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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. | ||||
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ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC.
NOTICE OF 2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
10:00 AM (ET)
Ethan Allen International Corporate Headquarters
25 Lake Avenue Extension
Danbury, Connecticut 06811-5286
To our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"). This meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at the Ethan Allen International Corporate Headquarters, 25 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury, Connecticut 06811.
The 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. will be held for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following matters:
Proposal 1. | to elect seven directors to serve until the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; | |||
Proposal 2. |
to approve by a non-binding advisory vote, named executive officer compensation; |
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Proposal 3. |
to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2019 fiscal year; and |
to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
You may vote if you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on September 17, 2018. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to read the proxy statement carefully and to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. You should vote by the deadlines specified in the proxy statement, and may do so by telephone or internet, or by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. These proxy materials are first being made available on or around October 2, 2018.
Following the formal business of the Annual Meeting, our Chairman & Chief Executive Officer will provide prepared remarks, followed by a question and answer session.
Thank you for your continued support.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eric
D. Koster
Corporate Secretary
October 2, 2018
Proxy Voting
Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote as soon as possible using one of the following methods:
Online www.proxyvote.com |
By Phone 1-800-690-6903 |
By Mail Completing, dating, signing and returning your proxy card |
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC.
25 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury, Connecticut 06811
PROXY STATEMENT
For the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
October 2, 2018
PROXY STATEMENT |
This proxy statement (this "Proxy Statement") and the accompanying proxy or voting instruction card relate to the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Ethan Allen") to be held at the Ethan Allen Corporate Headquarters, 25 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury, Connecticut 06811 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Wednesday, November 14, 2018.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors" or the "Board") is soliciting proxies from stockholders in order to provide every stockholder an opportunity to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders at the Annual Meeting, whether or not such stockholder attends in person. A proxy authorizes a person other than a stockholder, called the "proxyholder," who will be present at the Annual Meeting, to cast the votes that the stockholder would be entitled to cast at the Annual Meeting if the stockholder were present in person. It is expected that this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy or voting instruction card will be first mailed or delivered to our stockholders beginning on or about October 2, 2018.
When used in this Proxy Statement, "we," "us," "our," "Ethan Allen" or the "Company" refers to Ethan Allen and its subsidiaries collectively or, if the context so requires, Ethan Allen individually.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 14, 2018.
The Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxy statement and the 2018 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.proxyvote.com.
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PROXY SUMMARY |
Proposals and Voting Recommendations |
Stockholders are being asked to vote on the following matters at the 2018 Annual Stockholder Meeting:
| Our Board's Recommendation | |||||||
| ITEM 1. Election of Directors | |||||||
The Board and the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee believe that the seven director nominees possess the necessary qualifications and experiences to provide quality advice and counsel to the Company's management and effectively oversee the business and the long-term interests of stockholders. | FOR each Director Nominee |
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| ITEM 2. Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation | | ||||||
The Company seeks a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of its Named Executive Officers as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the Compensation Tables. The Board values shareowners' opinions, and the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the advisory vote when making future executive compensation decisions. | FOR | |||||||
| ITEM 3. Ratification of the Appointment of KPMG LLP as Independent Auditors | | ||||||
The Audit Committee and the Board believe that the retention of KPMG LLP to serve as the Independent Auditors for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. As a matter of good corporate governance, stockholders are being asked to ratify the Audit Committee's selection of KPMG LLC as our Independent Auditors. | FOR | |||||||
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The Board of Directors believes that good corporate governance is important to ensure that the Company is managed for the long-term benefit of its stockholders and to enhance the creation of long-term stockholder value. The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that support this belief, strengthens Board and management accountability and comply with the corporate governance requirements imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), including, among others:
GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS |
Board Practices |
Stockholder Matters |
Other Best Practices |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. is a vertically integrated interior design and home furnishings company, serving consumers around the world. To effectively manage our enterprise requires a strong governance foundation, as well as leadership with an understanding of the diverse needs of our consumers and associates. The composition of the Board reflects an appropriate mix of skill sets, experience, and qualifications that are relevant to the business and governance of the Company. Each individual Director epitomizes the Company's Leadership Principles, possesses the highest ethics and integrity, and demonstrates commitment to representing the long-term interests of the Company's stockholders. Each director also has individual experiences that provide practical wisdom and foster mature judgment in the boardroom. Collectively, the directors bring business, international, government, technology, marketing, retail operations, and other experiences that are relevant to the Company's vertical operations. The Board of Directors has general oversight responsibility for the Company's affairs pursuant to the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, and the committee charters, corporate governance guidelines and other policies under which the Company operates. The Board is deeply involved in the Company's strategic planning process, leadership development, succession planning, and oversight of risk management. In exercising its fiduciary duties, the Board represents and acts on behalf of the Company's stockholders and is committed to strong corporate governance, as reflected through its policies and practices.
BOARD INDEPENDENCE |
The Board of Directors has determined that nominees James B. Carlson, John J. Dooner, Jr., Domenick J. Esposito, Mary Garrett, James W. Schmotter and Tara I. Stacom (six nominees for the Board of Directors) are independent directors within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE. The Board determined that these directors and nominees not only met all "bright-line" criteria under the NYSE rules, but also that, based on all known relevant facts and circumstances, there did not exist any relationship that would compromise the independence of these directors. In order to be considered "independent" by the Board of Directors, a director must (i) be free of any relationship that, applying the rules of the NYSE, would preclude a finding of independence and must (ii) not have any material relationship (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization) with us or any of our affiliates or any of our executive officers or any of our affiliates' executive officers.
Snapshot of 2018 Independent Director Nominees |
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE |
The Board of Directors recognizes that one of its key responsibilities is to evaluate and determine its optimal leadership structure so as to provide independent oversight of management. The Board believes that, given the dynamic and competitive environment in which we operate, the optimal Board leadership structure may vary as circumstances warrant.
At present, the Board of Directors has chosen to continue combining the two roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes that the best interests of the Company are served by Mr. Kathwari serving in both roles taking account of his unique long-standing tenure with, and investment in, the Company and also the Board's utilization of a strong Lead Independent Director. The Board of Directors believes that this governance structure provides the basis for clear, efficient executive authority in the Company, especially taking into account the Company's flat management structure, while balancing appropriate oversight by the Board of Directors.
Lead Independent Director |
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that if the Chairman is not an independent director, the Board shall select a Lead Independent Director from among the members of the Board who are determined by the Board to be independent. The selection of the
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Lead Independent Director occurs at the annual planning meeting of the Board of Directors. The Lead Independent Director has such clearly delineated duties and responsibilities as set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. While the Board has chosen to continue combining the two roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, it believes that a suitably empowered Lead independent director who is expressly authorized to exert de facto control of the Company by asserting independent leadership of the Board, further promotes the Board's independence from management. The Board formally designated Dr. James W. Schmotter, an independent, non-executive director, as its Lead Independent Director through the Annual Meeting. He organizes and chairs meetings of the independent directors and organizes, facilitates and communicates observations of the independent directors to the Chief Executive Officer, although each director is free to communicate directly with the Chief Executive Officer. The duties and responsibilities of our Lead Independent Director are set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and include, among others:
STOCKHOLDER OUTREACH & COMMUNICATION WITH DIRECTORS |
During fiscal 2018, the Board and management held one investor conference to allow direct interaction and communication amongst the Company and its stockholders and the investment community. Stockholders or interested parties may communicate with the Chairman, the Lead Independent Director, the full Board of Directors, a full committee, individual committee members or individual directors by sending communications to the Office of the Secretary, Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., PO BOX 1966, Danbury, Connecticut 06813-1966 for forwarding to the appropriate director(s). Please specify to whom your correspondence should be directed and the nature of your interest in the Company. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of the Company's internal audit department and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee with respect to such matters.
The Secretary shall review any such correspondence and forward to the Board a summary of all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the Secretary, deals with the functions of the Board or committees thereof or that the Secretary otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence received by the Company that is addressed to members of the Board and request copies of any such correspondence. Typically, the Secretary would not forward to the Board communications of a personal nature or not related to the duties and responsibilities of the Board, including junk mail, mass mailings, advertisements, magazines, solicitations, job inquiries, opinion surveys or polls.
