UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ❑
Check the appropriate box:
❑ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |||
❑ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |||
☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |||
❑ | Definitive Additional Materials | |||
❑ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 | |||
Qorvo, Inc. | ||||
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) | ||||
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) | ||||
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): | ||||
☒ | No fee required. | |||
❑ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | |||
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |||
| ||||
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |||
| ||||
(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): | |||
| ||||
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |||
| ||||
(5) | Total fee paid: | |||
| ||||
❑ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | |||
❑ | 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. | |||
(1) | Amount previously paid: | |||
| ||||
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |||
| ||||
(3) | Filing Party: | |||
| ||||
(4) | Date Filed: | |||
|
June 29, 2021
Dear Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend Qorvos 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the Four Seasons Hotel, 75 Fourteenth Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309. During the annual meeting, we will discuss each item of business described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement.
On or about June 29, 2021, we began mailing to certain stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials, including our 2021 Annual Report, via the Internet. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also contains instructions on how to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials. Stockholders who did not receive the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will receive a paper copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement, Form of Proxy and 2021 Annual Report, which we also began mailing on or about June 29, 2021. Copies of our Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement, Form of Proxy and 2021 Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.
Your vote is important to us. It is important that your shares of common stock be represented at the annual meeting so that a quorum may be established. Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting in person, please read the proxy materials carefully and then vote your proxy as soon as possible. You may vote over the Internet, by telephone or by mailing a completed proxy card. Additional information is provided in the proxy materials. If you attend the annual meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person.
Sincerely,
Jason K. Givens
Secretary
QORVO, INC.
7628 THORNDIKE ROAD
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27409-9421
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AUGUST 10, 2021
Dear Stockholders:
We hereby give notice that the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Qorvo, Inc. (Qorvo) will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the Four Seasons Hotel, 75 Fourteenth Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309 for the following purposes:
(1) | To elect the nine directors named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve a one-year term and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. |
(2) | To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (as defined in the proxy statement). |
(3) | To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. |
(4) | To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 2, 2022. |
(5) | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
Under Delaware law, only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date, which is June 17, 2021, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Jason K. Givens
Secretary
June 29, 2021
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may impose additional procedures or limitations on meeting attendees (beyond those described herein) or may decide to hold the annual meeting in a different location or solely by means of remote communication (i.e. a virtual-only annual meeting). We plan to announce any such updates through a press release and on our Investor Relations website at ir.qorvo.com, and to file the announcement as definitive additional soliciting material on the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) EDGAR website. We encourage you to check our website and the SECs EDGAR website prior to the annual meeting if you plan to attend. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the annual meeting.
2021 Proxy Statement i
2021 Proxy Statement Summary
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
● | Time and Date | 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, August 10, 2021 | ||
● | Place | Four Seasons Hotel 75 Fourteenth Street NE Atlanta, Georgia 30309 | ||
● | Record Date | June 17, 2021 | ||
● | Voting | Stockholders as of the record date are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote for each director nominee and one vote for each of the other proposals. | ||
● | Entry | If you decide to attend the meeting in person, upon your arrival you will need to present valid photo identification and, if you are not a registered holder, proof of ownership of Qorvo common stock. See page 1 for further instructions. |
Meeting Agenda
Board Vote Recommendation |
Page Reference (for more detail) |
|||||||
● | Election of nine directors | FOR ALL | 3 | |||||
● | Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers | FOR | 51 | |||||
● | Advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers | 1 YEAR | 53 | |||||
● | Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022 | FOR | 54 |
Transact such other business that properly comes before the meeting
Board Nominees
The following table provides summary information about each director nominee. The nominees receiving a majority of the votes cast at the meeting will be elected as directors.
Name | Age | Director Since |
Occupation | Independent | AC | CC | GNC | CDC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ralph G. Quinsey |
|
65 |
|
2015 |
Chairman of the Board of Qorvo; Secretary and Treasurer of Dry Fly Distilling |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
|
60 |
|
2013 |
President and CEO of Qorvo |
|
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Judy Bruner |
|
62 |
|
2021 |
Former Executive Vice President, Administration and Chief Financial Officer, SanDisk Corporation |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jeffery R. Gardner |
|
61 |
|
2015 |
President and CEO of CalAmp Corp. |
|
X |
|
C |
|
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John R. Harding |
|
66 |
|
2015 |
General Partner of Harding Partners, LP |
|
X |
|
X |
|
C |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
David H. Y. Ho |
|
62 |
|
2015 |
Chairman and Founder of Kiina Investment Ltd. |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roderick D. Nelson |
|
61 |
|
2015 |
CEO of Geoverse, LLC and Co-founder and Principal of Tritech Sales and Services, LLC |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Walden C. Rhines |
|
74 |
|
2015 |
President and CEO of Cornami, Inc. |
|
X |
|
C |
|
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Susan L. Spradley |
|
60 |
|
2017 |
CEO of Motion Intelligence |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
ii 2021 Proxy Statement
2021 Proxy Statement Summary
Advisory Vote on the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers
We are asking our stockholders to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our CEO, our CFO and our next three most highly compensated executive officers, referred to as our Named Executive Officers throughout this proxy statement. The Board believes that our compensation policies and practices are effective in achieving our goals of paying for financial and operating performance and aligning the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders.
Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers
We are once again asking our stockholders to vote, on an advisory basis, on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The Board continues to believe that such a vote should be conducted every year so that stockholders may annually express their views on our executive compensation program.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
As a matter of good governance, we are asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022.
Fiscal 2021 Executive Compensation Elements
Base salary and short-term incentive compensation opportunities account for approximately 29% of each Named Executive Officers target total direct compensation, as further described below.
Long-term equity-based compensation, which accounts for approximately 71% of each Named Executive Officers target total direct compensation, consists of performance-based and service-based restricted stock unit awards, as further described below.
Approximately 86% of each Named Executive Officers target total direct compensation mix is at-risk and approximately 58% is tied to performance.
Type | Form | Terms | ||
Base Salary |
Cash | Generally eligible for annual increase. | ||
Short-Term Incentive Awards |
Cash or equity |
Based on attainment of Company performance metrics. Form of payment is determined by Compensation Committee. | ||
Long-Term Equity- Based Incentive Awards |
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | |||
Company Objectives-Based RSUs |
Based on achievement of Company performance objectives. Earned at the end of a specified performance period, with 50% vesting at the end of the performance period and the remaining 50% vesting in equal installments over the following two years. | |||
Service-Based RSUs |
Vest in increments of 25% per year over four years. | |||
Other Employee Benefits |
Health & Disability Insurance, 401(k) Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan & Deferred Compensation Plan | Eligible to participate in the same employee benefit plans generally available to all employees. |
Fiscal 2021 Compensation Decisions
Effective as of the start of fiscal 2021, we made the following compensation decisions with respect to our Named Executive Officers:
● | Base salaries for our Named Executive Officers remained flat due to the market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. |
● | Based on our financial performance in the first half and second half of fiscal 2021, the Named Executive Officers received short-term incentive awards at 167.3% and 152.1%, respectively, of their fiscal 2021 target percentage based on their base salary paid during the applicable six-month performance period. |
2021 Proxy Statement iii
2021 Proxy Statement Summary
● | Our Named Executive Officers earned (i) Company Objectives-based RSUs at 147.5% of the targeted number of units, reflecting the achievement of ten of the eleven pre-established Company objectives in full and partial achievement of the remaining objective, and (ii) Service-Based RSUs in amounts consistent with our equity-based compensation practices. |
● | Short-term incentive objectives for the first half of fiscal 2021 were set prior to the onset of business challenges caused by COVID-19 and were not adjusted despite the market uncertainties created by the pandemic. |
● | The long-term incentive objectives for fiscal 2021 were not adjusted despite the market uncertainties created by the pandemic. |
We believe our executive compensation program provides a balanced and stable foundation for rewarding our Named Executive Officers for achieving our corporate objectives. Our compensation philosophy emphasizes team effort, which we believe fosters rapid adjustment and adaptation to fast-changing market conditions and helps not only to achieve our short-term and long-term goals, but also to align the interests of our management team with those of Qorvo and our stockholders.
Fiscal 2021 Pay at a Glance
The following table summarizes the compensation of our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended April 3, 2021, as determined by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. It is not a substitute for, and should be read together with, the Summary Compensation Table.
Name | Year | Salary ($) |
Stock Awards ($) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total Compensation ($) |
||||||||||||||||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth, President and CEO |
2021 | $884,934 | $6,758,964 | $2,123,597 | $11,122 | $9,778,617 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mark J. Murphy, CFO |
2021 | 539,009 | 2,002,639 | 776,084 | 10,481 | 3,328,213 | ||||||||||||||||||
Steven E. Creviston, Corporate VP |
2021 | 528,302 | 2,002,639 | 760,666 | 10,660 | 3,302,267 | ||||||||||||||||||
James L. Klein, Corporate VP |
2021 | 483,976 | 1,602,114 | 696,845 | 9,302 | 2,792,237 | ||||||||||||||||||
Paul J. Fego, Corporate VP |
2021 | 475,979 | 1,602,114 | 685,330 | 10,592 | 2,774,015 |
2022 Annual Meeting
● | Stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8 must be received by us no later than March 1, 2022. |
● | Notice of stockholder proposals outside of SEC Rule 14a-8 submitted pursuant to the advance notice provisions of our bylaws must be delivered to us no earlier than April 12, 2022 and no later than May 12, 2022. |
● | Notice of stockholder nominations for director pursuant to the proxy access provisions of our bylaws must be delivered to us no earlier than January 30, 2022 and no later than March 1, 2022. |
iv 2021 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
Website addresses and hyperlinks are included for reference only. The information contained on or available through websites referred to and/or linked to in this proxy statement (other than the Companys website to the extent specifically referred to herein as required by SEC rules) is not part of this proxy solicitation and is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement or any other proxy materials.
2021 Proxy Statement v
General Information
QORVO, INC.
7628 THORNDIKE ROAD
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27409-9421
The accompanying proxy, for use at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Qorvo, Inc. (the Company or Qorvo) to be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the Four Seasons Hotel, 75 Fourteenth Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia, and any adjournment thereof (the annual meeting or the meeting), is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Qorvo. We are first sending and making available these proxy materials to stockholders on or about June 29, 2021. This solicitation is being made by mail and may also be made in person or by fax, telephone or Internet by our officers or employees. We will pay all expenses incurred in this solicitation. Qorvo will request banks, brokerage houses and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward the soliciting material to beneficial owners and to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies. We will, upon request, reimburse these parties for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Stockholders Meeting to be held on August 10, 2021:
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement, Form of Proxy and 2021 Annual Report to
Stockholders are available at www.proxyvote.com.
The accompanying proxy is for use at the meeting if a stockholder either will be unable to attend in person or will attend but wishes to vote by proxy. Registered holders who have shares registered in the owners name through our transfer agent may vote by returning a completed proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If your shares are held in street name, that is, shares held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, you may receive a voting instruction form from that institution in lieu of a proxy card. To lower costs, we have instructed these nominees to send a notice of Internet availability of proxy materials to certain beneficial owners. These beneficial owners will have electronic access to our proxy materials but will not receive paper proxy materials unless they request them as provided for in the notice. The notice or voting instruction form will provide information, if applicable, regarding the process for beneficial owners to vote over the Internet, by telephone or by mail. Many banks and brokerage firms participate in the Broadridge Financial Solutions online program, which provides eligible beneficial owners the opportunity to vote over the Internet or by telephone. The Internet and telephone voting facilities will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, August 9, 2021. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate the stockholders identity and to allow stockholders to vote their shares and confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. If a voting instruction form does not reference Internet or telephone voting information, or if the stockholder prefers to vote by mail, please complete and return the paper voting instruction form in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided.
Stockholders who elected to access the proxy statement and annual report electronically over the Internet through an arrangement with their brokerage firm, bank or other nominee should receive an e-mail with information on how to access the stockholder information and voting instructions. Stockholders who vote over the Internet or by telephone need not return a proxy card or voting instruction form by mail, but may incur costs, such as usage charges, from telephone companies or Internet service providers, for which the stockholder is responsible. Registered holders may also vote their shares in person at the annual meeting. To vote shares held in street name in person at the meeting, a proxy issued in the owners name must be obtained from the record holder (typically the bank, broker or other nominee) and presented at the annual meeting. If you need directions to the Four Seasons Hotel so that you can attend the annual meeting and vote in person, please contact Jason K. Givens, our Corporate Secretary, at (336) 664-1233.
If you decide to attend the meeting in person, you will need to present state or government issued photo identification. After confirmation that you are a registered holder of Qorvo common stock as of the record date, you will be allowed to attend our annual meeting. If you are not a registered holder, please be sure that you bring your state or government-issued photo identification as well as either (i) a proxy issued to you in your name by your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, or (ii) a brokerage statement showing your beneficial ownership of Qorvo common stock as of the record date (and a legal proxy from your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee if you wish to vote your shares at the meeting), to present to the registration desk upon your arrival.
2021 Proxy Statement 1
General Information
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by filing with our Corporate Secretary an instrument revoking it, filing a duly executed proxy bearing a later date (including a proxy given over the Internet or by telephone) or by attending the meeting and electing to vote in person. All shares of our common stock represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation, and not revoked before they are exercised, will be voted in the manner specified therein. If no specification is made, properly executed and returned proxies will be voted for all director nominees, for approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, for 1 year on the advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers and for the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022. Management is not aware of any matters, other than those specified herein, that will be presented for action at the annual meeting. If other matters are properly presented at the annual meeting for consideration, the agents named on the proxy card will have the discretion to vote on those matters for you.
The presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding on the record date constitutes a quorum for purposes of voting on a particular matter and conducting business at the meeting. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting. Brokers that are members of certain securities exchanges and that hold shares of our common stock in street name on behalf of beneficial owners have authority to vote on certain items when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners. Under applicable securities exchange rules, the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is considered a discretionary item. This means that brokers may vote in their discretion on this matter on behalf of beneficial owners who have not furnished voting instructions. In contrast, certain items are considered non-discretionary, and a broker non-vote occurs when brokers do not receive voting instructions from beneficial owners with respect to such items. Proposals 1-3 in this proxy statement are non-discretionary items, which means that brokers that have not received voting instructions from beneficial owners with respect to these matters may not vote on these proposals.
Signed proxies that withhold authority or reflect abstentions or broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. Assuming the existence of a quorum at the meeting:
● | The director nominees receiving a majority of the votes cast at the meeting will be elected as directors. This means that the number of votes cast for a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast against that nominee. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted as votes cast for or against a director nominee and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal. |
● | The compensation of our Named Executive Officers will be approved, on an advisory basis, if a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal vote for the proposal. Because abstentions constitute shares present and entitled to vote, they will have the effect of a vote against this proposal. Because broker non-votes are not entitled to vote for purposes of this proposal, they will not be counted as a vote for or against the proposal and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Company, our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee. However, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our executive officers. |
● | The frequency of the advisory vote on future advisory votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers receiving the greatest number of votes cast one year, two years, or three years will be deemed by us as the frequency that has been recommended by stockholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Company, our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee. However, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will once again consider the outcome of the vote when making future decisions regarding the frequency of the advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. |
● | The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP will be approved if a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal vote for the proposal. Because abstentions constitute shares present and entitled to vote, they will have the effect of a vote against the proposal. If your shares are held in street name and you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, your broker, bank or other nominee has discretionary authority to vote your shares with respect to the proposal. |
In accordance with Delaware law and our bylaws, June 17, 2021 was fixed as the record date for determining holders of our common stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. Each share of our common stock issued and outstanding on June 17, 2021 is entitled to one vote for each director nominee and one vote for each of the other proposals to be voted on at the meeting. Holders of shares of common stock vote together as a voting group on all proposals. At the close of business on June 17, 2021, there were 111,262,287 shares of Qorvos common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
2 2021 Proxy Statement
Proposal 1 Election of Directors
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees for Election of Directors
Under our bylaws, the Board of Directors consists of one or more members, as determined by the Board or the stockholders from time to time. Each director is elected annually to serve for a one-year term and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Walter H. Wilkinson, Jr., a current member of the Board, has attained the age of 75 and, in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, tendered a letter of proposed retirement from the Board to be effective at the annual meeting. The Board has accepted Mr. Wilkinsons letter of proposed retirement, and thanks Mr. Wilkinson for his outstanding service to the Board. The Board, upon recommendation of its Governance and Nominating Committee, set its size at nine directors upon the effectiveness of Mr. Wilkinsons retirement.
All nominees presently serve as directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or officers. We intend that the proxy holders named in the accompanying proxy card will vote properly returned proxies to elect the nine nominees listed below as directors, unless the authority to vote for such election is withheld. Although we expect that each of the nominees will be available for election, if any vacancy in the slate of nominees occurs, we expect that shares of common stock represented by proxies will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee or nominees recommended by the Governance and Nominating Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.
The names of the nine nominees for election to the Board, their principal occupations and certain other information are set forth below.
