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TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ý | ||
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. | ||||
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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(5) | Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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(3) | Filing Party: |
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(4) | Date Filed: |
January 18, 2017
Dear Shareholder,
You are invited to attend the 2017 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of TE Connectivity Ltd., to be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., Central European Time (8:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time), at the Park Hyatt Zürich, Beethoven-Strasse 21, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland. Details of the business to be presented at the meeting can be found in the accompanying Invitation to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.
If you cannot attend, you can ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting by casting your vote either electronically at your earliest convenience or by promptly completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Sincerely,
Thomas
J. Lynch
Chairman of the Board
TE
Connectivity Ltd.
Rheinstrasse 20
CH-8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Tel:
+41 (0)52 633 66 61
Fax: +41 (0)52 633 66 99
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement i
ii 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.
Rheinstrasse 20
CH-8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Invitation to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Time and Date: |
2:00 p.m., Central European Time (8:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time), on March 8, 2017 |
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Place: |
The Park Hyatt Zürich, Beethoven-Strasse 21, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland |
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Agenda Items: |
1. Election of twelve (12) director nominees proposed by the Board of Directors; |
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2. Election of the Chairman of the Board of Directors; |
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3. Election of the members of the Management Development and Compensation Committee; |
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4. Election of the Independent Proxy; |
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5. Approval of (i) the 2016 Annual Report of TE Connectivity Ltd. (excluding the statutory financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 and the Swiss Compensation Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016), (ii) the statutory financial statements of TE Connectivity Ltd. for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, and (iii) the consolidated financial statements of TE Connectivity Ltd. for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016; |
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6. Release of the members of the Board of Directors and executive officers of TE Connectivity for activities during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016; |
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7. Election of (i) Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2017, (ii) Deloitte AG, Zurich, Switzerland, as our Swiss registered auditor until our next annual general meeting, and (iii) PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Zurich, Switzerland, as our special auditor until our next annual general meeting; |
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8. Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation; |
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9. Advisory vote on frequency of Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation; |
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10. Approval of the TE Connectivity Ltd. 2007 Stock and Incentive Plan (as amended and restated) including the authorization of the issuance of additional shares thereunder; |
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11. Binding vote to approve fiscal year 2018 maximum aggregate compensation amount for executive management; |
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12. Binding vote to approve fiscal year 2018 maximum aggregate compensation amount for the Board of Directors; |
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13. Carryforward of unappropriated accumulated earnings; |
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14. Declaration of dividend; |
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 1
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15. Authorization relating to share repurchase program; |
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16. Approval of share capital reduction for shares acquired under our share repurchase program; |
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17. Approval of any adjournments or postponements of the meeting; and |
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18. Transaction of any other business properly brought at the meeting. |
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Persons Who Will Receive Proxy Materials: |
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A copy of the proxy materials, including a proxy card, also will be sent to any additional shareholders who are registered in our share register as shareholders with voting rights, or who become beneficial owners through a nominee registered in our share register as a shareholder with voting rights, as of the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017. |
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Admission to Meeting and Persons Eligible to Vote: |
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Shareholders who hold their shares in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee ("Beneficial Owners") should follow the instructions provided by their bank, broker or nominee. Beneficial Owners who have not obtained a proxy from their bank, broker or nominee are not entitled to vote in person at the Annual General Meeting. |
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Granting of Proxy: |
Shareholders of record with voting rights who do not wish to attend the Annual General Meeting have the right to appoint Dr. Jvo Grundler, Ernst & Young Ltd., as independent proxy, pursuant to article 9 of the Swiss Ordinance Against Excessive Compensation at Listed Corporations (the "Swiss Ordinance"), with full rights of substitution, by appointing the independent proxy and voting electronically or submitting a proxy card with your votes. The Swiss Ordinance prohibits from acting as proxies company officers (Organstimmrechtsvertretung) and institutions subject to the Swiss Federal Law on Banks and Savings Banks as well as professional asset managers that hold proxies for holders of record concerning deposited shares (Depotstimmrechtsvertretung). |
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The proxies granted to the independent proxy must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Central European Time (11:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time) on March 7, 2017. A shareholder of record who gives a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by giving notice in person of the revocation and voting in person at the meeting, or, subject to timing limitations, by delivering a revocation letter and subsequent proxy card to the independent proxy. |
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With regard to the items listed on the agenda, or if new agenda items (other than those on the agenda) or new proposals or motions regarding agenda items set out in this Invitation to the Annual General Meeting are being put forth at the meeting, the independent proxy will vote in accordance with the specific instructions of the shareholder, or if selected by the shareholder in granting the proxy as a general instruction, in accordance with the recommendation of the company's Board of Directors at the meeting, or abstain from voting if the shareholder did not provide instructions. |
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Date of Availability: |
Our proxy materials are being made available on or about January 18, 2017 to each shareholder of record of TE Connectivity registered shares at the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on January 12, 2017. |
By order of the Board of Directors,
Harold
G. Barksdale
Corporate Secretary
January 18, 2017
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 3
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.
TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTING
Why am I receiving these materials?
TE Connectivity's Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual General Meeting to be held at 2:00 p.m., Central European Time (8:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time), on March 8, 2017, at The Park Hyatt Zürich, Beethoven-Strasse 21, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland. The information provided in this proxy statement is for your use in determining how you will vote on the agenda items described within.
We have made available our proxy materials to each person who is registered as a holder of our shares in the register of shareholders (such owners are often referred to as "holders of record" or "record holders") as of the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on January 12, 2017. We also will send a copy of the proxy materials, including the proxy card, to any holder of record who requests them in the manner set forth in the Notice and to any additional shareholders who become registered in our share register after the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on January 12, 2017 and continue to be registered in our share register at the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017. Distribution to shareholders of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or Notice, is scheduled to begin on or about January 18, 2017.
We have requested that banks, brokerage firms and other nominees who hold TE Connectivity shares on behalf of the owners of the shares (such owners are often referred to, and we refer to them below, as "beneficial owners," "beneficial shareholders" or "street name holders") as of the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on January 12, 2017 forward the Notice to those beneficial shareholders and forward the proxy materials, along with a voting instruction card, for any additional beneficial owners who acquire their shares after January 12, 2017 and continue to hold them at the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017. We have agreed to pay the reasonable expenses of the banks, brokerage firms and other nominees for forwarding these materials. We also have provided for the proxy materials to be sent to persons who have interests in our shares through participation in our employee share purchase plans. These individuals are not eligible to vote directly at the Annual General Meeting, but they may instruct the trustees of these plans how to vote the shares represented by their interests. The proxy card also will serve as voting instructions for the trustees of the plans.
Are proxy materials available on the Internet?
Yes.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual General Meeting to be Held on March 8, 2017.
Our proxy statement for the Annual General Meeting to be held on March 8, 2017, other proxy material and our annual report to shareholders for fiscal year 2016 is available at http://www.te.com/TEAnnualMeeting.
Under SEC rules, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to our shareholders registered in our share register as of the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on January 12,
4 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
2017. All shareholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or to request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. The Notice also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy over the Internet or via mail. You will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request one in the manner set forth in the Notice or you acquire your shares after January 12, 2017 and continue to be registered in our share register at the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017, in which case we will send you the proxy materials. This permits us to conserve natural resources and reduce our printing costs, while giving shareholders a convenient and efficient way to access our proxy materials and vote their shares.
What agenda items are scheduled to be voted on at the meeting?
The seventeen (17) agenda items scheduled for a vote are:
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 5
What is the recommendation of the Board of Directors on each of the agenda items scheduled to be voted on at the meeting? How do the Board of Directors and executive officers intend to vote with respect to the agenda items?
TE Connectivity's Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of the agenda items listed above as recommended by our Board of Directors. Our directors and executive officers have indicated that they intend to vote their shares in favor of each of the agenda items, except for Agenda Item No. 6 (Release of the Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Officers of TE Connectivity for Activities during the Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2016), where they are by law precluded from voting their shares and Agenda Item No. 9 (Advisory Vote on Frequency of Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation), which offers three alternatives and for which the Board has recommended that shareholders approve an annual "say-on-pay" vote. On January 9, 2017, our directors and executive officers and their affiliates beneficially owned approximately 1.3% of the outstanding shares.
What is the difference between being a shareholder of record and a beneficial owner?
If your shares are registered directly in your name in our share register operated by our stock transfer agent, you are considered the "shareholder of record" of those shares.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee on your behalf and the broker, bank or nominee is registered in our share register as a shareholder with voting rights, your broker, bank or other nominee is considered the shareholder of record and you are considered the "beneficial owner" or "street name holder" of those shares. In this case, the shareholder of record that is registered as a shareholder with voting rights has forwarded either the Notice or the proxy materials, as applicable, and separate voting instructions, to you. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct the shareholder of record how to vote your shares by following the voting instructions they have provided to you. Because you are not the shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you receive a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares in person at the meeting.
Shareholders of record
All shareholders registered in our share register at the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017 are entitled to vote on the matters set forth in this proxy statement and any other matter properly presented at the meeting for consideration, provided such shareholders become
6 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
registered as shareholders with voting rights by that time. See "I am a shareholder of record. How do I become registered as a shareholder with voting rights?"
Beneficial owners
Beneficial owners whose banks, brokers or nominees are shareholders registered in our share register with respect to the beneficial owners' shares at the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017 are entitled to vote on the matters set forth in this proxy statement and any other matter properly presented at the meeting for consideration, provided such banks, brokers or nominees become registered as shareholders with voting rights. See "I am a shareholder of record. How do I become registered as a shareholder with voting rights?"
What if I am the record holder or beneficial owner of shares at the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on January 12, 2017, but sell or otherwise transfer those shares before the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017?
Holders of record and beneficial owners will not be entitled to vote their shares or provide instructions to vote with respect to their shares if they hold shares at the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on January 12, 2017 but sell or otherwise transfer those shares before the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017.
I am a shareholder of record. How do I become registered as a shareholder with voting rights?
If you are a shareholder of record, you have been registered as a shareholder with voting rights in our share register, unless in certain circumstances (such as failure to comply with particular disclosure requirements set forth in our articles of association) we have specifically advised you that you are registered as a shareholder without voting rights.
How do I attend the Annual General Meeting?
For admission to the meeting, shareholders and their authorized representatives must bring a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or a passport. Shareholders of record with voting rights should bring the Notice or Admission Ticket they have received to the check-in area, where their ownership will be verified. Those who have beneficial ownership of registered shares held by a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee which has voting rights must bring to the check-in area a valid proxy from their banks, brokers or nominees showing that they own TE Connectivity registered shares as of the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017.
Registration at the meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m., Central European Time (7:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time) and close at 1:45 p.m., Central European Time (7:45 a.m., Eastern Standard Time), and the meeting will begin at 2:00 p.m., Central European Time (8:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time). See "How do I vote if I am a shareholder of record?" and "How do I vote if I am a beneficial shareholder?" for a discussion of who is eligible and how to vote in person at the Annual General Meeting.
Security measures will be in place at the meeting to help ensure the safety of attendees. Cameras, sound recording devices, signs, photographs and visual displays are not permitted in the meeting without the prior permission of TE Connectivity. We reserve the right to inspect bags, backpacks, briefcases or other packages brought to the meeting. Cell phones and other sound transmitting devices must be turned off during the meeting.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 7
How do I vote if I am a shareholder of record?
If you are a registered shareholder, you can vote in the following ways:
At the Annual General Meeting: If you are a shareholder of record with voting rights of TE Connectivity registered shares who plans to attend the Annual General Meeting and wishes to vote your shares in person, we will give you a ballot at the meeting.
Even if you plan to be present at the Annual General Meeting, we encourage you to vote by the Internet or complete and mail the proxy card to vote your shares by proxy. If you are a holder of record, you may still attend the Annual General Meeting and vote in person.
By Internet: You can vote over the Internet at www.proxyvote.com by following the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials previously sent to you or on the proxy card. By casting votes electronically, you will authorize the independent proxy, Dr. Jvo Grundler, with full rights of substitution, to vote your shares on your behalf.
By Mail: You can vote by marking, dating and signing the proxy card (which will be sent to you at your request in accordance with instructions provided in the Notice) and returning it by mail for receipt by no later than indicated below. By marking, dating, signing and mailing the proxy card as instructed, you authorize the independent proxy, Dr. Jvo Grundler, with full rights of substitution, to vote your shares on your behalf. If you vote by proxy card/mail, you will need to return via mail your completed proxy card to the independent proxy, Dr. Jvo Grundler, Ernst & Young Ltd., in the postage pre-paid return envelope provided with the proxy card.
In order to assure that your votes are tabulated in time to be voted at the Annual General Meeting, you must vote electronically by 5:00 p.m., Central European Time (11:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time) on March 7, 2017, or submit your proxy card by mail so that it is received by 5:00 p.m., Central European Time (11:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time) on March 7, 2017.
If you have voted electronically or timely submitted a properly executed proxy card, your shares will be voted by the independent proxy as you have instructed. If any other matters are properly presented at the meeting, the independent proxy will either (i) vote the shares represented by your completed proxy in accordance with the specific instructions given by you, (ii) if selected by you in granting your proxy (as a general instruction), in accordance with the recommendation of the company's Board of Directors at the meeting, or (iii) if no instructions are given, abstain from voting your shares.
How do I vote if I am a beneficial shareholder?
General: If you hold your shares in street name, you should provide instructions to your bank or broker on how you wish your vote to be recorded by following the instructions on your voting instruction form supplied by your bank or broker with these proxy materials.
At the Annual General Meeting: If you are a shareholder who owns shares in street name, you are not entitled to vote in person at the Annual General Meeting unless you have a valid proxy, executed in your favor, from the bank, broker or nominee holder of record of your shares. We will then give you a ballot at the meeting.
Yes. If you are a shareholder of record, see the Internet voting instructions provided on the Notice or proxy card. If you are a beneficial owner, see the voting instruction card provided by your bank, broker or other nominee.
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If you are a shareholder of record, you cannot vote by telephone. If you are a beneficial owner, see the voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank or other nominee for telephone voting instructions.
Can I appoint TE Connectivity officers as my proxy?
In accordance with Swiss regulations, shareholders may not appoint company officers as proxies.
If my shares are held in "street name" by my broker, will my broker vote my shares for me?
We recommend that you contact your broker. Your broker can give you directions on how to instruct the broker to vote your shares. If you have not provided instructions to the broker, your broker will be able to vote your shares with respect to "routine" matters but not "non-routine" matters pursuant to New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") rules. We believe the following agenda items will be considered non-routine under NYSE rules and therefore your broker will not be able to vote your shares with respect to these agenda items unless the broker receives appropriate instructions from you: Agenda Item No. 1 (Election of Directors), Agenda Item No. 2 (Election of Chairman of the Board), Agenda Item No. 3 (Election of Members of Management Development and Compensation Committee), Agenda Item No. 8 (Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation), Agenda Item No. 9 (Advisory Vote on Frequency of Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation), Agenda Item No. 10 (Approval of TE Connectivity Ltd. 2007 Stock and Incentive Plan (as amended and restated), Agenda Item No. 11 (Binding Vote to Approve Fiscal Year 2018 Maximum Aggregate Compensation Amount for Executive Management), and Agenda Item No. 12 (Binding Vote to Approve Fiscal Year 2018 Maximum Aggregate Compensation Amount for the Board of Directors).
What will happen if I don't vote my shares?
If you are a shareholder of record and you do not vote electronically or sign and return a proxy card with votes indicated, no votes will be cast on your behalf on any of the items of business at the meeting. If you are a shareholder of record and you return a signed proxy card but make no specific direction as to how your shares are to be voted, the independent proxy will vote your shares in accordance with the general instruction "FOR" each of the director nominees and "FOR" each of the other agenda items (including each subpart thereof) and in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
If you are a beneficial shareholder and you do not provide voting instructions to your bank or broker, subject to any contractual arrangements, your bank or broker may vote your shares in its discretion on all agenda items except Agenda Item No. 1 (Election of Directors), Agenda Item No. 2 (Election of Chairman of the Board), Agenda Item No. 3 (Election of Members of Management Development and Compensation Committee), Agenda Item No. 8 (Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation), Agenda Item No. 9 (Advisory Vote on Frequency of Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation), Agenda Item No. 10 (Approval of TE Connectivity Ltd. 2007 Stock and Incentive Plan (as amended and restated), Agenda Item No. 11 (Binding Vote to Approve Fiscal Year 2018 Maximum Aggregate Compensation Amount for Executive Management), and Agenda Item No. 12 (Binding Vote to Approve Fiscal Year 2018 Maximum Aggregate Compensation Amount for the Board of Directors), and no votes will be cast on your behalf on Agenda Items No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 8, No. 9, No. 10, No. 11 and No. 12.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 9
How many shares can vote at the Annual General Meeting?
Our registered shares are our only class of voting stock. As of January 12, 2017, there were 355,443,323 registered shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote; however, shareholders who are not registered in our share register as shareholders or do not become registered as shareholders with voting rights as of the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017 will not be entitled to attend, vote at or grant proxies to vote at, the Annual General Meeting. See "I am a shareholder of record. How do I become registered as a shareholder with voting rights?" Shares duly represented at the Annual General Meeting will be entitled to one vote per share for each matter presented at the Annual General Meeting. Shareholders who are registered in our share register as of the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017 and who are registered with voting rights may vote in person at the Annual General Meeting as discussed under "How do I vote if I am a shareholder of record?At the Annual General Meeting."
What quorum is required for the Annual General Meeting?
The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least the majority of the registered shares entitled to vote constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business at the Annual General Meeting.
What vote is required for approval of each agenda item and what is the effect of broker non-votes and abstentions?
The following agenda items require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual General Meeting, whether in person or by proxy. A majority means at least half plus one additional vote of the votes which are cast at a general meeting of shareholders. In addition, Agenda Item No. 10 requires that the total votes cast represent over 50% of the voting power of the total outstanding registered shares with voting rights.