Additional investor information is available at www.ethanallen.com/investors. Stockholders may also electronically submit their communications to the following e-mail address: ETHBoard@ethanallen.com.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT |
While risk management is primarily the responsibility of our management, the Board of Directors provides overall risk oversight focusing on the most significant risks. The Board of Directors oversees an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, designed to identify risk areas and provide oversight of the Company's risk management, to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and to enhance stockholder value. A fundamental part of the Board's risk management is to understand the risks the Company faces and what steps management is taking to mitigate those risks. The Board of Directors participates in discussions with management concerning the Company's overall level of risk, the Company's business strategy and organizational objectives which are all integral components of its assessment of management's tolerance for risk.
The Company has implemented a Company-wide enterprise risk management process to identify and assess the major risks and develop strategies for controlling, mitigating and monitoring risk. As part of this process, information is gathered throughout the Company to identify and prioritize these major risks. The identified risks and risk mitigation strategies are validated with management and discussed with the Audit Committee on an ongoing basis.
The Audit Committee reviews our risk management programs and regularly reports on these items to the full Board. Our Internal Audit group is responsible for monitoring the enterprise risk management process and in that role reports directly to the Audit Committee. Other members of senior management who have responsibility for designing and implementing various aspects of our risk management process also regularly meet with the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee discusses financial and operational risks with our Chief
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Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and receives reports from other members of senior management with regard to our identified risks.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing any risks relating to our compensation policies and practices. Specifically, the Compensation Committee oversees the design of incentive compensation arrangements of our executive officers to implement our pay-for-performance philosophy without encouraging or rewarding excessive or inappropriate risk-taking by our executive officers.
Finally, cybersecurity is a critical part of risk management for the Company. The Board appreciates the rapidly evolving nature of threats presented by cybersecurity incidents and is committed to the prevention, timely detection, and mitigation of the effects of any such incidents on the Company. With respect to cybersecurity, the Board receives regular reports from management, including updates on the internal and external cybersecurity threat landscape, incident response, assessment and training activities, and relevant legislative, regulatory, and technical developments.
Our management regularly conducts additional reviews of risks, as needed, or as requested by the Board or the Audit Committee.
COMMITTEE CHARTERS, CODE OF CONDUCT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES |
The Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code of Conduct"), Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee are available on the Company's website at www.ethanallen.com/governance. You may also request printed copies of the Code of Conduct, the Governance Guidelines or the committee charter(s), free of charge, by sending a written request to our Corporate Secretary at Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., PO BOX 1966, Danbury, CT 06813-1966.
The Board has approved a set of corporate governance guidelines in accordance with rules of the NYSE. These guidelines set forth the key policies relating to corporate governance, including director qualification standards, director responsibilities and director compensation. The Corporate Governance Guidelines cover, among other things, the duties and responsibilities of and independence standards applicable to our directors. The Corporate Governance Guidelines also cover the Board's role in overseeing executive compensation, compensation and expenses of non-management directors, communications between stockholders and directors, and Board committee structures and assignments.
Our Code of Conduct requires that each individual deal fairly, honestly and constructively with governmental and regulatory bodies, customers, suppliers and competitors. It prohibits any individual's taking unfair advantage through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information or misrepresentation of material facts. It imposes an express duty to act in the best interests of the Company and to avoid influences, interests or relationships that could give rise to an actual or apparent conflict of interest. Further, it also prohibits directors, officers and employees from competing with us, using Company property or information, or such employee's position, for personal gain, and taking corporate opportunities for personal gain. Waivers of our Code of Conduct must be explicit. Any waiver of the Code of Conduct for directors or executive officers may only be made by the Board or the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee, and any waivers or amendments will be publicly communicated, as appropriate, including by a posting on our website within four business days. We granted no waivers under our Code of Conduct in fiscal 2018.
Sustainability practices are a fundamental part of our Company's operations. Our Board, along with our customers, investors, employees and other stakeholders, understand that a modern approach to running our Company must be aligned with a commitment to sustainability. We believe that integrating our social and environmental values into our business as part of that commitment generates long-term value for our business, our stockholders and the global community at large. In addition to our overall dedication to ethical and accountable business practices, our corporate social responsibility commitments include the areas of environmental sustainability and community connections. We believe that these commitments create value for our stockholders and help position us to continuously improve business performance. Our strategy focuses our efforts on those areas most significant to our business, including health and safety, environmental stewardship, community and stakeholder engagement, human rights, and transparency. As part of our commitment, the Board and its committees are actively engaged in overseeing our sustainability practices and to ensure focus on these topics starts from the top. The Board oversees policies, positions and systems for environment, health, safety and social responsibility, compliance and risk management. The Company's 2018 Sustainability Report is available at www.ethanallen.com/investors.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
During fiscal 2018, there were four regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors including the meeting in connection with the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Independent directors also met four times in executive session without management present. The Lead Independent Director, currently Dr. James W. Schmotter, chaired the executive sessions.
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All directors are expected to attend all regularly scheduled and special Board of Directors meetings, independent director meetings and committee meetings, as appropriate. The Board of Directors realizes that scheduling conflicts may arise from time to time which prevent a director from attending a particular meeting. However, it is the Board's explicit policy that each director shall give priority to his or her obligations to the Company. All directors who then held office attended the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In fiscal year 2018, there was 100% attendance by each director at each of the four regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings, and for directors serving on such committees, there was 100% attendance at the four regularly scheduled Audit Committee meetings, two regularly scheduled Compensation Committee meetings, and two regularly scheduled Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee meetings. As set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Company's policy is to expect the resignation of any director who is absent from more than twenty-five percent of regularly scheduled Board meetings or committee meetings in a fiscal year.
The Board of Directors has established three standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Compensation Committee; and the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee. Committee memberships of each nominee and continuing or current director are set forth below:
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Audit Committee |
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Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee |
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Compensation Committee |
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Lead Independent Director |
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James B. Carlson | Member | Chairperson | ||||||||||||||||||
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| John J. Dooner, Jr | | | | Chairperson | | Member | | | | ||||||||||
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Domenick J. Esposito | Chairperson | Member | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Mary Garrett | | Member | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
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James W. Schmotter | Member | Member | ü | |||||||||||||||||
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| Tara I. Stacom | | | | Member | | | | | | ||||||||||
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Additionally, the Board of Directors determined that each of the members of the standing committees is (i) independent within the meaning of the listings standards of the NYSE, including the additional requirements applicable to members of the audit and compensation committees, as applicable, (ii) non-employee directors (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")) and (iii) outside directors (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")). See "Corporate Governance".
Audit Committee |
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which was adopted by the Board. Pursuant to its charter, on behalf of the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee oversees the Company's financial statements, auditors, financial statement audits, financial reporting process, system of internal accounting and financial controls, and internal audit function. In so doing, the Committee seeks to maintain free and open communication between the Committee and the Company's independent registered public accountants, the internal auditors and management. The Audit Committee is also responsible for review and approval of any related party transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. The responsibilities and activities of the Audit Committee are further described in "Audit Committee Report" and the Audit Committee charter.
Each of the current members of the Audit Committee is an independent director within the meaning of the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the NYSE. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards. The Audit Committee meets a minimum of four times a year, and holds such additional meetings as it deems necessary to perform its responsibilities. The Audit Committee met five times during 2018. A report of the Audit Committee is set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement.
Compensation Committee |
The Compensation Committee determines our compensation policies and the level and forms of compensation provided to our Board members and executive officers, as discussed more fully under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis". In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves stock-based compensation for our directors, officers and employees, and oversees the administration of our Stock Incentive Plan. Additionally, the Compensation Committee approves the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" with respect to compensation of the Company's executive officers in accordance with applicable rules of the SEC. The Compensation Committee is authorized to retain and terminate compensation consultants, legal counsel or other advisors to the Committee and to approve the engagement of any such consultant, counsel or advisor, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate after specifically analyzing the independence of any such consultant retained by the Committee.
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Each of the current members of the Compensation Committee is an independent director within the meaning of the applicable NYSE rules, including the enhanced independence requirements applicable to members of compensation committees. The Compensation Committee meets a minimum of two times a year, and holds such additional meetings as it deems necessary to perform its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee held four meetings and individual Compensation Committee members communicated, when necessary, by telephone or other means during fiscal 2018. A report of the Compensation Committee is set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement.
Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee |
The duties of the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee include, but are not limited to, the duty to: (i) develop qualification criteria for the members of the Board of Directors and nominate or recommend to the Board of Directors individuals to serve on the Board of Directors; (ii) review, annually, the qualifications of each member of the Board of Directors; (iii) review and monitor the Company's corporate governance policies and guidelines, including the Company's trading policy for its directors and executive officers; and (iv) make an annual assessment of the Board of Directors' performance and report to the Board of Directors.
The Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee follows the procedure concerning nominations or consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders set forth in the By-Laws. The By-Laws of the Company permit stockholders, as of the Record Date, to nominate director candidates at the Annual Meeting, subject to certain notification requirements. Additionally, in 2016, the Board adopted a balanced and market-standard proxy access By-law in step with the public companies that have adopted proxy access. Our By-laws permit a stockholder, or group of up to 20 stockholders, owning at least 3% of our outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years to nominate and include in our proxy materials up to the greater of two directors or 20% of our Board. Stockholders and nominees must satisfy the requirements set forth in the by-laws in connection with such nominations. We believe that this by-law provision provides meaningful, effective and accessible proxy access rights to our stockholders, and balances those benefits against the risk of misuse or abuse by stockholders with special interests that are not shared by all or a significant percentage of our stockholders. See "Stockholder Proposals and Nomination of Directors" under "Questions and Answers" for information on how to submit a proposal or nominate a director.
Each of the current members of the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee is an independent director within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE. The Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee meets a minimum of two times a year, and holds such additional meetings as it deems necessary to perform its responsibilities. The Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee held four meetings and individual Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee members communicated, when necessary, by telephone or other means during fiscal 2018.
The Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee seeks candidates who demonstrate a willingness and ability to prepare for, attend and participate in all Board of Directors and committee meetings and whose experience and skill would complement the then existing mix of directors. Among the criteria used to evaluate nominees for the Board is diversity of viewpoints, background and experience, including diversity of race, gender, ethnicity, age and cultural background. The Board believes that such diversity provides varied perspectives which promote active and constructive dialogue among Board members and between the Board and management, resulting in more effective oversight. The Board believes this diversity is amply demonstrated in the varied backgrounds, experience, qualifications and skills of the current and proposed members of the Board. In the Board's executive sessions and in annual performance evaluations conducted by the Board and its committees, the Board from time to time considers whether the members of the Board reflect such diversity and whether such diversity contributes to a constructive and collegial environment.
The Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee gathers suggestions as to individuals who may be available to meet the Board of Directors' future needs from a variety of sources, such as past and present directors, stockholders, colleagues and other parties with which a member of the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee or the Board of Directors has had business dealings, and undertakes a preliminary review of the individuals suggested. Candidates recommended by stockholders will be considered in the same manner as other candidates. At such times as the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee determines that a relatively near-term need exists and the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee believes that an individual's qualities and skills would complement the then existing mix of directors, the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee or its Chair will contact the individual. The Chair will, after such contact, discuss the individual with the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee. Based on the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee's evaluation of potential nominees and the Company's needs, the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee determines whether to nominate the individual for election as a director. While the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee has not, in the past, engaged any third-party firm or consultant to identify or evaluate nominees, in accordance with its charter, may do so in the future.
The Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee unanimously recommended the nominees named in this Proxy Statement as the individuals with the experience, industry knowledge, integrity, ability to devote time and energy, and commitment to the interests of all stockholders best qualified to execute our strategic plan and create value for all our stockholders.
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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
At the Annual Meeting, each of the seven nominees described below will stand for re-election to serve as directors until the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The seven nominees were nominated by the Board of Directors in accordance with recommendations by our Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee. Each nominee has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement as a nominee for election as a director and agreed to serve if elected. All of the seven nominees described below are currently members of the Board of Directors. The information set forth below includes, with respect to each nominee for election as director, his or her age, present principal occupation, specific expertise, qualifications and skills along with other business experience, directorships in other publicly held companies, membership on committees of the Board of Directors and period of service as a director of the Company. Also set forth below is a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to each nominee's nomination as a director, in light of the Company's business.
Each director is elected annually by a majority of the votes cast. This means that the number of votes cast "FOR" a director nominee's election must exceed 50% of the number of votes cast with respect to the election of that nominee in order for the nominee to be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted as votes cast. It is the intention of the persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxies submitted by stockholders to vote for the seven nominees described below unless authority to vote for the nominees or any individual nominee is withheld by a stockholder in such stockholder's proxy. If for any reason any nominee becomes unable or unwilling to serve at the time of the Annual Meeting, or for good cause will not serve as a director, the persons named as proxies will have discretionary authority to vote for the remaining nominees and for a substitute nominee(s) to fill the vacancy unless the Board reduces the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Alternatively, the Board of Directors may choose to reduce the size of the Board, as permitted by our Amended and Restated By-Laws (the "By-Laws"). It is not anticipated that any nominee will be unavailable or will decline to serve as a director.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR each of the seven nominees.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS |
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Ethan Allen Board Nominees | |
CEO or Senior Executive Level Experience |
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Risk Management |
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International Experience |
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Operating Experience |
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Retail and Ecommerce Experience |
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Finance Experience |
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Real Estate Experience |
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Marketing and Brand Building Expertise |
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M. Farooq Kathwari | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| James B Carlson | | ü | | ü | | ü | | | | | | ü | | ü | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
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John J. Dooner, Jr., | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domenick J. Esposito | | ü | | ü | | | | ü | | | | ü | | | | ü | | ||||||||||||||||||
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Mary Garrett | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| James W. Schmotter | | ü | | ü | | ü | | ü | | | | ü | | | | ü | | ||||||||||||||||||
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Tara I. Stacom | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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DIRECTOR NOMINEES FOR ELECTION |
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| Farooq Kathwari HOME FURNISHINGS INDUSTRY LEADER | | ||||||||
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Mr. Kathwari is the chairman, president and principal executive officer of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. He has been president of the Company since 1985 and chairman and principal executive officer since 1988. He holds BAs in English Literature and Political Science from Kashmir University and an MBA in International Marketing from New York University. He is also the recipient of three honorary doctorate degrees. |
Director since 1985 Age: 74 Board Committees: Chairman of the Board |
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Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: | ||||||||||
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Mr. Kathwari serves in numerous capacities at several nonprofit organizations. He is an advisory member of the New York Stock Exchange; former chairman of the National Retail Federation; a member of the Board of Overseers of the International
Rescue Committee; Chairman Emeritus of Refugees International; a member of the International Advisory Council of the United States Institute of Peace; and a member of the advisory board of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Among his recognitions, Mr. Kathwari is a recipient of the 2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor and has been inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame. He has
been recognized as an Outstanding American by Choice by the U.S. government. He has received the Yale School of Management's Chief Executive Leadership Institute Lifetime of Leadership Award; the National Retail Federation Gold Medal; and
Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He has also been recognized by Worth magazine as one of the 50 Best CEOs in the United States. Mr. Kathwari has extensive experience and knowledge of the history of the Company and the furniture industry as well as extensive experience in growing and managing a business. Mr. Kathwari possesses insight into retailing, marketing, manufacturing, finance and strategic planning from experience with the Company as well as his broad experience with both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations which has given him perspectives from other industries valuable to his service to the Company. |
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9
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| James B. Carlson LEADER IN THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL INDUSTRIES | | ||||||||
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Mr. Carlson who has been practicing law since 1981, currently is a member of the law firm Mayer Brown, LLP, where he has been a partner since 1998. From 1997 through 2004, he was the Partner-in-Charge of the firm's New York Office, and also served as the firm's Global Practice Leader from 2004 through 2008. |
Director since 2013 Age: 63 Board Committees: Compensation - Chair Audit |
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Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: | ||||||||||
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Mr. Carlson, serves as an Adjunct Professor at the New York University School of Law, teaching Securities and Capital Markets Regulation since 1996. From 2009 through 2011, he also taught Derivatives and Changing Regulation at the School of Law, and from 2010 through 2012, he taught Microfinance and Access to Finance for the Global Poor as an Adjunct Professor at the NYU Stern School of Business. Mr. Carlson brings extensive knowledge in corporate and financial strategies, and is a highly regarded member of both the legal and business communities. | ||||||||||