Ralph G. Quinsey Age: 65 Director Since: 2015 Committees: Audit Corporate Development |
Mr. Quinsey has served as Chairman of the Board of Qorvo since January 2015 and as Lead Independent Director for Qorvo since August 2018. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (TriQuint) from 2002 until TriQuints combination with RF Micro Devices, Inc. (RFMD) in a merger of equals to form Qorvo, effective January 1, 2015 (the Business Combination). From September 1999 to January 2002, Mr. Quinsey was Vice President and General Manager of the Analog Division of ON Semiconductor, a manufacturer of semiconductors for a wide array of applications. From 1979 to September 1999, Mr. Quinsey held various positions at Motorola, a manufacturer of semiconductors and communications equipment, including Vice President and General Manager of the RF/IF Circuits Division, which developed both silicon and GaAs technologies for wireless phone applications. Mr. Quinsey is the Secretary, Treasurer and a board member of Dry Fly Distilling, a privately held craft distiller, a board member of Perfect Company, a privately held Internet of Things (IoT)-based company, and an officer, board member and co-founder of ORCORAZON, a privately held medical devices company. As the former Chief Executive Officer of TriQuint, Mr. Quinsey brings to the Board his deep institutional knowledge regarding our company, with an exceptional understanding of our companys strengths, challenges and opportunities. Additionally, Mr. Quinsey has significant experience leading a public company through various phases of growth and brings to the Board his extensive knowledge of and breadth of experience with our business resulting from over 40 years in the semiconductor industry. Mr. Quinseys strong leadership skills and unique perspective as the long-time leader of TriQuint make him a tremendous asset to the Board. |
2021 Proxy Statement 3
Proposal 1 Election of Directors
Robert A. Bruggeworth Age: 60 Director Since: 2013 Committees: Corporate Development |
Mr. Bruggeworth has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director since Qorvos incorporation in December 2013 in anticipation of the Business Combination. Prior to the Business Combination, he was RFMDs President and Chief Executive Officer and a director from January 2003 until January 2015, having previously served in several senior management positions at RFMD beginning in September 1999. From July 1983 to April 1999, Mr. Bruggeworth was employed at AMP Inc. (now TE Connectivity LTD), a supplier of electrical and electronic connection devices, in several manufacturing and engineering management positions, most recently as Divisional Vice President of Global Computer and Consumer Electronics based in Hong Kong. Since 2007, Mr. Bruggeworth has served on the board of directors, including as lead independent director since May 2017, of MSA Safety Incorporated, a publicly traded global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. In November 2020, the board of directors of the Semiconductor Industry Association elected Mr. Bruggeworth to serve as its 2021 Chair after serving as its Vice Chair in 2020. As our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bruggeworth understands our business and the challenges and issues that we face and brings to the Board strong leadership skills and substantial global business experience. Mr. Bruggeworth also has over 30 years of experience with respect to manufacturing, marketing and material sourcing for semiconductors and other electronic products. |
Judy Bruner Age: 62 Director Since: 2021 Committees: Audit Governance and Nominating |
Ms. Bruner served as the Executive Vice President, Administration and Chief Financial Officer of SanDisk Corp, a supplier of flash storage products, from June 2004 until its acquisition by Western Digital in May 2016. Ms. Bruner was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Palm, Inc., a provider of handheld computing and communications solutions, from September 1999 until June 2004. Prior to that, she held financial management positions at 3Com Corporation, Ridge Computers and Hewlett-Packard Company. Ms. Bruner has served as a member of the boards of directors of Applied Materials, Inc., a publicly traded semiconductor equipment manufacturer, since July 2016, Rapid7, Inc., a security data and analytics solutions provider, since October 2016, and Seagate Technology plc, a publicly traded provider of storage solutions, since January 2018. She previously served on the boards of directors of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. from January 2009 to November 2017 and Varian Medical Systems, Inc. from August 2016 to April 2021. Ms. Bruner brings to the Board semiconductor industry leadership and significant experience in financial management and board roles with a range of publicly traded technology companies. |
Jeffery R. Gardner Age: 61 Director Since: 2015 Committees: Audit (Chair) Governance and Nominating |
Mr. Gardner has served on the Board of Directors since January 2015. From 2004 until 2015, he served as a director of RFMD. Mr. Gardner has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CalAmp Corp., a publicly traded company that is a leading provider of wireless communications solutions for a broad array of applications to customers globally, since July 2020 (after having served in that interim role since March 2020) and has served as a member of its board of directors since January 2015. From September 2015 through February 2020, Mr. Gardner served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Brinks Home Security, one of the largest home security monitoring companies in the U.S., which was an affiliate of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. through August 2019. Mr. Gardner served as Executive Vice President of Ascent from September 2015 to August 2019 and as a director of Ascent from November 2016 until August 2019. From 2005 until December 2014, Mr. Gardner was President and Chief Executive Officer of Windstream Corporation, a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions, including cloud computing and managed services. Mr. Gardner also served as a director of Windstream from 2005 until February 2015. Prior to Windstream, Mr. Gardner held several positions at ALLTEL, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He is a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Leadership Fellow, having completed the NACDs program for corporate directors. Mr. Gardner is a former member of the Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies. He also served as Chairman of the United States Telecom Association, a telecommunications trade association. Mr. Gardner has been in the communications industry since 1986 and brings to the Board and its committees valuable industry insight, including extensive knowledge regarding the requirements of downstream customers, resulting from his experience as a former CEO and CFO of public companies in the wireless telecommunications industry. Additionally, Mr. Gardner has specific expertise in the areas of strategic development, finance, financial reporting and accounting and internal controls. |
4 2021 Proxy Statement
Proposal 1 Election of Directors
John R. Harding Age: 66 Director Since: 2015 Committees: Audit Corporate Development (Chair) |
Mr. Harding has served on the Board of Directors since January 2015. From 2006 until 2015, he served as a director of RFMD. Since January 2020, Mr. Harding has served as a consultant in the fabless semiconductor design and manufacturing field as the General Partner of Harding Partners, LP. Mr. Harding co-founded eSilicon Corporation, a privately held company that designed and manufactured complex, custom chips for a broad portfolio of large and small firms. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of eSilicon from its inception in May 2000 until it was acquired by Inphi Corporation (and concurrently sold certain assets to Synopsys, Inc.) in January 2020. Before starting eSilicon Corporation, Mr. Harding served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of publicly traded Cadence Design Systems, Inc., which acquired his former employer, Cooper & Chyan Technology, Inc. Mr. Harding held a variety of senior management positions at Zycad Corporation, and his career also includes positions with TXL and IBM Corporation. From 2012 to 2016, Mr. Harding served on the board of directors of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Mr. Harding has also held leadership roles at Drew University, where he was Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Indiana University, where he was a member of the Advisory Board for the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. In addition, Mr. Harding has served as a member of the Steering Committee at the U.S. Council on Competitiveness and was a former member of the National Academies Committee for Software, Growth and the Future of the U.S. Economy. From 2004 to 2020, Mr. Harding served as a member of the board of directors of the Global Semiconductor Alliance. Mr. Harding is a frequent international speaker on the topics of innovation, entrepreneurship and semiconductor trends and policies. Mr. Harding brings to the Board and its committees a deep understanding of the challenges and issues facing semiconductor companies gained from his experience as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of eSilicon Corporation. Additionally, Mr. Harding has substantial operational experience, business acumen and expertise in corporate strategy development. |
David H. Y. Ho Age: 62 Director Since: 2015 Committees: Compensation Corporate Development |
Mr. Ho has served on the Board of Directors since January 2015. From 2010 until 2015, he served as a director of TriQuint. Mr. Ho is Chairman and Founder of Kiina Investment Ltd., a venture capital firm that invests in start-up companies in the technology, media and telecommunications industries. Additionally, Mr. Ho previously served as a senior advisor for Permira Advisors LLC, a private equity buyout fund, Chairman of Greater China for Nokia Siemens Networks, President of Greater China for Nokia Corporation and Senior Vice President of the Nokia Networks Business Group. He has also held senior leadership roles with Nortel Networks and Motorola in China and Canada. Mr. Ho currently serves as a member of the board of Sun Life Financial, Inc. (since 2021) in Canada; Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (since 2013) in the United States; China COSCO Shipping Corporation (since 2016, and of China Ocean Shipping Company, which merged with China Shipping to become China COSCO Shipping Corporation, since 2012), the worlds largest shipping conglomerate; and DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a subsidiary of DBS Group Holdings, a leading financial services group located in Singapore. Mr. Ho previously was a director of China Mobile Communications Corporation, the worlds largest mobile communications carrier, from 2016 to 2020; Pentair plc from 2007 until 2018 when it spun off its electrical business into nVent Electric plc; nVent Electric plc from 2018 until 2020; Dong Fang Electric Corporation from 2009 through 2015; 3Com Corporation from 2008 through 2010; Owens-Illinois Inc. from 2008 to 2012; and Sinosteel Corporation from 2008 until 2012. Mr. Ho brings to the Board and its committees extensive experience and business knowledge of global markets in diversified industries, with a strong track record in establishing and building mobile handset and infrastructure businesses in China. He also has significant management expertise in operations, mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures in Asia. |
2021 Proxy Statement 5
Proposal 1 Election of Directors
Roderick D. Nelson Age: 61 Director Since: 2015 Committees: Audit Corporate Development Governance and Nominating |
Mr. Nelson has served on the Board of Directors since January 2015. From 2012 until 2015, he served as a director of TriQuint. Since 2009, he has been the co-founder and principal of Tritech Sales and Services, LLC, a strategic product, business development and sales function consulting firm, and since June 2018, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of Geoverse, LLC, a company which designs, deploys and manages in-building cellular LTE systems. Mr. Nelson served as the Chief Technology Officer for Globetouch, Inc., a privately held global provider of 3G and LTE mobile broadband services for connected devices and IoT applications, from January 2015 to August 2017. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of AT&T Wireless Services, where he led the Technology Development Group responsible for the development and deployment of the first 3G networks in the United States. During his career, Mr. Nelson has worked closely with both national and international regulators and standards bodies on the creation of 3G specifications and standards. Mr. Nelson holds numerous patents covering broad and fundamental aspects of wireless communications. Mr. Nelson brings to the Board and its committees substantial experience in the wireless communications industry, including his extensive knowledge regarding the requirements of downstream customers. He also has significant technical expertise, such as his 3G standards development experience, and a deep understanding of the regulatory environment applicable to our business. |
Dr. Walden C. Rhines Age: 74 Director Since: 2015 Committees: Compensation (Chair) Governance and Nominating |
Dr. Rhines has served on the Board of Directors since January 2015. From 1995 until 2015, he served as a director of TriQuint. Since March 2020, he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cornami, Inc., a semiconductor processor company focused on fully homomorphic encryption. Since October 2019, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Rhines Consultants, a consulting firm in the semiconductor, integrated circuit design and manufacturing fields. Dr. Rhines served as CEO Emeritus of Mentor, a Siemens Business, an electronic design automation company, from October 2018 to October 2020, having previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mentor from its acquisition by Siemens Industry, Inc. in March 2017 until October 2018. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Mentor Graphics Corporation from 1993 and chairman of its board of directors from 2000 until the acquisition of Mentor Graphics by Siemens in 2017. Prior to joining Mentor Graphics, he spent 21 years at Texas Instruments, a semiconductor manufacturer, with his most recent position as the Executive Vice President of its Semiconductor Group with responsibility for its worldwide semiconductor business. Dr. Rhines also served as a director of Cirrus Logic, Inc., a semiconductor company, from 1995 to 2009, as a director of Electronic System Design Alliance, a trade association for electronic design companies, from 1994 to 2019, and as a director of Semiconductor Research Corporation, a technology research consortium, from 2002 until 2020. Dr. Rhines serves as a director of PTK Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, and as a consultant to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a research investment arm of the U.S. government. Dr. Rhines brings to the Board and its committees over 45 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, including substantial operating experience and management expertise as a CEO of a publicly traded technology company. He also has strong leadership skills and a significant understanding of international markets. |
6 2021 Proxy Statement
Proposal 1 Election of Directors
Susan L. Spradley Age: 60 Director Since: 2017 Committees: Compensation Corporate Development Governance and Nominating |
Ms. Spradley has served on the Board of Directors since January 2017. She has served as Chief Executive Officer of Motion Intelligence, a privately held software-as-a-service company, since January 2018. Previously, she was principal of Spradley Consulting LLC, a consulting firm that she founded, from February 2017 until January 2020, and a partner in the TAP Growth Group, a senior executive consulting firm, from August 2017 to June 2019. From January 2013 until January 2017, she served in various roles at Viavi Solutions Inc. (formerly JDS Uniphase), most recently as Executive Vice President and General ManagerNetwork and Service Enablement. Prior to joining Viavi Solutions Inc., Ms. Spradley served as executive director at US-Ignite from April 2011 to December 2012. Prior to that, Ms. Spradley was President of the North America region at Nokia Siemens Networks from 2007 to 2011, responsible for regional profit and loss, sales and service. From 1997 to 2005, she held executive positions at Nortel Networks Corporation. Ms. Spradley has served on the board of directors of Avaya Holdings Corp., a publicly traded communications applications provider, since December 2017, and NetScout Systems, Inc., a publicly traded real-time operational intelligence and performance analytics company, since April 2018. She previously served on the board of directors of publicly traded EXFO Inc. from October 2011 through November 2012. Ms. Spradley brings to the Board and its committees more than 25 years of experience in the wireless telecommunications industry, including broad operating experience in sales, product portfolio management, and research and development for multiple global communications-related companies. She also has extensive public company executive leadership experience. |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
2021 Proxy Statement 7
Corporate Governance
In accordance with the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq, and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board of Directors must consist of a majority of independent directors. The Board has determined that Messrs. Gardner, Harding, Ho, Nelson, Quinsey and Wilkinson, Dr. Rhines and Mses. Bruner and Spradley each satisfy the definition of independent director under the Nasdaq listing standards. The Board, in concert with its Governance and Nominating Committee, performed a review to determine the independence of its members and made a subjective determination as to each of these independent directors that no transactions, relationships or arrangements exist that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director of Qorvo. In making these determinations, the Board reviewed the information provided by the directors and Qorvo regarding each directors business and personal activities as they may relate to Qorvo and its management.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Effective January 2015, and as most recently amended in May 2021, the Board implemented written Corporate Governance Guidelines designed to assist the Board in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities. The Corporate Governance Guidelines address several matters applicable to directors, including director qualification standards, Board and committee meetings, executive sessions, director compensation, management succession, director continuing education, stock ownership guidelines, withheld vote policy, prohibitions on pledging and hedging of our securities and other matters. These Corporate Governance Guidelines are available in the Investors section of our website under the heading Corporate Governance at http://www.qorvo.com. A stockholder may request a copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines by contacting our Investor Relations Department at 7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409-9421.
As described in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board has a general policy that the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer should be separated and that the independent directors should be led by a Lead Independent Director, who would be the Chairman of the Board unless the Chairman is not independent. The Board believes this separation of roles promotes communication between the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and other senior management and enhances the Boards oversight of management.
We believe our leadership structure provides increased accountability of our Chief Executive Officer to the Board and encourages balanced decision-making. We also separate the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles in recognition of the differences in the roles. While the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for day-to-day leadership of Qorvo and the setting of strategic direction, the Chairman of the Board provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and coordinates and manages the operation of the Board and its committees. Since January 1, 2015, non-employee director Ralph G. Quinsey has held the position of Chairman of the Board.
The duties of the Chairman of the Board include presiding at meetings of the Board, establishing, with the Chief Executive Officer, the agenda for each Board meeting and exercising such other powers and performing other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board.
Mr. Quinsey assumed the Lead Independent Director responsibilities immediately following the 2018 annual meeting since the Board determined in May 2018 that he was independent under Nasdaq listing standards. The Lead Independent Director is responsible for coordinating the activities of the independent directors, including, among other things: (a) determining appropriate schedules of and agendas for Board and committee meetings; (b) advising the Board as to the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information that is necessary for the independent directors to effectively and responsibly perform their duties; and (c) coordinating, developing the agenda for and moderating executive sessions of the independent directors. The Board believes our current leadership structure with a non-employee Chairman of the Board is appropriate for Qorvo and provides many advantages for the effective operation of the Board.
The Board, acting through itself or one or more of its committees, has general oversight responsibility for corporate risk management, including oversight of managements implementation and application of risk management policies, practices and procedures. The Board directly oversees strategic risks such as those relating to competitive dynamics, market trends, global operations and developments and changes in macroeconomic conditions. While the Board is responsible for risk oversight, management is ultimately responsible for assessing and managing material risk exposures. Our senior management typically
8 2021 Proxy Statement
Corporate Governance
reports to the Board or one of its committees on key enterprise risk topics, including network security, quality assurance, global trade matters, financial risks and disaster recovery. The Board and its committees receive these reports at regularly scheduled Board and committee meetings and through telephone briefings and other communications from management when potentially significant risks develop. Members of the Board use these communications with management to discuss and develop a shared understanding of the potential severity of these risks and managements strategies for addressing these risks. In addition, the Board evaluates our strategic goals and objectives to determine how they may be affected by particular risk exposures. During fiscal 2021, the Board and its committees discussed with management efforts to protect the health and safety of our employees and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board also exercises a risk oversight role through certain of its committees. Specifically, the Audit Committee discusses certain material risks and exposures with our independent registered public accounting firm and receives reports from our accounting and internal audit management personnel regarding such risks or exposures and how management has attempted to minimize Qorvos risk. The Audit Committees primary focus is financial risk, including our internal control over financial reporting. Particular areas of focus by the Audit Committee include risks associated with material litigation, regulatory matters, taxes, foreign exchange, liquidity, investments, global operations and information technology security. As part of its oversight role, the Audit Committee reviews global insurance coverage, oversees Qorvos investment policy and works with management to develop policies and practices to mitigate risks in its areas of focus, including finance and accounting, information technology, fraud and anti-corruption. As part of its oversight of information technology, the Audit Committee receives regular reports, including quarterly reports from Qorvos Chief Information Officer, on actions Qorvo is taking to enhance the protection of its IT networks and assets and to mitigate global cybersecurity risks.
The Compensation Committee makes a specific determination regarding risks associated with our compensation policies and practices as described below under Risk Oversight in Compensation Programs. The Compensation Committee also evaluates risks associated with equity overhang and regulatory and other legal risks in regard to equity and retirement plans. This includes receiving reports from Qorvos Retirement Committee on matters related to its 401(k) and non-qualified deferred compensation plans.
The Governance and Nominating Committee performs risk oversight in the areas of management succession and corporate governance. This includes adoption and administration of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, development of succession plans for our Chief Executive Officer and other senior management positions, conducting full Board and individual director assessments, addressing governance-related matters raised by our stockholders and serving as the Boards primary independent decision-making authority for assessing and resolving matters, such as potential conflicts of interest, that fall within the broader category of corporate governance.
Each of the above committees reports to the full Board with respect to the risk categories it oversees. These ongoing reports enable the Board, and other committees, to monitor our exposure and evaluate the mitigation of risks Qorvo faces.
Risk Oversight in Compensation Programs
We have assessed our compensation programs and have concluded that the risks arising from our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. The risk assessment process included a review of program policies and practices, focusing on programs with variable compensation provisions and identifying the risks related to the programs. The Compensation Committee determined that our compensation programs encourage our employees to take appropriate risk in the performance of our business, but do not encourage excessive risk-taking. We encourage our employees to make decisions that should result in positive short-term and long-term results for our business and our stockholders without providing an incentive for unnecessary risk. The Compensation Committee will continue to monitor our compensation programs on an ongoing basis to ensure that risks arising from our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
Effective January 2015, and as most recently amended in May 2019, the Board adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to provide guidance on maintaining our commitment to high ethical standards. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to all employees, officers, directors, agents, independent contractors and other personnel of Qorvo and our subsidiaries.
A copy of the code is available in the Investors section of our website under the heading Corporate Governance at http://www.qorvo.com or may be obtained by contacting the Investor Relations Department at the address set forth above. In the event that we amend one or more of the provisions of our code that requires disclosure under applicable law, SEC rules or Nasdaq listing standards, we intend to disclose such amendment on our website. Any waiver of the code with respect to any executive officer or director of Qorvo must be approved by the Board and will be promptly disclosed, along with the reasons for the waiver, as required by applicable law or Nasdaq rules.
2021 Proxy Statement 9
Corporate Governance
The Board maintains four standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Compensation Committee; the Governance and Nominating Committee; and the Corporate Development Committee. Each committee operates under a written charter. A copy of each of these committee charters is available in the Investors section of our website under the heading Corporate Governance at http://www.qorvo.com and may also be obtained by contacting the Investor Relations Department at the address set forth above.
Each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Corporate Development Committee must be comprised of no fewer than three members, each of whom must satisfy membership requirements imposed by the applicable committee charter and, where applicable, Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules and regulations. Each of the members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee has been determined by the Board to be independent under applicable Nasdaq listing standards and, in the case of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, under the independence requirements established by the SEC. A majority of the members of the Corporate Development Committee has been determined by the Board to be independent under applicable Nasdaq listing standards. A brief description of the responsibilities of each of these committees and their current membership follows.
Committee Membership
| ||||||||
Director
|
Audit
|
Compensation
|
Governance
|
Corporate
| ||||
Ralph G. Quinsey |
X |
X | ||||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
X | |||||||
Judy Bruner |
X |
X |
||||||
Jeffery R. Gardner |
C |
X |
||||||
John R. Harding |
X |
C | ||||||
David H. Y. Ho |
X |
X | ||||||
Roderick D. Nelson |
X |
X |
X | |||||
Dr. Walden C. Rhines |
C |
X |
||||||
Susan L. Spradley |
X |
X |
X | |||||
Walter H. Wilkinson, Jr. (1) |
X |
C |
||||||
C = Committee Chair |
(1) | In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Mr. Wilkinson, who has attained the age of 75, will retire from the Board at the annual meeting. |
The Audit Committee is a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted in January 2015 and most recently amended in May 2021. The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist the Board in its duty to oversee our accounting, financial reporting and internal control functions and the audit of our financial statements. The Committees responsibilities include, among others, direct responsibility for: (a) appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm, which reports directly to the Audit Committee; (b) establishing policies and procedures for the review and pre-approval by the Committee of, and approving or pre-approving, all auditing services and permissible non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, and any non-audit services to be performed by any other accounting firm; (c) periodically reviewing major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in our selection or application of accounting principles; (d) oversight of information technology and cybersecurity matters; (e) approving the report of the Audit Committee
10 2021 Proxy Statement
Corporate Governance
required by SEC rules to be included in our proxy statement; (f) discussing with management policies regarding risk assessment and risk management, including our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures; and (g) establishing and overseeing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by Qorvo regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
The current members of the Audit Committee are Ms. Bruner and Messrs. Gardner (Chair), Harding, Nelson and Quinsey, none of whom is an employee of Qorvo and each of whom is independent under existing Nasdaq listing standards and SEC requirements. The Board has examined the SECs definition of audit committee financial expert and determined that Ms. Bruner and Messrs. Gardner, Harding and Quinsey each satisfy this definition. See Report of the Audit Committee, below.
The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted in January 2015 and most recently amended in May 2020. The Compensation Committee is appointed by the Board to exercise the Boards authority concerning compensation of our officers and employees and administration of our incentive compensation plans. In fulfilling its duties, the Compensation Committee has the authority to, among other things: (a) evaluate and set the compensation of our officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, in accordance with our compensation philosophy; (b) prepare the Compensation Committee report that SEC rules require to be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (or timely filed proxy statement); (c) evaluate and make recommendations to the Board concerning compensation of non-employee directors; (d) periodically review, and modify if necessary, our philosophy concerning executive compensation and the components of executive compensation; (e) review and discuss with management our Compensation Discussion and Analysis disclosure and formally recommend to the Board that it be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (or timely filed proxy statement); (f) make the determination required under SEC rules regarding risks associated with our compensation policies and practices; (g) oversee our compliance with SEC rules and regulations regarding stockholder approval of certain executive compensation matters, including advisory votes on named executive officer compensation and the frequency of such votes; (h) retain (or obtain the advice of) and terminate a compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other adviser to assist the Compensation Committee with the discharge of its duties under the charter, after taking into consideration factors and criteria required by applicable law; (i) review and discuss with management our key human capital management strategies and programs, including diversity and inclusion initiatives; and (j) discharge certain other responsibilities generally relating to the administration of our incentive and employee benefit plans. The Compensation Committee may condition its approval of any compensation matter on ratification by the Board if Board action is required by applicable law or otherwise deemed appropriate.
The Compensation Committee regularly consults with members of our executive management team regarding our executive compensation program. Our executive compensation program, including the level of participation by our executive officers in assisting with establishing compensation, is discussed below under Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
The Board or the Compensation Committee has the discretion to delegate certain areas of authority that are reserved to the Board or the Compensation Committee, respectively, under our equity compensation plans. The Board has delegated to the Chief Executive Officer the authority to grant equity awards: (a) generally to new or promoted Company employees provided that such employees are not directors or executive officers; (b) to Company employees to promote, reward and recognize outstanding engineering performance and other technical achievements; and (c) to individuals who become Company employees as a result of an acquisition by the Company. Pursuant to these delegations, no equity awards may be granted to persons who report directly to the Chief Executive Officer or are subject to Section 16 under the Exchange Act. Additionally, these delegations are subject to predetermined limits per individual and in the aggregate, as established by the Board or the Compensation Committee, and are subject to all terms and conditions of the applicable plan. The Chief Executive Officer is required to report all equity awards granted under these delegations to the Compensation Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting following such grants.