10 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
The following agenda item requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual General Meeting, whether in person or by proxy, not counting the votes of any member of the Board of Directors or any executive officer of TE Connectivity.
Registered shares which are represented by broker non-votes (which occur when a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular agenda item because the broker does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner) and registered shares which are cast as abstentions on any matter, are counted towards the determination of a quorum but will not be counted as a vote cast and will be disregarded and have no effect on the proposal.
Who will count the votes and certify the results?
An independent vote tabulator will count the votes. Broadridge Financial Solutions has been appointed by the Board of Directors as the independent inspector of election and will determine the existence of a quorum, validity of proxies and ballots, and certify the results of the voting.
If I vote and then want to change or revoke my vote, may I?
If you are a shareholder of record and have (i) voted via the Internet, you may change your vote and revoke your proxy by submitting subsequent voting instructions via the Internet by the deadline for Internet voting; (ii) submitted a proxy card to the independent proxy, you may change or revoke your vote by submitting a revocation letter and new proxy card directly to the independent proxy so that it is received by no later than 5:00 p.m., Central European Time (11:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time) on March 7, 2017; or (iii) either voted via the Internet or submitted a proxy card to the independent proxy, you may appear in person at the meeting and give notice in person of the revocation of your prior vote by the applicable method and vote in person by ballot.
Written revocations to the independent proxy should be directed to the following address: Dr. Jvo Grundler, Ernst & Young Ltd., Maagplatz 1, P.O. Box, CH-8010, Zurich, Switzerland.
Your presence without voting at the meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy, and any revocation during the meeting will not affect votes previously taken at the meeting.
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If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee on your behalf, follow the voting instructions provided to you with these materials to determine how you may change your vote.
Can I sell my shares before the meeting if I have voted?
Yes. TE Connectivity does not block the transfer of shares before the meeting. However, unless you are a shareholder of record with voting rights at the close of business (Eastern Standard Time) on February 16, 2017, your vote will not be counted.
Are shareholders permitted to ask questions at the meeting?
During the Annual General Meeting, shareholders may ask questions or make comments relating to agenda items when permitted by the moderator.
Whom may I contact for assistance?
You should contact D. F. King & Co., Inc., whom we have engaged as a proxy solicitor for the Annual General Meeting. The contact information for D. F. King is below:
D.
F. King & Co., Inc.
(800) 848-3402 (US callers only)
+1 (212) 269-5550
Email: TEL@dfking.com (reference TE Connectivity in the subject line)
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the number of outstanding shares of TE Connectivity beneficially owned as of January 9, 2017 by each current director and nominee, each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation table and all of our executive officers, directors and nominees as a group. The address of our executive officers, directors and nominees is c/o TE Connectivity, 1050 Westlakes Drive, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312.
Beneficial Owner
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Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) |
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Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers: |
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Thomas J. Lynch(2)(3)(7) |
2,305,632 | |||
Mario Calastri(2)(7) |
154,190 | |||
Terrence R. Curtin(2)(3)(7) |
588,778 | |||
Joseph B. Donahue(2)(7) |
161,091 | |||
Robert Hau(2)(4) |
35,583 | |||
Steven T. Merkt(2)(7) |
171,089 | |||
Heath A. Mitts(2) |
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Pierre R. Brondeau(3)(8) |
36,757 | |||
Carol A. ("John") Davidson(3) |
7,052 | |||
Juergen W. Gromer(5)(8) |
121,132 | |||
William A. Jeffrey(3) |
13,181 | |||
Yong Nam(3) |
13,181 | |||
Daniel J. Phelan(3)(8) |
34,910 | |||
Paula A. Sneed(3)(8) |
38,996 | |||
Abhijit Y. Talwalkar(6) |
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Mark C. Trudeau(3) |
3,452 | |||
John C. Van Scoter(3)(8)(9) |
34,115 | |||
Laura H. Wright(3) |
7,404 | |||
All directors, nominees and executive officers as a group (24 persons)(7)(8)(9)(10) |
4,503,020 |
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The following table sets forth the information indicated for persons or groups known to us to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding shares beneficially owned as of January 9, 2017.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
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Number of Shares |
Percentage of Class |
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Dodge & Cox(1) |
35,300,732 | 9.9 | % | ||||
Harris Associates L.P.(2) |
29,100,322 |
8.2 |
% |
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The Vanguard Group(3) |
21,635,356 |
6.1 |
% |
14 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Motion Proposed by the Board of Directors
At the Annual General Meeting, upon the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee, the Board of Directors proposes twelve (12) nominees for individual election as directors to hold office until the annual general meeting of shareholders in 2018. Eleven nominees are current directors of TE Connectivity Ltd. and one nominee, Mr. Talwalkar, is not a current director of TE Connectivity Ltd. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee retained a third party search firm to assist it in identifying Mr. Talwalkar for Board membership. All nominees are listed below with brief biographies. Current board member Dr. Juergen Gromer was not nominated for re-election because he has reached the board's retirement age of 72 this year.
Vote Requirement to Elect Directors
The approval of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting, whether in person or by proxy, is required for approval of the election of each of the twelve (12) nominees for director.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the election of each of the twelve (12) nominees for director.
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
The board as a whole is constituted to be strong in its collective knowledge of and diversity of experience in accounting and finance, management and leadership, vision and strategy, business operations, business judgment, crisis management, risk assessment, industry knowledge, corporate governance and global markets. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee designs searches for candidates to fill vacancies on the board and makes recommendations for director nominations to the board. When preparing to search for a new director, the committee takes into account the experience, qualifications, skills and expertise of the board's current members. The committee seeks candidates who have a history of achievement and leadership and are experienced in areas relevant to the company's business such as international trade, finance, technology, manufacturing processes and marketing. The committee also considers independence, as defined by applicable law, stock exchange listing standards and the categorical standards listed in the company's Board Governance Principles, which are set forth in the "Board Organization and Independence of its Members" section of the Principles, and which can be found on the company's website at http://www.te.com/aboutus/boardofdirectors.asp.
The professional experience, qualifications, skills and expertise of each nominee is set forth below. The Board and the company believe that all nominees possess additional qualities, business knowledge and personal attributes valuable to their service on the Board and that all have demonstrated commitment to ethical and moral values and personal and professional integrity.
Pierre R. Brondeau, 59, joined our Board of Directors in June 2007, immediately following our separation from Tyco International Ltd. ("Tyco International"). Dr. Brondeau has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of FMC Corporation, a global chemical company, since January 2010 and has served as Chairman of its Board of Directors since October 2010. Prior to joining FMC Corporation, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Dow Advanced Materials, a manufacturer of specialty materials and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company, upon the April 2009 merger of Rohm & Haas Company and Dow Chemical Company, until September 2009. From 2008 to 2009, Dr. Brondeau served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Rohm &
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Haas Company and from 2006 to 2008, as Executive Vice President of electronics materials and specialty materials of Rohm & Haas Company. He also has served as Vice-President, Business Group Executive, Electronic Materials, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rohm & Haas Electronic Materials LLC, and Regional Director, Europe, from 2003 to 2006, and previously as Vice-President, Business Group Director, Electronic Materials, President and Chief Executive Officer, Shipley Company, LLC, from 1999 to 2003. Dr. Brondeau received a master's degree from Universite de Montpellier and a Doctorate from Institut National des Sciences appliquees de Toulouse. Dr. Brondeau is a former Director of Marathon Oil Corporation.
Dr. Brondeau has over 22 years of executive leadership experience, including 17 years of senior executive experience, at large multi-national public companies engaged in the specialty materials and chemicals industries. He has over 27 years of international business experience in the United States and Europe, and significant expertise in finance and mergers and acquisitions, as well as other areas of business.
Terrence R. Curtin, 48, joined our Board of Directors in March 2016. On September 29, 2016, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Curtin to succeed Mr. Lynch as Chief Executive Officer of TE Connectivity Ltd., effective March 9, 2017. Mr. Curtin has been President of TE Connectivity since March 2015 and immediately prior to that served as Executive Vice President and President, Industrial Solutions since August 2012. Previously he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from October 2006 through July 2012. Mr. Curtin served on the TE Connectivity Board prior to the separation and was Vice President and Corporate Controller at Tyco Electronics since 2001. Prior to joining TE Connectivity, Mr. Curtin worked for Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Curtin has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Albright College.
Mr. Curtin has extensive knowledge of our company and executive leadership experience having served as an employee of ours since 2001 and having served in executive leadership positions at TE Connectivity since 2006. In his role as President, Mr. Curtin is responsible for all of TE's connectivity and sensor businesses and mergers and acquisitions activities. In his prior role as President, Industrial Solutions, Mr. Curtin was responsible for the operations and strategic direction of TE's Industrial, Energy, and Aerospace, Defense, Oil and Gas businesses. As TE's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Curtin was responsible for developing and implementing the financial strategy for TE and for creating the financial infrastructure necessary to drive the company's financial direction, vision and compliance initiatives. Before joining TE, Mr. Curtin was employed by Arthur Andersen LLP where he served in the audit and accounting advisory services group with a focus on large multinational public companies. Mr. Curtin is also a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Curtin's extensive background and knowledge of TE and his background in finance and accounting make him well suited to serve on the Board of Directors.
Carol A. ("John") Davidson, 61, joined our Board of Directors in March 2016. From January 2004 to September 2012, Mr. Davidson served as the Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Tyco International Ltd., a provider of diversified industrial products and services. Between 1997 and 2004, Mr. Davidson held a variety of leadership roles at Dell Inc., a computer and technology services company, including the positions of Vice President, Audit, Risk and Compliance, and Vice President, Corporate Controller. From 1981 to 1997, Mr. Davidson held a variety of accounting and financial leadership roles at Eastman Kodak Company, a provider of imaging technology products and services. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John Fisher College and a MBA from the University of Rochester. Mr. Davidson is a director of DaVita Inc., Legg Mason, Inc. and Pentair plc.
Mr. Davidson is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 30 years of leadership experience across multiple industries and brings a strong track record of building and leading global teams and implementing governance and controls processes. He also serves on the Board of Governors of the
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Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), an independent regulator of securities firms. In addition, until December 2015, he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Accounting Foundation which oversees financial accounting and reporting standards setting processes for the United States. Mr. Davidson's significant experience with complex accounting and financial issues combined with his knowledge of public reporting requirements and processes bring accounting and financial management insight to the Board. Mr. Davidson meets the SEC definition of audit committee financial expert and brings six years of public company directorship experience to the Board.
The Honorable Dr. William A. Jeffrey, 57, joined our Board of Directors in March 2012. Since September 2014, Dr. Jeffrey has been President and Chief Executive Officer of SRI International, a research and development organization serving government and industry. From September 2008 through August 2014, Dr. Jeffrey was Chief Executive Officer and President of HRL Laboratories, LLC, an automotive, aerospace and defense research and development laboratory. From 2007 through 2008, he was the Director of the Science and Technology Division of the Institute for Defense Analyses and prior to that he was Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology from 2005. From 2002 to 2005, Dr. Jeffrey served in the White House as Senior Director of Homeland and National Security and Assistant Director of Space and Aeronautics in the Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology Policy. He began his career at the Institute for Defense Analyses in 1988. Dr. Jeffrey holds a Ph.D. and master's degree in Astronomy from Harvard University and a bachelor of science degree in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Dr. Jeffrey brings exceptional technical and scientific expertise and leadership experience to the Board as CEO of a private technology research organization with broad technical experience relevant to TE's major markets as well as in innovation strategies, particularly as related to research and development. He has almost 20 years of government executive experience and experience in U.S. public policy.
Thomas J. Lynch, 62, was appointed Chairman of our Board of Directors on January 7, 2013, and has served on our Board of Directors since early 2007 and as Chief Executive Officer of TE Connectivity since January 2006. On September 29, 2016, the Board of Directors appointed Terrence Curtin to succeed Mr. Lynch as Chief Executive Officer of TE Connectivity, effective March 9, 2017. Previously, he was President of Tyco Engineered Products and Services since joining Tyco International in September 2004. Prior to joining Tyco International, Mr. Lynch was at Motorola where he was Executive Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer, Personal Communications Sector from August 2002 to September 2004; Executive Vice President and President, Integrated Electronic Systems Sector from January 2001 to August 2002; Senior Vice President and General Manager, Satellite & Broadcast Network Systems, Broadband Communications Sector from February 2000 to January 2001; and Senior Vice President and General Manager, Satellite & Broadcast Network Systems, General Instrument Corporation from May 1998 to February 2000. Mr. Lynch holds a bachelor of science degree in commerce from Rider University. Mr. Lynch is a Director of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Cummins Inc. and The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA.
Mr. Lynch has extensive executive leadership experience in the electronics industry, having served as our chief executive officer for the past nine years and, before that, as lead executive of business units at the company's former parent. He has gained international expertise through management of the company's world-wide presence and as a former member of the U.S.-China Business Council. Mr. Lynch also serves as a member of the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. Mr. Lynch's education in accounting and commerce and experience on the audit, compensation and nominating committees of the board of another large corporation provide him with valuable perspective for service on our Board.
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Yong Nam, 68, joined our Board of Directors in March 2012. Since April 2013, Mr. Nam has served as an advisor to the chief executive officer of Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd., the engineering, construction and petrochemical operations affiliate of Daelim Group, a Korean company. From April 2011 until March 2015, he served as an advisor to LG Electronics, Inc., a global provider of consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances. From 2007 through March 2011, Mr. Nam served as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LG Electronics. He previously served as President of LG Corp., the global conglomerate of the LG group of companies, from 2006 to 2007, and as Chief Executive Officer of LG Telecom from 1998 until 2006. Mr. Nam's 35 year career with LG began in 1976. Mr. Nam received a bachelor's degree in economics from Seoul National University. Mr. Nam is a Director of ADT Korea, a commercial and residential security services provider since June 2014 and previously served as a director of GS Retail, a South Korean retailer, until May 2014 and Pohang Iron and Steel Company (POSCO) until March 2013.
Mr. Nam has over 37 years of international business experience in the United States and Asia with a global conglomerate where his responsibilities and focus have included strategy, marketing, information technology and operations. Mr. Nam's experience in the corporate office, telecommunications and electronics industries includes 23 years of executive leadership, of which he spent 12 years in CEO positions and four years as vice chairman. Mr. Nam's global business perspective makes him a valuable contributor to the vision of the company.
Daniel J. Phelan, 67, joined our Board of Directors in June 2007, immediately following our separation from Tyco International. Mr. Phelan was Chief of Staff of GlaxoSmithKline, a manufacturer of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer health-related products, from 2008 until his retirement in December 2012, following which he consulted for GlaxoSmithKline until the end of 2013. He was Senior Vice President of Human Resources of GlaxoSmithKline from 1994 to 2008. As Chief of Staff, Mr. Phelan was responsible for information technology, human resources, corporate strategy and development, worldwide real estate and facilities, environmental health and safety, and global security. Mr. Phelan received bachelor's and law degrees from Rutgers University and a master's degree from Ohio State University. Mr. Phelan is a Director of Indivior PLC and is chairman of its Remuneration Committee.
Mr. Phelan brings a range of valuable expertise to the Board. He was chief of staff of a large global health products and pharmaceuticals manufacturer and served for over 18 years in executive positions where his responsibilities have included information technology, human resource management, strategy, real estate, environmental concerns and global security. In addition, he holds a law degree and has experience advising chief executives, as well as experience in labor law and labor relations and employment law and practice, executive compensation, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, succession planning, leadership development and education, international business and pension and benefits design and management.
Paula A. Sneed, 69, joined our Board of Directors in June 2007, immediately following our separation from Tyco International. Ms. Sneed is Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Phelps Prescott Group, LLC, a strategy and management consulting firm, since 2008. Previously, she was Executive Vice President of Global Marketing Resources and Initiatives for Kraft Foods, Inc., a worldwide producer of branded food and beverage products, until her retirement in December 2006. She served as Group Vice President and President of Electronic-Commerce and Marketing Services for Kraft Foods North America, part of Kraft Foods, Inc., from 2000 until 2004, and Senior Vice President, Global Marketing Resources and Initiatives from December 2004 to July 2005. She joined General Foods Corporation (which later merged with Kraft Foods) in 1977 and held a variety of general management positions. Ms. Sneed received a bachelor's degree from Simmons College and an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business. Ms. Sneed is a Director of Charles Schwab Corporation and served as a Director of Airgas, Inc. until May 2016.
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Ms. Sneed brings proven leadership in strategy development as CEO of a strategy and management consulting firm for nine years, and previously as the executive vice president managing a global marketing function and several business divisions of a large public company for over 14 years. For over 25 years, in a global organization, she demonstrated expertise in all aspects of marketing and general management. She has over 39 years of experience in corporate and non-profit leadership roles. Ms. Sneed also has over 22 years of corporate director experience including service on audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees, bringing valuable insight to our Board, and has a master's degree in business administration.
Abhijit Y. Talwalkar, 52, is a nominee for director. He is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of LSI Corporation, a leading provider of silicon, systems and software technologies for the storage and networking markets, a position he held from May 2005 until the completion of LSI's merger with Avago Technologies in May 2014. From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Talwalkar was employed by Intel Corporation, the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the industry. At Intel, he held a number of senior management positions, including Corporate Vice President and Co-General Manager of the Digital Enterprise Group, which was comprised of Intel's business client, server, storage and communications businesses, and as Vice President and General Manager for the Intel Enterprise Platform Group, where he focused on developing, marketing, and driving Intel business strategies for enterprise computing. Prior to joining Intel, Mr. Talwalkar held senior engineering and marketing positions at Sequent Computer Systems, a multiprocessing computer systems design and manufacturer that later became a part of IBM; Bipolar Integrated Technology, Inc., a VLSI bipolar semiconductor company; and Lattice Semiconductor Inc., a service driven developer of programmable design solutions widely used in electronic systems. Mr. Talwalkar has a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University.