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| John J. Dooner, Jr. LEADER IN MARKETING AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS | | ||||||||
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Mr. Dooner recently established The Dooner Group, a marketing communication consultancy, and serves as Chairman Emeritus of McCann Worldgroup ("McCann"), a company he formed in 1997 and of which he had been Chief Executive Officer from its founding until 2011. |
Director since 2011 Age: 70 Board Committees: Nominations - Chair Compensation |
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Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: | ||||||||||
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Under Mr. Dooner's leadership, McCann grew to be one of the world's largest marketing communications organizations, with operations in over 125 countries with a client roster that includes preeminent global marketers and many of the world's most famous brands. Prior to assuming that position, Mr. Dooner was Chief Executive Officer of McCann Erickson Worldwide, a post he assumed in 1992. Mr. Dooner serves on several not for profit organizations including as Chairman of St. Thomas University based in Miami Florida. He is Past Chairman Board of Trustees and Past Brand Platform Chairman of United Way Worldwide based in Washington, DC. Mr. Dooner brings extensive advertising and branding expertise to the Company. | ||||||||||
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10
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| Domenick J. Esposito LEADER IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY | | ||||||||
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Mr. Esposito has been a practicing CPA since 1974. Currently, he is the Chief Executive Officer of ESPOSITO CEO2CEO and a Board member at three privately held valuation services firms. From 2002 to 2016, Mr. Esposito was a senior partner and member of the Executive Board at CohnReznick LLP. From 2001 through 2002, he was Vice Chairman of BDO, and from 1979 through 2001 he served as a member of Grant Thornton LLP, where he became partner in 1981, and the firm's Chief Executive Officer in 1999. |
Director since 2015 Age: 71 Board Committees: Audit - Chair Compensation |
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Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: | ||||||||||
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Prior to 1979, Mr. Esposito served as a member of Price Waterhouse. He has been a member of the NASDAQ Listing and Qualifications Committee and recently served on the NASDAQ Listing and Qualifications Panel. He formerly served as the leader of the New York State Society of CPA's Committee for Large and Medium Sized Firms Practice Management, and was also an Adjunct Professor at C.W. Post / Long Island University. Mr. Esposito's extensive public accounting background strengthens the oversight of our financial controls and reporting. | ||||||||||
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| Mary Garrett LEADER IN TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING | | ||||||||
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Ms. Garrett retired from IBM in December 2015 after a distinguished 34-year career with positions in marketing, sales and engineering. In her most recent position at IBM, as CMO of Global Markets, she led the development and execution of unique marketing and communication strategies encompassing cloud computing, cognitive/data analytics and cybersecurity in 170 countries around the world. |
Director since 2016 Age: 59 Board Committees: Audit |
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Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: | ||||||||||
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Previously, Ms. Garrett led global marketing for IBM Global Technology Services and also held P&L responsibility for the $6B enterprise segment for that business. She has earned a patent for her work in speech recognition as an engineer in IBM's research division. Ms. Garrett also serves on the Board at Hill-Rom Corporation (NYSE:HRC), a global medical technology company where she is also a member of the audit committee. Ms. Garrett is the Immediate Past Chairperson of the Board for the American Marketing Association and an active mentor in W.O.M.E.N. in America, a professional development group aimed at advancing promising professional women. Recently, she joined the strategic planning committee and the technology committee of the Western Connecticut Health Network. Ms. Garrett's significant technology and marketing experience is a valuable addition to our Board. | ||||||||||
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11
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| Dr. James W. Schmotter LEADER IN HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION | | ||||||||
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Dr. Schmotter is President Emeritus of Western Connecticut State University from which he retired in June 2015. He previously served as Western Michigan University's Dean of the Haworth College of Business, the Dean of the College of Business and Economics at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, as well as Associate Dean and Director of International Studies at the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. |
Director since 2010 Age: 71 Board Committees: Lead Independent
Director Nominations Audit |
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Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: | ||||||||||
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Dr. Schmotter has served as a managing director of the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center, as chair of the board of directors of the United Way of Western Connecticut and Junior Achievement of Kalamazoo (Michigan), as a corporator of the Savings Bank of Danbury, as a director of Fairfield County's Community Foundation and as a director of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Scholarship Fund (Connecticut). He is currently a consultant with CBT University Consulting, as well as a member of the board of directors of the Dunes of Naples II Condominium Association and the Naples Council on World Affairs (Florida). A recipient of the Walter F. Brady, Jr. Award for the Advancement of Higher Education in Connecticut, he has consulted for various multinational companies and universities on three continents and has, since 2011, chaired accreditation review teams for three New England universities. Dr. Schmotter's strong leadership, educational, and governmental background provides key insight and experience in strategic planning, international/global issues, and communicating with younger customers, which are assets in his service to the Company. | ||||||||||
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| Tara I. Stacom LEADER IN REAL ESTATE AND FINANCIAL INDUSTRIES | | ||||||||
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Ms. Stacom is an Executive Vice Chairman of Cushman & Wakefield, a worldwide commercial real estate firm with 43,000 employees. During her 35-year career, Ms. Stacom has been responsible for executing in excess of 40 million square feet and some of the largest and most complex leasing, sales, and corporate finance real estate transactionsincluding, most recently, acting as exclusive leasing agent for One World Trade Center. |
Director since 2015 Age: 60 Board Committees: Nominations |
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Specific Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience: | ||||||||||
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Ms. Stacom has been serving on the Board of Trustees at Lehigh University since 2003 where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. She is a founder of ire@l, a real estate minor in the business college at Lehigh University. In recognition of her commitment and many years of service to Lehigh University, as well as Greenwich Academy, Ms. Stacom has received prestigious Alumni Awards from both organizations. Ms. Stacom serves as a Director of the Realty Foundation of New York, and is a Member of the Real Estate Board of New York serving on its Ethics Committee. Ms. Stacom is a "Director's Circle Member" of Girls, Inc. and a Board Member of Right to Dream. She is the recipient of Crain's New York Business 100 Most Influential Women in New York City Business, and is a Realty Foundation of New York honoree. She was awarded "Woman of the Year" of the New York Executives in Real Estate (WX), and Real Estate New York and Real Estate Forum's Women of Influence. She received Northwood University's Distinguished Women's Award in recognition of the enormous contribution she has made to communities, businesses, volunteer agencies, and public and private sector services worldwide. She has also been honored by the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and the New York Police Athletic League. Ms. Stacom was honored with the Real Estate Board of New York's highest achievement, the 2011 Most Ingenious Deal of the Year (First Place Henry Hart Rice Award) for the leasing of One World Trade Center. Ms. Stacom brings extensive knowledge of commercial real estate and finance to the Board. | ||||||||||
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12
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION |
For fiscal 2018, each independent director received $60,000 per annum and an annual stock option award. The number of stock options awarded was determined by dividing the market price of the Company's stock at the grant date into $100,000. Additional quarterly fees are paid to the chairperson of each of the committees as follows: Audit Committee $4,000; Compensation Committee $2,000; and Nominations Committee $2,000. If a committee holds more than four meetings (either in person or telephonically) on days when the full Board does not meet, committee members will be paid an additional $1,000 for each additional meeting beginning with the fifth such meeting. Employee directors do not receive additional compensation for serving on the Board of Directors. Directors serving on committees for part of a year receive a pro rata share of fees.
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Name |
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Fees earned or paid in cash |
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Option awards (1) |
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Total |
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James B. Carlson (2) | $ 68,000 | $ 22,514 | $ 90,514 | |||||||||||||
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| John J. Dooner, Jr. (3) | | 66,000 | | $ 22,514 | | 88,514 | | ||||||||
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Domenick J. Esposito (4) | 76,000 | $ 22,514 | 98,514 | |||||||||||||
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| Mary Garrett (5) | | 60,000 | | $ 22,514 | | 82,514 | | ||||||||
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James W. Schmotter (6) | 68,000 | $ 22,514 | 90,514 | |||||||||||||
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| Tara I. Stacom (7) | | 60,000 | | $ 22,514 | | 82,514 | | ||||||||
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13
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT |
The following table sets forth, as of September 17, 2018, except as otherwise noted, information with respect to beneficial ownership of Common Stock in respect of: (i) each director, director nominee and NEO (as defined above) of the Company; (ii) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group; (iii) based on information available to the Company and a review of statements filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(d) and/or 13(g) of the Exchange Act, each person or entity that beneficially owned (directly or together with affiliates) more than 5% of the Common Stock; and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors serving as of September 17, 2018, as a group. The Company believes that each individual or entity named has sole investment and voting power with respect to shares of Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned by them, except as otherwise noted. Unless otherwise noted below, the address for each listed director and NEO is Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., 25 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury, CT 06811.