To assist the Committee with its review and analysis of executive officer, non-employee director and employee compensation matters during fiscal 2021, the Compensation Committee engaged an independent compensation consulting firm, Compensia, Inc., which we refer to as Compensia. Compensia was instructed to analyze and provide recommendations on non-employee director compensation, and provide input on executive officer base salary and our short-term and long-term incentive plans. Additionally, the Committee has engaged Compensia for advice regarding executive compensation performance metrics for fiscal 2022, among other items. For a more detailed discussion of the nature and scope of the role of Compensia, see Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion and Analysis Compensation Decision-Making Processes Role of the Compensation Consultant, below.
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Ho, Dr. Rhines (Chair), Ms. Spradley and Mr. Wilkinson, none of whom is an employee of Qorvo and each of whom is independent under existing Nasdaq listing standards and SEC requirements.
2021 Proxy Statement 11
Corporate Governance
See Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion and Analysis, below for details of the processes and procedures involved in setting executive compensation.
Governance and Nominating Committee
The Governance and Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted in January 2015 and most recently amended in May 2020. The Governance and Nominating Committee is appointed by the Board to: (a) assist the Board in identifying individuals qualified to become Board and committee members and to recommend to the Board the director nominees; (b) develop and recommend to the Board the policies and guidelines relating to, and generally overseeing matters of, corporate governance and conflicts of interest; (c) lead the Board in its annual review of the performance of the Board and its committees; (d) periodically review and discuss with management the Companys practices with respect to environmental, social and corporate governance matters; and (e) carry out the duties and responsibilities delegated by the Board relating to any matters required by the federal securities laws.
The current members of the Governance and Nominating Committee are Ms. Bruner, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Nelson, Dr. Rhines, Ms. Spradley and Mr. Wilkinson (Chair), none of whom is an employee of Qorvo and each of whom is independent under existing Nasdaq listing standards. For information regarding stockholder nominations to the Board, see Procedures for Director Nominations and Proposals for 2022 Annual Meeting, below.
Corporate Development Committee
The Corporate Development Committee operates under a written charter adopted in January 2015 and most recently amended in May 2021. The Corporate Development Committee is appointed by the Board to, as necessary: (a) assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for overseeing and facilitating the development, implementation and monitoring of our business strategies and plans; and (b) exercise the Boards authority with respect to the review, evaluation and approval of certain strategic transactions, subject to the limitations and requirements of applicable law and our governance documents. The current members of the Corporate Development Committee are Messrs. Bruggeworth, Harding (Chair), Ho, Nelson and Quinsey and Ms. Spradley. Other than Mr. Bruggeworth, these committee members are each independent under existing Nasdaq listing standards.
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, all directors are expected to make every effort to attend meetings of the Board, assigned committees and annual meetings of stockholders. All of our directors who were then in office attended the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders. During the fiscal year ended April 3, 2021, all of our directors then in office attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the Board meetings and assigned committee meetings that were held. During fiscal 2021, the Board held eleven meetings, the Audit Committee held six meetings, the Compensation Committee held eight meetings, and the Governance and Nominating Committee held three meetings.
Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, independent directors are expected to meet in executive session at all regularly scheduled meetings of the Board with no members of management present. The Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee or the Lead Independent Director presides at each executive session, unless the independent directors determine otherwise. During fiscal 2021, Mr. Quinsey presided as Lead Independent Director at the executive sessions. During fiscal 2021, the independent directors met in executive session at all of the regularly scheduled Board meetings.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental, Social and Governance Highlights
We believe Qorvo thrives when we prioritize corporate social responsibility (CSR) and consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in the management of both risk and opportunity.
We pride ourselves on the success of our CSR programs and strive to create products that are not only valued by our customers but produced responsibly. In that regard, we hold ourselves accountable for the impact of our actions on people, local and extended communities and the environment. An overview of our CSR and ESG oversight and some of our initiatives is provided below.
CSR and ESG Oversight
Ultimate oversight for CSR and ESG resides with the Board and its Governance and Nominating Committee. Day-to-day oversight and leadership for these matters sits with our senior leadership team. We have an Environmental, Social and Governance Steering Committee that coordinates our ESG and CSR initiatives. The Board is regularly briefed on CSR and ESG matters by our management.
12 2021 Proxy Statement
Corporate Governance
Embracing Diversity and Ensuring Inclusion
At Qorvo, we value the uniqueness that an inclusive and diverse global team brings to our company, and we are focused on creating an environment that leverages the perspectives and contributions of each employee. Diversity, equity and inclusion principles are included in our workplace training, activities, guidelines, processes and programs. Employees are equipped with the knowledge and capabilities to welcome and embrace diversity and advocate for inclusion. Through employee-driven groups called Qorvo Employee Networks, our employees have an opportunity to connect through shared interests and goals, and spur growth through professional and personal development. These and other efforts help foster an inclusive workplace of talented employees and drive employee engagement.
Ensuring an Engaged Workforce
We are committed to recruiting, hiring, retaining, promoting and engaging a diverse workforce to best serve our global customers. We have established relationships with professional associations and industry groups to proactively attract talent, and we partner with universities to recruit undergraduate and graduate students for our internship program and entry level positions. We also invest in employee development programs to provide employees with the training and education they need to help achieve their career goals, build relevant skills, and lead their organizations.
We believe our competitive compensation and benefit programs, along with career growth and development opportunities offered by us, promote longer employee tenure and reduce turnover. We monitor employee turnover rates as our success depends upon retaining and investing in our highly skilled manufacturing and technical staff. Our global attrition rate has consistently been below the technology industry average.
Employee Health and Safety is Paramount
We are a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), an industry coalition dedicated to driving sustainable value for workers in global supply chains, among other things. As an RBA member, we have adopted the RBA Code of Conduct, which establishes standards to ensure that working conditions are safe, that employees are treated with respect and dignity, and that business operations are environmentally responsible and conducted ethically. The RBA Code of Conduct has been reflected in our other employee policies and procedures.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we reduced business travel and instituted comprehensive safety protocols for all Qorvo facilities. We successfully transitioned a significant number of our employees to work from home and we invested in additional wellness benefits, including reimbursement programs to help employees improve home workspaces.
As always, we prioritize safe working conditions. We are committed to an injury free workplace and provide dedicated workplace training and leadership support to reduce or eliminate health and safety risks. In fiscal 2021, we achieved a declining injury rate for the third consecutive year and recorded our lowest injury rate in Qorvos history.
Operating Sustainably
We are committed to growing our business in a sustainable and responsible manner. We believe minimizing environmental impacts is in the long-term best interests of Qorvo and our society.
We are focused on greenhouse gas emission reduction projects including abatement (Scope 1) and process improvements (Scope 2) across multiple locations. We also reduced our waste to landfill through site specific initiatives.
We have published on our website our energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water usage. As part of our commitment to transparency, we also completed the CDP Climate Change and Water Security questionnaires in 2020.
We Contribute to Our Communities
Qorvo and its employees actively contribute to the communities in which we do business.
Our Qorvo Cares Community Engagement program provides our employees opportunities to get out in the neighborhood and spread kindness, generosity and support. The program focuses on three main areas: STEM Education, aimed at inspiring the next generation; Good Neighbor Relations, for strengthening our communities; and Environmental Stewardship, helping shape a better future.
More information about our CSR program is available at www.qorvo.com/about-us/corporate-social-responsibility/our-program.
2021 Proxy Statement 13
Corporate Governance
Procedures for Director Nominations
Criteria for Director Nominees
In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, members of the Board are expected to collectively possess a broad and diverse range of skills, industry and other knowledge and expertise, and business and other experience useful for the effective oversight of our business. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying, screening and recommending to the Board qualified candidates for membership. When searching for new director candidates, the Board will actively seek highly qualified women and individuals from minority groups to include in the pool of director candidates from which nominees are selected. Three of the nine director nominees standing for election at the annual meeting have gender, racial or ethnic diversity. All candidates must meet the minimum qualifications and other criteria established from time to time by the Board, and potential nominees will also be evaluated based on the other criteria identified in the Corporate Governance Guidelines. These minimum qualifications include, but are not limited to:
● | having substantial or significant business or professional experience or an understanding of technology, finance, marketing, financial reporting, international business or other disciplines relevant to the business of Qorvo; and |
● | being free from any conflict of interest that would violate any applicable law or regulation or having any other relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of the individuals judgment as a member of the Board or of a Board committee. |
We also consider the following criteria, among others, in our selection of directors:
● | economic, technical, scientific, academic, financial and other expertise, skills, knowledge and achievements useful to the oversight of our business; |
● | integrity, demonstrated sound business judgment and high moral and ethical character; |
● | diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, experiences and other demographics; |
● | business or other relevant professional experience; |
● | capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interests of Qorvo and its stockholders as a whole and not primarily a special interest group or constituency; |
● | ability and willingness to devote time to the affairs and success of Qorvo and to fulfill the responsibilities of a director; and |
● | the extent to which the interplay of the candidates expertise, skills, knowledge and experience with that of other Board members will build a Board that is effective, collegial and responsive to the needs of Qorvo. |
The Governance and Nominating Committee is authorized to develop and review on a periodic basis policies regarding Board size, composition and member qualification.
The Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates suggestions concerning possible candidates for election to the Board submitted to Qorvo, including those submitted by Board members, stockholders and third parties. In fiscal 2021, the Governance and Nominating Committee engaged a third-party search firm to assist us in the identification of potential independent director candidates, and such firm identified Ms. Bruner as part of this process. All candidates, including those submitted by stockholders, will be similarly evaluated by the Governance and Nominating Committee using the Board membership criteria described above and in accordance with applicable procedures. Once candidates have been identified, the Governance and Nominating Committee will determine whether such candidates meet the minimum qualifications for director nominees established in the Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Governance and Nominating Committee, is responsible for selecting the nominees for director and for appointing directors to fill vacancies, with primary emphasis on the criteria set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Stockholder Nominees for Director
As noted above, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider qualified director nominees recommended by stockholders when such recommendations are submitted in accordance with applicable SEC requirements, our bylaws and Corporate Governance Guidelines and any other applicable law, rule or regulation regarding director nominations. Under our bylaws, nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders by any Qorvo stockholder who: (a) was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in our bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting; (b) is entitled to vote at the meeting; and (c) provides timely notice and otherwise complies with the procedures set forth in our bylaws.
14 2021 Proxy Statement
Corporate Governance
No candidates for director nominations were submitted to the Governance and Nominating Committee by any stockholder in connection with the annual meeting. Any stockholder desiring to present a nomination for consideration by the Governance and Nominating Committee prior to the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders (2022 Annual Meeting) must do so in accordance with our bylaws and policies. See Proposals for 2022 Annual Meeting below.
Advance Notice Provisions
To be timely, a stockholders notice pursuant to the advance notice provisions of our bylaws must be delivered to our Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day and not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, or by the 10th day following the notice date for such meeting if the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting.
To be in proper form, a stockholders notice pursuant to the advance notice provisions of our bylaws must set forth, as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made:
● | the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on our books, and of such beneficial owner, if any; |
● | the number of shares of our common stock that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; |
● | any derivative instruments with respect to our common stock directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder; |
● | any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder has a right to vote any of our securities; |
● | any short interest in any of our securities; |
● | any rights to dividends on the shares of our common stock owned beneficially by such stockholder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of our common stock; |
● | any proportionate interest in shares of our common stock or derivative instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner; |
● | any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of our common stock or derivative instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice; and |
● | any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made pursuant to applicable federal securities laws. |
The stockholders notice must also set forth, as to each nominee whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election to the Board, together with a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement from such person:
● | all information relating to such nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made pursuant to applicable federal securities laws; and |
● | a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and the nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand. |
Proxy Access Provisions
Pursuant to our bylaws, a stockholder, or a group of up to 20 stockholders, that has owned at least 3% of our outstanding voting shares continuously for at least three years can nominate and include in our proxy materials up to the greater of two directors or 20% of the number of directors then in office, provided that the stockholder(s) and the stockholder nominee(s) satisfy the requirements specified in the bylaws. Such requirements include the timely delivery of a stockholders notice to our Secretary.
To be timely, a stockholders notice pursuant to the proxy access provisions must be delivered to our Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 120th day before the first anniversary of the date the definitive proxy
2021 Proxy Statement 15
Corporate Governance
statement was first sent to stockholders in connection with the preceding years annual meeting and not earlier than the close of business on the 150th day before such anniversary; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, the notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 150th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.
To be in proper form, a stockholders notice pursuant to the proxy access provisions must set forth, as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made:
● | the information required in a stockholders notice pursuant to the advance notice provisions of our bylaws; |
● | a copy of the Schedule 14N that has been or concurrently is filed with the SEC as required by Rule 14a-18 under the Exchange Act; |
● | the details of any relationship that existed within the past three years and that would have been described pursuant to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14N if the relationship existed on the date of submission of the Schedule 14N; |
● | a statement of the stockholder (a) setting forth and certifying to the number of shares of the Company the stockholder owns and has owned continuously for at least three years as of the date of the notice and (b) agreeing to continue to own such shares through the applicable annual meeting; and |
● | the written agreement of the stockholder setting forth certain additional agreements, representations and warranties specified in the bylaws. |
Stockholder Communications with Directors
Any stockholder desiring to contact the Board, or any specific director(s), may send written communications to: Board of Directors (Attention: (Name(s) of director(s), as applicable)), c/o Qorvos Secretary, Jason K. Givens, 7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409-9421. Any proper communication so received will be processed by the Secretary. If it is unclear from the communication received whether it was intended or appropriate for the Board, the Secretary will (subject to any applicable regulatory requirements) use his judgment to determine whether such communication should be conveyed to the Board or, as appropriate, to the member(s) of the Board named in the communication.
Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging
Our securities trading policy and Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit any hedging of our securities by our directors and employees. This includes engaging in any type of short sale or purchasing any financial instrument (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange traded funds) or engaging in any transaction that, in either case, hedges or offsets, or is designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of our common stock. Additionally, directors and employees may not pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan; however, this prohibition does not apply to any broker-assisted cashless exercise or settlement of awards granted under a Company equity incentive plan. Directors and employees may engage in other derivative transactions only if it is determined, to the satisfaction of the Companys Compliance Officer, that such transaction is consistent with applicable rules, laws and our securities trading policy.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has established a pre-approval policy for certain audit and non-audit services, up to a specified amount, for each identified service that may be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. The pre-approval fee levels for all services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm are reviewed annually by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has authorized management to engage accounting firms other than Ernst & Young LLP to perform certain audit-related, tax and other non-audit services, as set forth in the policy, provided that the fees do not exceed $250,000 per year for each separate engagement, project or assignment. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to approve, in between meetings of the Audit Committee, certain audit, audit-related, tax and other permissible non-audit services to be provided by Ernst & Young LLP in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Additionally, the Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to approve, in between meetings of the Audit Committee, certain audit- related, tax and other permissible non-audit services to be provided by any accounting firm other than Ernst & Young LLP in an amount in excess of $250,000 for each separate engagement, project or assignment, but not to exceed $500,000 per year for each separate engagement, project or assignment. Any such approval by the Chair must be reported to the Audit Committee at its next meeting following the approval.
16 2021 Proxy Statement
Corporate Governance
The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for receiving and handling complaints from employees and third parties regarding conduct, events or other factual matters with respect to Qorvo or our officers, directors or employees concerning suspected misconduct related to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, or suspected violations of law or other Company policies, including procedures for confidential, anonymous reports of concerns regarding the foregoing matters. Employees may report their concerns to their supervisor or, in cases where it might be inappropriate or uncomfortable for an employee to discuss a concern with his or her supervisor, or if the supervisor does not address the issue to the employees satisfaction, employees may report their concerns by contacting Jason K. Givens, our Compliance Officer, at 7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409-9421, or by e-mail or telephone. Alternatively, employees may discuss their concerns with our Chief Human Resources Officer or any other Company officer. Third parties may report concerns by contacting our Compliance Officer. If the Compliance Officer is the subject of the concern or the employee or third party otherwise believes that the Compliance Officer has not given or will not give proper attention to his or her concerns, the employee or third party may report his or her concerns directly to the Chair of the Audit Committee. An employee or third party also may forward concerns on a confidential and/or anonymous basis to the Compliance Officer by calling Qorvos toll-free Ethics and Compliance hotline, which is operated by a third-party agency to ensure confidentiality, or by delivering a written statement setting forth his or her concerns in a sealed envelope addressed to the Chair of the Audit Committee labeled Confidential: To be opened by the Chair of the Audit Committee only. Employees may also raise concerns via Qorvos Ethics and Compliance website, or if the concern is a U.S. government contracting compliance issue, an employee may raise his or her concern to the Department of Defense fraud hotline.
Upon receipt of a complaint relating to the matters set forth above, supervisors will promptly notify the Compliance Officer and the Compliance Officer (or Chair of the Audit Committee, as the case may be) will promptly notify the Audit Committee, as appropriate. The Audit Committee will oversee the review of any such complaint relating to accounting matters, and the Compliance Officer will oversee the review of all other complaints. The Audit Committee, the Compliance Officer, and anyone investigating any complaint at the direction of the Audit Committee or the Compliance Officer will maintain the confidentiality of such complaint to the fullest extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation. Prompt and appropriate corrective action will be taken when and as warranted in the judgment of the Audit Committee or the Compliance Officer, as appropriate. The Compliance Officer and the Chair of the Audit Committee will maintain a log or other record of all complaints received by them, tracking their receipt, investigation and resolution. The Audit Committee will determine the extent to which it is appropriate to advise the Board from time to time concerning the receipt, investigation or disposition of any complaint received by the Audit Committee. The Compliance Officer and the Chair of the Audit Committee will maintain copies of complaints and their log or other record for a reasonable time but in no event for less than five years.
The Whistleblower Policy is available in the Investors section of our website under the heading Corporate Governance at http://www.qorvo.com or may be obtained by contacting our Investor Relations Department at 7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409-9421.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Ho, Dr. Rhines (Chair), Ms. Spradley and Mr. Wilkinson. None of the current members of the Compensation Committee has ever served as an officer or employee of Qorvo or had any relationship during the year ended April 3, 2021 that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K. No interlocking relationships exist between our current Board of Directors or Compensation Committee and the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company.
2021 Proxy Statement 17
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of Qorvos common stock as of June 17, 2021 (unless otherwise indicated) by (a) each person known by Qorvo to own beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (b) each director and nominee for director, (c) the Named Executive Officers, and (d) all current directors and executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or that are or may become exercisable within 60 days of June 17, 2021, and shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units that have vested or that will vest within 60 days of June 17, 2021, are deemed outstanding. These shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and under applicable community property laws, each stockholder named in the table has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares set forth opposite the stockholders name. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of all listed stockholders is c/o Qorvo, Inc., 7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409-9421. None of our directors or executive officers has pledged our common stock. The percent of our common stock beneficially owned is based on 111,262,287 shares outstanding as of June 17, 2021.
Beneficial Ownership | ||||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares | Percent of Class | ||||||
The Vanguard Group (1) |
|
12,337,908 |
|
|
11.09 |
% | ||
BlackRock, Inc. (2) |
|
9,063,771 |
|
|
8.15 |
% | ||
Ralph G. Quinsey (3) |
|
121,565 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Walden C. Rhines (4) |
|
92,088 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Mark J. Murphy (5) |
|
80,664 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
|
79,977 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Steven E. Creviston |
|
39,509 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Jeffery R. Gardner |
|
36,657 |
|
|
* |
| ||
James L. Klein |
|
27,644 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Walter H. Wilkinson, Jr. |
|
25,742 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Paul J. Fego |
|
19,154 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Roderick D. Nelson (6) |
|
17,155 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Jack R. Harding (7) |
|
14,431 |
|
|
* |
| ||
David H. Y. Ho |
|
11,927 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Susan L. Spradley |
|
3,312 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Judy Bruner |
|
271 |
|
|
* |
| ||
Directors and executive officers as a
group |
|
580,510 |
|
|
* |
|
18 2021 Proxy Statement
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
* | Indicates less than one percent |
(1) | Based upon information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2021 by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard) reporting the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 11,843,101 shares, shared power to vote or direct the vote of 183,258 shares and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of 494,807 shares. The address of Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355. |
(2) | Based upon information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 29, 2021 by BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) reporting the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 8,037,356 shares and the sole power to dispose and to direct the disposition of 9,063,771 shares. As reported in the Schedule 13G/A, various persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, Qorvo common stock, and no one persons interest in such Qorvo common stock is more than 5% of the total outstanding common shares. The address of BlackRock is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. |
(3) | Includes 63,865 shares of common stock held in a trust for which Mr. Quinsey has sole dispositive power. Mr. Quinsey disclaims beneficial ownership of these 63,865 shares. |
(4) | Includes 27,861 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options. Includes 19,888 shares of common stock held in a trust for which Dr. Rhines has sole dispositive power. Dr. Rhines disclaims beneficial ownership of these 19,888 shares. |
(5) | Includes 20,988 shares of common stock held in a trust for which Mr. Murphys spouse has sole voting and dispositive power. |
(6) | Includes 12,696 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options. |
(7) | Includes 7,850 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options. |
(8) | Includes 48,407 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options. |
2021 Proxy Statement 19
Executive Officers
Qorvos executive officers are as follows:
Name | Age | Title | ||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
|
60 |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Mark J. Murphy |
|
53 |
|
Chief Financial Officer | ||
Steven E. Creviston |
|
57 |
|
Corporate Vice President and President of Mobile Products | ||
James L. Klein (1) |
|
56 |
|
Corporate Vice President and President of Infrastructure and Defense Products | ||
Paul J. Fego |
|
64 |
|
Corporate Vice President of Global Operations | ||
Gina B. Harrison |
|
53 |
|
Vice President and Corporate Controller |
(1) | As previously reported, on June 8, 2021, Mr. Klein announced his intention to retire from the Company. He will remain at the Company through the end of the calendar year or, if earlier, the date the transition to his successor is completed. |
Certain information with respect to our executive officers is provided below. Officers are appointed to serve at the discretion of the Board. Information regarding Mr. Bruggeworth is included in the director profiles set forth above.