Mr. Talwalkar served as a member of the board of directors of LSI Corporation from May 2005 to May 2014 and the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association, a semiconductor industry trade association from May 2005 to May 2014. He was additionally a member of the U.S. delegation for World Semiconductor Council proceedings. Since 2011, Mr. Talwalkar has served on the board of directors of Lam Research Corporation and became Lam's Lead Independent Director in August of 2015. He is the current chair of the Nominating and Governance committee and presided as Chair of the Compensation Committee from 2012 to 2015. Since May 2016, Mr. Talwalkar has been serving as the Chairman of the Board for iRhythm Technologies, a healthcare technology company that specializes in cardiac monitoring and the diagnoses of arrhythmias.
Mr. Talwalkar will bring experience as a public company executive officer and director, along with a proven record of executive leadership including ten years as a chief executive officer. His experience in marketing, mergers and acquisitions and other business and operations experience will bring relevant insight to the Board.
Mark C. Trudeau, 55, joined our Board of Directors in March 2016. Since June 2013, Mr. Trudeau has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Mallinckrodt plc, a global business that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes specialty pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products and therapies, as well as nuclear imaging agents. Prior to that, Mr. Trudeau served as Senior Vice President and President of the Pharmaceuticals business of Covidien plc beginning in February 2012. He joined Covidien from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals LLC USA, the U.S. healthcare business of Bayer AG, where he served as Chief Executive Officer. He simultaneously served as President of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. organization of Bayer's global pharmaceuticals business. In addition, he served as Interim President of the global specialty medicine business unit from January to August 2010. Prior to joining Bayer in 2009, Mr. Trudeau headed the Immunoscience Division at Bristol-Myers Squibb. During his 10-plus years at Bristol-Myers Squibb, he served in multiple senior roles, including President of the Asia/Pacific region, President and General Manager of Canada and General Manager/Managing Director in the United Kingdom. Mr. Trudeau
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was also with Abbott Laboratories, serving in a variety of executive positions, from 1988 to 1998. Mr. Trudeau holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and a MBA, both from the University of Michigan.
Mr. Trudeau brings experience as a public company executive officer and director, along with a proven record of executive leadership and strong global business expertise including in the areas of strategy, operations and management, as well as other areas of business. Mr. Trudeau has over 26 years of leadership positions at global companies which makes him well suited to provide valuable insight to our board and meets the SEC definition of an audit committee financial expert.
John C. Van Scoter, 55, joined our Board of Directors in December 2008. Since February 2010, Mr. Van Scoter has been Chief Executive Officer and President of eSolar, Inc., a producer of modular, scalable concentrating solar thermal power technology. He also is a Director of eSolar, Inc. From 2005 through 2009, he was Senior Vice President of Texas Instruments Incorporated, a global semiconductor company. During his more than 25 year career at Texas Instruments, he also held positions as General Manager of the Digital Light Processing (DLP®) Products Division and various Digital Signal Processor business units, manager of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) product development and engineering, product engineer and technical sales engineer. Mr. Van Scoter holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Vermont.
Mr. Van Scoter brings significant technology and leadership experience to the Board as CEO of a private energy technology producer. His training in mechanical engineering and experience as a product engineer, and over 25 years of experience in the semi-conductor market, give him a unique background to assist the company in technology matters. Mr. Van Scoter also has experience in managing research and development, operations and manufacturing, as well as consumer channel marketing which provide useful insights to the company. His over 30 years of management and executive positions with a large public technology company and his close ties with sustainability issues and related best practices also are valuable to the Board.
Laura H. Wright, 56, joined our Board of Directors in March 2014. Since her retirement in 2012 as Chief Financial Officer of Southwest Airlines, a provider of air transportation in the United States, she founded GSB Advisors, to provide strategic and financial consulting to growth and non-profit companies. During her 25 year career at Southwest, she served in a variety of financial roles including Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. She began her career at Arthur Young & Co. in 1982 as a member of their tax staff, following which she became a Tax Manager from 1986 through 1988. Ms. Wright holds bachelor and master of science degrees in accounting from the University of North Texas. She is a Trustee of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, a publicly traded hotel and real estate investment trust, since 2009, and serves on the Board of CMS Energy, a publicly traded company and its subsidiary Consumers Energy, since February 2013.
Ms. Wright brings 25 years of large public company leadership experience, including nine as Chief Financial Officer and six as Treasurer. As a former Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, she brings finance experience, including corporate financial reporting, risk management, capital markets, investor relations, tax, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions to the Board. She also brings seven years of public company directorship experience to the Board and meets the SEC definition of an audit committee financial expert. In accordance with the rules of the NYSE, the Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Wright's simultaneous service on the audit committees of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, CMS Energy and Consumers Energy (a publicly traded subsidiary of CMS Energy) does not impair her ability to effectively serve also on our Audit Committee.
The Board of Directors has concluded that the experience, qualifications, skills and expertise described above qualify the nominees to serve as Directors of the company.
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The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee regularly reviews the composition of the Board in light of the company's businesses, strategic plan, structure and the current global business and economic environment. The Board demands the highest standards of individual and corporate integrity and is dedicated to diversity, fair treatment, mutual respect and trust. Although the Board does not have a specific board diversity policy, it is constituted of individuals possessing diverse business experience, education, vision, and industry and global market knowledge.
The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee will consider all shareholder recommendations for candidates for the Board, which should be sent to the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee, c/o Harold G. Barksdale, Secretary, TE Connectivity, Rheinstrasse 20, CH-8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland. In addition to considering candidates suggested by shareholders, the committee considers candidates recommended by current directors, company officers, employees and others. The committee screens all candidates in the same manner regardless of the source of the recommendation. The committee's review is typically based on any written materials provided with respect to the candidate. The committee determines whether the candidate meets the company's general qualifications and specific qualities and skills for directors (see above) and whether requesting additional information or an interview is appropriate.
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The company's Board Governance Principles, which include guidelines for determining director independence and qualifications for directors, can be found on the company's website at http://www.te.com/aboutus/boardofdirectors.asp. Corporate governance developments are regularly reviewed by the Board in order to appropriately modify the Board Governance Principles, committee charters and policies.
To conduct its business the Board maintains three standing committees: Audit, Management Development and Compensation and Nominating, Governance and Compliance which are composed entirely of independent directors. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee recommends to shareholders, for election, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the directors assigned to the Management Development and Compensation Committee.
Assignment to, and the chair of, the Audit Committee, and the chair of the Management Development and Compensation Committee, are recommended by the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee for selection by the Board. The independent directors as a group elect the members and the chair of the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee.
The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee reviews the Board's organization annually and recommends appropriate changes to the Board. The Board determines the appropriate leadership structure for the company, subject to shareholder approval of the Chairman of the Board.
Annually, the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee coordinates an evaluation and assessment of the Board's performance and procedures, including its organization, governance structure and effectiveness. As part of the Board leadership and succession planning completed for fiscal year 2012, the Board of Directors elected Thomas Lynch as Chairman of the Board and also created and elected a Lead Independent Director on January 7, 2013. Pierre Brondeau has served as our Lead Independent Director since December 2014.
In fiscal year 2015, as part of the Board of Director's succession planning, Terrence Curtin was appointed President of the company. In fiscal year 2016, in furtherance of the Board of Directors succession planning, the Board nominated Mr. Curtin to stand for election to the Board of Directors at the company's 2016 annual general meeting of shareholders and Mr. Curtin was elected to the Board of Directors by shareholders at the meeting on March 2, 2016. On September 29, 2016, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Curtin to succeed Mr. Lynch as Chief Executive Officer of TE Connectivity Ltd. and appointed Mr. Lynch to continue as the Executive Chairman of the Company effective March 9, 2017, thereby causing the positions of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer to be split between Messrs. Lynch and Curtin.
In electing Mr. Lynch, the Board determined his deep knowledge of the company's day-to-day operations, strategy and risk management practices, appreciation of the principal challenges and opportunities facing the company and ability to provide unified leadership to execute the company's business plan, best positioned him to serve as Chairman. In electing Dr. Brondeau as Lead Independent Director, the Board determined his depth of experience in industrial companies, global leadership abilities, tenure on the Board and grasp of the principal challenges and opportunities facing the company would facilitate the board's continued consideration and deliberation of matters most critical to the company, while maintaining the company's strong commitment to independent governance.
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In order to provide an effective counterbalancing governance structure, the Board has appointed a Lead Independent Director, whose duties include:
The Board is normally constituted of between ten and thirteen directors and is comprised of a substantial majority of independent directors. All directors are annually elected by a majority of share votes cast at the annual general meeting of shareholders.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
The Board of Directors is responsible for appraising the company's major risks and overseeing that appropriate risk management and control procedures are in place. The Board must understand the risks facing the company as a function of its strategy, provide oversight of the processes put in place to identify and manage risk and manage those risks (for example, in relation to executive compensation and succession) that only the Board is positioned to manage. The Board is responsible for determining that senior executives take the appropriate steps to manage all major risks. Management has day-to-day responsibility for assessing and managing the company's particular exposures to risk.
The Audit Committee of the Board meets to review and discuss, as determined to be appropriate, with management, the internal auditor and the independent registered public accounting firm the company's major financial and accounting risk exposures and related policies and practices to assess and control such exposures, and assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding the company's policies and guidelines with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The company's risk assessment process was in place for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 and followed by the Board of Directors.
The Management Development and Compensation Committee reviews the company's risks related to chief executive officer succession and succession plans for senior executives, overall compensation structure, incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, policies and programs, severance programs, change-of-control agreements and benefit programs. The committee meets, as appropriate, with the internal and/or external auditors to discuss management and employee compliance with the compensation, incentive, severance and other benefit programs and policies under the committee's jurisdiction.
The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee reviews the company's policies and risks related to related person transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to U.S. securities rules, the effectiveness of the company's environmental, health and safety management program, the company's enterprise-wide risk assessment processes and the company's compliance programs.
The Board's role in risk oversight of the company is consistent with the company's leadership structure, with the CEO and other members of senior management having responsibility for assessing
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and managing the company's risk exposure, and the Board and its committees providing oversight in connection with those efforts.
The Board has determined that ten of the twelve director nominees are independent. For a director to be considered independent, the Board must make an affirmative determination that a director meets the stringent guidelines for independence set by the Board. These guidelines either meet or exceed the NYSE listing standards' independence requirements. The guidelines include a determination that the director has no current or prior material relationships with TE Connectivity (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company), aside from his or her directorship, that could affect his or her judgment.
The independence guidelines also include the determination that certain limits to annual sales to or purchases from entities for which a director serves as an executive officer, and limits on direct compensation from the company for directors and certain family members (other than fees paid for board or committee service), are not exceeded and other restrictions.
Based on the review and recommendation by the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee, the Board analyzed the independence of each director nominee and determined that the following director nominees meet the standards of independence under our director independence guidelines and applicable NYSE listing standards, and that each of them is free of any relationship that would interfere with his or her individual exercise of independent judgment: Pierre R. Brondeau, Carol A. ("John") Davidson, William A. Jeffrey, Yong Nam, Daniel J. Phelan, Paula A. Sneed, Abhijit Y. Talwalkar, Mark C. Trudeau, John C. Van Scoter and Laura H. Wright. The Board also reached this independence determination for Juergen W. Gromer who was not nominated for re-election at the 2017 annual general meeting because he reached the Board's retirement age. The Board also previously reached this independence determination for David P. Steiner, who did not stand for re-election at our 2016 annual general meeting of shareholders.
All directors, officers and employees of TE Connectivity are required to review and affirm that they understand and are in compliance with the policies and principles contained in TE Connectivity's code of ethical conduct set forth in the company's manual, "Connecting with our Values: TE Connectivity Guide to Ethical Conduct." The guide is published in the TE Corporate Responsibility section of TE Connectivity's website under "GovernanceCompliance" at http://www.te.com/usa-en/about-te/corporate-responsibility/governance/ombudsman/ethical-conduct.html.
Directors are required to promptly inform the chair of the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee of actual or potential conflicts of interest.
TE Connectivity has an Office of the Ombudsman established by our Audit Committee which ensures a direct, confidential and impartial avenue to raise any concern or issue with compliance or ethics, including concerns about the company's accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, with the Board. The office is designed to field compliance concerns from external constituenciesinvestors, suppliers and customersas well as TE Connectivity employees.
Reporting directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, the Ombudsman's office is independent of functional management. It seeks the fair, timely and impartial resolution of all compliance and ethics issues. Employees have a number of vehicles to raise issues within TE Connectivity, including a confidential, toll-free phone number and a confidential submission system via the Internet. Concerns also may be sent directly to the Board by mail or by email.
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All concerns are received and promptly reviewed by the Ombudsman and are responded to as quickly as possible. All accounting, audit or control concerns are sent to, and will be addressed by, the Board's Audit Committee.
Communicating Concerns to Directors
Any shareholder or interested party who wishes to contact members of the TE Connectivity Board of Directors, including the chairman or the non-management directors as a group, may do so by mailing written communications to:
TE
Connectivity Board of Directors
Attn: Ombudsman
1050 Westlakes Drive
Berwyn, PA 19312
USA
Inquiries and concerns also can be submitted anonymously and confidentially through the Ombudsman to the TE Connectivity Board of Directors by email to directors@te.com or through the Internet at http://www.te.com/usa-en/about-te/corporate-responsibility/governance/ombudsman.html.
Voting Standards for the Election of Directors
Directors are elected by an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, at a general meeting of shareholders and serve until the next annual general meeting of shareholders. In an uncontested election of directors, any nominee for director who does not receive at least half plus one additional vote of the share votes cast at the meeting is not elected to the Board.
Voting Standards for Amendments to the Articles of Association
The articles of association may be amended, in whole or in part, by the Board, subject to approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of record:
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors currently consists of twelve directors, eleven of whom are nominees for election. The Board held seven (7) meetings in fiscal year 2016. Eleven (11) of our twelve incumbent directors attended 100% and the remaining director attended 86% of the total number of meetings of the Board and committees on which they served in fiscal year 2016. It is the policy of the Board that directors are expected to attend the annual general meeting of shareholders. All twelve of the directors then serving attended the 2016 annual general meeting of shareholders.
An annual performance evaluation is conducted by the Board and each of its committees to determine whether they are functioning effectively.
The Board has adopted written charters for each of its three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Management Development and Compensation Committee and the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee. The charters can be found on the company's website at http://www.te.com/aboutus/boardofdirectors.asp. Each Board committee reports to the Board on their activities at each regular Board meeting.
The Board has determined that all members of the Audit, Management Development and Compensation and Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committees are independent and satisfy the relevant SEC, NYSE and TE Connectivity additional independence requirements for the members of such committees.
Consistent with their respective charters, the Board and its committees may retain their own advisors as they determine necessary to carry out their responsibilities.
The members of the Audit Committee are directors Laura Wright, who chairs the committee, Juergen Gromer, John Davidson and Mark Trudeau. Messrs. Davidson and Trudeau each joined the committee March 2, 2016. David Steiner was a member of the committee through March 2, 2016, prior to leaving the Board. The Board has determined that each of Ms. Wright and Messrs. Davidson and Trudeau are "audit committee financial experts," as defined under SEC rules. Mr. Steiner was previously found by the Board to be an "audit committee financial expert." The Audit Committee primarily is concerned with the quality and integrity of the company's annual and quarterly financial statements, including its financial and accounting principles, policies and practices, and its internal control over financial reporting; the qualifications, independence and performance of the company's independent registered public accounting firm and lead audit partner and the company's Swiss registered auditor; review and oversight of the company's internal audit function; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; review of financial and accounting risk exposure; assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding the company's financial and accounting policies and processes with respect to risk assessment and risk management; and procedures for handling complaints regarding accounting or auditing matters. The committee also oversees the company Ombudsman and the company's Guide to Ethical Conduct. The Audit Committee met nine times in fiscal year 2016. The committee's report appears on pages 7475.
26 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
Management Development and Compensation Committee
The members of the Management Development and Compensation Committee are directors Daniel Phelan, who chairs the committee, Paula Sneed and John Van Scoter. This committee is responsible to ensure succession of senior leadership; review plans for the development of the organization; review and approve compensation, benefits and human resources policies and objectives and whether the company's officers, directors and employees are compensated in accordance with these policies and objectives; review and approve compensation of the company's executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer and the President and, recommend the Chief Executive Officer and the President's compensation for approval by the independent members of the Board; and review and approve management incentive compensation policies and programs and equity compensation programs for employees. This committee met eight times in fiscal year 2016. The committee's report appears on page 56. Additional information on the committee's processes and procedures for consideration of executive compensation are addressed in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" which follows.
Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee
The members of the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee are directors Pierre Brondeau, who chairs the committee, William Jeffrey and Yong Nam. This committee's responsibilities include the selection of director nominees for the Board and the development and review of our Board Governance Principles. The committee annually reviews director compensation and benefits in conjunction with the Management Development and Compensation Committee; oversees the annual self-evaluations of the Board and its committees, as well as director performance; and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the structure and membership of the Board committees. The committee also oversees our environmental, health and safety management system and compliance programs. This committee held five meetings in fiscal year 2016.
Meetings of Non-Management Directors
The non-management directors met without any management directors or employees present four times in fiscal year 2016. Dr. Brondeau, as the Lead Independent Director, presided at these meetings.
Non-Management Directors' Compensation in Fiscal 2016
Non-management directors' compensation is established collaboratively by the Nominating, Governance and Compliance and the Management Development and Compensation Committees. Compensation of non-management directors in fiscal year 2016 is described under "Compensation of Non-Employee Directors."
Non-Management Directors' Stock Ownership
To help align Board and shareholder interests, directors are encouraged to own, at a minimum, TE Connectivity stock or stock units equal to five times the annual cash retainer (a total of $450,000, based on the $90,000 annual cash retainer as of March 1, 2015) within five years of joining the Board. Once a director satisfies the minimum stock ownership recommendation, the director will remain qualified, regardless of market fluctuations, under the guidelines unless the director sells shares of stock that were considered in determining that the ownership amount was met. Commencing in fiscal year 2010, each non-employee director received TE Connectivity common shares as the equity component of their compensation, with the exception of Dr. Gromer, who continued to receive deferred stock units. The deferred stock units awarded to non-employee directors cannot be transferred until the director leaves the Board. As of fiscal 2016 year-end, all of the directors met, or in the case of Mr. Trudeau, are on track to meeting, their stock ownership requirements.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 27
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Motion Proposed by the Board of Directors
At the Annual General Meeting, upon the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee, the Board of Directors proposes Thomas J. Lynch for election as Chairman of the Board to hold office until the annual general meeting of shareholders in 2018.