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Directors and Executive Officers |
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Shares Beneficially Owned (1) |
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Common Stock Percentage Ownership (1) |
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M. Farooq Kathwari | (2) | 2,620,839 | 9.8% | |||||||||||||
| James B. Carlson | | (3) | | 26,225 | | * | | ||||||||
John J. Dooner, Jr. | (4) | 30,172 | * | |||||||||||||
| Domenick J. Esposito | | (5) | | 10,162 | | * | | ||||||||
Mary Garrett | (6) | 3,201 | * | |||||||||||||
| James W. Schmotter | | (7) | | 21,772 | | * | | ||||||||
Tara I. Stacom | (8) | 9,301 | * | |||||||||||||
| Corey Whitely | | (9) | | 23,246 | | * | | ||||||||
Kathy Bliss | (10) | 7,999 | * | |||||||||||||
| Daniel Grow | | (11) | | 12,784 | | * | | ||||||||
Tracy Paccione | (12) | 14,215 | * | |||||||||||||
| All executive officers and directors as a group (11) persons | | | 2,779,916 | | 10.4% | | |||||||||
BlackRock, Inc. | (13) | 3,696,274 | 13.8% | |||||||||||||
| Vanguard Group Inc. | | (14) | | 2,431,304 | | 9.1% | | ||||||||
Royce & Associates, LLC | (15) | 2,212,862 | 8.3% | |||||||||||||
| Dimensional Fund Advisors LP | | (16) | | 2,054,604 | | 7.7% | | ||||||||
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14
Policies and Procedures with Respect to Transactions with Related Persons |
The Company recognizes that transactions between the Company and related persons present a potential for actual or perceived conflicts of interest. The Company's general policies with respect to such transactions are included in its Code of Conduct and, the administration of which is overseen by the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee. The Company defines "related party" transaction as any transaction or series of related transactions in excess of $120,000 in which the Company is a party and in which a "related person" had, has or will have direct or indirect material interest. Related persons include (i) any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of our last fiscal year, was, a director or executive officer of us or a nominee to become a director, (ii) any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, (iii) any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of the director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner and (iv) any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a general partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 10% or greater beneficial ownership interest.
The Company collects information about potential related party transactions in its annual questionnaires completed by directors and officers as well as throughout the year at its quarterly disclosure control committee meetings, comprised of key management responsible for significant business units, departments or divisions. Potential related party transactions are first reviewed and assessed by our General Counsel to consider the materiality of the transactions and then reported to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reviews and considers all relevant information available to it about each related party transaction and upon its approval presents the facts to the members of the Board of Directors not associated with the potential related party transaction. A related party transaction is approved or ratified only if such members of the Board of Directors determine that it is not inconsistent with the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Audit Committee then oversees any transaction between the Company and any related person (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K) and any other potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis in accordance with Company policies and procedures.
Related Party Transactions |
The Board, acting through the Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee and the Compensation Committee, believes that the following related person arrangement is reasonable and fair to the Company.
Robin van Puyenbroeck, the son-in-law of Mr. Kathwari, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, is employed by the Company as Vice President, Business Development. Mr. van Puyenbroeck reports to the Senior Vice President, Business Development. During fiscal year 2018, the Company paid approximately $250,000 in aggregate compensation to Mr. van Puyenbroeck. The compensation was consistent with compensation paid to other employees holding similar positions and was composed of salary. The Compensation Committee and the Board expects periodically and at each fiscal year end to provide an ongoing review of Mr. van Puyenbroeck's employment with the Company, including in relation to his compensation.
Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance |
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and owners of over 10% of our Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the NYSE and furnish us with a copy of each report filed. Based solely on our review of copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that all reports were filed or that no reports were required, we are not aware of any instances of noncompliance with the Section 16(a) filing requirements by any executive officer, director or owner of over 10% of our Common Stock during fiscal year 2018, excepting for a forfeiture of a restricted stock unit grant, which forfeiture was inadvertently not timely reported when effected due to administrative oversight. The restricted stock units were issued during fiscal 2018 pursuant to the Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (the "Company") Stock Incentive Plan on July 26, 2017 and were forfeited back to the Company during fiscal 2018 prior to vesting, upon approval of such forfeiture by the Compensation Committee.
15
PROPOSAL 2: TO APPROVE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION |
Our executive compensation program is designed to facilitate long-term stockholder value creation. Our focus on pay-for-performance and on corporate governance promotes alignment with the interests of the Company's stockholders.
The Company seeks stockholder approval, on a non-binding basis, of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, commonly known as a "say-on-pay" vote. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the compensation policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement.
At the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our stockholders were asked to approve the Company's executive compensation program. A substantial majority (89%) of the votes cast on the "say-on-pay" proposal at the meeting were voted in favor of the proposal. The Compensation Committee believes that these results reaffirm our stockholders' support of the Company's approach to executive compensation.
The Compensation Committee strives to continue to ensure that the design of the Company's executive compensation program is focused on long-term stockholder value creation (with a meaningful and growing portion of the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers being at risk, performance-based, tied to performance metrics that include good stewardship of the Company's resources, and not guaranteed) and emphasizes pay for performance and does not encourage the taking of short-term risks at the expense of long-term results.
The Compensation Committee intends to continue to use the "say-on-pay" vote as a guidepost for stockholder sentiment and to consider stockholder feedback in making compensation decisions. See "Compensation Discussion and AnalysisProcess for Determining Executive Compensation" for additional discussion of our stockholder outreach efforts during fiscal 2018 and "Annual Incentive Compensation Program Enhancements for Fiscal 2019" for additional discussion about the changes to our executive compensation programs implemented during fiscal 2018.
In deciding how to vote on this proposal, the Board encourages you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Compensation Table sections. The Compensation Committee in fiscal 2018 engaged in dialogue with many of our significant stockholders about the Company's approach to executive compensation and has made numerous enhancements in recent years to strengthen the link between pay and performance, further link compensation to our business and talent strategies and clearly detail the rationale for pay decisions.
For the reasons outlined above, we believe that our executive compensation program is well designed, appropriately aligns executive pay with Company performance and incentivizes desirable behavior. Accordingly, we are asking our stockholders to endorse our executive compensation program by voting on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
"RESOLVED, that the shareowners approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Compensation Tables and the related narrative."
This proposal allows our stockholders to express their opinions regarding the decisions of the Compensation Committee on the annual compensation program for the Named Executive Officers. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board. However, the Board values shareowners' opinions and the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the advisory vote when considering future executive compensation decisions. Further, this advisory vote will serve as an additional tool to guide the Board and the Compensation Committee in continuing to improve the alignment of the Company's executive compensation program with the interests of Ethan Allen and its stockholders, and is consistent with our commitment to high standards of corporate governance and stockholder engagement.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Overview |
The purpose of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis is to provide material information about the Company's executive compensation objectives and policies for its Named Executive Officers, ("NEOs") and to put into perspective the tabular disclosures and related narratives. The non-binding advisory proposal regarding compensation of the NEOs submitted to stockholders at our 2017 Annual Meeting was approved by over 89% of the votes cast. We regularly engage in outreach efforts with our stockholders relating to a variety of topics and involve our Compensation Committee Chair or one or more independent directors in these conversations as appropriate. We use the information gathered through these outreach efforts to help inform our compensation decisions and look forward to continued dialogue on compensation matters and other issues relevant to our business.
Fiscal Year 2018 Performance at a Glance |
The following highlights show our historical performance on key performance metrics and provides context to our decisions in establishing goal levels under those selected metrics that are utilized by our executive compensation programs to drive our executive compensation outcomes.
17
Compensation Practices |
Process for Determining Executive Compensation |
The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the composition and value of the compensation programs for all of our NEOs. Our Chief Executive Officer, ("CEO"), and Executive Vice President, Administration, who is responsible for the Company's Human Resources functions, provide input on program design and information on the Company's and the furniture industry's performance. The Compensation Committee also understands and considers stockholder viewpoints on compensation.
The Compensation Committee may not delegate its primary responsibility of overseeing executive officer compensation, but it may delegate to management the administrative aspects of our compensation programs that do not involve the setting of compensation levels for executive officers.
All equity awards to executives, including stock options, PSUs, restricted stock and restricted stock units are approved by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee maintains sole authority to retain, terminate, approve fees and other terms of engagement of its compensation consultant and to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other advisors.