Mark J. Murphy has served as Chief Financial Officer since June 2016. From October 2014 through February 2016, Mr. Murphy served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Delphi Automotive PLC, a supplier of advanced technologies to the automotive sector. Mr. Murphy joined Delphi from Praxair, Inc., a global industrial gas supplier, where he was President of the U.S. Industrial Gases business, and before that, President of Praxairs Surface Technologies and Electronic Materials division. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., Corporate Controller of Praxair, President of Praxairs Electronics division, and Vice President of Finance for Praxair Asia based in Shanghai. Mr. Murphy has served as a director of Albany International Corp., a publicly traded developer and manufacturer of engineered components, since May 2019.
Steven E. Creviston has served as Corporate Vice President and President of Mobile Products since January 2015. Prior to the Business Combination, he was Corporate Vice President and President of Cellular Products Group, or CPG, for RFMD from August 2007 to January 2015. From May 2002 to August 2007, he served as Corporate Vice President of CPG, which was known as Wireless Products until 2004, for RFMD. Prior to 2002, he held various positions of increasing responsibilities at RFMD. Mr. Creviston has served as a director of LightPath Technologies, Inc., a publicly traded designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of optical components and assemblies, since March 2021.
James L. Klein has served as Corporate Vice President and President of Infrastructure and Defense Products since January 2015. Mr. Klein joined Qorvo with more than 20 years of experience in the RF industry. Prior to the Business Combination, Mr. Klein was Vice President and General Manager of Infrastructure and Defense Products for TriQuint from September 2012 until January 2015 and he was Vice President Defense Products and Foundry Services from July 2011 until September 2012. Prior to joining TriQuint, Mr. Klein spent 13 years with Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, most recently as the General Manager of the Advanced Products Center at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems division where he was responsible for the design and manufacturing of advanced RF and microwave subsystems and components. Prior to Raytheon, Mr. Klein held positions with Texas Instruments where he focused on MMIC and Transmit/Receive module engineering.
Paul J. Fego has served as Corporate Vice President, Global Operations since July 2018. From January 2005 through August 2017, he served as Vice President and Manager, Worldwide Manufacturing Technology & Manufacturing Group of Texas Instruments, a leading global semiconductor and technology company, where he managed all of its wafer fabrication, assembly and test operations in nine countries. Previously, Mr. Fego served in several positions of increasing responsibility at Photronics, Inc., a global leader in photomask solutions for companies that manufacture semiconductors, flat panel displays and other electronic components, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer from March 2002 to January 2005. Prior to joining Photronics to become its Chief Operating Officer in 1996, Mr. Fego served as Operations Director at ST Microelectronics Inc. from September 1989 to November 1996. Prior to joining ST Microelectronics, Mr. Fego served in various positions with Texas Instruments from 1980 to 1989.
20 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Officers
Gina B. Harrison has served has Vice President and Corporate Controller since November 2015. She is a certified public accountant with over 30 years of progressive leadership experience in corporate and public accounting. She joined RFMD in 2000 and held roles of increasing responsibility in financial reporting through March 2005. She served as RFMDs Director of Financial Reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance from April 2005 to December 2014 and served in that same role at Qorvo from January 2015 to October 2015. Prior to joining RFMD, Ms. Harrison held financial and accounting positions at Sara Lee Hosiery from 1992 to 2000 and at Price Waterhouse from 1990 to 1992.
2021 Proxy Statement 21
Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides information with respect to the following persons who, pursuant to SEC rules, constitute our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2021:
● | Robert A. Bruggeworth, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) |
● | Mark J. Murphy, Chief Financial Officer |
● | Steven E. Creviston, Corporate Vice President and President of Mobile Products |
● | James L. Klein, Corporate Vice President and President of Infrastructure and Defense Products |
● | Paul J. Fego, Corporate Vice President of Global Operations |
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis highlights the key components and structure of our executive compensation program, provides an overview of our financial performance in fiscal 2021, discusses the objectives and philosophy underlying our compensation program, and addresses other matters we believe explain and demonstrate our performance-based compensation philosophy, which emphasizes team effort. Since it primarily describes the results of our executive compensation program for fiscal 2021, it does not address our business and financial results for fiscal 2022 or our executive compensation results for fiscal 2022.
Compensation Program Highlights
It is Qorvos policy to ensure that the target total direct compensation of each of our Named Executive Officers rewards strong operating performance in the near term and completion of key initiatives that drive profitability and stockholder value in the longer term.
As part of our compensation policy, we provide base salary, short-term incentive award opportunities and long-term equity-based incentive award opportunities to our Named Executive Officers as follows:
● | Base salary. Base salary accounts for approximately 10% of our CEOs target total direct compensation and approximately 18% of each of our other Named Executive Officers target total direct compensation. |
● | Short-term incentive awards. Short-term incentive award opportunities account for approximately 14% of our CEOs target total direct compensation and approximately 16% of each of our other Named Executive Officers target total direct compensation. Short-term incentive award opportunities are based on corporate performance relative to financial goals established by the Committee on a semi-annual basis and may be paid, at the Committees discretion, in cash or in equity. |
● | Long-term equity-based incentive awards. Long-term equity-based incentive award opportunities consist of performance-based and service-based restricted stock unit awards, or RSUs, and account for approximately 76% of our CEOs target total direct compensation and approximately 66% of each of our other Named Executive Officers target total direct compensation. |
● | Performance-based awards. Performance-based RSU awards (Objectives-based RSUs) are granted in May of each fiscal year and generally account for 60% of the target total equity compensation of our Named Executive Officers. Objectives-based RSUs linked to Company performance objectives approved by the Committee are earned based on the achievement of annual business goals that drive long-term stockholder value. To support retention and reinforce long-term performance objectives, half of the award vests upon certification of achievement by the Committee, and the remaining 50% vests in equal annual installments over each of the following two years. |
● | Service-based awards. Service-based RSU awards (Service-based RSUs) are granted in August of each fiscal year and generally account for 40% of the target total equity compensation of our Named Executive Officers. These awards provide important retention and medium-term and long-term incentives for our Named Executive Officers as they vest over a four-year period. |
22 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
The following charts show the components of our Named Executive Officers average target total direct compensation mix and average target long-term equity-based incentive awards for fiscal 2021:
|
The compensation packages of our CEO and our other Named Executive Officers are closely aligned with performance. A substantial majority of the target total direct compensation mix is at-risk and performance-based, with 60% of our CEOs and 56% of our other Named Executive Officers target total direct compensation being tied to performance. The following charts set out the compensation mix for our CEO and our other Named Executive Officers:
We believe our executive compensation program provides a balanced and stable foundation for achieving our intended objectives. Our compensation philosophy emphasizes team effort, which we believe fosters quick adjustment and adaptation to the rapidly changing market conditions we routinely face in our industry. The focus on company rather than individual performance measurement in our incentive compensation programs not only helps us achieve our short-term and long-term goals, but also aligns the interests of our executive officers with those of the Company as a whole and our stockholders.
We refer to comparative industry data and consider other factors to establish each Named Executive Officers range of base salary, short-term incentive award opportunities and long-term equity-based incentive award opportunities. The principal features of our compensation policies and practices include the following:
● | We prohibit the backdating or spring-loading of equity awards. |
● | We prohibit the repricing of stock options or stock appreciation rights without stockholder approval. |
2021 Proxy Statement 23
Executive Compensation
● | We do not provide perquisites to our executive officers. |
● | We prohibit any hedging of our securities by our directors and employees, including our executive officers. |
● | We prohibit any pledging of our securities by our directors and employees, including our executive officers. |
● | We have established stock ownership guidelines for our directors and our executive officers. |
● | We provide change-in-control agreements with a double trigger for acceleration of equity awards requiring a qualifying termination of employment following a change in control. |
● | We impose clawback restrictions in our senior officer equity awards in the event of certain prohibited conduct, including violation of restrictive covenants following termination of employment and misconduct to the extent required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. |
Fiscal 2021 Financial Performance Highlights
● | In fiscal 2021, our revenue increased 24% to $4,015.3 million as compared to $3,239.1 million in fiscal 2020, driven primarily by higher demand for our 5G mobile solutions, 5G base station products and Wi-Fi products, partially offset by lower shipments of our mobile products to Huawei. |
● | In fiscal 2021, our gross margin increased to 46.9% as compared to 40.8% in fiscal 2020, primarily due to increased volume, improved mix and higher factory utilization associated with the ramp of 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and other products. Productivity and lower inventory charges also contributed to gross margin expansion, partially offset by more moderate price effects. |
● | Our operating income in fiscal 2021 was $906.6 million as compared to $423.2 million in fiscal 2020, primarily due to higher revenue and higher gross margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher personnel costs and increased product development spend, partially offset by lower acquisition and integration related expenses and lower travel expense. |
Fiscal 2020 Say-on-Pay Vote
At our fiscal 2020 annual meeting, our stockholders approved an advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2020, with more than 94% of the votes cast in favor of the advisory proposal. The Committee considered the results of this vote and the strong approval level expressed by our stockholders and did not make any material changes to the elements or objectives of our executive compensation program for fiscal 2021.
Fiscal 2021 Compensation Highlights
Base Salary
The Committee postponed any base salary increases for our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2021 until fiscal 2022 due to the market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Short-Term Incentive Awards
Each of our Named Executive Officers was eligible to earn a short-term incentive award based on our financial performance during fiscal 2021. The actual incentive award earned was tied to our achievement of revenue and non-GAAP operating income goals, as described below, during two six-month performance periods during the year. Short-term incentive objectives for the first half of fiscal 2021 were set prior to the onset of business challenges caused by COVID-19 and were not adjusted despite the market uncertainties created by the pandemic. As a result of our financial performance in the first half and second half of fiscal 2021, the Named Executive Officers received short-term incentive awards in amounts equal to 167.3% and 152.1%, respectively, of their target short-term incentive award opportunities (determined as a percentage of their base salary paid during the applicable six-month performance period).
Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards
Our Named Executive Officers were granted long-term equity-based incentive awards in the form of Objectives-based RSUs, granted in May 2020, and Service-based RSUs, granted in August 2020. Vesting of Objectives-based RSUs, which represented about 60% of the total long-term incentive award value granted to our Named Executive Officers, was tied to achievement of Committee-approved Company performance objectives. Specifically, the performance objectives related to securing specific design wins, making specific R&D-related improvements, implementing or realizing specific manufacturing-related and operational improvements, further improving environmental performance, developing or qualifying specific product and process technologies, and making key information technology-related improvements. The performance objectives for fiscal 2021 were not adjusted despite the market uncertainties created by the pandemic.
24 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
For the Objectives-based RSUs granted in fiscal 2021, we fully achieved ten of the eleven pre-established Company performance objectives and partially achieved one of the objectives (as discussed in more detail below). As a result, the Named Executive Officers earned their Objectives-based RSUs in amounts equal to 147.5% of their target number of units. The number of Objectives-based RSUs earned by the Named Executive Officers vest over a specified period, with 50% vesting upon certification of the level of achievement of the awards and the remaining 50% vesting in equal annual installments over each of the following two years.
Executive Compensation Program
Executive Compensation Program Objectives and Philosophy
The objectives of Qorvos executive compensation program are to enhance our ability to recruit and retain qualified management, motivate our executive officers and other employees to achieve established performance goals and ensure a strong element of congruity between the financial interests of our executive officers and our stockholders. We believe the competition in our industry for qualified executives, including our Named Executive Officers, is extremely strong. To attract and retain highly qualified employees, we must maintain an overall compensation package that is competitive with the compensation offered by the companies in our peer group and other competitors within our industry.
We do not establish goals tied to individual performance for our Named Executive Officers or other executive officers, although the Committee does evaluate individual performance when making compensation decisions. Rather, we believe strongly that focusing on the management team as a group and Company performance as a whole results in greater long-term success. Accordingly, we currently base all short-term incentive awards and long-term performance-based equity awards on the achievement of corporate financial and operational goals established by the Committee.
We also believe that substantial equity ownership provides important medium-term and long-term incentives and encourages our Named Executive Officers to take actions favorable to the long-term interests of Qorvo and our stockholders. Accordingly, long-term equity-based incentive compensation makes up a significant portion of the overall target total direct compensation of our Named Executive Officers. Additionally, our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, are required to own shares of our common stock in accordance with our stock ownership guidelines, as described in more detail under Compensation Decision-Making Processes Other Compensation Policies and Practices below.
Fiscal 2021 Executive Compensation Program Design
Our fiscal 2021 executive compensation program is designed to meet the objectives described above and consists of base salary, short-term incentive awards and long-term equity-based incentive awards. For our Named Executive Officers, base salary generally accounts, on average, for approximately 14% of their target total direct compensation. In addition, short-term incentive award opportunities, which may be paid in cash or equity at the Committees discretion, generally account for approximately 15% of their target total direct compensation, while long-term equity-based incentive award opportunities are comprised of performance- and service-based RSUs and generally account for approximately 71% of their target total direct compensation. Our executive compensation philosophy emphasizes team effort, which we believe fosters rapid adjustment and adaptation to fast-changing market conditions. We believe that our combination of short-term incentive awards and long-term performance- and service-based RSUs helps us achieve our long-term goals and will continue to align the interests of our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, with those of Qorvo and our stockholders.
For our Named Executive Officers, approximately 60% of their target total long-term equity-based incentive awards are performance-based, while the balance is service-based. The Objectives-based RSU awards are linked to the achievement of Company performance objectives, with 50% vesting upon certification of the level of achievement by the Committee for the applicable portion of the Objectives-based RSUs, and the remaining 50% vesting in equal annual installments over each of the following two years. These performance-based awards are at-risk and do not contain any minimum guaranteed award.
Our tax-qualified defined contribution 401(k) plan and nonqualified deferred compensation plan are the only retirement plans available to our employees in the United States. To complement these plans, we have made competitive annual performance-based and service-based equity awards to our Named Executive Officers that have extended vesting periods or award terms. The purpose of these awards, which are discussed in more detail below, is to motivate and reward strong corporate performance and to retain valued executives. We also use long-term equity-based incentive awards to attract and recruit qualified executives. We believe that equity awards serve to align the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders by rewarding them for stock price growth. Because a significant percentage of our Named Executive Officers target total direct compensation is in the form of equity awards with long-term vesting requirements and no guarantee of being earned, we believe our Named Executive Officers are motivated to take actions that will benefit the Company and our stockholders in the long term.
2021 Proxy Statement 25
Executive Compensation
Fiscal 2022 Executive Compensation Program Design
Shortly before the end of fiscal 2021, the Committee set the base salary and target short-term incentive award opportunities for our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2022. The base salaries of each of the Named Executive Officers were increased by between 6% and 8%. These adjustments reflect the fact that no increases were made in fiscal 2021 due to the market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The adjustments were finalized by the Committee with consideration given to competitive market data as well as the individual performance and the roles and responsibilities of each Named Executive Officer. No changes were made to the target short-term incentive award opportunities for fiscal 2022 for the Named Executive Officers other than to increase Mr. Bruggeworths short-term incentive award opportunity from 150% to 160% of his base salary after consideration of competitive market data. These compensation levels were based both on the performance and experience of our Named Executive Officers as well as market data provided by the Committees independent compensation consultant and reflecting practices and pay levels among companies in our compensation peer group. Long-term performance-based equity awards were granted to our Named Executive Officers and other management team members for fiscal 2022 in May 2021 based on similar criteria.
Compensation Decision-Making Processes
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is appointed by the Board to exercise the Boards authority to set compensation of our officers (including our Named Executive Officers), to make recommendations to the Board regarding compensation of our non-employee directors and to administer our incentive compensation plans. See Corporate Governance Committees and Meetings Compensation Committee, above. The current members of the Committee are Mr. Ho, Dr. Rhines (Chair), Ms. Spradley and Mr. Wilkinson. The Committee typically meets in separate session in connection with regularly-scheduled meetings of the Board. In addition, the Committee often schedules special meetings, either by telephone or in person, as necessary to fulfill its duties. Meeting agendas are established by the Chair after consultation with our Chief Human Resources Officer, other members of the Committee and our CEO.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
The Committee has retained the compensation consulting firm Compensia, Inc., which we refer to as Compensia, to assist it with executive, equity and non-employee director compensation matters. The Committee selected Compensia based primarily on its principals depth of experience in the technology industry and its prior performance as the compensation consultant to the Committee. During fiscal 2020, Compensia supported the Committee in reviewing and finalizing the fiscal 2021 compensation of our Named Executive Officers. In addition, during fiscal 2021, Compensia worked with the Committee to help ensure that our compensation practices were appropriate for our industry and also provided an analysis of non-employee director compensation, in each case for the Committees use in setting fiscal 2022 compensation. Compensias recommendations to the Committee generally included suggested ranges for compensation or descriptions of policies that Compensia currently considers best practices in our industry.
During fiscal 2021, Compensia only worked for the Committee and performed no additional services for Qorvo or any of our Named Executive Officers. The Committee approved the engagement of Compensia, including the major projects to be performed and the proposed budget for such work. During fiscal 2021, neither the Committee nor our management used the services of any other compensation consultant other than Compensia. All the work performed by Compensia is performed at the direction of the Committee. In connection with its engagement of Compensia, the Committee considered the factors set forth in the listing standards of the Nasdaq and the relevant SEC rules on advisor independence and determined that Compensia was independent and that its engagement did not present any conflicts of interest.
Role of Executives in Establishing Compensation
During fiscal 2021, there was a continuing dialogue among our CEO, other members of management (particularly our Chief Human Resources Officer), Compensia and Committee members regarding compensation considerations. Each of these parties was and continues to be encouraged to propose ideas or issues for the Committee to consider and evaluate with respect to our compensation structure and philosophy.
The Committee, following consultation with Compensia, establishes the annual base salary, short-term incentive award opportunities and long-term equity-based incentive award opportunities for our CEO, Mr. Bruggeworth. Mr. Bruggeworth typically recommends to the Committee the annual base salary, short-term incentive award opportunities and long-term equity-based incentive award opportunities for the other members of the executive management team, including the other Named Executive Officers, for the Committees review, modification and approval.
To assist the Committee in overseeing compensation practices, the Committee periodically requests that the Human Resources, Finance and Legal Departments personnel present information on compensation-related topics. Therefore, certain members of the
26 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
executive management team or other employees attended portions of some Committee meetings during fiscal 2021 to fulfill these requests. Our Chief Human Resources Officer attended substantially all of the Committees meetings and typically served as secretary of the meetings, but did not participate in executive sessions or any portion of any meeting where her own compensation was being determined. Our CEO also attended all of the Committees meetings during fiscal 2021, but did not attend any portion of any meeting where his own compensation was being determined. In addition, when deemed appropriate, the Committee held a portion of certain meetings during fiscal 2021 in executive session with only Committee members and, in some cases, Committee advisors present.
Use of Industry Comparative Data
We operate in a highly competitive industry in which retention of qualified personnel is a critical factor in operating a successful business. As such, we try to understand as much as possible about the total compensation levels and practices at other companies in our industry. With the help of Compensia, our CEO and our Chief Human Resources Officer, the Committee has developed a peer group of companies to better understand the competitive market for executive talent that it reviews at least annually and, if appropriate, adjusts periodically. The companies included in this peer group generally have revenue ranging from one-half to two and one-half times our annual revenue, market capitalizations ranging from one-third to three times our market capitalization and are in the semiconductor, semiconductor equipment, electrical equipment and instrument, and communications equipment business sectors. The peer group is constructed such that the median revenue size of the peer group is at or close to our projected annual revenue. At the time of the development of the peer group, Qorvo was at the 40th percentile of revenue and the 33rd percentile of market capitalization of these companies. The peer group used in fiscal 2021 consisted of the following 18 companies:
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Analog Devices, Inc. Ciena Corporation Cirrus Logic, Inc. Cree, Inc. FLIR Systems, Inc. |
Keysight Technologies, Inc. KLA Corporation Marvell Technology Group Ltd. Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. Microchip Technology Incorporated MKS Instruments, Inc. |
ON Semiconductor Corporation Skyworks Solutions, Inc. Teradyne, Inc. Trimble, Inc. Xilinx, Inc. Zebra Technologies Corporation |
In consultation with Compensia, the Committee removed Cypress Semiconductor Corporation from the peer group (which had been acquired by Infineon Technologies AG) and added Ciena Corporation, FLIR Systems, Inc., Keysight Technologies, Inc., MKS Instruments, Inc., Teradyne, Inc., Trimble, Inc. and Zebra Technologies Corporation to the peer group (to broaden the industry scope to include technology companies that produce electrical equipment and instruments or communications equipment and reposition Qorvo closer to the median in key financial metrics).