Swiss regulations provide that shareholders must elect the chair of the company's Board of Directors. Mr. Lynch is the current Chairman of TE Connectivity Ltd. His biography appears above, as well as an explanation as to why the Board of Directors considers Mr. Lynch to be the most appropriate person to serve as Chairman. Effective March 9, 2017, Terrence Curtin will succeed Mr. Lynch as Chief Executive Officer of TE Connectivity and Mr. Lynch will serve as Executive Chairman.
In the event of a negative vote on this agenda item by shareholders, the Board of Directors will call an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders for re-consideration of this agenda item by shareholders.
Vote Requirement to Elect Chairman
The approval of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting, whether in person or by proxy, is required for approval of the election of the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the election of Thomas J. Lynch as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
28 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3ELECTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Motion Proposed by the Board of Directors
At the Annual General Meeting, upon the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee, the Board of Directors proposes the election of each of Daniel J. Phelan, Paula A. Sneed and John C. Van Scoter individually as members of the Management Development and Compensation Committee to hold office until the annual general meeting of shareholders in 2018.
Swiss regulations provide that shareholders must individually elect the members of the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the company's Board of Directors. All nominees are current directors of TE Connectivity Ltd. Mr. Phelan, Ms. Sneed and Mr. Van Scoter currently serve on the committee. The brief biographies of all nominees are listed above.
In the event of a negative vote on this agenda item by shareholders, the Board of Directors will call an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders for re-consideration of this agenda item by shareholders.
Vote Requirement to Elect Committee Members
The approval of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting, whether in person or by proxy, is required for approval of the individual election of each of the members of the Management Development and Compensation Committee.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the election of each of Daniel J. Phelan, Paula A. Sneed and John C. Van Scoter to the Management Development and Compensation Committee.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 29
The following table presents information with respect to our executive officers as of January 18, 2017.
Name
|
Age | Position(s) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas J. Lynch* |
62 |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
|||
Mario Calastri |
59 |
Senior Vice President and Treasurer |
|||
Terrence R. Curtin* |
48 |
President and Director |
|||
Joseph B. Donahue |
58 |
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
|||
John S. Jenkins, Jr. |
51 |
Executive Vice President and General Counsel |
|||
Steven T. Merkt |
49 |
President, Transportation Solutions |
|||
Heath A. Mitts |
45 |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|||
Timothy Murphy |
49 |
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer, Global Human Resources |
|||
James O'Toole |
50 |
President, Communications Solutions |
|||
Robert J. Ott |
55 |
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller |
|||
Eric J. Resch |
59 |
Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Officer |
|||
Kevin N. Rock |
59 |
President, Industrial Solutions |
|||
Joan E. Wainwright |
56 |
President, Channel and Customer Experience |
See "Nominees for Election" for additional information concerning Mr. Lynch who also is a nominee for director and for Chairman of the Board and for additional information concerning Mr. Curtin who also is a nominee for director.
Mario Calastri has been Senior Vice President and Treasurer of TE Connectivity since our separation from Tyco International in June 2007 and he served on the TE Connectivity Board prior to the separation. He served as interim Chief Financial Officer of TE Connectivity from March 2016 to September 2016. Mr. Calastri was Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of Tyco International between 2005 and June 2007. Prior to joining Tyco International, Mr. Calastri was Vice President, Finance and Planning for IBM Global Financing EMEA in 2004 and Assistant Treasurer of IBM Corporation from 1999 to 2003.
Joseph B. Donahue has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of TE Connectivity since May 2011. In addition, he has responsibility for corporate technology since 2015 and the SubCom business unit since 2014. He served as President, Network Solutions from August 2012 until the divestiture of the Broadband Network Solutions business in August 2015. Previously he was President, Transportation Solutions of TE Connectivity from August 2010 through July 2012. He served as President, Global Automotive for the prior two years, and Senior Vice President, Global Automotive from August 2007 until then. From 2006 to August 2007, he was Group Vice President, Woodcoatings Division for Valspar Corporation, a manufacturer of commercial and industrial coating. Over the prior
30 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
16 years, Mr. Donahue held a variety of senior management roles at TE Connectivity and AMP Incorporated, leading the North America automotive business from 2001 to 2006.
John S. Jenkins, Jr. has been Executive Vice President and General Counsel at TE Connectivity since October 2012. Previously he was Vice President, Corporate Secretary and International General Counsel for Tyco International from 2005 and prior to joining Tyco International in 2003, was a litigator with McGuireWoods, LLP.
Steven T. Merkt has been President, Transportation Solutions at TE Connectivity since August 2012. Mr. Merkt previously served as President of TE Connectivity's Automotive business since May 2011 and has held various leadership positions in general management, operations, engineering, marketing, supply chain and new product launches since joining TE Connectivity in 1989.
Heath A. Mitts has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at TE Connectivity since September 2016. Previously he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at IDEX Corporation, a globally diversified company specializing in fluid, metering, health and science technologies, as well as fire, safety and other products, from March 2011 until September 2016. Mr. Mitts joined IDEX as Vice President, Corporate Finance in September 2005.
Timothy Murphy has been Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer, Global Human Resources at TE Connectivity since March 2016. Previously he was Vice President, Human Resources for the Transportation Solutions Business Segment from January 2015 to February 2016 and Vice President, Global Talent Management for TE Connectivity from November 2011 to December 2014. Prior to joining TE, Mr. Murphy held various business partner positions and served for three years in international human resource assignments over a nearly 20 year human resource career at Merck.
James O'Toole has been President, Communications Solutions (previously Consumer Solutions) at TE Connectivity since June 2011 and prior to that led the Circuit Protection and Touch Solutions businesses since joining TE Connectivity in 2009. Prior to that from 2006 to 2009, he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager for the Interior Modules business for Continental AG.
Robert J. Ott has been Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller of TE Connectivity since our separation from Tyco International in June 2007. Prior to that, he was Vice President, Corporate Audit of Tyco International from March 2003 to June 2007 and Vice President of FinanceCorporate Governance of Tyco International from August 2002 until March 2003. Prior to joining Tyco International, Mr. Ott was Chief Financial Officer of Multiplex, Inc. from 2001 to 2002 and Chief Financial Officer of SourceAlliance, Inc. from 2000 to 2001.
Eric J. Resch has been Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Officer of TE Connectivity since our separation from Tyco International in June 2007 and he served on the TE Connectivity Board prior to the separation. He was Vice President, Tax Reporting of Tyco International from 2003 until June 2007. Prior to joining Tyco International, Mr. Resch was Director, Tax Reporting for United Technologies Corporation from 2001 to 2003.
Kevin N. Rock has been President, Industrial Solutions at TE Connectivity since March 2015. Prior to that he was President of the Industrial Solutions segment's Aerospace, Defense and Marine business unit from August 2006. Mr. Rock joined TE Connectivity in January 1982 as Sales Engineer and was named Vice President, Americas Region, Consumer, Computer and Communications business unit in 2001.
Joan E. Wainwright has been President, Channel and Customer Experience at TE Connectivity since January 2013. Prior to that she was Senior Vice President, Channel, Marketing and Communications from May 2011. Ms. Wainwright joined TE Connectivity in June 2006 as Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs and was named Senior Vice President, Marketing and
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 31
Communications in February 2008. Previously, she served as Vice President, Public Affairs and Vice President, Corporate Communications for Merck & Co., Inc. from June 2000 to June 2006. Ms. Wainwright also served as Deputy Commissioner of Communications for the U.S. Social Security Administration and in the communications and public relations departments of the University Health System of New Jersey, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Delaware and Villanova University.
32 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Our Management Development and Compensation Committee (the "MDCC") is responsible for establishing and overseeing compensation programs that comply with TE Connectivity's executive compensation philosophy. As described in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis ("CD&A"), the MDCC follows a disciplined process for setting executive compensation. This process involves analyzing factors such as company performance, individual performance, strategic goals and competitive market data to arrive at each element of compensation. The Board must approve compensation decisions for the Chief Executive Officer and the President, and the MDCC approves compensation decisions for all other executive officers. An independent compensation consultant helps the MDCC by providing advice, information, and an objective opinion.
This CD&A will focus on the compensation awarded to TE Connectivity's "named executive officers"the Chief Executive Officer, each executive who served as our Chief Financial Officer during the last fiscal year and the three other most highly compensated executive officers. The following table shows the named executive officers and their primary compensation for fiscal year 2016. You can find more complete information about all elements of compensation for the named executive officers in the following discussion and in the Summary Compensation table that appears on page 57.
Name
|
Title | Base Salary | Annual Incentive (cash bonus) |
Long-Term Incentive (Options, PSUs and RSUs)(1) |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas J. Lynch |
Chief Executive Officer |
$ | 1,200,000 | $ | 1,722,600 | $ | 7,895,948 | |||||
Robert W. Hau(2) |
Former EVP & Chief Financial Officer |
$ | 286,628 | $ | 0 | $ | 2,000,829 | |||||
Mario Calastri(3) |
Interim CFO, SVP & Treasurer |
$ | 375,161 | $ | 215,417 | $ | 690,051 | |||||
Heath A. Mitts(4) |
EVP and Chief Financial Officer |
$ | 11,731 | $ | 0 | $ | 4,661,853 | |||||
Terrence R. Curtin |
President |
$ | 825,000 | $ | 789,525 | $ | 3,157,828 | |||||
Joseph B. Donahue |
EVP and Chief Operating Officer |
$ | 695,780 | $ | 926,153 | $ | 2,316,755 | |||||
Steven T. Merkt |
President, Transportation Solutions |
$ | 598,625 | $ | 491,214 | $ | 1,894,841 |
Demonstrating TE's commitment to leadership development and strong succession planning, the Board of Directors has executed on a succession plan for Chief Executive Officer. On September 29, 2016, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Curtin to succeed Mr. Lynch as Chief Executive Officer of TE Connectivity Ltd. and appointed Mr. Lynch to continue as the Executive Chairman of the Company effective March 9, 2017.
Mr. Lynch has served as the company's Chief Executive Officer since January 2006. He led the transition of TE Connectivity from a former electronics segment of Tyco International to a separate and independent public company. Upon his retirement as CEO, Mr. Lynch will continue as Executive Chairman of the Company ensuring a continued smooth transition of the leadership of the company.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 33
Mr. Curtin was appointed president of TE Connectivity in March 2015 and elected to the Board of Directors in March 2016. In his role as President, Mr. Curtin has had responsibility for all of the Company's connectivity and sensor businesses, as well as merger and acquisition activities. Prior to his role as President, Mr. Curtin served as president of TE's Industrial Solutions segment. Prior to that, from 2006 to 2012, he served as executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer of TE and led the financial aspects of the Company's separation from Tyco International. Mr. Curtin is well positioned to succeed as CEO of TE Connectivity.
Compensation actions related to the transition are discussed further in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Fiscal 2016 Executive Compensation Highlights and Governance
This section identifies the most significant decisions and changes made regarding TE Connectivity's executive compensation in fiscal year 2016.
Shareholder Approval of Compensation
At the last annual general meeting held on March 2, 2016, shareholders expressed support for our executive compensation programs, with 96.92% of votes cast at the meeting voting to ratify the compensation of our named executive officers. Although the advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation is non binding, the MDCC has considered, and will continue to consider, the outcome of the vote and the sentiments of our shareholders when making future compensation decisions for the named executive officers. Based on the results from our last annual general meeting, the MDCC believes shareholders support the company's executive compensation philosophy and the compensation paid to the named executive officers.
Under Swiss law, shareholders also have the right to vote on the maximum aggregate compensation that will be paid to the Board of Directors and executive management. This requirement was effective with compensation paid or awarded starting in fiscal year 2016. At the 2016 annual general meeting shareholders approved the maximum aggregate compensation amounts to be paid to both the Board of Directors and executive management for fiscal year 2017, with 97.89% and 99.52% of votes cast respectively.
At our next annual general meeting the Company will request shareholder approval for the maximum aggregate compensation for fiscal year 2018 for both the Board of Directors and executive management. In addition, as is required under U.S. law, the company will request non-binding shareholder approval of our fiscal 2016 compensation of our named executive officers. Requests for shareholder approval can be found in Agenda Items No. 8, No. 11 and No. 12.
Fiscal Year 2016 Compensation Summary
We continue to use annual and long-term incentive awards to create an executive compensation program that is performance-driven. About 89% of total target direct compensation for our CEO and 79% of total target direct compensation for our other named executive officers is performance based. Our performance based compensation directly ties executive pay to financial results and stock performance. Currently, all long-term compensation is delivered in the form of equity awards, primarily stock options and performance stock units. These awards ensure that pay opportunities are linked to shareholder return and also maximize share ownership by our executive officers. See pages 4254 for the elements of our compensation programs and key fiscal year 2016 performance metrics. Mr. Calastri is not included in the chart below as his compensation was unchanged as interim CFO and is structured differently than that of direct reports to the CEO. Mr. Mitts and Mr. Hau are not included in the chart as each served as CFO for only part of the year and did not receive a full year of compensation for fiscal year 2016.
34 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
Compensation decisions made during fiscal year 2016 were aligned with our pay for performance philosophy and supported recent organizational changes. The following table provides highlights of recent compensation decisions affecting our named executive officers.
|
Pay Component |
|
2016 Actions |
|
For More Information, See Page |
|
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Base salaries Fixed cash compensation for core duties |
With the exception of Mr. Merkt, no named executive officer received a base salary increase in fiscal year 2016. Mr. Merkt received a 5% increase. | 43 | |||||||||||
Annual incentives Variable cash incentives to reward executive officers for achieving pre-determined financial or strategic performance goals |
Payouts ranged from 95.3% to 147.9% of target based on performance against goals for revenue, operating income, EPS and key performance indicator. | 43 | |||||||||||
Annual long-term incentives Variable equity grants that recognize executives' contributions and align executives with shareholders in focusing on long-term growth and stock performance |
The planning values* for the annual grants ranged from $425,000 to $7,500,000 and were delivered in the form of stock options (50%), and Performance Stock Units (PSUs) (50%). Fiscal year 2014 grants of PSUs with a three-year performance cycle vested in December 2016 above the target range based on our EPS growth relative to the Standard & Poor's 500 Non-Financial Companies Index. |
47 | |||||||||||
Sign-on grant Long-term equity grant to compensate for equity forfeited when leaving previous employer |
Mr. Mitts received a one-time long-term equity award of RSUs with a planning value* of $4,800,000. | 50 |
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 35
Governance
Key executive compensation practices are summarized below. We believe these practices promote good governance and serve the interests of our shareholders.
| | | | | | | | |
What We Do |
||||||||
| | | | | | | | |
ü | Link pay to performance with a high percentage of variable compensation |
ü | Include a "clawback" provision in all executive officer incentive award agreements (both annual and long-term) |
|||||
ü |
Perform annual say-on-pay advisory vote for shareholders |
ü |
Maintain robust stock ownership requirements for executives (6x CEO, 3x executive officers) |
|||||
ü |
Perform mandatory (under Swiss Law) say-on-pay vote for maximum aggregate compensation for Board of Directors and |
ü |
Include performance criteria in incentive plans to maximize tax deductibility |
|||||
executive management | ü | Retain a fully independent external compensation consultant whose independence is |
||||||
ü | Follow terms and conditions of executive compensation plans that are included in our |
reviewed annually by the MDCC | ||||||
articles of association and have been approved by shareholders |
ü | Provide only limited non-business aircraft usage to the CEO and President |
||||||
ü |
Align executive compensation with shareholder returns through long-term incentives |
ü |
Maintain an insider trading policy applicable to all executive officers and employees |
|||||
ü |
Design compensation programs to mitigate undue risk taking |
ü |
Review share utilization annually |
|||||
ü |
Cap incentive compensation payments for individuals including our CEO |
|||||||
| | | | | | | | |
What We Do Not Do |
||||||||
| | | | | | | | |
x | Provide tax gross-ups for executive officers except under our broad-based relocation |
x | Provide tax gross-ups for personal aircraft use | |||||
program | x | Provide excise tax gross-ups | ||||||
x |
Provide perquisites for executive officers except for limited non-business aircraft usage for our |
x |
Re-price underwater stock options |
|||||
CEO and President | x | Allow hedging or pledging of TE securities | ||||||
| | | | | | | | |
Swiss Law RequirementsSwiss Ordinance
In 2013, a set of corporate governance and executive compensation rules were adopted by the Swiss government, specifically the Swiss Ordinance Against Excessive Compensation in Listed Stock Companies (and are referred to in the CD&A as the "Swiss Ordinance"). The rules under the Swiss Ordinance became effective on January 1, 2014 (subject to various transitional periods), and the company has taken a number of actions to comply with the rules.