In early fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee Chair, together with the Executive Vice President, Administration, who is responsible for the Company's Human Resources functions, engaged in dialogue with a number of the Company's larger institutional investors regarding approaches to executive compensation and incentives. The Compensation Committee also reviewed executive compensation and incentive structures used by the peer group companies. In part, this dialogue and review focused on whether the Company's approach to executive compensation should move from a primary focus on Adjusted Operating Income performance to metrics that include Adjusted Operating Income along with revenue growth and total stockholder returns. In the past, the Compensation Committee believed that the Company's executive incentives should be primarily correlated to high margin cash flow generation measured by Adjusted Operating Income in order to bring down debt, especially after the financial crisis and then challenges in the retail industry and to return capital to stockholders through an increase of dividends and share repurchases. Through its 2018 dialogue with investors, the Compensation Committee decided to expand the Company's incentive structure to include revenue growth and total stockholder returns in connection with executive compensation.
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Benchmarking using Peer Groups |
The Compensation Committee established a peer group which, in its judgment, best represented the unique nature of the Company's vertical business model which integrates manufacturing, merchandising and retailing.
In developing the peer group, the population of U.S. based, publicly traded companies that were considered included:
In addition to industry, branding and supply chain considerations, the Compensation Committee filtered companies by revenues, number of employees and market capitalization. Companies with higher revenues are included in the peer group since the Company competes for executives with such other companies that are in the home furnishings industry. The Compensation Committee established a peer group that reflects 15 companies to enable full comparisons to the Company, as follows (by revenue):
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Company |
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GICS Sub-Industry |
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Revenue ($M) |
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Revenue Multiple |
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Market Cap ($M) |
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The Dixie Group Inc. | Home Furnishings | 413 | 0.5 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Furniture | | Home Furnishings | | 460 | | 0.6 | | 296 | | ||||||||||
Flexsteel Industries | Home Furnishings | 489 | 0.6 | 314 | ||||||||||||||||
| Kirkland's Inc. | | Home Furnishing Retail | | 501 | | 0.7 | | 183 | | ||||||||||
Kimball International | Office Services & Supplies | 686 | 0.9 | 600 | ||||||||||||||||
| Ethan Allen | | Home Furnishings | | 767 | | 1.0 | | 650 | | ||||||||||
Haverty Furniture | Home Furnishing Retail | 821 | 1.1 | 415 | ||||||||||||||||
| Knoll Inc. | | Office Services & Supplies | | 1,227 | | 1.6 | | 1,028 | | ||||||||||
Sleep Number Corporation 1 | Home Furnishing Retail | 1,471 | 1.9 | 1,013 | ||||||||||||||||
| La-Z-Boy Inc. | | Home Furnishings | | 1,612 | | 2.1 | | 1,429 | | ||||||||||
Pier 1 Imports | Home Furnishing Retail | 1,761 | 2.3 | 196 | ||||||||||||||||
| HNI Corp | | Office Services & Supplies | | 2,232 | | 2.9 | | 1,627 | | ||||||||||
Herman Miller | Office Services & Supplies | 2,381 | 3.1 | 2,008 | ||||||||||||||||
| Restoration Hardware | | Home Furnishing Retail | | 2,461 | | 3.2 | | 3,105 | | ||||||||||
Tempur Sealy International | Home Furnishings | 2,691 | 3.5 | 2,616 | ||||||||||||||||
| Steelcase Inc. | | Office Services & Supplies | | 3,074 | | 4.0 | | 1,575 | | ||||||||||
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We believe that it is appropriate to offer industry-competitive cash and equity compensation packages to all of our NEOs in order to attract and retain top executive talent. The peer group allows us to monitor the compensation practices of our primary competitors for executive talent. However, we do not target any specific pay percentile of the peer group for our executive officers. Instead, we use this information to provide a general overview of market practices and to ensure that we make informed decisions regarding our executive pay programs. The Compensation Committee removed Tumi Holdings and Kate Spade & Co. from the peer group for fiscal 2018 because they were no longer publicly-traded companies.
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Elements of Fiscal 2018 Executive Compensation
Our compensation programs are structured to align the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our stockholders and include the following elements for fiscal 2018:
Element | Key characteristics | Link to shareholder value | How we determine amount | Key decisions | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed | | Base Salary | Fixed compensation component payable in cash. Reviewed annually and adjusted when appropriate. | A means to attract and retain talented executives capable of driving superior performance. | Consider individual contributions to business outcomes, the scope and complexity of each role, future potential, market data, and internal pay equity. | During fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee approved a base salary increase for Ms. Bliss, but no other NEO. | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Annual Incentive Program | Variable compensation component payable in cash based on performance against annually established financial goals. | Incentive targets are tied to achievement of key annual financial measures. Financial metric for the fiscal 2018 award was based on Adjusted Operating Income. | Incentive award levels based on individual contributions to business outcomes, potential future contributions, historical incentive amounts, retention considerations and market data. | For fiscal 2018, the Adjusted Operating Income financial metric did not attain the incentive award threshold level; therefore no incentive awards were earned for any NEO. Moreover, no discretionary bonus was awarded to any NEO. | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Performance-Based | | Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards | PSUs cliff vest over a two or three-year performance period and payouts are based on Company performance against pre-established financial goals. | PSUs recognize our executive officers for achieving superior long-term relative performance. Financial metric for the fiscal 2018 award based on Adjusted Operating Income per Share. | Grant award levels based on individual contributions to business outcomes, potential future contributions, historical grant amounts, retention considerations and market data. Actual award payout is based on performance against pre-established goals over a two or three-year performance period. | During fiscal 2018, the Board approved a shift in the timing of the total compensation decisions for NEOs, other than the CEO, from the last quarter of fiscal 2018 to July 2018 in order to align with market practices. See the below section, "Long-term Incentives for Fiscal 2018", for more information. | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Base Salary |
We set base salaries for our NEOs based on individual contributions to business outcomes, the scope and complexity of each role, competencies, experience, leadership, performance, future potential, market data, and internal pay equity.
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Salary Changes in Fiscal Year 2018 |
In July 2017, the Compensation Committee completed the annual review of the salary levels for each of the NEOs. As part of the salary review process, the Compensation Committee reviewed and considered the performance of each NEO, relevant market data, the comparison of compensation among various levels of management, and the Company's overall performance. As a result of this review, the Compensation Committee determined the base salaries were appropriate and no annual increases were made for fiscal 2018. In October 2017, when Ms. Bliss assumed additional responsibilities, the Compensation Committee increased her base salary to $325,000, but made no changes to the base salaries of any of the other NEOs.
Salary Changes for Fiscal Year 2019 |
In July 2018, the Compensation Committee completed the annual review of the salary levels for each of the NEOs. As part of the salary review process, the Compensation Committee reviewed and considered the performance of each NEO, relevant market data, the comparison of compensation among various levels of management, and the Company's overall performance. As a result of this review, the Compensation Committee determined the base salaries were appropriate and no annual increases were made for fiscal 2019.
The NEOs' fiscal year 2018 and 2019 salaries are presented in the following table. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Executive | |
Fiscal 2018 Salary $ |
|
Fiscal 2019 Salary $ |
|
% Chg |
| |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
M. Farooq Kathwari | 1,150,000 | 1,150,000 | 0% | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Corey Whitely | | 500,000 | | 500,000 | | 0% | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kathy Bliss (1) | 325,000 | 325,000 | 0% | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Daniel M. Grow | | 350,000 | | 350,000 | | 0% | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tracy Paccione | 340,000 | 340,000 | 0% | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Director Compensation Changes for Fiscal 2019 |
The Board of Directors reflected on the performance of the Company for fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee's determination to not grant annual increases to the NEOs for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 and to not issue any discretionary bonuses to the NEOs for fiscal 2018, and that no incentive bonuses were earned by the NEOs for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018. Based on this, the Compensation Committee together with the full Board of Directors made the determination to make a 10% reduction to their Director Fees earned or paid in cash for fiscal 2019.
Annual Incentive Compensation |
All NEOs are eligible to earn cash awards under our annual incentive compensation program, which is designed to motivate and reward executives for performance on key annual measures. The annual incentive compensation program is based exclusively on attainment of financial metrics, measured on the Company's overall consolidated financial performance, that align our annual incentives with our strategy of driving growth, with an emphasis on profitability.
Fiscal 2018 Annual Incentive Performance Goal and Performance Comparison to Goal |
In July 2017, the Compensation Committee established the financial metric used for the annual incentive compensation program for fiscal 2018 as Adjusted Operating Income. The Compensation Committee selected this metric because it drives stockholder value and reflects our emphasis on profitability during a period of transition of the Company's product programs and launch of a meaningful contract business. In the past, the Compensation Committee believed that the Company's executive incentives should be primarily correlated to high margin cash flow generation measured by Adjusted Operating Income in order to bring down debt, especially after the financial crisis and then challenges in the retail industry and to return capital to stockholders through an increase of dividends and share repurchases. Target, maximum and threshold awards, specified as a percentage of base salary, vary among various levels of management. The NEOs have the opportunity to earn awards between 50% of their target awards if we meet minimum threshold performance requirements and a maximum of 115% to 227% of their target incentive opportunity, based on performance.