We generally have referred to peer group data to help establish base salaries and target short-term incentive award opportunities for each Named Executive Officer. When considering the peer group data to establish base salaries and short-term incentive award opportunities, the Committee also considers each Named Executive Officers performance, level of responsibility in comparison to the other Named Executive Officers and internal equity and other considerations and then makes adjustments it deems appropriate.
Other Compensation Policies and Practices
With the assistance of the Committee, Compensia and the executive management team, we have developed certain policies and practices that we relied upon during fiscal 2021 and that we expect to continue to rely upon during fiscal 2022:
Incentive-Based Compensation Policies
● | Short-term incentive award opportunities are linked to pre-established objective metrics for our financial performance during two six-month periods each fiscal year. As discussed in more detail below under Elements of Compensation Short-Term Incentive Opportunities, each target short-term incentive award opportunity is expressed as a percentage of the Named Executive Officers base salary that is paid during the applicable performance period. The short-term incentive program is structured so that as the level of a Named Executive Officers responsibility at Qorvo increases, his target short-term incentive award opportunity as a percentage of his total base salary and target short-term incentive award opportunity will also increase, resulting in a greater percentage of his short-term incentive compensation being at-risk and linked to our operating performance. |
● | A substantial amount of each Named Executive Officers total long-term equity-based incentive compensation is performance-based. For fiscal 2021, our long-term performance-based equity awards were linked to our performance as measured against pre-established Company objectives. While each individual compensation component was set with reference to comparable data drawn from the peer group, taking into account the observations of Compensia as to best practices in our industry, the Committee established a policy that approximately 60% of the value of each Named |
2021 Proxy Statement 27
Executive Compensation
Executive Officers potential long-term equity awards should be performance-based. See Elements of Compensation Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards below for more information. |
● | Targeted levels of equity awards (including both performance-based and service-based awards) for each Named Executive Officer, as is the case with base salary and short-term incentive award opportunities, are established after consideration of (a) comparable data drawn from the peer group; (b) each executive officers base salary and short-term incentive award opportunity; (c) past accomplishments and performance; (d) overall responsibilities and anticipated performance required for the upcoming fiscal year; and (e) internal equity and other considerations. |
● | Our fiscal 2021 long-term performance-based equity awards were linked to achievement during the year of key Company projects or initiatives that the Committee believed had a strong potential to impact long-term stockholder value creation. |
● | We do not provide perquisites to our executive officers. |
Other Equity Award Grant Practices
● | As part of the Committees regular process for determining whether performance-based compensation goals have been met, our Internal Audit Department reviews our performance against the applicable metrics for short-term incentive award opportunities and long-term performance-based equity compensation, confirms the level of achievement of the applicable metrics and issues a report to the Committee certifying the applicable calculations. |
● | In order to support the surviving family of an executive officer in the event of his or her death, for long-term equity-based incentive awards granted during or after fiscal 2016, both performance-based and service-based long-term equity awards will be treated as earned (at target levels if applicable) and fully vested in the event of the death of the executive officer prior to the end of the applicable performance or vesting period. In the event of the death of the executive officer on or after the end of a performance period, long-term performance-based equity awards will be eligible to be fully earned, based on actual performance and to the extent performance goals are met, with such earned awards being deemed fully vested as of the date of termination. |
● | To encourage our executive officers to keep a longer-term perspective of the Company as they approach retirement and to augment retirement savings, both Objectives-based RSUs and Service-based RSUs generally will remain outstanding and capable of being earned and/or of vesting in accordance with their terms following an executive officers termination of employment unless such employment is terminated for cause, in which case any unearned or unvested portion of the award will be forfeited. Continuation of the award is conditioned on the departing executive officers agreement to refrain from working for another company during the remaining vesting period and compliance with specified non-disclosure, confidentiality and other covenants. If the individual fails to satisfy these obligations, the remaining unearned or unvested portion of the award will be forfeited and any underlying shares of common stock that were earned and vested following termination and any gain from the sale of such shares will be subject to recoupment, or clawback, by Qorvo. |
● | We prohibit the backdating or spring-loading of equity awards. To further that goal, we generally plan to grant Service-based RSUs once a year to existing employees on or around the date of our annual meeting of stockholders, and Objectives-based RSU opportunities once each year shortly after the beginning of the fiscal year. |
● | We prohibit the repricing of stock options or stock appreciation rights without stockholder approval. |
The Committee also has additional responsibilities with respect to our compensation policies and practices, which are set forth in its charter and described in more detail under Corporate Governance Committees and Meetings Compensation Committee, above.
Prohibition Against Hedging and Pledging
Our securities trading policy and Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit any hedging of our securities by directors or employees, including our executive officers. This includes engaging in any type of short sale or purchasing any financial instrument (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange traded funds) or engaging in any transaction that, in either case, hedges or offsets, or is designed to hedge or offset any risk of decrease in the market value of our common stock. Accordingly, none of our directors or executive officers has engaged in any hedging transaction with respect to our common stock.
Our securities trading policy and Corporate Governance Guidelines also prohibit any pledging of our securities by directors or employees, including our executive officers. Accordingly, none of our directors or executive officers has pledged our common stock.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, we have established stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors, CEO and other executive officers, which provide that within five years of first becoming a director or executive officer, as applicable,
28 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
they must own shares of our common stock with a specified value in the following amounts: for directors, five times their annual retainers; for the CEO, three times his base salary; and for other executive officers, one times their base salaries.
Compensation arrangements for our Named Executive Officers under our fiscal 2021 executive compensation program generally consisted of four components: (a) a base salary; (b) a performance-based short-term incentive program; (c) the grant of equity incentive awards in the form of performance-based and service-based RSUs; and (d) other compensation and employee benefits generally available to all of our employees, such as health insurance, group life and disability insurance and participation in our 401(k) plan, our nonqualified deferred compensation plan and our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP. We believe our overall and individual incentive award grant practices are comparable to industry norms and contain sufficient performance-based elements.
Base Salaries
The Committee reviews and establishes individual base salaries for our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, annually. In determining individual base salaries, the Committee considers peer group data, overall responsibilities and anticipated performance, past accomplishments and performance, labor market conditions and our overall annual budget guidelines for merit and performance increases. Due to market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, at the beginning of fiscal 2021 the Committee determined to postpone any base salary increases for our Named Executive Officers until fiscal 2022. The base salaries for our Named Executive Officers are as shown in the table below:
Name | Fiscal 2020 Base Salary (1) |
Fiscal 2021 Base Salary (1) |
Percentage Increase |
|||||||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
|
$852,155 |
|
$852,155 |
|
0% |
||||||
Mark J. Murphy |
|
$519,043 |
|
$519,043 |
|
0% |
||||||
Steven E. Creviston |
|
$508,726 |
|
$508,726 |
|
0% |
||||||
James L. Klein |
|
$466,045 |
|
$466,045 |
|
0% |
||||||
Paul J. Fego |
|
$458,349 |
|
$458,349 |
|
0% |
(1) | Base salary is based on the named executive officers annual base salary rate. Actual base salary amounts paid during the fiscal year vary due to the Companys 52/53 week fiscal year and the timing of the fiscal 2022 base salary adjustments for our Named Executive Officers (as described below), which became effective in the two-week payroll period (March 28, 2021-April 10, 2021) that covered the first day of fiscal 2022 (April 4, 2021). |
Shortly before the end of fiscal 2021, the Committee set the fiscal 2022 base salary for our Named Executive Officers. Effective for fiscal 2022, the Committee approved a base salary adjustment for each of our Named Executive Officers ranging from a 6% to 8% increase to their fiscal 2020 base salary, with consideration given to competitive market data as well as the individual performance and roles and responsibilities of each Named Executive Officer. These adjustments reflect the fact that none of our Named Executive Officers received a base salary increase in fiscal 2021.
Short-Term Incentive Award Opportunities
A significant portion of each Named Executive Officers annual target total direct compensation is intended to be at-risk and linked to our operating performance. Short-term incentives for our Named Executive Officers, as well as for all our other employees, when earned, are awarded pursuant to our Short-Term Incentive Plan. No minimum bonus is guaranteed.
The target short-term incentive award opportunity for each Named Executive Officer is expressed as a percentage of his base salary that is paid during the applicable performance period. The short-term incentive program is structured so that as a Named Executive Officers responsibility at Qorvo increases, his target short-term incentive award opportunity as a percentage of his base salary will also increase. In March 2020, the Committee set the fiscal 2021 target short-term incentive award opportunity for Mr. Bruggeworth at 150% of his base salary and for each of our other Named Executive Officers at 90% of their respective base salary, which represented no change to the level of award opportunity for each of our Named Executive Officers compared to the prior year. The short-term incentive award opportunities reflect the Committees view that Mr. Bruggeworth, as our CEO, bears overall management responsibility for Qorvo, while our other Named Executive Officers have more narrow responsibilities tied to a particular business unit or function.
2021 Proxy Statement 29
Executive Compensation
For fiscal 2021, the short-term incentive award opportunities were based on two separate six-month performance periods. The metrics used to measure performance were revenue and non-GAAP operating income. For purposes of the short-term incentive awards, non-GAAP operating income was calculated excluding stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, restructuring costs, acquisition and integration related costs, start-up costs, and certain non-cash expenses. The revenue and non-GAAP operating income metrics each had a pre-established threshold, target and maximum level, and each constituted 50% of the total short-term incentive award opportunity during each six-month performance period. For the first six months of fiscal 2021, the target levels for revenue and non-GAAP operating income were approximately 100% of the corresponding amounts in our annual operating plan as approved by the Board. Each Named Executive Officer had the opportunity to earn a short-term incentive award in an amount between 15% and 200% of the executive officers target short-term incentive award opportunity depending on our actual level of revenue and non-GAAP operating income during the performance period. No minimum bonus was guaranteed. In addition, the fiscal 2021 short-term incentive awards are subject also to the fiscal year award limitation of $5,000,000 per participant applicable under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.
The short-term incentive award earned for each metric was determined on a linear basis for performance between the threshold and maximum levels for such metric. As a result of our performance in the first six months of fiscal 2021, our Named Executive Officers earned short-term incentive awards equal to 167.3% of their target short-term incentive award opportunity for this semi-annual performance period. The following table sets forth the short-term incentive metrics and the actual results achieved for the first six-month performance period:
First Half of Fiscal 2021 Short-Term Incentive Components, Performance Range and Results Achieved
Performance Metric | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Achieved Results |
Short-Term Incentive |
Weighting | Payout % Factor |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ |
1,412.7M |
|
$ |
1,662.0M |
|
$ |
1,911.3M |
|
$ |
1,847.7M |
|
|
174.5% |
|
|
50% |
|
|
87.3 |
% | |||||||
Non-GAAP Operating Income |
$ |
316.0M |
|
$ |
451.4M |
|
$ |
586.8M |
|
$ |
533.1M |
|
|
160.0% |
|
|
50% |
|
|
80.0 |
% | |||||||
|
167.3 |
% |
We used a similar methodology to set our short-term incentive award targets for the second half of fiscal 2021 based on our forecast prepared in October 2020 for the same period, as approved by the Board. For the second six months of fiscal 2021, the target level for revenue and non-GAAP operating income was approximately 100% of the corresponding amount in our forecast. Based on our performance in the second six months of fiscal 2021, our Named Executive Officers earned short-term incentive awards equal to 152.1% of their target short-term incentive award opportunity for this semi-annual performance period. The following table sets forth the short-term incentive metrics and the actual results achieved for the second six-month performance period:
Second Half of Fiscal 2021 Short-Term Incentive Components, Performance Range and Results Achieved
Performance Metric | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Achieved Results |
Short-Term Incentive |
Weighting | Payout % Factor |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ |
1,683.5M |
|
$ |
1,980.6M |
|
$ |
2,277.7M |
|
$ |
2,167.6M |
|
|
162.9% |
|
|
50% |
|
|
81.5 |
% | |||||||
Non-GAAP Operating Income |
$ |
473.0M |
|
$ |
675.7M |
|
$ |
878.4M |
|
$ |
756.8M |
|
|
141.2% |
|
|
50% |
|
|
70.6 |
% | |||||||
|
152.1 |
% |
As our performance in fiscal 2021 demonstrates, our short-term incentive compensation targets are intended to reward performance measured against our Board-approved operating plan and forecast for the second half of the fiscal year. For fiscal 2021, the total annual compensation (base salary plus short-term incentive awards at target) was generally aligned with the market practices among companies in our compensation peer group, with the potential to earn up to 200% of the total short-term incentive target for strong performance.
30 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
Shortly before the end of fiscal 2021, the Committee determined to make no changes to the target short-term incentive award opportunities for the Named Executive Officers established for fiscal 2021 other than to increase Mr. Bruggeworths opportunity from 150% to 160% of base salary after consideration of competitive market data. In addition, for fiscal 2022, the Committee has determined to follow the same general approach for measuring short-term incentive award opportunities based on two separate six-month performance periods, again using revenue and non-GAAP operating income as the metrics for the first six-month period. Each metric has a pre-established threshold, target and maximum level, and will constitute 50% of the total short-term incentive award opportunity. The Committee continues to believe that revenue and non-GAAP operating income are the two key metrics that will drive stockholder value creation in fiscal 2022. Each Named Executive Officer has the opportunity to earn a short-term incentive award in an amount between 15% and 200% of such executive officers fiscal 2022 target short-term incentive award opportunity expressed as a percentage of such executive officers base salary during the first six-month period, depending on our actual level of revenue and non-GAAP operating income. The short-term incentive award earned for each metric will be determined on a linear basis for performance between threshold and maximum levels for such metric. In addition, the fiscal 2022 short-term incentive awards are subject also to the fiscal year award limitation of $5,000,000 per participant applicable under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.
The Committee expects to select the performance metrics and establish the related performance levels for the second portion of the short-term incentive program for fiscal 2022, which is expected to be based on performance during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2022, during the third quarter of fiscal 2022. The fiscal 2022 threshold, target and maximum levels of revenue and non-GAAP operating income for the first half of fiscal 2022 were derived from our internal annual operating plan, as approved by the Board, which is not disclosed publicly for competitive reasons. These performance levels constitute confidential commercial and strategic financial information, and we believe that prospective disclosure of these performance levels would result in competitive harm to the Company. The Committee believes that the target levels of performance are challenging and reflect desired above-market performance, and thus typically would not be achieved all the time. At the time the performance goals were established, the Committee also believed that performance at a level above the target level would be difficult, but not impossible, to achieve. The Committee recognizes that the likelihood of achievement in any given performance period may vary from prior performance periods and believes that the payout should be appropriate for the performance.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards
For fiscal 2021, the Named Executive Officers received a performance-based RSU award opportunity to be earned based on our achievement of certain pre-established Company performance objectives. No minimum level of equity award was guaranteed. These Objectives-based RSUs are designed to ensure that approximately 60% of the total target value of each Named Executive Officers annual long-term equity-based incentive opportunity is linked to project milestones or key initiatives that the Committee believed had a strong potential to impact long-term stockholder value creation.
The Objectives-based RSUs granted in fiscal 2021 were eligible to be earned based on our actual performance as measured against eleven performance objectives approved by the Committee. The number of RSUs earned is determined by the objectives met and the specific payout percentage that was assigned to each of those objectives. Depending on the number of objectives met, each Named Executive Officer could have earned up to 150% of the target number of Objectives-based RSUs. We believe the Objectives-based RSUs advance our achievement of long-term financial and operational goals and help ensure our continued performance as an industry leader. These goals were Company-based, and the performance achieved applied to the executive management team as a group; none of the objectives were individually-based. The following table describes the performance objectives for fiscal 2021, along with the rationale, weighting, performance assessment and payout for each:
Performance Objective(1) |
Rationale for Selection of Objective |
Weighting(2) | Performance Assessment(3) |
Percent Payout | ||||
Secure specific Mobile Product design wins |
Increase revenue, expand margins, address customer requirements and develop key technologies
|
35% |
Complete |
35% | ||||
Qualify new semiconductor product technology |
Improve product performance and address customer requirements |
15% |
Complete |
15% | ||||
Develop key IT related processes and tools |
Improve operations efficiency |
10% |
Complete |
10% |
2021 Proxy Statement 31
Executive Compensation
Performance Objective(1) |
Rationale for Selection of Objective |
Weighting(2) | Performance Assessment(3) |
Percent Payout | ||||
Implement new design-related process to improve efficiency and reduce errors |
Improve design processes and R&D efficiency |
10% |
Complete |
10% | ||||
Automate certain business activities |
Reduce transactional costs |
10% |
Complete |
10% | ||||
Implement die level traceability |
Improve manufacturing operations, including quality and yield |
10% |
Complete |
10% | ||||
Qualify certain product technology |
Improve performance and supply |
10% |
Complete |
10% | ||||
Implement new product technology for select applications |
Improve competitiveness |
15% |
Complete |
15% | ||||
Complete development and qualify new technology |
Increase revenue, expand margins, address customer requirements and develop key technology |
15% |
Partial |
12.5% | ||||
Achieve measurable reductions in Qorvos environmental footprint |
Lessen operational impact on environment and improve external reporting to customers and stockholders |
10% |
Complete |
10% | ||||
Implement new costing tools |
Enhance visibility of costs and improve reporting |
10% |
Complete |
10% | ||||
Total: | 150% | 147.5% |
(1) | Eight of the objectives contained between two and five related sub-objectives that carried separate weightings and could be separately met. |
(2) | Weightings are assigned based on the perceived strategic importance of each objective. |
(3) | The performance period was our fiscal year ended April 3, 2021, except for one objective that had a performance period that ended on May 1, 2021 and two sub-objectives that had performance periods that end on September 30, 2021. However, the Committee assessed and determined the Companys actual performance with respect to all of the objectives in May 2021, including the two sub-objectives with the performance periods that end on September 30, 2021. |
Based on our actual performance against the pre-established performance objectives, each Named Executive Officer earned 147.5% of his target number of Objectives-based RSUs, as shown in the following table:
Name | Target Number of Objectives- Based RSUs |
Maximum Number of Objectives- Based RSUs |
Actual Number of Based RSUs |
|||||||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
|
40,230 |
|
|
60,345 |
|
|
59,341 |
| |||
Mark J. Murphy |
|
11,920 |
|
|
17,880 |
|
|
17,584 |
| |||
Steven E. Creviston |
|
11,920 |
|
|
17,880 |
|
|
17,584 |
| |||
James L. Klein |
|
9,536 |
|
|
14,304 |
|
|
14,066 |
| |||
Paul J. Fego |
|
9,536 |
|
|
14,304 |
|
|
14,066 |
|
32 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
* | Due to rounding, the actual number of RSUs earned may vary slightly from the calculated payout of 147.5% multiplied by the target number of RSUs. |
The number of RSUs earned by our Named Executive Officers listed above will vest over a specified period, with 50% having vested upon certification of the level of achievement of the awards and the remaining 50% vesting in equal annual installments over each of the following two years.
We believe that the level of performance required to satisfy the objectives and reach the target award level should not be easily achievable. When the Committee established the performance objectives for fiscal 2021, it assigned an expected degree of difficulty of achieving each objective or sub-objective, as applicable, as either low, medium or high. Three of the objectives were rated with high difficulty to accomplish within the performance period, and four of the objectives was rated with medium difficulty. Two of the objectives were rated with low difficulty, while the two remaining objectives included three sub-objectives rated with high difficulty and two sub-objectives rated with medium difficulty. The Committee believes that earning any awards equal to or greater than the target level of 100% should be difficult, but still possible, to achieve. We recognize, however, that the likelihood of achievement of any level of award in any given performance period may vary from prior performance periods and believe that the amount of the award should be appropriate for the performance. No minimum level of award is guaranteed. In addition, the Committee believes it is inherently difficult to predict whether these performance objectives will be met. The Committee believes that one of the most important benefits to Qorvo from the use of the Objectives-based RSUs is the focused emphasis by all participating employees on attaining the objectives as a team, including a monthly management review of the status of each objective by responsible employees.
In May 2021, we granted Objectives-based RSUs for fiscal 2022 to our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers. We generally used the same criteria we used in fiscal 2021 in setting these awards.
Each award will be earned by each Named Executive Officer to the extent the Company achieves at least one, and up to ten, pre-established performance objectives selected by the Committee. Named Executive Officers may earn up to 150% of the target number of Objectives-based RSUs if all ten Company performance objectives are met in full. Seven of the performance objectives have between two and seven sub-objectives that can be separately met. The fiscal 2022 objectives relate to securing specific design wins; making specific R&D-related improvements; implementing operational improvements; developing, expanding or qualifying specific product and process technologies; implementing specific manufacturing-related improvements; updating the Companys governance framework and related monitoring and disclosure to support the Companys ESG program; and developing and expanding the business application of advanced analytics.
Service-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards
For fiscal 2021, the Committee granted Service-based RSUs to our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers. The amount of each award was determined by the Committee in August 2020 following our annual meeting of stockholders upon consideration of (a) peer group data, (b) each executive officers base salary, short-term incentive award opportunities and performance-based RSU opportunities, (c) overall responsibilities and anticipated performance required for the upcoming fiscal year, and (d) past accomplishments and performance. Consistent with the Committees philosophy of promoting performance-based compensation, Service-based RSUs generally approximate 40% of the total target value of all annual long-term equity-based incentive opportunities. The RSUs generally are expected to vest over a four-year period, with 25% vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. The following table sets forth the number of Service-based RSUs granted to each Named Executive Officer, with additional detail regarding the awards set forth in the 2021 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.