Amendments to our articles of association were approved at our annual general meeting of shareholders on March 3, 2015. The Company has amended its articles of association to describe certain corporate governance matters and executive compensation principles and to comply with the Swiss Ordinance. Among the items covered in the amended articles are:
36 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation Philosophy
Our executive compensation philosophy calls for competitive total compensation that will reward executives for achieving individual and corporate performance objectives and will attract, motivate and retain leaders who will drive the creation of shareholder value. The MDCC reviews and administers the compensation and benefit programs for executive officers, including the named executive officers, and
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 37
performs an annual assessment of the company's executive compensation policy. In determining total compensation, the MDCC considers the objectives and attributes described below.
| | | | |
Executive Compensation Principles |
||||
| | | | |
Shareholder alignment |
Our executive compensation programs are designed to create shareholder value. |
|||
|
Long-term incentive awards, delivered in the form of equity, make up a significant percentage of our executives' total compensation and closely align the interests of executives with the long-term interests of our shareholders. |
|||
Performance based |
Annual cash incentive awards are tied to overall corporate, segment or business unit measures that distinguish our highest from our lowest performing business units. |
|||
|
The MDCC has limited discretion under the annual cash incentive program to recognize superior business unit or individual performance. |
|||
|
Long-term incentive awards are designed to reward our executive officers for creating long-term shareholder value. For the past three years, long-term incentive awards have been granted primarily in the form of stock options and performance stock units. |
|||
Appropriate risk |
Our executive compensation programs are designed to encourage executive officers to take appropriate risks in managing their businesses to achieve optimal performance. |
|||
Competitive with external talent markets |
Our executive compensation programs are designed to be competitive within the relevant markets. |
|||
|
We consider compensation for comparable executives within two peer groups: one consisting of companies that compete with us for executive talent, and one consisting of companies in the electronics industry. Where appropriate we consider additional indices for unique positions. |
|||
Focus on executive stock ownership |
The TE Connectivity Ltd. Share Ownership and Retention Requirement Plan, together with long-term equity awards, drives executive stock ownership. |
|||
|
The CEO is required to hold shares equal to six times his base salary. The CEO's direct reports are required to hold shares equal to three times their respective base salaries. |
|||
Simple and transparent |
Our executive compensation programs are designed to be readily understood by our executives, and transparent to our investors. |
|||
| | | | |
Role of the Management Development and Compensation Committee
The MDCC has four primary responsibilities:
38 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
The MDCC recommendations regarding Messrs. Lynch and Curtin are based on factors such as the executive's performance, the company's performance and competitive market data provided by the independent compensation consultant. The MDCC discusses and evaluates these recommendations in an executive session attended by the committee members, the compensation consultant, and TE Connectivity's Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer, who attends primarily to provide contextual information. Mr. Lynch and Mr. Curtin do not attend these meetings.
All members of the MDCC meet the independence requirements of the NYSE. Each MDCC member also is a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and an "outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Chief Executive Officer and President Compensation
Management does not have any role in developing the Chief Executive Officer's or President's compensation other than providing data relating to their performance and compensation history.
Other Named Executive Officer Compensation
The Chief Executive Officer and President make recommendations to the MDCC relating to compensation actions for the other executive officers, including the other named executive officers. They base these recommendations on their assessment of each executive officer's performance and contributions to strategic initiatives, competitive market data provided by the compensation consultant, and other factors they deem relevant. These factors may include differences in an executive's responsibilities versus the role reflected in the competitive market analysis, internal pay equity and relative importance of an executive's role with TE Connectivity, level of experience and compensation history. The Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer is present when the MDCC and the Chief Executive Officer and President discuss compensation actions for the other named executive officers.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
Under its charter, the MDCC has authority to retain advisors to help the members perform their duties. During fiscal year 2016, the MDCC retained Pay Governance LLC to be its independent compensation consultant. Pay Governance reports directly to the MDCC, and only the MDCC has authority to terminate the consultant's services. Pay Governance is not permitted to provide any services to the company outside of its services to the MDCC except with prior approval of the MDCC chair. During fiscal year 2016, Pay Governance did not provide any additional services to the company.
Pay Governance supports the MDCC in designing the company's executive compensation programs, establishing executive pay levels, and generally advises on executive compensation issues and trends. In fiscal year 2016, the consultant performed the following services:
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 39
In general, we use two distinct peer groups to benchmark market practices on compensation for executive officers. One peer group reflects the executive talent market generally; the other focuses on our industry. This two-pronged approach provides broad, yet highly relevant, information regarding executive compensation practices and trends. The MDCC reviews the peer group structure annually.
The primary talent market peer group comprises companies across a range of industries in which TE Connectivity competes for executive talent. Since we typically do not restrict executive recruiting solely to individuals working in the electronics industry, the MDCC believes it is appropriate to establish a benchmark peer group that covers an array of companies. The industries included in the primary talent market peer group are aerospace and defense; electronics, electrical and scientific equipment and components; and industrial manufacturing. The primary talent market peer group consists of 89 companies, listed in Appendix A, with publicly disclosed fiscal-annual revenues ranging from $535 million to $116 billion and a median of $5.1 billion. Data obtained from this group is adjusted to reflect the relative size (based on revenue) of TE Connectivity within the group.
The secondary peer group comprises companies within the electronics industry. We use the secondary peer group to identify any differences in compensation practices between our industry peers and the broader primary talent market peer companies. As part of the annual peer group review, we made changes to our fiscal year 2016 secondary peer group that reflects changes within our organization and in the electronics industry. As shown below, the fiscal year 2016 secondary industry
40 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
peer group includes 14 companies, with publicly disclosed fiscal-annual revenues ranging from $2.4 billion to $42.7 billion and a median of $21.2 billion.
3M Company | Emerson Electric Co. | |
Amphenol Corporation | General Dynamics Corporation | |
Borg Warner | Honeywell International Inc. | |
Danaher Corporation | Johnson Controls International plc | |
Delphi | Parker Hannifin Corporation | |
Eaton Corporation | Sensata Technologies | |
EMC Corporation | SPX Corporation |
Borg Warner, Delphi and Sensata Technologies were added to our peer group, while Agilent Technologies Inc., Corning Incorporated, Excelis Inc. and Harris Corporation were removed. These updates better reflect our current business mix and the organizations against which it makes sense to benchmark our compensation practices.
Benchmark data is compiled by the compensation consultant. As discussed below, the MDCC uses this information to ensure that our compensation levels and programs are competitive with the compensation paid by the companies we may compete with for executive talent, but the benchmark data is just one of the factors used in setting executive compensation levels.
Determining Executive Compensation
In determining the appropriate total compensation level for each executive officer, the MDCC considers the following items:
| | | | |
Factors We Consider |
||||
| | | | |
Role |
Responsibilities, scope and complexity of the executive's role against the external benchmark data Relative importance of the role within TE Connectivity |
|||
Comprehensive Market Analysis |
Market reference points, including the 50th and 75th percentiles of our primary talent market peer group, for the executive officer's specific role Comprehensive analysis of current base salary, target annual incentive opportunity, target long-term incentive opportunity, target total cash compensation (base salary and target annual incentive), and target total direct compensation for each executive officer |
|||
Performance |
Executive's individual performance, past performance, level of experience and expected contribution to strategic initiatives and future results |
|||
Current Compensation |
A review of the executive's current total direct compensation including internal pay equity and compensation history |
|||
CEO/President Recommendations |
The Chief Executive Officer and President's detailed performance assessments for the other executive officers and recommendations concerning compensation actions |
|||
| | | | |
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 41
The compensation assessment for each executive officer is presented on a tally sheet, which also summarizes the officer's compensation history, job responsibilities, tenure with the company and performance achievements. The tally sheets enable the MDCC to understand how each element of an executive officer's compensation compares to the market 50th and 75th percentiles and to the amounts awarded to other executive officers.
With the information provided in the total compensation assessment as a reference, and with the input of the compensation consultant and the Chief Executive Officer and President, the MDCC makes compensation determinations for our executive officers. The MDCC and the Board follow a similar process to set compensation for both the Chief Executive Officer and the President. In some years, the MDCC may determine that total compensation (or one or more components of total compensation) for a particular executive should differ from the market reference point(s). Similarly, the MDCC may approve a total compensation package or individual compensation components that exceed the market reference point(s) for a critical management role in order to attract a highly qualified external candidate.
Broad-based employee benefit programs also are provided to executive officers on the same basis as all other employees.
September 2016 Compensation Assessment
In September 2016, the MDCC, with the assistance of the compensation consultant, conducted an assessment of each executive officer's fiscal year 2016 compensation, and determined that the total direct compensation levels for some of our named executive officers varied from the applicable market reference points. The fiscal year 2016 total direct compensation levels for Messrs. Lynch, Mitts and Calastri were positioned within ten percent of the 50th percentile of their peer market reference points. Compensation levels for Messrs. Curtin and Merkt were positioned below the 50th percentile. The total direct compensation level for Mr. Donahue was positioned closer to the 75th percentile. The MDCC believes that total compensation levels for Mr. Donahue are appropriate and consistent with our executive compensation philosophy.
As discussed in the next section, the results of the September 2016 competitive compensation assessment helped the MDCC to set base salaries, annual and long-term incentive targets and actual long-term incentive grant values for the executive officers for fiscal year 2017.
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2016
The company's total compensation package for executive officers consists of the following elements:
42 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
Base Salary
Base salary provides fixed compensation for performing the executive's core duties and responsibilities. As shown below, only Mr. Merkt received a base salary increase effective with the first pay period in January 2016.
|
Increase Amount |
From | To | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr. Lynch |
0.0 | % | $ | 1,200,000 | $ | 1,200,000 | ||||
Mr. Hau |
0.0 | % | $ | 621,027 | $ | 621,027 | ||||
Mr. Calastri |
0.0 | % | $ | 375,161 | $ | 375,161 | ||||
Mr. Mitts |
0.0 | % | $ | 610,000 | $ | 610,000 | ||||
Mr. Curtin |
0.0 | % | $ | 825,000 | $ | 825,000 | ||||
Mr. Donahue |
0.0 | % | $ | 695,780 | $ | 695,780 | ||||
Mr. Merkt |
5.0 | % | $ | 577,523 | $ | 606,399 |
Mr. Merkt received a merit increase of 5% to maintain his competitive pay position in the marketplace and bring his total direct compensation closer to the 50th percentile.
For 2017, Messrs. Lynch, Donahue and Merkt will not receive base salary increases. Mr. Mitts will maintain his base salary that was effective at hire. Effective October 3, 2016, Mr. Curtin received a base salary adjustment of 15% in recognition of his new position as President and CEO-elect.
Annual Incentive Awards
The annual incentive program is designed to reward executive officers for achieving fiscal year financial or strategic performance goals at the corporate, segment or business unit level, though awards may be modified to reflect the MDCC's assessment of individual performance. The MDCC intends the annual incentive award program to provide market competitive awards for performance at predetermined target levels.
Our annual incentive awards are structured as cash payments. Within ninety days of the start of each fiscal year, the MDCC establishes the applicable performance criteria, which include minimum performance thresholds required to earn any award, target performance goals required to earn a payment of 100%, and a higher performance level required to earn the maximum incentive permitted. At the same time, the MDCC establishes a target bonus percentage for each executive officer, which is expressed as a percentage of base pay. Executive officers will receive an award based on the target bonus percentage and the attained performance levels on the various metrics. No annual incentive payments are made if threshold performance levels are not achieved, absent extenuating circumstances that the MDCC believes merit an exception. Payouts change proportionately for achievement at levels between goals.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 43
Target Bonus Percentages
The target bonus percentages for the named executive officers for fiscal years 2016 and 2017 are listed below:
|
Fiscal 2016 Target | Fiscal 2017 Target | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mr. Lynch |
150% | 150% | ||
Mr. Hau |
85% | | ||
Mr. Calastri |
60% | 60% | ||
Mr. Mitts |
| 85% | ||
Mr. Curtin |
100% | 125% | ||
Mr. Donahue |
90% | 90% | ||
Mr. Merkt |
85% | 85% |
Effective for the full fiscal year 2017, Mr. Curtin received a new bonus target of 125% to recognize his new position as President and CEO-elect.
Performance Measures
Each year the MDCC reviews and approves the annual incentive measures for the business segments and the company as a whole. Measures are selected to support the objectives of each business and to provide appropriate balance and avoid excessive risk. For fiscal year 2016, we maintained the number of measures at four.
Measures for corporate and the segments were revenue, operating income, and a key performance indicator identified at the business unit level to reflect growth, productivity, quality or customer delivery, as appropriate for the business unit's key initiatives for the year. Individual metric weightings were consistent with last year with revenue weighted 30%, operating income weighted 30% and key performance indicator weighted 20%. The corporate level metric continued to be earnings per share, which was weighted 20%. Each segment's results are the roll-up of its underlying business units' results, while corporate level results are the roll-up of all business units' results. The key performance indicator metric at the corporate level is the revenue-weighted average of the key performance indicator metric scores for the business segments. The performance measures and weightings for the corporate level, segment and businesses for the named executive officers are as follows:
2016 Metric
|
Corporate | Subsea Communications |
Transportation Solutions |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Corporate |
||||||||||
Earnings per share |
20 | % | 20 | % | 20 | % | ||||
Business |
||||||||||
Revenue |
30 | % | 30 | % | 30 | % | ||||
Operating income |
30 | % | 30 | % | 30 | % | ||||
Key performance indicator |
20 | % | 20 | % | 20 | % |
For purposes of the annual incentive program, all of the financial metrics are adjusted financial measures (i.e., they do not conform to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) that exclude the effects of events deemed not to reflect the actual performance of our employees. For fiscal year 2016, the adjustments to EPS, revenue and operating income, as applicable, were as follows (i) exclusion of acquisition related charges, (ii) exclusion of restructuring and other charges, (iii) exclusion of the impact of certain acquisitions, (iv) exclusion of the impact of changes resulting from foreign currency exchange rates (with respect to performance measures at the business unit level), (v) exclusion of certain corporate allocations (with respect to performance measures at the business unit level), and (vi) exclusion of income tax benefits associated with the settlement of audits of prior year income tax
44 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
returns as well as the related impact to other expense pursuant to the tax sharing agreement with Tyco International plc and Covidien plc and exclusion of income tax charges related to an increase in the valuation allowance for certain U.S. deferred tax assets.
The table below shows the performance range for payouts under the fiscal year 2016 annual incentive program, as well as the payouts to be awarded for performance at each level.
Metric
|
Threshold | Target | Maximum* | Threshold payout (% of target) |
Target payout (% of target) |
Maximum payout* (% of target) |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EPS |
90 | % | 100 | % | 110 | % | 50 | % | 100 | % | 200 | % | |||||||
Revenue |
95 | % | 100 | % | 105 | % | 50 | % | 100 | % | 200 | % | |||||||
Operating income |
90 | % | 100 | % | 110 | % | 50 | % | 100 | % | 200 | % | |||||||
Key performance indicator |
Varies by business unit | 50 | % | 100 | % | 200 | % |
No individual performance metrics were assigned to any executive officer under the fiscal year 2016 annual incentive program. The MDCC reserved the discretion to adjust individual or business unit award amounts up or down, by 0% to 200% based on its evaluation of the individual or business unit performance during the fiscal year. However, all individual performance adjustments must net out to zero, meaning that the overall annual incentive pool may not be increased as a result of individual or business unit performance adjustments. In addition, there is a reserve pool of approximately $9 million (10% of the total target annual incentive award pool amount) that, with the MDCC's approval, could be used to reward exceptional performance at either the business unit or individual level, regardless of performance results against the established financial measures. Notwithstanding MDCC adjustments, an individual employee's incentive cannot exceed 200% of the employee's target bonus percentage.
Annual Incentive Payments for Fiscal 2016
Fiscal year 2016 performance targets, actual attainment, and corresponding annual incentive award results at the corporate level and for the Subsea Communications business and the Transportation Solutions business segment were as follows:
Performance Measure (% weighting)
|
Target | Results | Performance % to Target |
Bonus Score** |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EPS (20%) |
$3.92$4.17 | $ | 4.08 | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
Revenue (30%) |
$12,185$12,700 | $ | 12,071 | 99.1 | % | 90.6 | % | |||||
Operating Income (30%) |
$1,967$2,093 | $ | 1,909 | 97.1 | % | 85.4 | % | |||||
Key Performance Indicator Metric (20%) |
* | * | 150.1 | % | ||||||||
Corporate Level Earned Award: |
95.7% | *** |
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 45
Performance Measure (% weighting)
|
Target | Results | Performance % to Target |
Bonus Score** |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EPS (20%) |
$3.92$4.17 | $4.08 | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
Business Unit Revenue (30%) |
* | * | 109.2 | % | 300 | % | |||||
Business Unit Operating Income (30%) |
* | * | 136.3 | % | 300 | % | |||||
Key Performance Indicator Metric (20%) |
* | * | 189 | % | |||||||
Subsea Communications Earned Award: |
200 | % |
Performance Measure (% weighting)
|
Target | Results | Performance % to Target |
Bonus Score** |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EPS (20%) |
$3.92$4.17 | $ | 4.08 | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
Business Unit Revenue (30%) |
$6,672$6,803 | $ | 6,558 | 98.3 | % | 82.7 | % | |||||
Business Unit Operating Income (30%) |
$1,567$1,630 | $ | 1,493 | 95.3 | % | 75.4 | % | |||||
Key Performance Indicator Metric (20%) |
* | * | 183.8 | % | ||||||||
Transportation Solutions Earned Award: |
95.3% | *** |
Messrs. Lynch, Calastri and Curtin received fiscal 2016 annual incentive payouts based entirely on the corporate award score. Mr. Merkt's fiscal year 2016 annual incentive payout was based entirely on the Transportation Solutions award score. The fiscal year 2016 annual incentive payout for Mr. Donahue was based on an even split between the corporate and Subsea Communications award scores. Mr. Hau and Mr. Mitts did not receive annual incentive payouts under the fiscal 2016 plan.
46 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
Annual Incentive Plan for Fiscal 2017
For fiscal year 2017, we will continue to use the same four performance measures as fiscal year 2016. Each business segment will use revenue, operating income and a revenue-weighted average of its business units' key performance indicators. The combined business segment metrics will be weighted 80%. The corporate metric will continue to be earnings per share and will be weighted 20%.
For fiscal year 2017, the payout ranges described in the chart on page 45 are generally unchanged. The revenue metric will generally have a threshold level of 95% and a maximum level of 105% with some variation depending upon business unit. The performance range for operating income generally will have a threshold level of 90% and a maximum level of 110% with some variation depending upon business unit. The performance ranges for EPS are unchanged.