21
The Compensation Committee established a target of 5% Adjusted Operating Income growth for fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017, and established threshold and maximum performance levels as follows (in millions):
Fiscal 2018 Goals and Results |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Performance Level |
|
Adjusted Operating Income $ (1) |
|
Percent of Target |
| |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Maximum | 84.7 | 120% | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Target | | 70.6 | | 100% | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Threshold | 56.5 | 80% | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Actual | | 51.3 | | 73% | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fiscal 2018 Target, Achievement and Actual Payout |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Executive |
|
Fiscal 2018 Target Incentive (% of base salary) |
|
Performance Level Achieved (% of target performance) |
|
Actual Fiscal 2018 Incentive Payout (% of base salary) |
| |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
M. Farooq Kathwari | 65% | 73% | 0% | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Corey Whitely | | 28% | | 73% | | 0% | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kathy Bliss | 28% | 73% | 0% | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Daniel M. Grow | | 28% | | 73% | | 0% | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tracy Paccione | 28% | 73% | 0% | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Because the threshold minimum performance level was not achieved, it resulted in no payouts for any of the NEOs.
Annual Incentive Compensation Program Enhancements for Fiscal 2019 |
In early fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee Chair, together with the Executive Vice President, Administration, who is responsible for the Company's Human Resources functions, engaged in dialogue with a number of the Company's larger institutional investors regarding stockholders regarding approaches to executive compensation and incentives. The Compensation Committee also reviewed executive compensation and incentive structures used by the peer group companies. In part, this dialogue and review focused on whether the Company's approach to executive compensation should move from a primary focus on Adjusted Operating Income performance to metrics that include Adjusted Operating Income along with revenue growth and total stockholder returns. In the past, the Compensation Committee believed that the Company's executive incentives should be primarily correlated to high margin cash flow generation measured by Adjusted Operating Income in order to bring down debt, especially after the financial crisis and then challenges in the retail industry and to return capital to stockholders through an increase of dividends and share repurchases. Through its 2018 dialogue with investors, our focus on current best practices as it relates to compensation, market conditions and other considerations, we updated our NEO compensation programs effective beginning in fiscal 2019.
Key highlights and enhancements implemented for the fiscal 2019 annual incentive program include:
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Long-term Incentive Compensation |
To align our executive officers' pay outcomes with long-term performance and encourage long-term strategic thinking, our annual long-term incentive grants typically feature financial-based performance metrics. The long-term incentive award provisions of our Stock Incentive Plan provide for equity-based compensation including restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options, or other forms of equity-based compensation.
The Compensation Committee establishes for the NEOs, other than the CEO, the target, maximum and threshold awards as a percentage of base salary on the grant date, which percentages may vary among the various levels of management. The target, maximum and threshold awards are specified as a fixed number of shares for the CEO. Our CEO has limited discretion during the year to approve additional equity-based grants to employees other than the NEOs.
Long-term Incentives for Fiscal 2018 |
During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee awarded the annual performance restricted stock unit grant to the CEO with a target level of 65,000 shares, a threshold level of 32,500 shares and a maximum of 82,250 shares. The Compensation Committee established the financial performance metric for the grant as Adjusted Operating Income per Share. This metric was selected because it drives stockholder value and reflects our emphasis on profitability during a period of transition of the Company's product programs and the launch of a meaningful contract business. In the past, the Compensation Committee believed that the Company's executive equity incentives should be primarily correlated to high margin cash flow generation measured by Adjusted Operating Income per Share in order to bring down debt, especially after the financial crisis and then challenges in the retail industry and to return capital to stockholders through an increase of dividends and share repurchases. Performance vesting of the performance restricted stock units is measured over two fiscal years and cumulatively for the upcoming three fiscal years. If either the two-year or cumulative three-year target is accomplished, then the percentage of performance restricted stock units vested would be determined by reference to the higher performance accomplishment percentage.
The Compensation Committee has historically awarded the annual long-term equity incentive grants to the CEO during the first quarter and to the NEOs, other than the CEO, during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee determined to change the timing of issuing such grants whereby annual grants for all the NEOs would be made in the first quarter of each fiscal year in order to align with market practices. As a result, the timing of the grants to the NEOs, other than the CEO, was shifted from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 to the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and no long-term incentive grants were made to the NEOs, other than the CEO, during fiscal 2018.
Discretionary Incentive Grants for Fiscal 2018 |
The Compensation Committee awarded a restricted stock grant of 16,234 restricted stock units to the CEO on July 26, 2017. The grant was valued at $415,915 vesting ratably over two years. When initially granted, the Compensation Committee believed that a substantial reduction in the CEO's cash incentive compensation should be balanced with a grant of stock units providing incentives for long-term stock appreciation. However, the CEO recognizing the importance in demonstrating leadership in executive compensation matters elected to not accept the grant and returned the grant to the Company on January 24, 2018, which following the approval of Compensation Committee the grant was voided.
On August 16, 2017, the Compensation Committee made a modification to the performance restricted stock unit award issued to the CEO in July 2016, adding a fourth-year vesting opportunity. The modification was valued at $1,621,100 and extended the vesting period to June 30, 2020. When initially granted, the Compensation Committee believed the CEO's long-term incentives should be extended to provide long-term incentives for total shareholder returns. However, the CEO recognizing the importance in demonstrating leadership in executive compensation matters elected to not accept the modification to the grant and returned the modification to the Company on June 28, 2018, which following the approval of Compensation Committee the modification was voided.
In awarding the restricted stock grant and in approving the modification, the Compensation Committee also reflected on the leadership the CEO exhibited in not accepting a discretionary bonus for fiscal 2017, while the other NEOs received discretionary bonuses, and the strong focus exhibited by the CEO on positioning the Company for growth. The Compensation Committee subsequently acknowledged the leadership of the CEO in not accepting this compensation. The discretionary grant and modification that were awarded in fiscal 2018, but not accepted by the CEO and subsequently voided in fiscal 2018, are not included in the Compensation Tables.
Stock Option Awards for Fiscal 2018 |
The NEOs and other executives are eligible to receive grants of stock options. The options have an exercise price of the closing price of our stock on the date of grant, vesting according to both the performance based and time-based criteria, and a ten-year term. Any stock options not fully vested on the date the employee separates are subject to forfeiture. These grants are designed for retention of the executive and to align the executive's compensation with the long-term success of the Company. The Compensation Committee did not make any grants of stock options to the NEOs in fiscal 2018.
23
Fiscal 2016 Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Payout |
The CEO achieved the performance-vesting requirement and received payouts with respect to the annual performance restricted stock unit award that were granted in fiscal 2016 and performance vested with a two-year and three-year vesting period over fiscal 2016, 2017 and 2018. The award was paid out at 91.1% of the target number of shares.
The NEO's, other than the CEO, achieved the performance-vesting requirement with respect to the annual performance restricted stock unit awards that were granted in fiscal 2016 and performance vested with a two-year and three-year vesting period over fiscal 2016, 2017 and 2018. The awards which performance-vested at 93.3% of the target number of shares will satisfy their time-based vesting requirement on April 19, 2019.
Fiscal 2017 Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Payout |
The CEO has received no payout with respect to the annual performance restricted stock unit award that was granted in fiscal 2017 and performance vested with a two-year and three-year vesting period over fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019. The two-year threshold performance level was not met and three-year performance measurement period has not yet lapsed.
The NEOs, other than the CEO, have received no payout with respect to the annual performance restricted stock unit awards that were granted in fiscal 2017 and performance vested with a two-year and three-year vesting period over fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020. The two-year and three-year performance measurement periods have not yet lapsed.
Long-term Incentive Enhancements for Fiscal 2019 |
Further based on dialogue with our stockholders during fiscal 2018, our focus on current best practices as it relates to compensation, market conditions and other considerations, we also updated our NEO long-term incentive compensation program effective beginning in fiscal 2019.