Name | Service- Based RSUs |
|||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
|
20,571 |
||
Mark J. Murphy |
|
6,095 |
||
Steven E. Creviston |
|
6,095 |
||
James L. Klein |
|
4,876 |
||
Paul J. Fego |
|
4,876 |
In fiscal 2022, we again expect to grant Service-based RSUs to certain members of the executive management team, including our Named Executive Officers, following the annual meeting of stockholders. We expect to continue to use the same criteria we used in fiscal 2021 in setting these awards.
2021 Proxy Statement 33
Executive Compensation
Other Employee Benefits
Our executive officers are eligible to participate in the same employee benefit plans generally available to all our employees, including health insurance, group life and disability insurance, 401(k) and employee stock purchase plans. We also maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan under which eligible employees, including our Named Executive Officers, may elect to defer the receipt of a portion of their base salary and some of their short-term incentive compensation, to the extent paid in cash. We do not provide any matching contributions under our deferred compensation plan, nor do we guarantee any minimum rate of return.
Perquisites
Our executive officers do not receive any perquisites or other personal benefits. We believe that perquisites are viewed by some of our stockholders and employees as being discriminatory in nature and, as such, we have taken the position that these highly visible (and sometimes controversial) benefits are not necessary to implement our current compensation philosophy and structure.
Tax Considerations
Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, compensation paid to each of the Companys covered employees that exceeds $1 million per taxable year is generally non-deductible unless the compensation qualifies for certain grandfathered exceptions (including the performance-based compensation exception) for certain compensation payable pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 and not materially modified on or after such date.
Although the Committee will continue to consider tax implications as one factor in determining executive compensation, the Committee believes that it needs to continue to consider all relevant factors that attract, retain and reward talent. Therefore, the Committee will continue to maintain the flexibility to award compensation that may not be tax deductible.
Employment Agreement and Offer Letter Agreement
In connection with the Business Combination, Qorvo assumed the employment agreement previously entered into between RFMD and our CEO, Mr. Bruggeworth, as required by the terms of that agreement. The Committee believes the employment agreement helps ensure that Mr. Bruggeworth will devote a significant portion of his time on long-term strategic initiatives that are in our best interests, including those that may not be in his personal best interests. Mr. Klein is a party to an employment offer letter agreement with TriQuint pursuant to which he will receive benefits in the event of the termination of his employment by the Company without cause or by Mr. Klein for good reason other than in connection with a change in control of the Company. Qorvo assumed this offer letter agreement in connection with the Business Combination. The terms of Mr. Bruggeworths employment agreement and Mr. Kleins offer letter agreement are described in more detail below in the section entitled Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control.
We have entered into change-in-control agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers and certain other members of our executive management team. We entered into these arrangements to acknowledge the respective employees importance to us and our stockholders and to attempt to avoid the distraction and loss of key management personnel that may occur in connection with rumored or actual fundamental corporate organizational changes. As more fully described in the section entitled Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control below, these agreements entitle each of our Named Executive Officers to payments and benefits only if his employment is terminated without cause, or by him for good reason, within the two-year period following the change in control (which will include the 90 days prior to the date of the change in control in the case of a termination without cause). The Committee believes that this double-trigger structure provides an appropriate balance between the corporate objectives described above and the potential compensation payable upon a qualifying termination following a change of control.
We believe our executive compensation program provides a balanced and stable foundation for rewarding our Named Executive Officers for achieving Qorvos corporate objectives. Based on our financial performance in fiscal 2021, the Named Executive Officers received short-term incentive awards at 167.3% of their fiscal 2021 target percentage of base salary paid in the first six months of fiscal 2021 and 152.1% of their fiscal 2021 target percentage of base salary paid in the second six months of fiscal 2021. These earned incentive awards reflect operating performance by the Company above the threshold performance level required for an award, with both six-month periods of fiscal 2021 demonstrating strong performance that exceeded the target levels approved by the Committee. The Committee believes the award levels match the Companys performance against its annual
34 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
operating plan and forecast in fiscal 2021. In addition, as a result of the achievement of ten of the eleven objectives in full and partial achievement of the remaining objective, our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, earned their Objectives-based RSUs at 147.5% of target. The Committee believes that accomplishment of these objectives will position the Company for improved operating performance in fiscal 2022 and beyond.
Our executive compensation philosophy emphasizes team effort, which we believe fosters rapid adjustment and adaptation to fast-changing market conditions. We believe that our combination of short-term incentive awards and long-term performance- and service-based RSUs helps us achieve our long-term goals and will continue to align the interests of our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, with those of Qorvo and our stockholders during fiscal 2022 and beyond.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that accompanies this report with our management. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 3, 2021 by incorporation by reference to this proxy statement.
Except for the Annual Report on Form 10-K described above, this Compensation Committee Report is not incorporated by reference into any of our previous or future filings with the SEC, unless any such filing explicitly incorporates this Report.
The Compensation Committee
Walden C. Rhines (Chair)
David H. Y. Ho
Susan L. Spradley
Walter H. Wilkinson, Jr.
2021 Proxy Statement 35
Executive Compensation
The following table summarizes the compensation of the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ended April 3, 2021, March 28, 2020, and March 30, 2019. We use a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to March 31 of each year.
Name & Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary ($)
|
Stock
|
Non-Equity
|
All Other
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth, President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
2021 |
|
$ |
884,934 |
|
$ |
6,758,964 |
|
$ |
2,123,597 |
|
$ |
11,122 |
|
$ |
9,778,617 |
| ||||||
|
2020 |
|
|
851,204 |
|
|
5,999,956 |
|
|
1,459,189 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
8,320,349 |
| |||||||
|
2019 |
|
|
826,412 |
|
|
6,015,423 |
|
|
1,016,194 |
|
|
9,820 |
|
|
7,867,849 |
| |||||||
Mark J. Murphy, Chief Financial Officer |
|
2021 |
|
|
539,009 |
|
|
2,002,639 |
|
|
776,084 |
|
|
10,481 |
|
|
3,328,213 |
| ||||||
|
2020 |
|
|
518,465 |
|
|
1,650,059 |
|
|
533,271 |
|
|
9,722 |
|
|
2,711,517 |
| |||||||
|
2019 |
|
|
503,364 |
|
|
1,654,237 |
|
|
371,375 |
|
|
9,465 |
|
|
2,538,441 |
| |||||||
Steven E. Creviston, Corporate Vice President and President of Mobile Products |
|
2021 |
|
|
528,302 |
|
|
2,002,639 |
|
|
760,666 |
|
|
10,660 |
|
|
3,302,267 |
| ||||||
|
2020 |
|
|
508,165 |
|
|
2,000,008 |
|
|
522,677 |
|
|
9,920 |
|
|
3,040,770 |
| |||||||
|
2019 |
|
|
493,364 |
|
|
2,005,197 |
|
|
363,998 |
|
|
9,741 |
|
|
2,872,300 |
| |||||||
James L. Klein, Corporate Vice President and President of Infrastructure and Defense Products (4) |
|
2021 |
|
|
483,976 |
|
|
1,602,114 |
|
|
696,845 |
|
|
9,302 |
|
|
2,792,237 |
| ||||||
|
2020 |
|
|
465,362 |
|
|
1,499,989 |
|
|
478,698 |
|
|
8,593 |
|
|
2,452,642 |
| |||||||
|
2019 |
|
|
447,305 |
|
|
1,503,875 |
|
|
329,828 |
|
|
8,417 |
|
|
2,289,425 |
| |||||||
Paul J. Fego Corporate Vice President of Global Operations (5) |
|
2021 |
|
|
475,979 |
|
|
1,602,114 |
|
|
685,330 |
|
|
10,592 |
|
|
2,774,015 |
| ||||||
|
2020 |
|
|
457,837 |
|
|
1,499,987 |
|
|
470,912 |
|
|
9,908 |
|
|
2,438,644 |
| |||||||
|
2019 |
|
|
282,404 |
|
|
2,328,286 |
|
|
93,726 |
|
|
8,387 |
|
|
2,712,803 |
|
(1) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of performance-based and service-based restricted stock units granted during the fiscal years shown calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, or ASC Topic 718, rather than an amount paid to or realized by the Named Executive Officer, disregarding the estimate of forfeitures related to performance-based and service-based, as applicable, vesting conditions. The aggregate grant date fair value is the amount we expect to expense in our financial statements over the awards vesting schedule. See Stock-Based Compensation in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 3, 2021 (the 10-K) for the assumptions used to calculate grant date fair value. The actual amounts, if any, ultimately realized may differ from the ASC Topic 718 grant date fair value amounts. See the 2021 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 37 for information on grants awarded in fiscal year 2021. |
(2) | Represents amounts earned under our Short-Term Incentive Plan and reflects a revision from prior years disclosure to show, in line with SEC guidance, amounts earned in the years referenced rather than amounts actually paid in such years. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of Compensation Short-Term Incentive Opportunities for information on the Short-Term Incentive Plan. |
(3) | Represents company matching contributions to the accounts of the Named Executive Officers under our 401(k) plan. |
(4) | As previously reported, on June 8, 2021, Mr. Klein announced his intention to retire from the Company. He will remain at the Company through the end of the calendar year or, if earlier, the date the transition to his successor is completed. |
(5) | Mr. Fego was appointed as Corporate Vice President of Global Operations effective July 30, 2018. |
36 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
2021 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following table provides information on restricted stock unit awards and plan-based short-term incentive awards granted to or earned by each of our Named Executive Officers with respect to fiscal year 2021. The actual amounts, if any, ultimately realized may differ from the amounts set forth in the Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards column.
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2) |
Estimated Possible Plan Awards |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (3) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date (1) |
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maximum (#) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
|
N/A |
|
$ 0 |
|
$ |
1,278,238 |
|
$ |
2,556,476 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(4) |
|
778 |
|
|
38,889 |
|
|
58,333 |
|
$ |
3,914,956 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
1,341 |
|
|
2,012 |
|
|
144,064 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/5/2020
|
(5)
|
|
20,571
|
|
|
2,699,944
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark J. Murphy |
|
N/A |
|
0 |
|
|
467,141 |
|
|
934,282 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(4) |
|
230 |
|
|
11,523 |
|
|
17,284 |
|
|
1,160,020 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
397 |
|
|
596 |
|
|
42,650 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/5/2020
|
(5)
|
|
6,095
|
|
|
799,969
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steven E. Creviston |
|
N/A |
|
0 |
|
|
457,861 |
|
|
915,722 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(4) |
|
230 |
|
|
11,523 |
|
|
17,284 |
|
|
1,160,020 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
397 |
|
|
596 |
|
|
42,650 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/5/2020
|
(5)
|
|
6,095
|
|
|
799,969
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
James L. Klein |
|
N/A |
|
0 |
|
|
419,446 |
|
|
838,892 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(4) |
|
184 |
|
|
9,218 |
|
|
13,827 |
|
|
927,976 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
318 |
|
|
477 |
|
|
34,163 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/5/2020
|
(5)
|
|
4,876
|
|
|
639,975
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul J. Fego |
|
N/A |
|
0 |
|
|
412,515 |
|
|
825,030 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(4) |
|
184 |
|
|
9,218 |
|
|
13,827 |
|
|
927,976 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
318 |
|
|
477 |
|
|
34,163 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/5/2020 |
(5) |
|
4,876 |
|
|
639,975 |
|
(1) | Equity awards granted to the Named Executive Officers were made pursuant to our 2012 Plan. See Equity Compensation Plans 2012 Stock Incentive Plan Qorvo, Inc., below for more information. The grant date above is determined in accordance with ASC Topic 718. |
(2) | Each Named Executive Officer participates in our Short-Term Incentive Plan. The short-term incentive award earned by each Named Executive Officer is shown in the Summary Compensation Table under the column captioned Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. Short-term incentive awards are earned based on attainment of Company operating performance goals based on two six-month performance periods. The short-term incentive opportunities available under the Short-Term Incentive Plan are described in greater detail under Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of Compensation Short-term Incentive Opportunities. |
(3) | These amounts do not reflect compensation actually received by the Named Executive Officer. Amounts presented represent the aggregate grant date fair value calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718 of our common stock awards granted during the fiscal year. See Stock-Based Compensation in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in the 10-K for the assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of the awards. The actual amount of the stock award ultimately realized upon vesting may differ from the aggregate grant date fair value. |
(4) | Information in these rows reflect the Objectives-based RSU awards granted under our 2012 Plan. The June 2020 grant does not reflect an additional Objectives-based RSU award grant, but instead represents the incremental fair value resulting from the Compensation Committees June 2020 approval of the modification of one of the performance goals to provide clarity with respect to such goal. Objectives-based RSUs are earned, if at all, at the end of a specified performance period based on achievement of pre-established performance goals, with 50% vesting at the end of the performance period and the remaining 50% vesting in equal installments over each of the following two years. In the event of termination of employment other than for cause, these performance-based RSU awards granted to a Named Executive Officer will continue to be capable of being earned and vest over the original vesting term as if the Named Executive Officer had remained an employee of Qorvo subject to the Named Executive Officers compliance with certain restrictive covenants and other conditions. For a detailed discussion of the performance- based RSU awards, see |
2021 Proxy Statement 37
Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of Compensation Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards, above. |
(5) | These service-based RSU awards were granted under our 2012 Plan and vest in increments of 25% per year over a period of four years. In the event of termination of employment other than for cause, the service-based RSU awards granted to a Named Executive Officer generally will continue to vest over the original vesting term as if the Named Executive Officer had remained an employee of Qorvo subject to the Named Executive Officers compliance with certain restrictive covenants and other conditions. For a detailed discussion of the service-based RSU awards, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of Compensation Service-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards. |
The discussion that follows describes the material terms of our principal equity compensation plans in which the Named Executive Officers participate. The material terms of the employment agreement entered into by RFMD and Mr. Bruggeworth and assumed by Qorvo in connection with the Business Combination and the offer letter agreement entered into by TriQuint and Mr. Klein and assumed by Qorvo in connection with the Business Combination, and the change in control arrangements applicable to our Named Executive Officers are described under Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control below.
2012 Stock Incentive Plan Qorvo, Inc.
The Company currently grants equity awards to eligible employees, directors and independent contractors under the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2012 Plan), which was approved by RFMDs shareholders on August 16, 2012 and assumed by the Company in connection with the Business Combination. Under the 2012 Plan, the Company is permitted to grant stock options and other types of equity incentive awards, such as stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, performance shares and performance units. The maximum number of shares issuable under the 2012 Plan may not exceed the sum of (a) 4.3 million shares, plus (b) any shares of common stock (i) remaining available for issuance as of the effective date of the 2012 Plan under the Companys prior plans and (ii) subject to an award granted under a prior plan, which awards are forfeited, canceled, terminated, expire or lapse for any reason. As of April 3, 2021, approximately 2.7 million shares were available for issuance under the 2012 Plan.
2013 Incentive Plan Qorvo, Inc.
Effective upon the closing of the Business Combination, the Company assumed the TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan (the 2013 Incentive Plan), originally adopted by TriQuint, allowing Qorvo to issue awards under this plan. The 2013 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and other stock or cash awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors of TriQuint and its subsidiaries and affiliates who were such prior to the Business Combination or who become employed by the Company or its affiliates after the closing of the Business Combination. Former employees, officers and directors of RFMD are not eligible for awards under the 2013 Incentive Plan. The options granted thereunder must have an exercise price per share no less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant. The terms of each grant under the 2013 Incentive Plan may not exceed ten years. As of April 3, 2021, approximately 0.9 million shares were available for issuance under the 2013 Incentive Plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Qorvo, Inc.
Effective upon closing of the Business Combination, the Company assumed the TriQuint Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), which is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Code. All regular full-time employees of the Company (including officers) and all other employees who meet the eligibility requirements of the plan may participate in the ESPP. The ESPP provides eligible employees an opportunity to acquire the Companys common stock at 85% of the lower of the closing price per share of the Companys common stock on the first or last day of each six-month purchase period. As of April 3, 2021, approximately 3.3 million shares were available for future issuance under this plan. The Company makes no cash contributions to the ESPP, but bears the expenses of its administration.
For a discussion of the fiscal 2021 grants of performance-based RSU awards, which are capable of being earned based on objective performance goals, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of Compensation Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards. For a discussion of the methodology with respect to the grants of service-based RSU awards, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of Compensation Service-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards. For a discussion of our Named Executive Officers equity award compensation in proportion to their total compensation, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis Executive Compensation Program Fiscal 2021 Executive Compensation Program Design.
38 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2021 Year-End Table
The following table shows the number of shares of our common stock covered by exercisable and unexercisable options and unvested restricted stock unit awards held by our Named Executive Officers on April 3, 2021.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date (1) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) (2) |
Option (3) |
Number of (#) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (4) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
|
8/5/2020 |
(5) |
|
20,571 |
|
|
$3,968,146 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(5) |
|
1,341 |
|
|
258,679 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(5) |
|
38,889 |
|
|
7,501,688 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/6/2019 |
(5) |
|
26,412 |
|
|
5,094,875 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/10/2019 |
(5) |
|
29,940 |
|
|
5,775,426 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/7/2018 |
(5) |
|
14,085 |
|
|
2,716,997 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/10/2018 |
(5) |
|
12,904 |
|
|
2,489,182 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/8/2017
|
(5)
|
|
7,849
|
|
|
1,514,072
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark J. Murphy |
|
8/5/2020 |
(5) |
|
6,095 |
|
|
1,175,726 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(5) |
|
397 |
|
|
76,581 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(5) |
|
11,523 |
|
|
2,222,787 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/6/2019 |
(5) |
|
7,264 |
|
|
1,401,226 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/10/2019 |
(5) |
|
8,234 |
|
|
1,588,339 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/7/2018 |
(5) |
|
3,873 |
|
|
747,102 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/10/2018 |
(5) |
|
3,553 |
|
|
685,374 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/8/2017 |
(5) |
|
2,326 |
|
|
448,685 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
7/5/2016
|
(5)
|
|
8,808
|
|
|
1,699,063
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steven E. Creviston |
|
8/5/2020 |
(5) |
|
6,095 |
|
|
1,175,726 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(5) |
|
397 |
|
|
76,581 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(5) |
|
11,523 |
|
|
2,222,787 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/6/2019 |
(5) |
|
8,805 |
|
|
1,698,485 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/10/2019 |
(5) |
|
9,982 |
|
|
1,925,528 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/7/2018 |
(5) |
|
4,695 |
|
|
905,666 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/10/2018 |
(5) |
|
4,305 |
|
|
830,435 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/8/2017
|
(5)
|
|
2,907
|
|
|
560,760
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
James L. Klein |
|
8/5/2020 |
(5) |
|
4,876 |
|
|
940,580 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(5) |
|
318 |
|
|
61,342 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(5) |
|
9,218 |
|
|
1,778,152 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/6/2019 |
(5) |
|
6,603 |
|
|
1,273,719 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/10/2019 |
(5) |
|
7,485 |
|
|
1,443,857 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/7/2018 |
(5) |
|
3,521 |
|
|
679,201 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/10/2018 |
(5) |
|
3,228 |
|
|
622,681 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/8/2017 |
(5) |
|
2,035 |
|
|
392,552 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
4/7/2014
|
(6)
|
|
1
|
|
$
|
31.08
|
|
|
4/7/2021
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Paul J. Fego |
|
8/5/2020 |
(5) |
|
4,876 |
|
|
940,580 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
6/30/2020 |
(5) |
|
318 |
|
|
61,342 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/13/2020 |
(5) |
|
9,218 |
|
|
1,778,152 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/6/2019 |
(5) |
|
9,905 |
|
|
1,910,675 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/10/2019 |
(5) |
|
4,991 |
|
|
962,764 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/7/2018 |
(5) |
|
2,348 |
|
|
452,929 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
8/5/2018
|
(5)
|
|
9,876
|
|
|
1,905,080
|
|
(1) | The grant date is determined in accordance with ASC Topic 718. |
(2) | The option price is equal to the closing price of our common stock as reported by Nasdaq on the grant date. |
(3) | The option expires seven years after the grant date. |
(4) | Based upon $192.90 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock as reported by Nasdaq on April 1, 2021, the last trading day of fiscal 2021, multiplied by the number of shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that had not yet vested. |
2021 Proxy Statement 39
Executive Compensation
(5) | Performance-based restricted stock unit awards, if earned, generally vest over a period of three years. Performance- based restricted stock unit awards with performance objectives not yet certified by the Compensation Committee as of April 3, 2021 are shown at target. Service-based restricted stock unit awards generally vest over a period of four years, except for Mr. Murphys award granted on July 5, 2016, which vests over five years. |
(6) | The option vested in four quarterly installments commencing the ninth quarter after the grant date. It expired April 7, 2021 unexercised. |
2021 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
The table below shows the number of shares of our common stock acquired by the Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 2021 upon the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock unit awards.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) (1) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($) (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Robert A. Bruggeworth |
|
|
|
|
|
88,058 |
$ |
9,985,842 |
|||||||||||||||||
Mark J. Murphy |
|
|
|
|
|
34,015 |
|
3,839,703 |
|||||||||||||||||
Steven E. Creviston |
|
|
|
|
|
30,756 |
|
3,498,918 |
|||||||||||||||||
James L. Klein |
|
|
|
|
|
22,773 |
|
2,592,471 |
|||||||||||||||||
Paul J. Fego |
|
|
|
|
|
15,473 |
|
1,836,219 |
(1) | Share amounts are represented on a pre-tax basis. Our stock plans permit withholding of shares upon vesting to satisfy applicable withholding taxes. |
(2) | Values represent the market value of our common stock on the vesting date multiplied by the number of shares vested, rounded to the nearest dollar. |
2021 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table
The following table provides information relating to nonqualified deferred compensation of the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended April 3, 2021. Mr. Fego is the only Named Executive Officer who has elected to participate in our nonqualified deferred compensation plan.
Name | Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($) |
Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($) |
Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year ($) (1) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End ($) (2) |
|||||||||||
Paul J. Fego |
|
|
$ |
34.21 |
|
$17,322.86 |
|
$29,876.92 |
(1) | Amounts in this column are not reported as compensation for fiscal year 2021 in the Summary Compensation Table since they do not reflect above-market or preferential earnings. Deferrals may be allocated among investment options that generally mirror the investment options available under Qorvos 401(k) plan. Of the available investment options, the one-year rate of return for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2021 ranged from 0.07% to 102.13%. |
(2) | This column reflects the aggregate of non-equity incentive awards deferred by Mr. Fego since 2019 and the investment earnings thereon. Amounts deferred by Mr. Fego have been reported in the Summary Compensation Table in the year earned to the extent Mr. Fego was a named executive officer for purposes of proxy statement disclosure. |
Under our nonqualified deferred compensation plan, which we adopted in January 2015 and has subsequently been amended, the Named Executive Officers may defer a portion of their cash compensation up to a maximum of 50% of base salary and 85% of bonuses payable pursuant to the short-term incentive plan and commissions payable pursuant to the sales incentive
40 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
plan. All amounts deferred under the plan will be credited to the respective Named Executive Officers accounts under the plan and treated as though invested in eligible investment options selected by the officer from among the options available under the plan. The available investment options are selected by Qorvos retirement plan committee. Each officers account will be adjusted for notional investment returns based on the performance of the investment funds selected by the officer.
Each participant must elect, at the time the participant files his or her deferral election for any plan year, to have compensation deferrals for that plan year paid or commence to be paid: following the participants separation from service, death or disability; following a change in control of Qorvo; or on a specified date that occurs earlier. In addition, each participant must elect from the following forms of payment: lump sum cash payment; 20 quarterly installments; 40 quarterly installments; or 60 quarterly installments. A participant can also withdraw amounts from his or her account if the participant experiences an unforeseeable emergency. A participant may change his or her elections as to the time and form of payment, provided the participant does so at least 12 months before payment would have been made or would have commenced to be made and the change results in the payment (or commencement of payment) being delayed for at least five years after the scheduled date, and meets certain other requirements established by Code Section 409A. If a participant who is a specified employee, as defined in Code Section 409A, at the time of his or her separation from service has elected to have any portion of his or her account paid or commence to be paid upon his or her separation from service, then such payments will be delayed until six months after the participants separation from service. If a participant dies prior to the complete distribution of his or her account, any remaining amounts will be distributed to the participants beneficiary in accordance with the payment elections made by the participant.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-In-Control
As described above under Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of Compensation Employment Agreement and Offer Letter Agreement, Mr. Bruggeworth has an employment agreement with Qorvo and Mr. Klein has an employment offer letter agreement that he entered into when he first joined TriQuint (and which has been subsequently assumed by Qorvo). The employment agreement, the offer letter agreement and the change in control agreements between the Named Executive Officers and Qorvo are discussed below under the heading Individual Agreements.
The information below describes and quantifies certain compensation that would become payable under existing plans and arrangements if our Named Executive Officers employment had terminated on April 3, 2021 and the price per share of our common stock on the date of termination was $192.90, which was the closing price of our common stock on April 1, 2021 (the last trading day of fiscal 2021). These benefits are in addition to benefits available generally to employees, such as distributions under our 401(k) plan and deferred compensation plan, disability benefits and accrued vacation pay.
Due to the number of factors that affect the nature and amount of any benefits provided upon the events discussed below, any actual amounts paid or distributed may be different. Factors that could affect these amounts include the timing during the year of any such event and our stock price.
Under our equity incentive plans, the option holder generally has three months to exercise vested options after the date employment ends (other than for death or disability). The option holder or his or her estate in the case of death may exercise the option upon the holders respective disability or death (excluding unvested amounts) for a period of one year.
Under our equity incentive plans, unvested restricted stock unit awards are generally forfeited upon termination. However, restricted stock unit awards granted to the Named Executive Officers under the 2012 Plan generally will continue to vest pursuant to the same vesting schedule in the event of termination of employment, other than death or for cause, as if such individual had remained an employee of Qorvo, subject to certain restrictive covenants, clawback provisions and other conditions.
401(k) Savings Plan; Deferred Compensation Plan
The Company maintains a 401(k) plan and a deferred compensation plan for U.S. employees, including each of our Named Executive Officers. We match 100% of the first 1%, and 50% of the next 5%, of each employees eligible earnings contributed to the 401(k) plan, and employees immediately vest in our contributions. Under the deferred compensation plan, employees who are eligible to participate are provided with the opportunity to defer a specified percentage of their base salary and short-term incentive awards paid in cash, which the Company will be obligated to deliver on a future date.
Upon termination of employment, all amounts in a participants ESPP account are not used for purchases and instead are returned to the participant.
2021 Proxy Statement 41
Executive Compensation
All medical insurance benefits terminate effective at midnight on the last day of the month in which employment is terminated. Health care continuation coverage rules, commonly referred to as COBRA, require us to provide employees enrolled in our health, dental and vision plans with an opportunity to purchase continued health care coverage at their own expense upon the occurrence of a qualifying event, such as termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct, reduction in hours worked, divorce, death or loss of dependency status.
Employment Agreement with Mr. Bruggeworth. In connection with the Business Combination, Qorvo assumed the November 12, 2008 employment agreement previously entered into between RFMD and Mr. Bruggeworth, our President and Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to this assumed employment agreement, the term of the employment agreement continues until the earliest of (a) November 11, 2010 (as extended as described in the following sentence); (b) Mr. Bruggeworths death; (c) termination by Qorvo for Cause, as defined in the employment agreement or otherwise upon 30 days notice; (d) termination by Mr. Bruggeworth for Good Reason, as defined in the employment agreement or otherwise on 30 days notice; or (e) the end of any 180-day Disability Period, as defined in the employment agreement. The employment agreement is subject to automatic daily extension of the two-year term until notice of non-extension is given in accordance with the terms of the employment agreement.
Under the employment agreement, Mr. Bruggeworth is entitled to a specified annual base salary, which amount is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and may be increased or reduced by the Compensation Committee if part of a salary reduction plan for similarly situated officers. Mr. Bruggeworth also is eligible to receive the following compensatory benefits:
● | A bonus opportunity under the Short-Term Incentive Plan for each performance period during the term of the employment agreement. The target annual bonus opportunity in each performance period cannot be less than 100% of Mr. Bruggeworths base salary. |
● | The opportunity to receive periodic grants of equity compensation under the Companys equity plans, in the Compensation Committees discretion, so long as he is treated similarly to other senior executive officers. |
● | The right to participate in other bonus or incentive plans, paid time off and other retirement plans and welfare benefits in which other senior executive officers may participate in accordance with our policies as in effect from time to time. |
If the employment agreement is terminated, Mr. Bruggeworth would be entitled to be compensated in the following manner:
● | Termination for any reason: Mr. Bruggeworth would be entitled to receive (a) base salary through the date of termination; (b) any previously earned but unpaid bonus under the Short-Term Incentive Plan for a completed performance period; (c) rights under equity plans, retirement plans and welfare benefit plans, which would be determined based on respective plan terms; and (d) unpaid paid time off per our policy. |
● | Termination due to death or total disability: Mr. Bruggeworth, or, in the case of his death, his beneficiary, would be entitled to receive the benefits described above under Termination for any reason plus the greater of Mr. Bruggeworths accrued annual bonus or accrued target bonus for the performance period in which the termination date occurs, in each case pro-rated based on the termination date. |
● | Termination by Qorvo without cause or by Mr. Bruggeworth with good reason: Mr. Bruggeworth would be entitled to receive the benefits described above under Termination for any reason plus (a) salary continuation equal to two times base salary; (b) his accrued annual bonus (payable after end of performance period), pro-rated based on the termination date; (c) a special bonus equal to two times his target annual bonus; (d) continuation coverage of health care benefits (or substantially identical individual coverage, plus special health care benefit) for two years; (e) equity awards (other than performance-based equity awards), which will be governed by terms of the respective equity plan and individual equity award agreement (including the right of the Compensation Committee to determine if post-termination vesting and/or exercise rights apply); (f) performance- based equity awards and any previously earned equity-based awards, which will be deemed earned, if at all, on a pro rata basis only if performance goals are met during the performance period, with such earned awards being deemed fully vested at grant or as of the date of termination in the case of previously earned awards; and (g) eligibility to participate in other welfare benefit plans on the same terms and conditions as available to active employees. |
● | Termination by Qorvo for cause or by Mr. Bruggeworth without good reason: Mr. Bruggeworth would be entitled to receive the benefits described above under Termination for any reason. |
● | Change of Control: Benefits (if any) paid under Mr. Bruggeworths existing change in control agreement would offset benefits (if any) paid under the employment agreement following Mr. Bruggeworths termination. |
42 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
The employment agreement also establishes certain employment and post-termination obligations for Mr. Bruggeworth. He is required to assist in any Qorvo litigation and also is required to comply with certain confidentiality, nondisparagement, noncompetition and nonsolicitation covenants contained in the employment agreement.
Further, the employment agreement provides that if independent accountants determine that part or all of the payments and benefits to be paid to Mr. Bruggeworth under the employment agreement and all other plans or arrangements of Qorvo (a) constitute parachute payments under Code Section 280G, and (b) will more likely than not cause Mr. Bruggeworth to incur an excise tax under Code Section 4999 as a result of such payments or other benefits, Qorvo will pay a gross-up payment so that the net amount Mr. Bruggeworth will receive after payment of any excise tax equals the amount that he would have received if the excise tax had not been imposed. If the excise tax would not apply if the total payments to Mr. Bruggeworth were reduced by an amount less than 5%, then the amounts payable will be so reduced and gross-up payments would not be made to Mr. Bruggeworth.
The employment agreement also contains certain forfeiture and recoupment rights. Generally, during the term of the employment agreement and the 24-month period following the expiration thereof, if Mr. Bruggeworth engages in a Prohibited Activity, then (a) any equity awards granted or subject to vesting during the Prohibited Activity Term would be forfeited; (b) any and all shares issued to Mr. Bruggeworth under an equity award granted during the Prohibited Activity Term would be forfeited (without payment of consideration); (c) any gain realized by Mr. Bruggeworth with respect to any shares issued pursuant to an equity award granted during the Prohibited Activity Term would be required to be immediately paid to Qorvo; (d) any cash/incentive payments made during the Prohibited Activity Term would be required to be returned to Qorvo; and (e) any rights to future cash/incentive payments granted during the Prohibited Activity Term would be forfeited. Qorvo also has an offset right to recover such amounts against amounts otherwise due to Mr. Bruggeworth. For purposes of the employment agreement, Prohibited Activity includes (a) violation of certain restrictive covenants; (b) Mr. Bruggeworths engaging in willful conduct that results in an obligation to reimburse Qorvo under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; or (c) Mr. Bruggeworths engaging in fraud, theft, misappropriation, embezzlement or dishonesty to the material detriment of Qorvo. Prohibited Activity Term means the period starting when Mr. Bruggeworth first engaged in Prohibited Activity conduct and without time limitation.
Offer Letter Agreement with Mr. Klein. In connection with his initial employment by TriQuint, Mr. Klein entered into an employment offer letter agreement in 2011 that specified his initial salary, target bonus and equity awards. This offer letter agreement was subsequently assumed by Qorvo in connection with the Business Combination. Under this offer letter agreement, in the event of a termination of employment without cause or a resignation by Mr. Klein for good reason, Mr. Klein is entitled to a lump sum severance payment equal to one year of base salary and continuation of health and life insurance benefits for 12 months.
Pursuant to the offer letter agreement, the term termination for cause means a termination of employment by the Company for any of the following reasons: (a) intentional failure to perform assigned duties; (b) personal dishonesty; (c) incompetence, as measured against standards generally prevailing in the industry; (d) willful misconduct; (e) any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit; (f) willful violation of any domestic or international law, rule, regulation or final cease and desist order; or (g) any sexual or other harassment of others.
Pursuant to the offer letter agreement, a resignation for good reason is deemed to occur if Mr. Klein resigns employment within sixty (60) days of the occurrence of any of the following that occur without the officers written consent: (a) a loss of the title; (b) a material reduction in duties or responsibilities; (c) any reduction in base salary or any target bonus (other than a reduction comparable in percentage to a reduction affecting other officers generally); (d) any material reduction in benefits (other than a reduction affecting the Companys personnel generally); or (e) a company-mandated relocation of Mr. Kleins principal place of employment or current principal residence by more than 50 miles from its respective location immediately prior to the resignation.
Change in Control Agreements
We have entered into change in control agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers. The change in control agreements will end on the earliest of: (a) the first anniversary of the effective date, subject to automatic renewal for additional one-year periods unless we give notice to the officer that we do not wish to extend it; (b) the termination of the officers employment with us for any reason during the period from the effective date until the date that is ninety (90) days prior to a change in control; (c) the termination of the officers employment with us by the officer without good reason or by us with cause; or (d) the end of a two-year period following a change in control and the fulfillment by us and the officer of all obligations under the agreement.
Under these agreements, if a change in control occurs while the officer is our employee, and a qualifying termination of his employment with us occurs within the two-year period following the change in control (which will include the ninety (90) days prior to the date of the change in control in the case of a termination by us without cause), then he or she (or his or her legal representative) is entitled to certain compensation payments and benefits provided he or she has executed a general release of claims. A qualifying termination means: (a) our termination of the officers employment for a reason other than death, disability or cause; (b) the officers termination of his or her employment for good reason; or (c) the termination of the officers employment due to death following delivery of a notice of good reason by the officer, which condition constituting good reason remains uncured by us.
2021 Proxy Statement 43
Executive Compensation
A change in control is deemed to have occurred under the change in control agreements on the earliest of the following dates: (a) the acquisition by a person or entity of voting control over more than forty percent (40%) of the total voting power of our then outstanding voting stock; (b) a merger, consolidation or reorganization of us, in which holders of our common stock immediately prior to the transaction have voting control over less than sixty percent (60%) of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after the transaction; (c) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets; or (d) a change in a majority of the Board within a 12-month period unless the nomination for election by our stockholders of each new director was approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 12-month period.
The agreements provide that, upon a qualifying termination after a change in control, we will pay a severance benefit to the officer. The severance benefit is equal to the sum of: (a) one times the highest annual rate of the officers base salary during the 12-month period before termination (two times in the case of Messrs. Bruggeworth and Murphy) plus (b) one times the officers target annual bonus opportunity based on the officers target bonus opportunity for the period in which the termination occurs (two times in the case of Messrs. Bruggeworth and Murphy).
In addition, the agreements provide that upon a qualifying termination after a change in control, all of our stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar stock-based awards held by the officer will be accelerated and exercisable in full, and all restrictions on any restricted stock, performance stock or similar stock-based awards granted by us will be removed and such awards will be fully vested. If the officer receives any payments or benefits under the agreement or under any other arrangement with us that may separately or in the aggregate constitute parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and it is determined that any of such payments will be subject to any excise tax pursuant to applicable provisions of the Code, we will pay to the officer either: (i) the full amount of such payments; or (ii) an amount equal to such payments reduced by the minimum amount necessary to prevent any portion of such payments from being an excess parachute payment (within the meaning of the Code), whichever amount results in the officers receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of payments notwithstanding that all or some portion of the payments may be subject to the excise tax (that is, there is no gross up provision). The agreements also provide that if the officer elects continuation coverage through our health plan, we will reimburse the officer for the difference between the monthly COBRA premium paid by the officer and the monthly premium amount required to be paid by our active employees for the same level of coverage under our health plan for a one-year period following termination (a two-year period in the case of Messrs. Bruggeworth and Murphy). We will also provide an annual payment equal to the amount necessary to pay any taxes imposed on the officer as a result of the officers receipt of health care reimbursements from us.
The agreements also provide that the officer is subject to certain confidentiality, nonsolicitation and noncompetition provisions. In the event the officer fails to comply with any of these provisions, he or she will not be entitled to receive any payment or benefits under the agreement. These payments also are subject to clawback restrictions in the event of certain prohibited conduct. The following table sets forth information about potential payments to the Named Executive Officers, assuming that their employment was terminated following a change in control of Qorvo as of April 1, 2021 (the last trading day of fiscal 2021) and that the price per share of our common stock on that date was $192.90. The table also assumes prior payment of any remaining accrued annual bonus in accordance with the terms of our Short-Term Incentive Plan and any portion of base salary that would have been accrued but not yet paid as of April 3, 2021.
Potential Payments Upon a Qualifying Termination after a Change in Control
Name | Robert A. Bruggeworth |
Mark J. Murphy |
Steven E. Creviston |
James L. Klein |
Paul J. Fego |
|||||||||||||||||||
Base Salary |
(1 | ) | $ | 1,840,664 | $ | 1,110,758 | $ | 539,260 | $ | 494,014 | $ | 490,435 | ||||||||||||
Bonus |
(2 | ) | 2,760,996 | 999,682 | 485,334 | 444,613 | 441,392 | |||||||||||||||||
Stock Awards |
(3 | ) | 29,319,064 | 10,044,882 | 9,395,966 | 7,192,084 | 8,011,523 | |||||||||||||||||
Benefits Continuation |
(4 | ) | 56,459 | 67,627 | 28,230 | 22,081 | 22,081 | |||||||||||||||||
Accrued Vacation |
(5 | ) | 88,493 | 53,402 | 26,094 | 21,910 | 25,635 | |||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 34,065,676 | $ | 12,276,351 | $ | 10,474,884 | $ | 8,174,702 | $ | 8,991,066 |
(1) | For Messrs. Bruggeworth and Murphy, the amount represents two times the highest annual rate of base salary during the twelve-month period before termination. For the other Named Executive Officers, the amount represents one times the highest annual rate of base salary during the twelve-month period before termination. The fiscal 2022 base salary adjustments for our Named Executive Officers became effective in the two-week payroll period (March 28, 2021 April 10, 2021) that covered the first day of fiscal 2022 (April 4, 2021); as a result, the base salary amounts shown are calculated using the fiscal 2022 base salary rates. A portion of these amounts would be payable in a lump sum within 30 days following the date of termination, with the remainder to be paid in periodic installments, in accordance with our normal payroll practices, over a two-year period for Messrs. Bruggeworth and Murphy, and over a one-year period for the other Named Executive Officers. |
44 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
(2) | For Messrs. Bruggeworth and Murphy, the amount represents two times the target annual bonus opportunity as defined in our Short-Term Incentive Plan for the year of termination. For the other Named Executive Officers, the amount represents one times the target annual bonus opportunity as defined in our Short-Term Incentive Plan for the year of termination. The bonus amounts shown are calculated using the fiscal 2022 base salary rates. A portion of these amounts would be payable in a lump sum within 30 days following the date of termination, with the remainder to be paid in periodic installments, in accordance with our normal payroll practices, over a two-year period for Messrs. Bruggeworth and Murphy, and over a one-year period for the other Named Executive Officers. |
(3) | Represents the intrinsic value of unvested performance- and service-based restricted stock units as of April 3, 2021. |
(4) | Represents the value of continuing health and welfare based on the monthly premiums paid by Qorvo at April 3, 2021 (for two years with respect to Messrs. Bruggeworth and Murphy, and one year with respect to the other Named Executive Officers). |
(5) | Represents accrued vacation earned but not utilized, which would be payable in a lump sum within 30 days following the date of termination. The accrued vacation amounts shown are calculated using the fiscal 2022 base salary rates. |
Other Potential Payments Upon Resignation, Termination for Cause, Termination without Cause, Retirement or Constructive Termination
Other than potential receipt of a cash payment worth up to 26 weeks of base salary under our general severance program following an involuntary termination, Messrs. Murphy, Creviston and Fego are not entitled to any cash payments from Qorvo in the event of their resignation, termination with or without cause, retirement or constructive termination without a change in control. However, their unvested restricted stock units listed below may be subject to acceleration or may continue to vest if and as provided in individual agreements.
Name | Mark J. Murphy |
Steven E. Creviston |
Paul J. Fego |
|||||||||
Stock Awards (1) |
$ | 10,044,882 | $ | 9,395,966 | $ | 8,011,523 |
(1) | Represents the intrinsic value of service-based restricted stock units for these Named Executive Officers at April 3, 2021. |
In accordance with the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Bruggeworth would have been entitled to the following payments from Qorvo upon the occurrence of any of the termination events described in the table below as of April 3, 2021. The table below assumes prior payment of any portion of base salary that would have been accrued but not yet paid as of April 3, 2021. Although Mr. Bruggeworth is also entitled to change of control benefits under his employment agreement, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, any benefits payable under his change in control agreement with Qorvo offset any benefits paid under his employment agreement following his termination. As of April 3, 2021, the benefits payable under his change in control agreement, as set forth in the above table, would have been equal to the change in control benefits payable under his employment agreement.