Long-Term Incentive Awards
The company uses long-term incentive awards in the form of stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs") and performance stock units ("PSUs") to deliver competitive compensation that recognizes employees for their contributions and aligns executive officers with shareholders in focusing on long-term growth and stock performance. As part of the company's compensation philosophy, the MDCC concluded that annual grants of long-term incentive awards to executive officers typically should be competitive relative to our primary talent market peer group, but should deliver compensation at the high end of the market if our stock performs particularly well and at the low end of the market if our stock performance is weak.
Stock options have a ten-year term and vest ratably over a four-year period, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. RSUs also vest ratably over four years starting on the first anniversary of the grant date. PSUs granted in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 can earn value each year based on achievement of predetermined performance criteria during a three-year period and vest in full upon the MDCC's certification of the third year's performance results. PSUs granted in fiscal 2016 earn value at the end of the three-year performance period and vest in full upon the MDCC's certification of the performance results. We believe this vesting schedule encourages executives to remain with TE Connectivity and strive to continually improve shareholder value.
The company does not have a specific policy for allocating long-term equity incentive awards among the different forms of equity, but determines each year what is appropriate in light of the then-current circumstances as described below. However, consistent with our philosophy that a majority of an executive officer's compensation should be performance-based and aligned with shareholders' interest, long-term equity incentive awards for executive officers consist of stock options and PSUs.
In order to facilitate the long-term equity incentive grant process and promote internal pay equity, the MDCC has established guidelines that group certain executive officers (excluding Mr. Lynch) together in separate grant ranges based on factors such as market benchmark data, similarity in roles and scope of business, or the impact of the executive officer's role on the organization. The MDCC then assigns an equity value range for each executive officer group based on applicable competitive market data. Grant values actually awarded to each executive are intended to be within the ranges assigned, although the MDCC may grant awards outside an assigned range to recognize exceptional or below average performance. The MDCC reviews the guidelines annually and adjusts them as appropriate.
To determine the value of each executive officer's long-term equity incentive award in any year, the MDCC refers to the equity grant guidelines, assesses the executive's future potential, and also considers the same factors generally considered for other components of total compensationinternal pay equity, individual performance and contributions to strategic initiatives, level of experience and compensation history. As with the other components of total compensation, Messrs. Lynch and Curtin make a recommendation regarding long-term equity incentive awards for each executive officer.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 47
In determining its annual long-term equity incentive award recommendation for Messrs. Lynch and Curtin, the MDCC reviews the applicable market reference data, competitive compensation analysis, and any additional input from the compensation consultant, and also assesses individual performance. Based on this information, the MDCC presents a recommendation to the independent members of the full Board for consideration.
Performance Stock Unit (PSU) Program
PSUs provide the named executive officer the opportunity to earn shares of the company's stock based on the company's EPS growth relative to the Standard & Poor's 500 Non-Financial Companies Index over a three-year performance cycle. Beginning with our fiscal year 2016 PSU grant shares can be earned and vested after the end of the three-year performance cycle. A three-year average EPS growth metric will be used to determine relative performance and calculate earned shares at the end of the three-year performance period. Target shares, or 100%, will only be earned for EPS growth at the 50th percentile. Maximum payout is 200% and is earned for EPS growth at the 75th percentile of the index. In order to earn any shares under the program a minimum threshold must be achieved. Specifically, EPS growth must be at the 25th percentile of the index. PSUs will be paid in the form of TE Connectivity common stock, together with dividend equivalent stock units that accrued commensurate with the portion of the PSUs that are vested.
PSUs granted in fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2015 continue to be earned per the provisions of those plans. In each year of the performance cycle, one third of the PSUs granted (the "annual target amount") can be earned (but not vested) based on the predetermined performance schedule. In any year during the three-year performance cycle for a PSU grant that the company's EPS growth is within the 45th to 55th percentile of the index, the annual target amount will be reserved for delivery at the conclusion of the three-year performance cycle. If the company's results are higher than the 55th percentile, up to 200% of the annual target amount will be reserved for delivery. If results are lower, a smaller percentage may be reserved for delivery, but no PSUs will be reserved in any year in which the performance threshold (EPS growth at the 25th percentile of the index) is not met. PSUs that have been reserved and any accrued dividend equivalent stock units will vest following the close of the three-year performance cycle.
EPS performance for fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016 is outlined below, along with the associated payout factors. PSUs granted in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 continue to earn shares annually based on the payout factors outlined below:
|
EPS Growth | Percentile Rank | Payout Factor | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FY2014 |
17.3 | % | 69.0 | 170.0 | % | |||||
FY2015 |
8.8 |
% |
60.7 |
128.5 |
% |
|||||
FY2016 |
9.7 |
% |
67.4 |
162.0 |
% |
PSUs granted in fiscal year 2016 and later use a three-year average EPS growth metric to determine relative performance and earned shares are calculated at the end of the three-year performance period.
48 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
Payout for Fiscal 2014 PSU Grant
Fiscal year 2016 was the third year of our fiscal year 2014 PSU grant. Recipients under the program earned above target shares for each year of the three-year period. Shares earned under the program vested on December 13, 2016 upon certification of the fiscal year 2016 results.
The table below shows the shares earned and vested under the fiscal year 2014 PSU grant for each of our named executive officers.
|
FY2014 Target PSUs |
Year 1 Earned Shares |
Year 2 Earned Shares |
Year 3 Earned Shares |
Total FY2014 Earned and Vested Shares |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr. Lynch |
42,850 | 24,281 | 18,354 | 23,140 | 65,775 | |||||||||||
Mr. Calastri |
2,290 | 1,297 | 980 | 1,238 | 3,515 | |||||||||||
Mr. Curtin |
13,140 | 7,446 | 5,628 | 7,096 | 20,170 | |||||||||||
Mr. Donahue |
13,140 | 7,446 | 5,628 | 7,096 | 20,170 | |||||||||||
Mr. Merkt |
9,710 | 5,503 | 4,160 | 5,242 | 14,905 |
Messrs. Hau and Mitts will not receive a payout under the fiscal year 2014 PSU grant.
Fiscal 2016 Long-Term Incentive Awards
The MDCC granted long-term equity incentive awards in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Fiscal year 2016 equity awards for named executive officers were made in the form of stock options (50%) and PSUs (50%).
As part of the annual award process, the MDCC reviewed the equity planning value ranges against updated market data and determined that the equity planning value ranges for fiscal year 2016 should remain the same as those for fiscal year 2015. Messrs. Donahue and Hau were grouped together in the same long-term incentive range and Mr. Merkt and Mr. Calastri were grouped in separate ranges consistent with other senior executives at their level in the organization. (Mr. Mitts did not receive a long-term incentive award for fiscal 2016.) For the named executive officers other than Messrs. Lynch and Curtin, the equity planning value ranges for the fiscal year 2016 long-term equity incentive awards were as follows:
The equity award planning values approved by the MDCC for the named executive officers for fiscal year 2016 were as follows:
Mr. Lynch |
$ | 7,500,000 | ||
Mr. Hau |
$ | 1,900,000 | ||
Mr. Calastri |
$ | 425,000 | ||
Mr. Curtin |
$ | 3,000,000 | ||
Mr. Donahue |
$ | 2,200,000 | ||
Mr. Merkt |
$ | 1,800,000 |
In recommending Messrs. Lynch and Curtin's award for approval by independent members of the Board, the MDCC considered Messrs. Lynch and Curtin's continued strong leadership of the company through another successful year in fiscal year 2015, and the competitive total direct compensation and long-term incentive benchmark data from the company's two peer groups.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 49
In addition to the grants listed above, Mr. Calastri received a special equity grant with a planning value of $250,000 to recognize his significant contributions to the organization while serving as the interim CFO. The award is in the form of RSUs and is scheduled to vest in full on the second anniversary of the grant date. Mr. Mitts received a sign-on equity grant with a planning value of $4,800,000 to compensate for stock awards he forfeited when he left his previous employer. The award is in the form of RSUs and is scheduled to vest ratably over four years.
Fiscal 2017 Long-Term Incentive Awards
The MDCC granted long-term equity incentive awards for fiscal year 2017 in November 2016. (These equity awards are not reflected in the Summary Compensation or Grants of Plan-Based Awards tables because those tables only cover fiscal year 2016.) The equity planning value range for Mr. Donahue remains unchanged from fiscal year 2016. The MDCC established a new equity planning value range for Mr. Mitts' fiscal 2017 grant as the newly appointed CFO. Mr. Merkt's equity planning value range was adjusted to reflect competitive market data updated to recognize the increased revenue scope of the Transportation Solutions business segment.
The fiscal year 2017 equity incentive awards for the named executive officers were in the form of stock options (50%) and PSUs (50%). The equity award planning values approved by the MDCC for the named executive officers for fiscal year 2017 were as follows:
Mr. Lynch |
$ | 3,750,000 | ||
Mr. Mitts |
$ | 1,900,000 | ||
Mr. Curtin |
$ | 6,500,000 | ||
Mr. Donahue |
$ | 2,200,000 | ||
Mr. Merkt |
$ | 2,100,000 |
In recommending the fiscal year 2017 awards for Messrs. Lynch and Curtin for approval by independent members of the Board, the MDCC considered several factors including the timing of the transition of Mr. Lynch to Executive Chairman and Mr. Curtin to CEO, individual performance, as well as the competitive market analysis for those roles.
Pay Mix
The company does not have a defined policy to dictate the allocation between fixed and performance-based compensation or between annual and long-term compensation. The pay mix for each named executive officer is driven largely by two concerns: to deliver compensation primarily through performance-based components that align the executives' interests with those of our shareholders, and to deliver a competitive pay mix relative to our peer benchmark companies. Management and the MDCC periodically review the pay mix to ensure that the allocation achieves those goals.
The following table shows our pay mix for fiscal year 2016, based on the data reported in the Summary Compensation Table. Performance-based incentives constituted at least 75%, and as much as 84%, of fiscal year 2016 compensation for the named executive officers. The allocations differ among the named executive officers because of market practice for their respective positions and actual performance on annual incentive plan payouts. Mr. Calastri is not included in the table below as his compensation structure was unchanged as interim CFO and is structured differently than that of direct
50 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
reports to the CEO. Mr. Mitts and Mr. Hau are not included in the table as each served as CFO for only part of the year and did not receive a full year of compensation for fiscal year 2016.
|
Base Salary Rate |
Long-Term Incentives(2) |
Annual Incentive |
Other Compensation |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lynch |
11 | % | 69 | % | 15 | % | 5 | % | |||||
Curtin |
17 | % | 64 | % | 16 | % | 3 | % | |||||
Donahue(1) |
17 | % | 56 | % | 22 | % | 5 | % | |||||
Merkt(1) |
19 | % | 60 | % | 15 | % | 6 | % |
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the tax deduction available to a public company for annual compensation paid to certain executive officers in excess of $1 million, unless the compensation qualifies as performance-based or is otherwise exempt from Section 162(m). Annual incentive bonuses, stock options and other performance-based awards made to executive officers under our 2007 Stock and Incentive Plan are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for these purposes.
In evaluating compensation programs covering our executive officers, the MDCC considers the potential impact on the company of Section 162(m) and generally intends to maximize the deductibility of compensation. However, the MDCC reserves the right to approve nondeductible compensation where necessary to achieve our overall compensation objectives and to ensure the company makes appropriate payments to executive officers.
Risk Profile of Compensation Programs
The MDCC has structured our executive compensation programs to provide the appropriate level of incentives without encouraging executive officers to take excessive risks in managing their businesses.
We performed a two-part risk assessment of the company's compensation programs and practices in fiscal year 2016. We first conducted an inventory of our executive and non-executive incentive compensation programs globally, including all significant sales incentive programs. Then each program was evaluated to determine whether its primary components properly balanced compensation opportunities and risk. The compensation consultant facilitated this evaluation by preparing a compensation risk analysis checklist. Each program was evaluated against the checklist, the results were recorded, and risk levels were identified.
After considering the assessment results and the preliminary conclusions, the MDCC agreed that none of the company's compensation programs and practices in fiscal year 2016 were reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation Benefits
The company maintains various retirement plans to assist our executive officers with retirement income planning and to make the company more appealing to prospective employees.
The company provides a defined contribution plan, the Tyco Electronics Retirement Savings and Investment Plan ("RSIP"), that is available to all eligible U.S.-based employees, and a nonqualified
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 51
supplemental retirement plan, the Tyco Electronics Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan ("SSRP"), for management and executive level employees.
Under the RSIP, the company match level is based on years of service, as follows:
Years of Service
|
Employee Contribution* | Company Contribution* | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
09 |
1% | 5% | ||
1019 |
2% | 6% | ||
2024 |
3% | 7% | ||
2529 |
4% | 8% | ||
30 or more |
5% | 9% |
Under the SSRP, executive officers may defer up to 50% of their base salary and 100% of their annual incentive awards. The company provides matching contributions to the SSRP based on the executive officer's amount of deferred compensation at the same rate such officer is eligible to receive matching contributions under the RSIP and on any cash compensation (i.e., base salary and annual incentive awards) earned in excess of Internal Revenue Service limits. Once officers reach the annual contribution limit under the RSIP, they may continue to make deferrals in excess of qualified plan limits into the SSRP and receive matching contributions from the Company until compensation reaches the IRS maximum compensation limit. Participants then receive matching contributions called "Company Credits" on any eligible compensation earned beyond the IRS maximum compensation limit.
Company contributions for the named executive officers are shown in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation table that follows this CD&A. Participants, including executive officers, are fully vested in company matching contributions under the RSIP and SSRP after three years of service, or upon reaching age 55.
All of the company's U.S. retirement, deferred compensation, incentive, and other executive and broad-based plans are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Mr. Donahue has accrued a benefit under two frozen tax-qualified defined benefit plans, as described in the Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2016 table that follows this CD&A. Mr. Merkt has accrued a benefit under one frozen tax-qualified defined benefit plan as described in the same table.
We provide welfare benefits to executive officers on the same basis as all other employees in the same geographic area. The various benefit plans are part of our overall total compensation and are intended to be competitive with peer companies.
For eligible U.S.-based employees, the company provides medical, dental and life insurance, and disability coverage. Outside of the United States, the company provides welfare benefits based on local country practices.
TE Connectivity uses corporate aircraft to allow our executive officers and other corporate and business leaders to travel safely and efficiently for business purposes. This corporate aircraft enables our employees to be more productive by providing a secure environment to conduct confidential business and avoid the scheduling constraints associated with commercial air travel. Under the TE Connectivity Corporate Aircraft Usage Policy, Messrs. Lynch and Curtin are permitted to use the corporate aircraft for non-business purposes, whenever practical and subject to annual limitations, to
52 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
enable them to take advantage of these efficiencies. Limited non-business use of the corporate aircraft by other executive officers also is permitted with the approval of Mr. Lynch. The cost to the company of providing non-business use of the corporate aircraft to our named executive officers is disclosed in the All Other Compensation table following the Summary Compensation table and the disclosed value is the incremental cost, including the direct variable cost to TE Connectivity associated with the non-business travel as further described in footnote (a) to the All Other Compensation table. The value of an executive's non-business use of the corporate aircraft may also be treated as taxable income in accordance with IRS regulations and if so, will not be grossed up. There are no other perquisites provided to named executive officers with the exception of Mr. Calastri who continued to be eligible for his U.S. perquisite plan during his interim CFO role.
Expatriate Assignment Benefits
As described in the Summary Compensation table that follows this CD&A, Messrs. Donahue and Merkt received certain benefits under the terms of an expatriate assignment policy made available to all employees who are asked to relocate from their home country in connection with their work assignments. Under the policy, eligible employees are reimbursed (or provided cash allowances) for items such as rent, goods and services, dependent tuition, home leave costs, language training, housing management fees, tax preparation services, utilities, storage costs, and miscellaneous living expenses. In addition, eligible employees are placed in a tax-equalization program that makes them whole (including tax gross-up payments, where necessary) for any additional taxes imposed in excess of the taxes they would have incurred in their home country. Messrs. Merkt and Donahue incurred expenses under our tax-equalization program in fiscal year 2016 in conjunction with their overseas assignments that concluded in 2012 and 2011, respectively as explained in footnote (a) to the All Other Compensation table following the Summary Compensation table.
Under the Swiss Ordinance, members of executive management, including the named executive officers (with the exception of Mr. Calastri), are no longer eligible for severance benefits or change in control severance.
In 2015 (and prior to January 1, 2016) the company entered into new employment contracts (the "2016 employment contracts") with the members of executive management, including the named executive officers, which document the terms and conditions of the executives' employment with the company. The 2016 employment contracts are substantially similar to the prior employment contracts, except that, to comply with the Swiss Ordinance, executives will not receive any severance benefits and do not participate in the TE Connectivity Severance Plan for U.S. executives (referred to as the Severance Plan) or the TE Connectivity Change in Control Severance Plan for Certain U.S. Executives (referred to as the CIC Plan).
Mr. Calastri
As Interim CFO, Mr. Calastri continued to be eligible for severance and change in control benefits under the Severance Plan and CIC Plan as his compensation did not become subject to the Swiss Ordinance because he is not a member of the executive management for purposes of the Swiss Ordinance. In the event of an involuntary termination of employment for any reason other than cause, permanent disability or death, under the Severance Plan Mr. Calastri is eligible to receive cash severance equal to one time base salary plus target bonus paid in equal monthly installments. He will also be eligible to receive a pro rata annual incentive payment for the year in which the termination occurs and health and welfare benefits at active employee premium rates for twelve months. Outstanding equity awards will be treated in accordance with the applicable award agreement. In order
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 53
to obtain severance benefits, Mr. Calastri must agree to restrictive covenants (including non-compete and non-solicitation) in favor of the company.
In the event of an involuntary or "good reason" termination that occurs during a period shortly before and continuing after a change in control, Mr. Calastri would be eligible to receive benefits under the CIC Plan. Mr. Calastri would be eligible to receive cash severance payments equal to one and one-half times base salary plus one and one-half times target bonus paid in one lump sum. In addition, he would be eligible to receive a pro rata annual incentive payment for the year in which the termination occurs and continued health and welfare benefits at active employee premium rates for twelve months. Outstanding stock options and RSUs will become fully vested in the event of a qualifying termination. PSUs granted in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 will vest pro rata in accordance with their terms and performance criteria. PSUs granted in fiscal 2016 will vest in full at target performance in accordance with their terms. In order to obtain benefits, Mr. Calastri must agree to restrictive covenants (including non-compete and non-solicitation) in favor of the company.
Involuntary TerminationOther Named Executive Officers
Under the employment contracts executive officers whose employment is terminated involuntarily for any reason other than cause, permanent disability or death or who voluntarily resign their employment for "good reason" within 12 months of the occurrence of a change in control will have a notice period of up to 12 months. During the notice period the executive officer will continue to be treated as a regular, full-time employee and will continue to receive base salary, be eligible for a bonus subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, continue to vest outstanding equity per the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreements and continue to have health and welfare benefits.
At the end of the 12 month notice period the executive officer will receive twelve months' pay as consideration for non-compete and non-solicitation covenants in favor of the company.
In the event of involuntary or "good reason" termination after a change in control, under our 2007 TE Stock and Incentive Plan, outstanding equity will be treated as follows:
Termination treatment as described above and other benefits payable as a result of a qualifying termination after a change in control will be limited to the greater after-tax amount resulting from (i) payment of the full benefits, followed by the imposition of all taxes, including any applicable excise taxes under Internal Revenue Code Section 280G, or (ii) payment of the full benefits up to the Section 280G limit with no excise tax imposed. Termination and other benefits payable will not be grossed up to reflect Section 280G or any other taxes.
Executive Stock Ownership Requirements
The company maintains a Share Ownership and Retention Requirement Plan applicable to all executive officers, including the named executive officers. The common share ownership requirement for the Chief Executive Officer is six times base salary. Direct reports of the Chief Executive Officer are required to own shares equal to three times base salary. Share ownership requirements must be met within five years of the officer's date of employment. In the event stock ownership has not been met in the five year timeframe, the employee will be required to hold 100% of the shares of common stock they receive upon lapse of the restrictions on restricted stock/stock units and upon exercise of stock options (net of any shares utilized to pay for the exercise price of the option and tax
54 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
withholding). The following shares count toward the ownership requirements: wholly-owned shares, shares in stock units or deferred compensation plans, employee stock ownership plans, unvested restricted stock, shares deemed earned under the provisions of performance stock unit grants, and shares held by immediate family members that are considered beneficially owned by the executive officer. As of fiscal 2016 year-end, all of the named executive officers met their stock ownership requirements.
Our named executive officers along with all of our employees are subject to our insider trading policy to ensure that employees worldwide comply with all applicable laws and regulations concerning securities trading. Among other things, our insider trading policy restricts the times during which executive officers can enter into trading transactions concerning our securities. Our named executive officers and employees are prohibited from engaging in any hedging transactions, including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, exchange funds, puts, calls, options, short sales or similar rights, obligations or transactions that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of TE Connectivity securities, other than the exercise of a company issued stock option.
Our insider trading policy was updated in fiscal year 2015 to include a prohibition against pledging. Executive officers and directors are prohibited from holding TE Connectivity securities in a margin account and from maintaining or entering into any arrangement that, directly or indirectly, involves the pledge of TE Connectivity securities or other use of TE Connectivity securities as collateral for a loan.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 55
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Management Development and Compensation Committee has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and has discussed the analysis with management. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 and in the company's proxy statement for the 2017 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. This report is provided by the following independent directors, who comprise the Committee:
The Management Development and Compensation Committee:
Daniel
J. Phelan, Chair
Paula A. Sneed
John C. Van Scoter
December 7, 2016
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
None of our executive officers serve as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our Management Development and Compensation Committee. In addition, none of our executive officers serve as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our Board of Directors.
56 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the compensation of the named executive officers for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 ("fiscal year 2016"), September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014. The named executive officers are the company's principal executive officer, each executive who served as our principal financial officer during the last fiscal year and the three other most highly compensated executives. Typically there are five named executive officers, but for fiscal 2016 we have seven because three individuals served as Chief Financial Officer during the year.
Name and Principal Position
|
Year (b) |
Salary(1) ($) (c) |
Bonus ($) (d) |
Stock Awards(2) ($) (e) |
Option Awards(3) ($) (f) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compen- sation(4) ($) (g) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compen- sation Earnings(5) ($) (h) |
All Other Compen- sation(6) ($) (i) |
Total ($) (j) |
|||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas J. Lynch |
2016 | $ | 1,200,000 | | $ | 3,875,222 | $ | 4,020,726 | $ | 1,722,600 | | $ | 557,736 | $ | 11,376,284 | |||||||||||||
Chief Executive |
2015 | $ | 1,200,000 | | $ | 4,590,360 | $ | 4,682,416 | $ | 1,080,000 | | $ | 612,301 | $ | 12,165,077 | |||||||||||||
Officer (PEO) |
2014 | $ | 1,172,308 | | $ | 3,685,986 | $ | 3,828,213 | $ | 2,512,800 | | $ | 417,675 | $ | 11,616,982 | |||||||||||||
Robert W. Hau |
2016 | $ | 286,628 | | $ | 981,996 | $ | 1,018,833 | $ | 0 | | $ | 78,084 | $ | 2,365,541 | |||||||||||||
Former EVP & Chief |
2015 | $ | 617,748 | | $ | 1,079,940 | $ | 1,101,911 | $ | 316,724 | | $ | 172,154 | $ | 3,288,477 | |||||||||||||
Financial Officer & PFO |
2014 | $ | 604,738 | | $ | 934,141 | $ | 969,825 | $ | 679,964 | | $ | 235,438 | $ | 3,424,106 | |||||||||||||
Mario Calastri(7) |
2016 | $ | 375,161 | | $ | 462,286 | $ | 227,765 | $ | 215,417 | | $ | 84,594 | $ | 1,365,223 | |||||||||||||
Heath A. Mitts(8) |
2016 | $ | 11,731 | | 4,661,853 | | | | $ | 4,675 | $ | 4,678,259 | ||||||||||||||||
EVP & Chief |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Officer (PFO) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Terrence R. Curtin |
2016 | $ | 825,000 | | $ | 1,549,825 | $ | 1,608,003 | $ | 789,525 | | $ | 178,378 | $ | 4,950,731 | |||||||||||||
President |
2015 | $ | 749,491 | | $ | 1,675,209 | $ | 1,712,323 | $ | 389,022 | | $ | 193,801 | $ | 4,719,846 | |||||||||||||
|
2014 | $ | 651,500 | | $ | 1,130,259 | $ | 1,174,175 | $ | 739,693 | | $ | 157,436 | $ | 3,853,063 | |||||||||||||
Joseph B. Donahue |
2016 | $ | 695,780 | | $ | 1,136,978 | $ | 1,179,777 | $ | 926,153 | $ | 129,210 | $ | 290,678 | $ | 4,358,576 | ||||||||||||
EVP & Chief |
2015 | $ | 692,107 | | $ | 2,254,284 | $ | 1,266,586 | $ | 447,735 | $ | 51,283 | $ | 647,780 | $ | 5,359,775 | ||||||||||||
Operating Officer |
2014 | $ | 677,530 | | $ | 1,130,259 | $ | 1,174,175 | $ | 736,371 | $ | 100,610 | $ | 725,570 | $ | 4,544,515 | ||||||||||||
Steven T. Merkt |
2016 | $ | 598,625 | | $ | 929,895 | $ | 964,946 | $ | 491,214 | $ | 19,129 | $ | 208,745 | $ | 3,212,554 | ||||||||||||
President, Transportation |
2015 | $ | 570,119 | | $ | 2,994,947 | $ | 991,814 | $ | 480,499 | $ | 3,943 | $ | 212,237 | $ | 5,253,559 | ||||||||||||
Solutions |
Grant Date Fair Value of PSUs | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name
|
Target Value ($) |
Maximum Value ($) |
|||||
Mr. Lynch |
$ | 3,875,222 | $ | 7,750,444 | |||
Mr. Hau |
$ | 981,996 | $ | 1,963,991 | |||
Mr. Calastri |
$ | 219,614 | $ | 439,228 | |||
Mr. Mitts |
| | |||||
Mr. Curtin |
$ | 1,549,825 | $ | 3,099,650 | |||
Mr. Donahue |
$ | 1,136,978 | $ | 2,273,956 | |||
Mr. Merkt |
$ | 929,895 | $ | 1,859,790 |
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 57
Name
|
Year | Perquisites(a) ($) |
Insurance Premiums(b) ($) |
Dollar Value of Dividends not factored into Grant Date Fair Value(c) ($) |
ESPP Company Match(d) ($) |
Company Contributions to DC Plans(e) ($) |
Total All Other Compensation ($) |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas J. Lynch |
2016 | $ | 119,631 | | $ | 301,305 | | $ | 136,800 | $ | 557,736 | |||||||||||
Robert W. Hau |
2016 | | | $ | 47,916 | | $ | 30,168 | $ | 78,084 | ||||||||||||
Mario Calastri |
2016 | $ | 37,516 | | $ | 15,898 | | $ | 31,180 | $ | 84,594 | |||||||||||
Heath A. Mitts |
2016 | $ | 4,675 | | | | | $ | 4,675 | |||||||||||||
Terrence R. Curtin |
2016 | | | $ | 105,537 | | $ | 72,841 | $ | 178,378 | ||||||||||||
Joseph B. Donahue |
2016 | $ | 72,666 | $ | 673 | $ | 108,593 | | $ | 108,746 | $ | 290,678 | ||||||||||
Steven T. Merkt |
2016 | $ | 14,691 | | $ | 107,545 | $ | 1,950 | $ | 84,559 | $ | 208,745 |
Amount
for Mr. Calastri reflects a cash perquisite allowance under the executive flexible perquisites allowance program which provides a cash allowance of 10% of base salary for executives
whose employment is based in the United States. Mr. Calastri maintained his compensation structure while serving in his interim role as CFO. Mr. Lynch and his direct reports including
the other named executive officers are not eligible for the flexible perquisites allowance program.
Amounts
less than $25,000 for Mr. Mitts totaling $4,675 include relocation allowances.
Individual
amounts less than $25,000 for Mr. Donahue totaling $26,030 are the net expenses paid by us for tax preparation fees and various miscellaneous fees and expenses pertaining to an
expatriate assignment in Germany during fiscal 2009 - 2011. In fiscal 2016, pursuant to the process of the company's tax equalization program, the company paid on behalf of
Mr. Donahue, foreign taxes in the amount of $23,932 (net of amounts withheld from his base pay under the tax equalization program). The company also provided Mr. Donahue tax gross-up
payments of $22,704 for calendar year 2015; gross-up amounts for calendar year 2016 are not determined until end of calendar year 2016. Mr. Donahue also made repayment to the company of
$560,537 as a result of his 2014 tax equalization settlement and $304,428 as a result of his 2015 tax equalization settlement. These amounts were not deducted from his fiscal year 2016 total
compensation. Due to the timing of payments in fiscal 2016, the following range of exchange rates were used to convert amounts reported or paid in EUR to U.S. dollars: $1.06-$1.15:EUR 1.
Individual amounts less than $25,000 for Mr. Merkt include $10,409 which are the net expenses paid by us for tax preparation fees and various miscellaneous fees and expenses pertaining to an expatriate assignment in Germany during fiscal 2011 - 2012. In fiscal 2016, the company provided Mr. Merkt tax gross-up payments of $2,697 for calendar year 2015;
58 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
gross-up amounts for calendar year 2016 are not determined until end of calendar year 2016. Mr. Merkt also made repayment to the company of $114,313 as a result of his 2014 tax equalization settlement. This amount was not deducted from his fiscal year 2016 total compensation. Due to the timing of payments in fiscal 2016, the following range of exchange rates were used to convert amounts reported or paid in EUR to U.S. dollars: $1.06-$1.15:EUR 1.
Name
|
Year | Company Matching Contribution (Qualified Plan)(*) |
Company Contribution (Non-Qualified Plan) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr. Lynch |
2016 | $ | 15,900 | $ | 120,900 | |||||
Mr. Hau |
2016 | $ | 5,673 | $ | 24,495 | |||||
Mr. Calastri |
2016 | $ | 11,333 | $ | 19,847 | |||||
Mr. Mitts |
2016 | | | |||||||
Mr. Curtin |
2016 | $ | 8,500 | $ | 64,341 | |||||
Mr. Donahue |
2016 | $ | 29,680 | $ | 79,066 | |||||
Mr. Merkt |
2016 | $ | 19,429 | $ | 65,130 |
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 59
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2016
The following table discloses the potential payouts for fiscal year 2016 under the company's annual incentive program and actual numbers of stock option, restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards granted during fiscal year 2016 and the grant date fair value of these awards.
|
Grant Date |
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(3) |
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options(4) |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(5) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name (a)
|
(b) | Threshold ($) (c) |
Target ($) (d) |
Maximum ($) (e) |
Threshold (#) (f) |
Target (#) (g) |
Maximum (#) (h) |
(#) (i) |
(#) (j) |
($/Sh) (k) |
($) (l) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas J. Lynch |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Plan |
$ | 900,000 | $ | 1,800,000 | $ | 3,600,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Option |
11/9/2015 | 279,800 | $ | 65.95 | $ | 4,020,726 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSU |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PSU |
11/9/2015 | 29,380 | 58,760 | 117,520 | $ | 3,875,222 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert W. Hau |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Plan |
$ | 263,937 | $ | 527,873 | $ | 1,055,746 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Option |
11/9/2015 | 70,900 | $ | 65.95 | $ | 1,018,833 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSU |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PSU |
11/9/2015 | 7,445 | 14,890 | 29,780 | $ | 981,996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mario Calastri |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Plan |
$ | 112,548 | $ | 225,096 | $ | 450,192 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Option |
11/9/2015 | 15,850 | $ | 65.95 | $ | 227,765 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSU |
9/14/2016 | 3,990 | $ | 242,672 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PSU |
11/9/2015 | 1,665 | 3,330 | 6,660 | $ | 219,614 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Heath A. Mitts |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Plan |
$ | 259,250 | $ | 518,500 | $ | 1,037,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Option |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSU |
9/14/2016 | 76,650 | $ | 4,661,853 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PSU |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Terrence R. Curtin |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Plan |
$ | 412,500 | $ | 825,000 | $ | 1,650,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Option |
11/9/2015 | 111,900 | $ | 65.95 | $ | 1,608,003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSU |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PSU |
11/9/2015 | 11,750 | 23,500 | 47,000 | $ | 1,549,825 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joseph B. Donahue |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Plan |
$ | 313,101 | $ | 626,202 | $ | 1,252,404 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Option |
11/9/2015 | 82,100 | $ | 65.95 | $ | 1,179,777 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSU |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PSU |
11/9/2015 | 8,620 | 17,240 | 34,480 | $ | 1,136,978 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steven T. Merkt |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Plan |
$ | 257,720 | $ | 515,440 | $ | 1,030,880 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Option |
11/9/2015 | 67,150 | $ | 65.95 | $ | 964,946 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSU |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PSU |
11/9/2015 | 7,050 | 14,100 | 28,200 | $ | 929,895 |
60 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2016 Fiscal Year-End
The following table shows the number of TE Connectivity shares covered by exercisable and unexercisable options, unvested RSUs and unvested PSUs held by the company's named executive officers on September 30, 2016. Each equity grant is shown separately for each named executive officer. The vesting schedule for each grant is shown following the table, based on the option, RSU or PSU award grant date.
|
|
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested(1)(2)(5) (#) (i) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested(4) ($) (j) |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested(4) ($) (h) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested(1)(2)(3)(6) (#) (g) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Option Exercise Price ($) (e) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Option Expiration Date (f) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name (a)
|
Grant Date |
Exercisable (#) (b) |
Unexercisable(1) (#) (c) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas J. Lynch |
12/03/09 | 618,165 | 0 | $ | 24.60 | 11/17/19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/08/10 | 527,500 | 0 | $ | 33.73 | 11/08/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/11 | 558,100 | 0 | $ | 34.49 | 11/14/21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/12/12 | 293,887 | 97,963 | $ | 34.05 | 11/12/22 | 11,473 | $ | 738,632 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/13 | 114,275 | 114,275 | $ | 51.61 | 11/14/23 | 85,028 | $ | 5,474,103 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/10/14 | 62,200 | 186,600 | $ | 61.50 | 11/10/24 | 66,712 | $ | 4,294,919 | 16,835 | $ | 1,083,837 | ||||||||||||||||
|
11/09/15 | 0 | 279,800 | $ | 65.95 | 11/09/25 | 60,114 | $ | 3,870,139 | |||||||||||||||||||
Robert W. Hau |
11/12/12 | 0 | 0 | $ | 34.05 | 11/12/22 | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/13 | 0 | 0 | $ | 51.61 | 11/14/23 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
|
11/10/14 | 0 | 0 | $ | 61.50 | 11/10/24 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
|
11/09/15 | 0 | 0 | $ | 65.95 | 11/09/25 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
Mario Calastri |
07/02/07 | 17,600 | 0 | $ | 39.97 | 07/01/17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/08/10 | 35,450 | $ | 33.73 | 11/08/20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/11 | 30,700 | $ | 34.49 | 11/14/21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/12/12 | 16,800 | 5,600 | $ | 34.05 | 11/12/22 | 656 | $ | 42,233 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/13 | 6,100 | 6,100 | $ | 51.61 | 11/14/23 | 4,539 | $ | 292,221 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/10/14 | 2,925 | 8,775 | $ | 61.50 | 11/10/24 | 3,136 | $ | 201,896 | 793 | $ | 51,053 | ||||||||||||||||
|
11/09/15 | 15,850 | $ | 65.95 | 11/09/25 | 3,406 | $ | 219,278 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
09/14/16 | 09/14/26 | 3,990 | $ | 256,876 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Heath A. Mitts |
09/14/16 | 09/14/26 | 76,650 | $ | 4,934,727 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Terrence R. Curtin |
11/08/10 | 125,000 | 0 | $ | 33.73 | 11/08/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/11 | 167,450 | 0 | $ | 34.49 | 11/14/21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/12/12 | 96,562 | 32,188 | $ | 34.05 | 11/12/22 | 3,771 | $ | 242,777 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/13 | 35,050 | 35,050 | $ | 51.61 | 11/14/23 | 26,072 | $ | 1,678,515 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/10/14 | 17,562 | 52,688 | $ | 61.50 | 11/10/24 | 18,830 | $ | 1,212,275 | 4,752 | $ | 305,934 | ||||||||||||||||
|
03/09/15 | 5,062 | 15,188 | $ | 72.13 | 03/08/25 | 4,689 | $ | 301,878 | 1,159 | $ | 74,616 | ||||||||||||||||
|
11/09/15 | 111,900 | $ | 65.95 | 11/09/25 | 24,041 | $ | 1,547,760 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Joseph B. Donahue |
11/12/12 | 0 | 32,188 | $ | 34.05 | 11/12/22 | 3,771 | $ | 242,777 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/13 | 35,050 | 35,050 | $ | 51.61 | 11/14/23 | 26,072 | $ | 1,678,515 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/10/14 | 16,825 | 50,475 | $ | 61.50 | 11/10/24 | 18,053 | $ | 1,162,252 | 4,556 | $ | 293,315 | ||||||||||||||||
|
03/09/15 | 03/08/25 | 14,500 | $ | 933,510 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/09/15 | 82,100 | $ | 65.95 | 11/09/25 | 17,637 | $ | 1,135,470 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Steven T. Merkt |
06/07/11 | 2,563 | 0 | $ | 35.90 | 06/07/21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/11 | 12,863 | $ | 34.49 | 11/14/21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/12/12 | 37,962 | 20,988 | $ | 34.05 | 11/12/22 | 2,459 | $ | 158,310 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/14/13 | 25,900 | 25,900 | $ | 51.61 | 11/14/23 | 19,264 | $ | 1,240,216 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
11/10/14 | 13,175 | 39,525 | $ | 61.50 | 11/10/24 | 14,122 | $ | 909,174 | 3,564 | $ | 229,450 | ||||||||||||||||
|
03/09/15 | 03/08/25 | 28,991 | $ | 1,866,441 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11/09/15 | 67,150 | $ | 65.95 | 11/09/25 | 0 | $ | 0 | 14,425 | $ | 928,682 |
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 61
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2016
The following table sets forth certain information regarding TE Connectivity options and stock awards exercised and vested, respectively, during fiscal year 2016 for the named executive officers.
|
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) (b) |
Value Realized on Exercise(1) ($) (c) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting(2) (#) (d) |
Value Realized on Vesting(3) ($) (e) |
|||||||||
Thomas J. Lynch |
813,587 | $ | 19,599,316 | 141,724 | $ | 9,010,512 | |||||||
Robert W. Hau |
119,149 | $ | 1,544,119 | 32,028 | $ | 2,029,989 | |||||||
Mario Calastri |
| | 7,960 | $ | 505,837 | ||||||||
Heath A. Mitts |
| | | | |||||||||
Terrence R. Curtin |
| | 46,120 | $ | 2,928,549 | ||||||||
Joseph B. Donahue |
125,562 | $ | 3,889,358 | 45,267 | $ | 2,875,921 | |||||||
Steven T. Merkt |
| | 28,437 | $ | 1,805,247 |
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2016
The following table provides details regarding the present value of accumulated benefits under the plans described in "CD&ARetirement and Deferred Compensation Benefits" for the named executive officers in fiscal year 2016.
Name(1)
|
Plan Name (b) |
Number of Years Credited Service(2) (#) (c) |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit(3) ($) (d) |
Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) (e) |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joseph B. Donahue |
Tyco Electronics Pension PlanPart II & AMP Restoration Plan | 16.8 | $ | 996,832 | | |||||||
Steven T. Merkt |
Tyco Electronics Pension PlanPart II AMP | 10.5 | $ | 99,286 | |
62 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2016
The following table discloses contributions and earnings credited to each of the named executive officers under the SSRP (Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan) in fiscal year 2016 and balances at fiscal year-end. The SSRP is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. See "CD&ARetirement and Deferred Compensation Benefits" for information regarding the plan. Pursuant to the SSRP, executive officers may defer up to 50% of their base salary, up to 100% of their annual bonus and elect to contribute "Spillover" deferrals. Spillover deferrals allow them to continue their pre-tax contributions into the SSRP once they reach the qualified plan annual pre-tax contribution limit. We provide matching contributions based on the executive's deferred base salary and bonus, as well as on the eligible wages used to calculate their Spillover deferrals. Matching contributions called "Company Credits" are also provided on any eligible compensation earned in excess of the Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17) limit ($265,000 in 2016). All employees become vested in the matching contributions once they complete three years of service, and matching contributions are calculated using the same matching percentage the executive officer is eligible to receive in the qualified plan (see page 52 of the CD&A). The company match structure for the qualified plan is based on years of service as well as the employee's contributions.
Name
|
Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year(1) ($) (b) |
Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year(2) ($) (c) |
Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year(3)(4) ($) (d) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) (e) |
Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End(4) ($) (f) |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas J. Lynch |
$ | 520,634 | $ | 120,900 | $ | 25,486 | | $ | 6,627,263 | |||||||
Robert W. Hau |
$ | 38,110 | $ | 24,495 | $ | 27,317 | | $ | 307,446 | |||||||
Mario Calastri |
$ | 53,416 | $ | 19,847 | $ | 62,165 | | $ | 1,257,328 | |||||||
Heath A. Mitts |
| | | | | |||||||||||
Terrence R. Curtin |
$ | 279,021 | $ | 64,341 | $ | 438,501 | | $ | 5,171,428 | |||||||
Joseph B. Donahue |
$ | 59,061 | $ | 79,066 | $ | 77,538 | | $ | 1,814,513 | |||||||
Steven T. Merkt |
| $ | 65,130 | $ | (849 | ) | $ | (209,361 | ) | $ | 229,923 |
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 63
Termination and Change in Control Payments
The table below outlines the potential payments to our Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers upon the occurrence of certain termination triggering events. Messrs. Lynch, Mitts, Curtin, Donahue and Merkt are no longer eligible for severance benefits or change in control severance and instead are subject to the termination terms and conditions outlined in their employment contracts (the "2016 Employment Contracts"). Mr. Calastri continues to be eligible for severance benefits and change in control severance as he is not a member of "executive management" for purposes of the Swiss Ordinance. Mr. Hau voluntarily resigned during fiscal 2016 and is not included in the table below as he did not receive termination payments from the company. For the purpose of the table, below are definitions generally applicable for the various types of terminations under the 2016 Employment Contracts, TE Connectivity Severance Plan for U.S. Executives (referred to in this proxy statement as the "Severance Plan") and/or the TE Connectivity Change in Control Severance Plan for Certain U.S. Executives (referred to in this proxy statement as the "CIC Plan"). See "CD&ATermination Payments" for additional information.
(1) without the participant's written consent, the company (a) assigns or causes to be assigned to the participant any duties inconsistent in any material respect with his or her position as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, (b) makes or causes to be made any material adverse change in the participant's position (including titles and reporting relationships and level), authority, duties or responsibilities, or (c) takes or causes to be taken any other action which, in the reasonable judgment of the participant, would cause him or her to violate his or her ethical or professional obligations (after written notice of such judgment has been provided by the participant to the Management Development and Compensation Committee and the company has been given a 15-day period within which to cure such action), or which results in a significant diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities;
(2) without the participant's written consent, the participant's being required to relocate to a principal place of employment more than 60 miles from his or her existing principal place of employment;
(3) without the participant's written consent, the company (a) reduces the participant's base salary or annual bonus, or (b) reduces the participant's retirement, welfare, stock incentive, perquisite and other benefits, taken as a whole; or
(4) the company fails to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform the company's obligations to the participant under the CIC Plan.
64 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
(1) any "person" (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act), excluding for this purpose, (i) the company or any subsidiary company (wherever incorporated) of the company, or (ii) any employee benefit plan of the company or any such subsidiary company (or any person or entity organized, appointed or established by the company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan that acquires beneficial ownership of voting securities of the company), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act) directly or indirectly of securities of the company representing more than 30 percent of the combined voting power of the company's then outstanding securities; provided, however, that no Change in Control will be deemed to have occurred as a result of a change in ownership percentage resulting solely from an acquisition of securities by the company;
(2) persons who, as of July 1, 2007 (the "effective date"), constitute the board (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason (including without limitation, as a result of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or similar transaction) to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director of the company subsequent to the effective date shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such person's election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least 50 percent of the Incumbent Directors; but provided further, that any such person whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of members of the board or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a "person" (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act) other than the Board, including by reason of agreement intended to avoid or settle any such actual or threatened contest or solicitation, shall not be considered an Incumbent Director;
(3) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of at least 80 percent of the assets of the company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of outstanding voting securities of the company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own directly or indirectly more than 50 percent of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the company resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a company which, as a result of such transaction, owns the company or all or substantially all of the company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiary companies (wherever incorporated) of the company) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the outstanding voting securities of the company; or
(4) consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the company.
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 65
No named executive officer is entitled to a payment in connection with an Involuntary Termination for Cause.
Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Termination
|
Retirement(8) | Total Permanent Disability or Death |
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause |
Involuntary Termination Change in Control(10) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mario Calastri |
|||||||||||||
Compensation |
|||||||||||||
Severance(1) |
$ | 600,258 | $ | 900,386 | |||||||||
Short-Term Incentive(2) |
$ | 215,417 | $ | 215,417 | $ | 215,417 | $ | 215,417 | |||||
Long-Term Incentives |
|||||||||||||
Stock Options (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 181,033 | $ | 273,017 | $ | 273,017 | |||||||
Restricted Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 77,320 | $ | 421,431 | $ | 421,431 | |||||||
Performance Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(4) |
$ | 377,331 | $ | 596,609 | $ | 596,609 | |||||||
Benefits and Perquisites(5) |
|||||||||||||
Health and Welfare Benefits Continuation(6) |
$ | 14,321 | $ | 14,321 | |||||||||
Outplacement(7) |
$ | 20,000 | $ | 20,000 |
Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Termination
|
Retirement(8) | Total Permanent Disability or Death |
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause |
Involuntary Termination Change in Control(11) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas J. Lynch |
|||||||||||||
Compensation |
|||||||||||||
Consideration for restrictive covenants(9) |
$ | 3,000,000 | $ | 3,000,000 | |||||||||
Short-Term Incentive(2) |
$ | 1,722,600 | $ | 1,722,600 | |||||||||
Long-Term Incentives |
|||||||||||||
Stock Options (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 3,233,342 | $ | 4,967,918 | $ | 4,967,918 | |||||||
Restricted Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 1,458,915 | $ | 3,218,549 | $ | 3,218,549 | |||||||
Performance Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(4) |
$ | 7,408,142 | $ | 11,278,282 | $ | 11,278,282 | |||||||
Benefits and Perquisites(5) |
|||||||||||||
Health and Welfare Benefits Continuation(6) |
$ | 14,321 | $ | 14,321 | |||||||||
Outplacement(7) |
$ | 20,000 | $ | 20,000 |
66 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Termination
|
Retirement(8) | Total Permanent Disability or Death |
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause |
Involuntary Termination Change in Control(11) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heath A. Mitts |
|||||||||||||
Compensation |
|||||||||||||
Consideration for restrictive covenants(9) |
$ | 1,128,500 | $ | 1,128,500 | |||||||||
Short-Term Incentive(2) |
|||||||||||||
Long-Term Incentives |
|||||||||||||
Stock Options (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
|||||||||||||
Restricted Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 4,934,727 | $ | 4,934,727 | |||||||||
Performance Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(4) |
|||||||||||||
Benefits and Perquisites(5) |
|||||||||||||
Health and Welfare Benefits Continuation(6) |
$ | 14,321 | $ | 14,321 | |||||||||
Outplacement(7) |
$ | 20,000 | $ | 20,000 | |||||||||
Terrence R. Curtin |
|||||||||||||
Compensation |
|||||||||||||
Consideration for restrictive covenants(9) |
$ | 1,650,000 | $ | 1,650,000 | |||||||||
Short-Term Incentive(2) |
$ | 789,525 | |||||||||||
Long-Term Incentives |
|||||||||||||
Stock Options (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 1,575,592 | $ | 1,575,592 | |||||||||
Restricted Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 1,071,476 | $ | 1,071,476 | |||||||||
Performance Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(4) |
$ | 3,951,838 | $ | 3,951,838 | |||||||||
Benefits and Perquisites(5) |
|||||||||||||
Health and Welfare Benefits Continuation(6) |
$ | 14,321 | $ | 14,321 | |||||||||
Outplacement(7) |
$ | 20,000 | $ | 20,000 | |||||||||
Joseph B. Donahue |
|||||||||||||
Compensation |
|||||||||||||
Consideration for restrictive covenants(9) |
$ | 1,321,982 | $ | 1,321,982 | |||||||||
Short-Term Incentive(2) |
$ | 926,153 | $ | 926,153 | |||||||||
Long-Term Incentives |
|||||||||||||
Stock Options (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 1,040,415 | $ | 1,569,219 | $ | 1,569,219 | |||||||
Restricted Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 1,005,809 | $ | 1,882,407 | $ | 1,882,407 | |||||||
Performance Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(4) |
$ | 2,166,838 | $ | 3,302,308 | $ | 3,302,308 | |||||||
Benefits and Perquisites(5) |
|||||||||||||
Health and Welfare Benefits Continuation(6) |
$ | 14,321 | $ | 14,321 | |||||||||
Outplacement(7) |
$ | 20,000 | $ | 20,000 | |||||||||
Steven T. Merkt |
|||||||||||||
Compensation |
|||||||||||||
Consideration for restrictive covenants(9) |
$ | 1,121,840 | $ | 1,121,840 | |||||||||
Short-Term Incentive(2) |
$ | 491,214 | |||||||||||
Long-Term Incentives |
|||||||||||||
Stock Options (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 1,081,141 | $ | 1,081,141 | |||||||||
Restricted Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(3) |
$ | 2,564,062 | $ | 2,564,062 | |||||||||
Performance Stock Units (Unvested and Accelerated or Continued Vesting)(4) |
$ | 2,563,934 | $ | 2,563,934 | |||||||||
Benefits and Perquisites(5) |
|||||||||||||
Health and Welfare Benefits Continuation(6) |
$ | 14,321 | $ | 14,321 | |||||||||
Outplacement(7) |
$ | 20,000 | $ | 20,000 |
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 67
68 2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
Compensation paid during fiscal 2016 to each director who is not our salaried employee or an employee of our subsidiaries was based on the following fee structure:
|
Fee Structure Effective March, 2015(1) |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cash | Equity | |||||
Annual retainer |
$ | 90,000 | $ | 160,000 | |||
Additional annual fees: |
|||||||
Lead Independent Director |
$ | 30,000 | |||||
Audit Committee Chair |
$ | 25,000 | |||||
Audit Committee Member |
$ | 10,000 | |||||
Nominating, Governance & Compliance Committee Chair |
$ | 15,000 | |||||
Management, Development & Compensation Committee Chair |
$ | 20,000 |
In addition to the compensation described above, our board governance principles encourage directors to attend certain continuing education courses that are related to their duties as directors and provide that we will reimburse the costs associated with attending one course every two years. TE Connectivity will also provide company matching gift contributions on behalf of certain directors under TE Connectivity's matching gift program up to a maximum of $10,000 per year.
Each non-employee director received the equity component of their compensation in the form of a grant of common shares of TE Connectivity Ltd., with the exception of Dr. Gromer, who received the equity component of his compensation in the form of deferred stock units ("DSUs"). Under current U.S. tax law, our U.S.-based non-employee directors cannot defer any portion of their compensation, including DSUs, and therefore, they were issued common shares (which are immediately taxable) in lieu of DSUs. Because Dr. Gromer is a German citizen, he receives his equity compensation in the form of DSUs. DSUs awarded to Dr. Gromer vested immediately upon grant, and will be paid in common shares within 30 days following termination. Dividend equivalents or additional DSUs are credited to a non-employee director's DSU account when dividends or distributions are paid on our common shares.
Each year the MDCC and Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee review peer group data to understand market practices for non-employee director compensation with the assistance of the compensation consultant. In September 2016 non-employee director compensation was reviewed for fiscal year 2017 and it was determined that the fee structure as described above was positioned below the 50th percentile of the peer group market reference points. As a result the committee approved an increase to the equity annual retainer to $185,000. Cash compensation for non-employee directors will remain the same as fiscal year 2016. This increase represents the first increase in the
2017 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement 69
annual retainer since fiscal 2014. The following table reflects the new fee structure effective for fiscal year 2017:
|
Fee Structure Effective October 2016(1) Cash |
Equity | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annual Retainer |
$ | 90,000 | $ | 185,000 | |||
Additional Annual Fees |
|||||||
Lead Independent Director |
$ | 30,000 | |||||
Audit Committee Chair |
$ | 25,000 | |||||
Audit Committee Member |
$ | 10,000 | |||||
Nominating, Governance & Compliance Committee Chair |
$ | 15,000 | |||||
Management, Development & Compensation Committee Chair |
$ | 20,000 |
The following table discloses the cash and equity awards paid to each of our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.
Name
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1) ($) (b) |
Stock Awards(2) ($) (c) |
All Other Compensation(3) ($) (g) |
Total ($) (h) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pierre R. Brondeau |
$ | 135,000 | $ | 196,333 | $ | 27,393 | $ | 358,726 | |||||
John Davidson(4) |
$ | 58,333 | $ | 99,353 | $ | 27,500 | $ | 185,186 | |||||
Juergen W. Gromer |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 165,337 | $ | 57,869 | $ | 323,206 | |||||
William A. Jeffrey |
$ | 90,000 | $ | 165,337 | $ | 0 | $ | 255,337 | |||||
Yong Nam |
$ | 90,000 | $ | 165,337 |