Fiscal 2019 Long-term Incentive Performance Metrics |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Metric (Total Weight) |
|
Fiscal 2019 Weight (50%) |
|
Fiscal 2020 Weight (30%) |
|
Fiscal 2021 Weight (20%) |
| |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sales Growth (40%) | 20% | 12% | 8% | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Return on Equity (40%) | | 20% | | 12% | | 8% | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
3-year Total Shareholder Return (20%) | 20% | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
24
Fiscal 2019 Target Total Compensation Mix |
The total base compensation mix for the NEOs based upon target levels of achievement for the annual incentive program and the long-term performance stock unit awards is as follows:
Change of Control Severance Plan for Executives |
The change in control plan for NEO's, other than the CEO, was adopted to mitigate the concern that, in the event the Company is considering a change in control transaction, the employees involved in considering the transaction might otherwise be motivated to act in their own interests rather than the interests of the stockholders. Thus, the change in control provisions are designed so that employees are neither harmed nor given a windfall in the event of a change in control.
The Company's plans generally provide that a change in control may occur upon (i) any liquidation or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company and Ethan Allen Global, Inc. taken as a whole, or (ii) any merger, or (iii) any person becoming a beneficial owner of more than 50% of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company or Ethan Allen Global, Inc.; or (iv) the Company's incumbent directors cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board of directors of the Company, except in connection with the election or nomination of directors approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the incumbent board of directors of the Company.
For any benefits to be earned, a change in control must occur and the executive's employment must be terminated within two years following the change in control, either by the Company without cause or the executive for good reason (often called a "double trigger"). The plan does not provide tax gross ups. Payments and benefits to the executive will be reduced to the extent necessary to result in the executive's retaining a larger after-tax amount, taking into account the income, excise and other taxes imposed on the payments and benefits. For additional information, see "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control". Benefits provided under the program include (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to one times the sum of the executive's base salary and the average of the prior three years' annual Incentive Bonus and (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to the pro-rated portion of the executive's average of the prior three years' annual Incentive Bonus for the year of termination. The Change in Control Severance Plan includes non-solicitation, non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions and waivers of customary claims.
The Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan |
The Company maintains the Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan, which is effective as of July 1, 1994 (the "Retirement Plan"). The Retirement Plan covers all employees, including the NEOs, who have completed at least three months of service. There is no enhanced benefit for executives.
The 401(k) portion of the Retirement Plan allows participants to defer up to 100% of their compensation, subject to certain statutory limitations. In fiscal 2018, the Company made matching contributions with a maximum contribution of $1,300 per participant. Matching contributions were made dollar for dollar on the first $500 of a participant's before tax contribution and $0.50 on the next $1,600 of a participant's before tax contributions. Participant contributions and employer matching contributions are immediately and fully vested. The Retirement Plan also allows for a profit-sharing contribution made by the Company to be distributed to participants. The Company made a $495,000 profit sharing contribution to the Retirement Plan in fiscal 2018.
Investment options currently offered under the Retirement Plan include the Company's Common Stock. Participants direct the investment of their accounts under the Retirement Plan and may choose from some or all of the investment options designated by the Retirement Committee from time to time.
25
Executive Perquisites/Other Personal Benefits |
We offer a very limited amount of perquisites and other personal benefits to our NEOs. The Compensation Committee believes that these perquisites are reasonable and consistent with prevailing market practice and the Company's overall compensation program. Perquisites are not a material part of our compensation program. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to our NEOs. In fiscal 2017, with the exception of Mr. Kathwari, the NEOs did not receive any perquisites. Mr. Kathwari received: (1) access to and use of Company cars (including driver, gas, registration, title, insurance and maintenance); (2) reimbursement of life insurance premiums up to $50,000; (3) a retirement contract (described below); (4) dividends and interest on a long-standing restricted stock book account established pursuant to his previous employment agreements; (5) Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan contributions made by the Company and (6) dividend equivalent payments on stock units awarded pursuant to a prior employment agreement. See footnote 6 to the "Summary Compensation Table".
Employment Agreements |
The Company generally does not enter into employment agreements and has no employment agreements in place with the exception of the employment agreement with Mr. Kathwari, the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee in 2015 initiated, negotiated and, on October 1, 2015, effective July 1, 2015, entered into the 2015 Employment Agreement, of which its incentive compensation components were subsequently approved by stockholders at our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Pursuant to the 2015 Employment Agreement, Mr. Kathwari is entitled to a base salary of $1,150,000 per annum, during the five-year term of the 2015 Employment Agreement commencing July 1, 2015, without increase or guaranteed adjustment. He is eligible for an annual non-equity incentive compensation based on annual performance targets set annually by the Company, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors. The annual incentive compensation payments provide for a target level of $750,000, a threshold level of $375,000 and a maximum level of $1,700,000. The agreement provides for an annual long-term incentive compensation award grant based on performance targets set annually by the Company, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors with a target level of 65,000 shares, a threshold level of 32,500 shares and a maximum of 82,250 shares. The agreement, among other provisions, also provides for benefits that may be earned in the event of a change of control or in the event of termination of employment. The agreement is filed as exhibit 10(e) of our 2018 annual report on form 10-K
Deductibility Cap on Executive Compensation |
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code places a limit of $1 million per year on the amount of compensation paid to certain of our executive officers that we may deduct from our federal income tax return for any single taxable year. There is an exception to the $1 million limitation for performance-based compensation meeting certain requirements, although this exception is severely limited beginning in 2018, as described below. The material terms of our incentive plans were previously approved by shareholders for purposes of Section 162(m), which allowed us to grant certain annual incentive awards and long-term incentive awards designed to meet the definition of performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) in order to qualify for the performance-based exception to the $1 million deduction limit. However, to maintain flexibility in compensating executive officers in a manner designed to promote varying corporate goals in the best interest of the Company, the Compensation Committee did not previously limit executive compensation to amounts deductible under Section 162(m) if the Compensation Committee determined that doing so is in the best interests of the Company.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, substantially modifies Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and, among other things, eliminates the performance-based exception to the $1 million deduction limit effective as of January 1, 2018. As a result, beginning in 2018, compensation paid to certain executive officers in excess of $1 million will generally be nondeductible, whether or not it is performance-based. In addition, beginning in 2018, the executive officers subject to Section 162(m) (the "Covered Employees") will include any individual who served as the CEO or Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") at any time during the taxable year and the three other most highly compensated officers (other than the CEO and CFO) for the taxable year, and once an individual becomes a Covered Employee for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2016, that individual will remain a Covered Employee for all future years, including following any termination of employment.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes a transition rule under which the changes to Section 162(m) described above will not apply to compensation payable pursuant to a written binding contract that was in effect on November 2, 2017 and is not materially modified after that date. To the extent applicable to our existing contracts and awards, the Compensation Committee may avail itself of this transition rule. However, because of uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of the transition rule, no assurances can be given at this time that our existing contracts and awards, even if in place on November 2, 2017, will meet the requirements of the transition rule.
Certain Conclusions as to Compensation |
The Compensation Committee believes that long-term stockholder value is enhanced by corporate and individual performance achievements. Through the plans and practices described above, a meaningful portion of the Company's executive compensation is based on competitive pay practices, as well as corporate and individual performance. The Compensation Committee believes equity compensation, in the form of stock options, restricted stock and stock units is vital to the long-term success of the Company. The Compensation Committee remains committed to this policy, recognizing that the competitive market for talented executives and the cyclical nature of the Company's business may result in highly variable compensation for a particular time period.
26
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT |
The Compensation Committee oversees our compensation program for our NEOs on behalf of the Board of Directors. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and the Company's Annual Report.
JAMES B. CARLSON, CHAIR | ||
JOHN J. DOONER, JR. | ||
DOMENICK J. ESPOSITO |
27
COMPENSATION TABLES |
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation for services rendered to us during the years indicated by our Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and the three next most highly compensated executive officers (the "Named Executive Officers") serving during the year ended June 30, 2018.
2018 Summary Compensation Table
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name and Principal Position | |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus (1) | |
|
Stock awards (2) |
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (3) |
|
|
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (4) |
|
|
All other compensation (5) |
|
|
Total |
| |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
M. Farooq Kathwari, | 2018 | $ | 1,150,050 | $ | | $ | 1,652,300 | (a) | $ | | $ | | $ | 126,649 | (6) | $ | 2,928,999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chairman of the Board, | | 2017 | | | 1,150,050 | | | | | | 1,944,800 | (b) | | | | | | | | | 53,854 | | | 3,148,704 | | |||||||||||||||||||
President and Principal | 2016 | $ | 1,150,050 | $ | | $ | 1,557,400 | (c) | $ | 1,700,000 | $ | | $ | 53,880 | $ | 4,461,330 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |