on the restated results. In the case of time-based Awards, a recoupment may occur, in the Committee’s sole discretion, if the Committee concludes that the grant, earning and/or vesting of the Awards would not have been made, or would have been lower had they been based on the restated results, and it is possible to clearly compute the amount of such lesser award. The amount to be recouped shall be determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, and the form of such recoupment may be made, in the Committee’s sole and absolute discretion, through the forfeiture or cancellation of vested or unvested Awards, cash repayment or both. Any decision by the Committee that no recoupment shall occur because of difficulties of computation or otherwise shall not be reviewable. This restatement-related recoupment policy shall apply to Awards granted on or after the Restatement Effective Date.

(iv) Any Awards granted pursuant to this [•] dayPlan, and any Stock issued or cash paid pursuant to an Award, shall be subject to any recoupment or clawback policy that is adopted by, or any recoupment or similar requirement otherwise made applicable by law, regulation, or listing standards to, the Company from time to time.

(d) Survival of [•], 20202023Authority and Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the authority of the Board and the Administrator under this Section 15 and to otherwise administer this Plan with respect to then-outstanding Awards will extend beyond the date of this Plan’s termination. In addition, termination of this Plan will not affect the rights of Participants with respect to Awards previously granted to them, and all unexpired Awards will continue in force and effect after termination of this Plan except as they may lapse or be terminated by their own terms and conditions.

Leslie’s, Inc.
By:

 Name:Michael R. Egeck[•]
 Title:Chief Executive Officer[•]

[Signature Page(e) Repricing and Backdating Prohibited. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to Amendedthe contrary, and Restated Certificateexcept for the adjustments provided for in Section 17, neither the Administrator nor any other person may (i) amend the terms of Incorporation]outstanding Options or SARs to reduce the exercise or grant price of such outstanding Options or SARs; (ii) cancel outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for Options or SARs with an exercise or grant price that is less than the exercise or grant price of the original Options or SARs; or (iii) cancel outstanding Options or SARs with an exercise or grant price above the current Fair Market Value of a Share in exchange for cash or other securities. In addition, the Administrator may not make a grant of an Option or SAR with a grant date that is effective prior to the date the Administrator takes action to approve such Award.

 

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2023

 A-9


(f) Foreign Participation. To assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed or residing in foreign countries, the Administrator may provide for such special terms as it may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy, accounting, or custom. Moreover, the Administrator may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of, this Plan as it determines is necessary or appropriate for such purposes. Any such amendment, restatement, or alternative versions that the Administrator approves for purposes of using this Plan in a foreign country will not affect the terms of this Plan for any other country. In addition, all such supplements, amendments, restatements, or alternative versions must comply with the provisions of Section 15(b)(ii).

16. Taxes.

(a) Withholding. In the event the Company or one of its Affiliates is required to withhold any Federal, state, or local taxes or other amounts in respect of any income recognized by a Participant as a result of the grant, vesting, payment, or settlement of an Award or disposition of any Shares acquired under an Award, the Company may satisfy such obligation by:

(i) If cash is payable under an Award, deducting (or requiring an Affiliate to deduct) from such cash payment the amount needed to satisfy such obligation;

(ii) If Shares are issuable under an Award, then to the extent previously approved by the Administrator (which approval may be set forth in an Award Agreement or in administrative rules), and subject to such procedures as the Administrator may specify, (A) withholding Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to such obligations; or (B) allowing the Participant to elect to (I) have the Company or its Affiliate withhold Shares otherwise issuable under the Award, (II) tender back Shares received in connection with such Award or (III) deliver other previously owned Shares, in each case having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount to be withheld; provided, that, the amount to be withheld under this clause (ii) may not exceed the total maximum statutory tax withholding obligations associated with the transaction to the extent needed for the Company and its Affiliates to avoid an accounting charge. If an election is provided, the election must be made on or before the date as of which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined and otherwise as the Administrator requires; or

(iii) Deducting (or requiring an Affiliate to deduct) the amount needed to satisfy such obligation from any wages or other payments owed to the Participant, requiring such Participant to pay to the Company or its Affiliate, in cash, promptly on demand, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Company or its Affiliate regarding the payment to the Company or its Affiliate of the amount needed to satisfy such obligation.

(b) No Guarantee of Tax Treatment. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Plan to the contrary, the Company does not guarantee to any Participant or any other Person with an interest in an Award that (i) any Award intended to be exempt from Code Section 409A shall be so exempt, (ii) any Award intended to comply with Code Section 409A or Code Section 422 shall so comply, or (iii) any Award shall otherwise receive a specific tax treatment under any other applicable tax law, nor in any such case will the Company or any Affiliate be required to indemnify, defend, or hold harmless any individual with respect to the tax consequences of any Award.

17. Adjustment and Change of Control Provisions.

(a) Adjustment of Shares. If (i) the Company shall at any time be involved in a merger or other transaction in which the Shares are changed or exchanged; (ii) the Company shall subdivide or combine the Shares or the Company shall declare a dividend payable in Shares, other securities (other than stock purchase rights issued pursuant to a stockholder rights agreement), or other property; (iii) the Company shall effect an extraordinary or large non-recurring cash dividend, or the Company shall effect any other dividend or other distribution on the Shares in the form of cash, or a repurchase of Shares, that the Board determines by resolution is special or extraordinary in nature or that is in connection with a transaction that the Company characterizes publicly as a recapitalization or reorganization involving the Shares; or (iv) any other event shall occur, which, in the case of this clause (iv), in the judgment of the Administrator necessitates an adjustment to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan, then the Administrator shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan, adjust any or all of: (A) the number and type of Shares subject to this Plan (including the number and type of Shares described in Section 6(a)) and which may after the event be made the subject of Awards; (B) the number and type of Shares subject to outstanding Awards;

A-10    Leslie’s, Inc.

 


 

(C) the grant, purchase, or exercise price with respect to any Award; and (D) the Performance Goals of an Award. In any such case, the Administrator may also (or in lieu of the foregoing) make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award in exchange for the cancellation of all or a portion of the Award (without the consent of the holder of an Award) in an amount determined by the Administrator effective at such time as the Administrator specifies (which may be the time such transaction or event is effective). However, in each case, with respect to Awards of an ISO, no such adjustment may be authorized to the extent that such authority would cause this Plan to violate Code Section 422(b), unless otherwise determined by the Administrator. Further, the number of Shares subject to any Award payable or denominated in Shares must always be a whole number. In any event, previously granted Options or SARs are subject to only such adjustments as are deemed necessary by the Administrator to maintain the relative proportionate interest the Options and SARs represented immediately prior to any such event and to preserve, without exceeding, the value of such Options or SARs.

Without limitation, in the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, or other similar corporate transaction or event, whether or not constituting a Change of Control (other than any such transaction in which the Company is the continuing corporation and in which the outstanding Stock is not being converted into or exchanged for different securities, cash or other property, or any combination thereof), the Administrator may substitute, on an equitable basis as the Administrator determines, for each Share then subject to an Award and the Shares subject to this Plan (if this Plan will continue in effect), the number and kind of shares of stock, other securities, cash, or other property to which holders of Stock are or will be entitled in respect of each Share pursuant to the transaction.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a stock dividend (other than a stock dividend declared in lieu of an ordinary cash dividend) or subdivision or combination of the Shares (including a reverse stock split), if no action is taken by the Administrator, adjustments contemplated by this subsection that are proportionate shall nevertheless automatically be made as of the date of such stock dividend or subdivision or combination of the Shares.

(b) Issuance or Assumption. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, and without affecting the number of Shares otherwise reserved or available under this Plan, in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization, the Administrator may authorize the issuance or assumption of Awards under this Plan upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate.

(c) Effect of Change of Control.

(i) Upon a Change of Control, if the successor or surviving corporation (or parent thereof) so agrees, then, without the consent of any Participant (or other person with rights in an Award), some or all outstanding Awards may be assumed, or replaced with a substantially equivalent type of award with similar terms and conditions, by the successor or surviving corporation (or parent thereof) in the Change of Control transaction, subject to the following requirements (and subject to terms of the applicable Award Agreement):

(A) Each Award which is assumed by the successor or surviving corporation (or parent thereof) shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change of Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been issuable to the Participant upon the consummation of such Change of Control had the Award been exercised, vested, or earned immediately prior to such Change of Control (or cash, other property and/or any combination of the foregoing that have an equivalent value, as determined by the Administrator), and such other appropriate adjustments in the terms and conditions of the Award shall be made. For the avoidance of doubt, if, as of the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control, the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise, vesting, or settlement of an Award, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment.

(B) Upon the Participant’s termination of employment within two (2) years following the Change of Control (I) by the successor or surviving corporation without Cause (other than due to death or disability) or (II) by the Participant for “good reason” (as defined in any Award Agreement or any employment, retention, change of control, severance, or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, if any), all of the Participant’s Awards granted under this Plan that are in effect as of the date of such termination shall vest in full or be deemed earned in full (assuming target performance goals provided under such Award were met, if applicable) effective on the date of such

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

A-11


termination. In the event of any other termination of employment within two (2) years after a Change of Control that is not described herein, the terms of the Award Agreement shall apply.

(ii) To the extent the purchaser, successor or surviving entity (or parent thereof) in the Change of Control transaction does not assume the Awards or issue replacement awards as provided in clause (i) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, by reason of a Participant’s termination of employment in connection with the Change of Control), then immediately prior to the date of the Change of Control, unless the Administrator otherwise determines (and subject to terms of the applicable Award Agreement):

(A) Each Option or SAR that is then held by a Participant who is employed by or in the service of the Company or an Affiliate shall become immediately and fully vested, and, unless otherwise determined by the Board or Administrator, all Options and SARs shall be cancelled on the date of the Change of Control in exchange for a payment (in cash and/or property) equal to the excess of the Change of Control Price (as defined below) of the Shares covered by the Option or SAR that is so cancelled over the purchase or grant price of such Shares under the Award; provided, however, that all Options and SARs that have a purchase or grant price that is equal to or greater than the Change of Control Price shall be cancelled for no consideration;

(B) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (that are not Performance Awards) that are not then vested shall vest in full;

(C) All Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Cash Incentive Awards for which the performance period has expired shall be paid based on actual performance (and assuming all employment or other requirements had been met in full); and all Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Cash Incentive Awards for which the performance period has not expired shall be cancelled in exchange for a payment (in cash and/or property) equal to the amount that would have been due under such Award(s), valued assuming that the target Performance Goals had been met at the time of such Change of Control, but prorated based on the number of full months in the performance period that have elapsed as of the date of the Change of Control;

(D) All Dividend Equivalent Units that are not vested shall vest (to the same extent as the Award granted in tandem with the Dividend Equivalent Unit, if applicable) and be paid; and

(E) All other Awards that are not vested shall vest and if an amount is payable under such vested Award, such amount shall be paid in cash and/or property based on the value of the Award.

“Change of Control Price” shall mean the per share price paid or deemed paid in the Change of Control transaction, as determined by the Administrator. For purposes of this clause (ii), if the value of an Award is based on the Fair Market Value of a Share, Fair Market Value shall be deemed to mean the Change of Control Price.

(d) Application of Limits on Payments. Except to the extent the Participant has in effect an employment or similar agreement with the Company or any Affiliate or is subject to a policy that provides for a more favorable result to the Participant upon a Change of Control, in the event that the Company’s legal counsel determine that any payment, benefit, or transfer by the Company under this Plan or any other plan, agreement, or arrangement to or for the benefit of the Participant (in the aggregate, the “Total Payments”) to be subject to the tax imposed by Code Section 4999 (“Excise Tax”) but for this clause (d), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Total Payments shall be delivered either (i) in full or (ii) in an amount such that the value of the aggregate Total Payments that the Participant is entitled to receive shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than the maximum amount that the Participant may receive without being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of (i) or (ii) results in the receipt by the Participant of the greatest benefit on an after-tax basis (taking into account applicable federal, state, and local income taxes and the Excise Tax). In the event that the treatment in clause (ii) results in a greater after-tax benefit to the Participant, payments, or benefits included in the Total Payments shall be reduced or eliminated by applying the following principles, in order: (A) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (B) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (C) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided, that, if the foregoing

A-12    Leslie’s, Inc.


order of reduction or elimination would violate Code Section 409A, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payments or benefits included in the Total Payments (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments).

18. Miscellaneous.

(a) Other Terms and Conditions. The Administrator may provide in any Award Agreement such other provisions (whether or not applicable to the Award granted to any other Participant) as the Administrator determines appropriate to the extent not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Plan, and the Administrator is not required to treat all Participants, or all Awards held by a single Participant, in the same manner. No provision in an Award Agreement shall limit the Administrator’s discretion hereunder, unless such provision specifically so provides for such limitation.

(b) Employment and Service. The issuance of an Award shall not confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continued employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate, or the right to continue as a Director. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, for purposes of this Plan and all Awards, the following rules shall apply:

(i) a Participant who transfers employment between the Company and its Affiliates, or between Affiliates, will not be considered to have terminated employment;

(ii) a Participant who ceases to be a Non-Employee Director because he or she becomes an employee of the Company or an Affiliate shall not be considered to have ceased service as a Director with respect to any Award until such Participant’s termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates;

(iii) a Participant who ceases to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate and immediately thereafter becomes a Non-Employee Director, a non-employee director of an Affiliate, or a consultant to the Company or any Affiliate, shall not be considered to have terminated employment until such Participant’s service as a director of, or consultant to, the Company and its Affiliates has ceased; and

(iv) a Participant employed by an Affiliate will be considered to have terminated employment when such entity ceases to be an Affiliate.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of an Award that is subject to Code Section 409A, if a Participant’s termination of employment or service triggers the payment of compensation under such Award, then the Participant will be deemed to have terminated employment or service upon his or her “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan or an Award to the contrary, if any Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A as of the date of his or her “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, then, to the extent required by Code Section 409A, any payment made to the Participant on account of such separation from service shall not be made before a date that is six (6) months after the date of the separation from service.

(c) No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares or other securities may be issued or delivered pursuant to this Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or otherwise provided in any Award Agreement, all fractional Shares that would otherwise be issuable under this Plan shall be canceled for no consideration.

(d) Unfunded Plan; Awards Not Includable for Benefits Purposes. This Plan is unfunded and does not create, and should not be construed to create, a trust or separate fund with respect to this Plan’s benefits. This Plan does not establish any fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant or other person. To the extent any person holds any rights by virtue of an Award granted under this Plan, such rights are no greater than the rights of the Company’s general unsecured creditors. Income recognized by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall not be included in the determination of benefits under any employee pension benefit plan (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) or group insurance or other benefit plans applicable to the Participant which are maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, except as may be provided under the terms of such plans or determined by resolution of the Board.

(e) Requirements of Law and Securities Exchange. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares in connection with an Award are subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement, the Company

Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting Report 2024

A-13


has no liability to deliver any Shares under this Plan or make any payment, unless such delivery or payment would comply with all applicable laws and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity, and unless and until the Participant has taken all actions required by the Company in connection therewith. The Company may impose such restrictions on any Shares issued under this Plan as the Company determines necessary or desirable to comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations or the requirements of any national securities exchanges.

(f) Code Section 409A. Any Award granted under this Plan shall be provided or made in such manner and at such time as intended to either make the Award exempt from, or comply with, the provisions of Code Section 409A, to avoid a plan failure described in Code Section 409(a)(1), and the provisions of Code Section 409A are incorporated into this Plan to the extent necessary for any Award that is subject to Code Section 409A to comply therewith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the Company provides no guarantee or warranty of such exemption or compliance and shall not have any liability to any Participant for any failure to effect such exemption or compliance.

(g) Governing Law; Venue. This Plan, and all Award Agreements under this Plan, will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to any conflict of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement, may only be brought and determined in (i) a court sitting in the State of Delaware, and (ii) a “bench” trial, and any party to such action or proceeding shall agree to waive its right to a jury trial.

(h) Limitations on Actions. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement must be brought within one (1) year (three hundred sixty- five (365) days) after the day the complaining party first knew or should have known of the events giving rise to the complaint.

(i) Construction. Whenever any words are used herein in the masculine, they shall be construed as though they were used in the feminine in all cases where they would so apply; and wherever any words are used in the singular or plural, they shall be construed as though they were used in the plural or singular, as the case may be, in all cases where they would so apply. Titles of sections are for general information only, and this Plan is not to be construed with reference to such titles.

(j) Severability. If any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement or any Award (i) is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person or Award, or (ii) would cause this Plan, any Award Agreement, or any Award to violate or be disqualified under any law the Administrator deems applicable, then such provision should be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Administrator, materially altering the intent of this Plan, Award Agreement or Award, then such provision should be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of this Plan, such Award Agreement and such Award will remain in full force and effect.

(k) Corporate Transactions. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company to assume or cancel any awards made by any Person in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of such Person.

*        *        *

A-14    Leslie’s, Inc.


 

 

 

LOGO

 

2005 East Indian School Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85016

www.lesliespools.com


LOGO


LOGO

LESLIE’S, INC. 2005 E. INDIAN SCHOOL RD. PHOENIX, AZ 85016 SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. EasterEastern Time on March 15, 2023.14, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form..form. During The Meeting-GoMeeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LESL2023 ouLESL2024 You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE-1-800-690-6903PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 15, 2023.14, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and retumreturn it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. LESLIE’S, INC. 2005 E. INDIAN SCHOOL RD. PHOENIX, AZ 85016 TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
V28489-P02563 THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATEDDATED. KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY LESLIE’S, INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR all of the nominees listed in Proposal 1 below. 1. Election of Class IIIII Directors NomineesNominees: 01) James Ray, Jr..Susan O’Farrell 02) John Strain For All Withhold all For All Except To withhold authority to vote for any Individual nominee(s), mark “For A11 Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.Claire Spofford 03) Seth Estep The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: 2. Ratification of appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Leslie’s, Inc.’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.2024. 3. Non-binding, advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation. 4. AdoptionApproval of Sixththe Leslie’s, Inc. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Leslie’s, Inc., which declassifies our Board of Directors and deletes certain obsolete provisions from our Certificate of Incorporation.2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. For All Withhold All For All Except To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. For Against Abstain Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date


LOGO


4LOGO

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.comwww.proxyvote.com. V28490-P02563 LESLIE’S, INC. Annual Meeting of Shareholders March 16, 202315, 2024 This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The undersigned shareholder(s) of LESLIE’S, INC. hereby appoint(s) Michael R. Egeck and Steve M. Weddell,Scott Bowman, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, all of the shares of common stock of LESLIE’S, INC. that the shareholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held virtually at 12:00 PM ET, on March 16, 2023,15, 2024, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LESL2023,LESL2024, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to such meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. The votes entitled to be cast by the undersigned, when this proxy is properly executed, will be in the manner directed herein. If this proxy is duly executed, but no such direction is made, the votes entitled to be cast by the undersigned will be cast in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations, as described in the Proxy Statement. The votes entitled to be cast by the undersigned will be cast in the discretion of the proxy holder on any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Continued and to be signed on reverse side