Robert A. Bruggeworth | Termination for Any Reason |
Termination Due to Death or Total Disability |
Termination without Cause or for Good Reason |
Termination for Cause |
Termination without Good Reason |
|||||||||||||||||||
Base Salary
|
|
(1
|
)
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
1,840,664
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
| ||||||
Accrued Annual Bonus
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Special Bonus
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,760,996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Stock Awards
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
29,319,064
|
|
|
29,319,064
|
|
|
29,319,064
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,319,064
|
| ||||||
Benefits Continuation
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,459
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Accrued Vacation
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
88,493
|
|
|
88,493
|
|
|
88,493
|
|
|
88,493
|
|
|
88,493
|
| ||||||
Total
|
$
|
29,407,557
|
|
$
|
29,407,557
|
|
$
|
34,065,676
|
|
$
|
88,493
|
|
$
|
29,407,557
|
|
2021 Proxy Statement 45
Executive Compensation
(1) | With respect to the Termination without Cause or for Good Reason column, the amount shown represents two times base salary and would be payable in equal periodic installments, in accordance with the payroll schedule for our salaried personnel, over a two-year period. The base salary amount shown is calculated using the fiscal 2022 base salary rate. |
(2) | Represents previously earned but unpaid bonus under our Short-Term Incentive Plan for a completed performance period, which would be payable in a lump sum within 30 days of the termination date. With respect to the Termination Due to Death or Total Disability column, the amount payable is the greater of the accrued annual bonus or the accrued target bonus, in each case for the performance period in which the termination date occurs, which would be payable in a lump sum within 45 days following the end of the performance period in which the termination date occurs. With respect to the Termination without Cause or for Good Reason column, the amount shown represents the accrued annual bonus, which would be payable within 45 days following the end of the performance period in which the termination date occurs. Under these severance scenarios, all or a portion of the accrued annual bonus may have already been paid or would nevertheless be payable without regard to the nature of Mr. Bruggeworths termination. |
(3) | With respect to the Termination without Cause or for Good Reason column, the Special Bonus amount shown represents two times the target annual bonus opportunity as defined in our Short-Term Incentive Plan for the year in which the termination occurs, which would be payable in equal periodic installments, in accordance with the payroll schedule for our salaried personnel, over a two-year period. The bonus amount shown is calculated using the fiscal 2022 base salary rate. Mr. Bruggeworth is not entitled to a Special Bonus under the other severance scenarios set forth in the above table. |
(4) | Represents the intrinsic value of unvested performance- and service-based restricted stock units as of April 3, 2021. With respect to the Termination for Any Reason, Termination Due to Death or Total Disability, Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason and Termination Without Good Reason columns, the amount shown: (a) reflects the value of unvested service-based restricted stock units which shall continue to vest if and as provided in an individual award agreement and (b) reflects that if and to the extent performance goals are deemed met, Mr. Bruggeworth shall be deemed to have earned a pro-rata number of performance-based restricted stock units for the relevant performance period. With respect to the Termination for Cause column, the amount shown: (a) reflects that Mr. Bruggeworths unvested service-based restricted stock units will be forfeited unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise and (b) reflects that Mr. Bruggeworths unvested performance-based restricted stock units will be forfeited unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise. |
(5) | Represents the value of continuing health, welfare and other benefits through April 3, 2021, based on the monthly premiums paid by Qorvo at April 3, 2021. |
(6) | Represents accrued vacation earned but not utilized, which would be payable in a lump sum within 30 days following the date of termination. The accrued vacation amount shown is calculated using the fiscal 2022 base salary rate. |
As described above, in accordance with the terms of his offer letter agreement, Mr. Klein is entitled to a lump sum severance payment equal to one year of base salary and continuation of health and life insurance benefits for 12 months in the event of a termination of his employment without cause or a resignation by him for good reason. The table below shows the termination benefits that Mr. Klein would have been entitled to receive from Qorvo upon the occurrence of the termination events described as of April 3, 2021. The table below assumes prior payment of any portion of base salary that would have been accrued but not yet paid as of April 3, 2021.
James L. Klein | Termination for Any Reason |
Termination without Cause or for Good Reason |
Termination for Cause |
|||||||||||||
Base Salary
|
|
(1
|
)
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
494,014
|
|
$
|
|
| ||||
Stock Awards
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
7,192,084
|
|
|
7,192,084
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Benefits Continuation
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
22,081
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Accrued Vacation
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
21,910
|
|
|
21,910
|
|
|
21,910
|
| ||||
Total
|
$
|
7,213,994
|
|
$
|
7,730,089
|
|
$
|
21,910
|
|
46 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
(1) | Represents one year of base salary payable in a lump sum pursuant to the terms of Mr. Kleins employment offer letter agreement. The base salary amount shown is calculated using the fiscal 2022 base salary rate. |
(2) | Represents the intrinsic value of unvested service-based restricted stock units as of April 3, 2021 that may be subject to acceleration or may continue to vest if and as provided in individual agreements. |
(3) | Represents the value of continuing health and life insurance benefits for 12 months, based on the monthly premiums paid by Qorvo at April 3, 2021. |
(4) | Represents accrued vacation earned but not utilized, which would be payable in a lump sum within 30 days following the date of termination. The accrued vacation shown is calculated using the fiscal 2022 base salary rate. |
As required by Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the annual total compensation of our median employee. This ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules. Because SEC rules for identifying the median employee allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, apply certain exclusions, and make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported below, as other companies have different employment and compensation practices, and may use different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
For purposes of identifying our median employee, we considered the individuals, excluding our CEO, who were employed by us and our consolidated subsidiaries on January 31, 2021, whether employed on a full-time, part-time, seasonal or temporary basis. We determined that, as of January 31, 2021, our global employee population consisted of 8,849 employees, with 4,538 located in the U.S. and 4,311 located outside the United States. In an effort to provide more information regarding the composition of our workforce, we will post on our corporate website our 2021 Consolidated EEO-1 report after submission of such report to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. We changed from using the last day of our most recent fiscal year as the determination date to a January 31 determination date for reasons of administrative efficiency. For purposes of applying the de minimis exemption under Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, in identifying our median employee, we excluded 109 employees in the following jurisdictions (employees excluded in parentheses): Denmark (25), Finland (3), France (26), India (2), Ireland (51), Israel (1) and Sweden (1), which represent in the aggregate 1.2% of our global employee population. SEC rules also allow us to omit the employees of a newly-acquired entity from our pay ratio calculation for the fiscal year in which the acquisition becomes effective. As a result, when calculating our pay ratio, we excluded 31 employees acquired in connection with our acquisition of 7Hugs Labs S.A.S. in October 2020.
We used total cash compensation, consisting of base pay, annual incentive compensation and Company contributions to retirement plans for the 12-month period from February 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021, as our consistently applied compensation measure, and annualized compensation for all permanent employees who did not work for the entire measurement period. For employees paid other than in U.S. dollars, we converted their compensation to U.S. dollars using the applicable exchange rates in effect on January 31, 2021, and we did not make any cost-of-living adjustment.
Using the methodology described above, we identified our median employee from our 8,709 employees (excluding the non-U.S. employees under the de minimis exemption, the employees of the company acquired in fiscal 2021 and our CEO). We then calculated this individuals annual total compensation for fiscal 2021, which was $55,522, in accordance with the same requirements for calculation of the annual total compensation of our Named Executive Officers for the Summary Compensation Table. With respect to the annual total compensation of our CEO, we used the amount reported for our CEO in the Total column for fiscal 2021 in the Summary Compensation Table, which was $9,778,617.
Based on this information, for fiscal 2021, our CEOs annual total compensation was 176 times that of the annual total compensation of our median employee.
Our compensation philosophy is to pay our workforce competitively and equitably. We offer competitive pay packages across all geographies based on industry-specific compensation information in the local market, job responsibilities, and individual performance. In general, our compensation programs are applied consistently across the workforce, with a higher percentage of at-risk pay provided to our executives. We believe both our CEO and our employee compensation packages are appropriately structured to attract and retain the talent needed to deliver on our business plan and to drive long-term stockholder value.
2021 Proxy Statement 47
Executive Compensation
Director Compensation Philosophy
Directors who are full-time employees of Qorvo, such as Mr. Bruggeworth, receive no additional compensation for services as a director. Our philosophy is to provide competitive compensation necessary to attract and retain high-quality non-employee directors. The Board believes that a substantial portion of our non-employee directors compensation should consist of equity- based compensation to assist in aligning directors interests with the interests of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews our director compensation program and makes recommendations to the Board for changes to our program.
As described more fully below, the following table summarizes the annual compensation paid to our non-employee directors for the year ended April 3, 2021. Ms. Bruner did not serve as a director during the fiscal year ended April 3, 2021. Following a review by the Compensation Committee, no changes were made to our director compensation program for the year ended April 3, 2021.
Director Compensation for Fiscal Year Ended April 3, 2021
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($) (1) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||
Jeffery R. Gardner
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
$
|
200,025
|
|
$
|
310,025
|
| |||
John R. Harding
|
|
90,000
|
|
|
200,025
|
|
|
290,025
|
| |||
David H. Y. Ho
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
200,025
|
|
|
280,025
|
| |||
Roderick D. Nelson
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
200,025
|
|
|
280,025
|
| |||
Ralph G. Quinsey
|
|
148,000
|
|
|
200,025
|
|
|
348,025
|
| |||
Walden C. Rhines
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
200,025
|
|
|
300,025
|
| |||
Susan L. Spradley
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
200,025
|
|
|
280,025
|
| |||
Walter H. Wilkinson, Jr.
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
200,025
|
|
|
295,025
|
|
(1) | These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock unit awards granted to the indicated director in fiscal 2021 computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of any estimated forfeitures. A summary of the assumptions we apply in calculating these amounts is set forth in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 10-K. The aggregate number of shares that were outstanding and granted during the fiscal year ended April 3, 2021 for each of the directors were as follows: |
Name | Aggregate Number of Restricted Stock Unit Awards Outstanding at April 3, 2021 (#) |
Number
of Awards Granted in FY21 (#) |
Aggregate Number of Option Awards Outstanding at April 3, 2021 (#) |
|||||||||
Jeffery R. Gardner
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
| |||
John R. Harding
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
7,850
|
| |||
David H. Y. Ho
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
| |||
Roderick D. Nelson
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
12,696
|
| |||
Ralph G. Quinsey
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
| |||
Walden C. Rhines
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
38,521
|
| |||
Susan L. Spradley
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
| |||
Walter H. Wilkinson, Jr.
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
|
48 2021 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation
The outstanding restricted stock unit awards vest on the earlier of (a) one year following the grant date or (b) the day before the Companys first annual meeting of stockholders occurring after the grant date, in each case subject to continued service as of such date. |
Directors who were not employees of Qorvo were compensated for their service as a director as shown in the table below:
Schedule of Director Fees for Fiscal Year Ended April 3, 2021
Compensation Item | Amount ($) | |||
Annual Retainers
|
||||
Chairman of the Board
|
$
|
148,000
|
| |
Board Service
|
|
80,000
|
| |
Lead Director (Additional Fee) (1)
|
|
20,000
|
| |
Audit Committee Chair (Additional Fee)
|
|
30,000
|
| |
Compensation Committee Chair (Additional Fee)
|
|
20,000
|
| |
Governance and Nominating Committee Chair (Additional Fee)
|
|
15,000
|
| |
Corporate Development Committee Chair (Additional Fee)
|
|
10,000
|
|
(1) | Mr. Quinsey declined to receive the additional $20,000 to which he was entitled as the Lead Director for fiscal 2021. |
In fiscal 2021, each participating non-employee director who was re-elected received an annual restricted stock unit award, which we refer to as the annual RSU, pursuant to the 2012 Plan, with a value of $200,025. These annual RSUs vest on the earlier of (a) the first anniversary of the grant date or (b) the day before the Companys first annual meeting of stockholders occurring after the grant date, in each case subject to continued service as of such date. See Equity Compensation Plans 2012 Stock Incentive Plan Qorvo, Inc., above for more information.
Non-employee directors are also eligible to receive discretionary stock-based awards, which may be granted under the 2012 Plan. See Equity Compensation Plans 2012 Stock Incentive Plan Qorvo, Inc., above. No discretionary equity awards were granted to non-employee directors in fiscal 2021.
We reimburse all non-employee directors for expenses incurred in their capacity as non-employee directors. Directors may defer all or a portion of their cash retainers by participating in our nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Commencing with stock awards first made after July 1, 2017, directors may also elect to defer receipt of shares of our common stock upon vesting. In addition, we offer participation in our group medical insurance program to any non-employee director who agrees to pay the full amount of the premium.
Director Compensation for Fiscal Year Ending April 2, 2022
In May 2021, the Compensation Committee reviewed a report from Compensia on the philosophy, structure and amounts of compensation payable under our director compensation program in comparison to the Companys peer group (discussed on page 27). Based on this report, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board unanimously approved, the following changes to our director compensation program:
● | An increase in the dollar value of the annual restricted stock unit award granted to non-employee directors from $200,000 to $220,000; and |
● | An increase in the annual retainer payable to our directors for board service from $80,000 to $85,000. |
These changes will be effective immediately following the annual meeting. In May 2021, we also amended our Corporate Governance Guidelines to increase the stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors from three times their annual retainers to five times their annual retainers.
2021 Proxy Statement 49
Executive Compensation
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table summarizes information as of April 3, 2021 relating to our equity compensation plans, under which grants of stock options, restricted stock and other rights to acquire shares of our common stock may be made from time to time.
(a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||
Plan Category |
Number of securities to be outstanding warrants and |
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1) |
Number of securities remaining column (a)) |
|||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
2,443,940 | $ | 17.21 | 6,868,137 | (2) | |||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (3)
|
| | 254,189 | |||||||||
Total
|
2,443,940 | (4) | 7,122,326 |
(1) | The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account restricted stock unit awards because such awards do not have an exercise price. |
(2) | The total shares available for future issuance in column (c) may be the subject of awards other than options, warrants or rights granted under our 2012 Plan and 2013 Incentive Plan. For a more detailed discussion of these and other equity plans that have been approved by our stockholders, see Equity Compensation Plans, above. The number of securities remaining available for future issuance also includes securities that may be issued pursuant to the ESPP. |
(3) | See 2015 Inducement Stock Plan below for more details about our only equity compensation plan not approved by security holders. |
(4) | Includes shares subject to issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options and restricted stock unit awards if certain performance-based and service-based conditions are met. For more detailed information, see Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards and Service-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards under Compensation Discussion and Analysis Elements of Compensation, above. |
Effective January 1, 2015, the Company adopted the 2015 Inducement Stock Plan (the 2015 Plan). The 2015 Plan is intended to comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), which provides an exception to the stockholder approval requirements for the grant of equity awards as a material inducement to an individual entering into employment with the Company. The 2015 Plan provides for the issuance of a maximum number of the sum of 250,000 shares and any shares subject to an award granted under the 2008 Inducement Award Program (which was assumed by the Company from TriQuint effective upon the closing of the Business Combination) outstanding as of January 1, 2015, which award is later forfeited, cancelled, terminated or lapses for any reason.
The purposes of the 2015 Plan are to provide a material inducement for the best available persons to become employees of the Company or its affiliates, to attract and retain such employees, and to align the interests of such persons with the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The 2015 Plan authorizes the grant of nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, phantom stock awards and other stock or cash awards at the discretion of the compensation committee to new employees. No awards were made under the 2015 Plan during fiscal 2021.
50 2021 Proxy Statement
Proposal 2 Approval of the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers
PROPOSAL 2 APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking our stockholders to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in accordance with SEC rules in the Executive Compensation section of this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a say-on-pay proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our Named Executive Officers compensation as a whole. At our 2015 annual meeting, our stockholders voted, on an advisory basis, to include an annual say-on-pay proposal in our proxy materials. In accordance with this advisory vote, we determined that we will include a say-on-pay proposal in our proxy materials for each annual meeting of stockholders until the next advisory vote on the frequency of future say-on-pay votes. As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, at the annual meeting, our stockholders will once again have the opportunity to vote on the frequency of future say-on-pay votes (see Proposal 3).
The vote on Proposal 2 is not intended to address any specific item of compensation or any specific Named Executive Officer, but rather the overall compensation of all of our Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or the Board. The say-on-pay vote will, however, provide information to us regarding stockholder sentiment about our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices, which the Compensation Committee will consider when setting executive compensation for the remainder of the current fiscal year and beyond. Our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee value the opinion of our stockholders, and to the extent there is any significant vote against the Named Executive Officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
We believe that the information provided within the Executive Compensation section of this proxy statement demonstrates that our executive compensation program was designed appropriately and is working to ensure managements interests are aligned with our stockholders interests to support long-term value creation. Highlights of our executive compensation program include the following:
● | A significant portion of each Named Executive Officers potential total annual compensation, consisting of base salary and short-term incentive award opportunities, is intended to be at-risk and is linked to our operating performance. |
● | Long-term equity-based compensation, consisting of performance-based and service-based restricted stock unit awards, makes up a significant portion of the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers. Performance-based equity awards granted in fiscal 2021 were linked to achievement during certain specified periods of key Company projects or initiatives that the Compensation Committee believes have the potential to impact long-term stockholder value creation. No minimum equity award is guaranteed. |
● | The Compensation Committee generally has referred to peer group data to help establish base salaries and target total direct compensation for each Named Executive Officer. In addition to considering the peer group data, the Compensation Committee also considers each Named Executive Officers performance, level of responsibility in comparison to the other Named Executive Officers and other internal equitable considerations when establishing base salaries and short-term and long-term incentive award opportunities, and then makes adjustments it deems appropriate. |
● | We prohibit the backdating or spring-loading of equity awards. |
● | We prohibit the repricing of stock options or stock appreciation rights without stockholder approval. |
● | We do not provide perquisites to our Named Executive Officers. |
● | Our securities trading policy and Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit any hedging of our securities by our employees, including our executive officers. This includes engaging in any type of short sale or purchasing any financial instrument (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange traded funds) or engaging in any transaction that, in either case, hedges or offsets, or is designed to hedge or offset any risk of decrease in the market value of our common stock. Accordingly, none of our directors or executive officers has engaged in any hedging transaction with respect to our common stock. |
● | Our securities trading policy and Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit any pledging of our securities by our employees, including our executive officers. Accordingly, none of our executive officers has pledged our common stock. |
● | We have established stock ownership guidelines for our Named Executive Officers and impose compensation recovery (clawback) restrictions in our senior officer equity awards in the event of certain prohibited conduct. |
2021 Proxy Statement 51
Proposal 2 Approval of the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers
Accordingly, we are asking our stockholders to vote FOR the following resolution at the annual meeting:
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Companys Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement for the Companys 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
52 2021 Proxy Statement
Proposal 3 Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers
PROPOSAL 3 ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are once again seeking the input of our stockholders on the frequency with which we will hold a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. In voting on this proposal, stockholders are provided with four choices. Stockholders may indicate their preference as to whether the advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers should occur every (a) one year, (b) two years or (c) three years; or stockholders may abstain from voting on this proposal.
At our 2015 annual meeting, a majority of our stockholders voted for an annual advisory vote, and we have conducted annual advisory votes at every subsequent annual meeting. It is the opinion of the Board that the frequency of the stockholder vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers should continue to be every year so that stockholders may continue to annually express their views on our executive compensation program.
As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or the Board. Notwithstanding the advisory nature of the vote on this proposal, the Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions expressed by stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making a determination as to the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The frequency receiving the greatest number of votes cast one year, two years or three years will be deemed by us as the frequency that has been recommended by our stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR 1 YEAR ON THE ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
2021 Proxy Statement 53
Proposal 4 Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PROPOSAL 4 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (EY) to audit the consolidated financial statements of Qorvo for fiscal 2022. EY, an independent registered public accounting firm, has served as Qorvos independent auditor since fiscal 2019. A representative from EY is expected to be present at the annual meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Although stockholder ratification of the appointment is not required by law, we desire to solicit such ratification as a matter of good governance. If the appointment of EY is not approved by a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote, the Audit Committee will consider the appointment of another independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING APRIL 2, 2022.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fee Information
The following table shows the aggregate fees that were paid or accrued for the audit and other services provided by EY for fiscal years 2021 and 2020.
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Audit Fees |
$ | 2,078,381 | $ | 2,327,126 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees |
181,763 | 656,734 | ||||||
Tax Fees |
247,224 | 608,524 | ||||||
All Other Fees |
| | ||||||
Total |
$ | 2,507,368 | $ | 3,592,384 |
Audit Fees. This category includes fees for: (a) the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; (b) the audit of our internal control over financial reporting; and (c) services that are normally provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the relevant fiscal years.
Audit-Related Fees. For fiscal year 2021, this category includes fees for transactional due diligence services provided by EY. For fiscal year 2020, this category includes fees for due diligence services provided by EY in connection with our acquisitions of Active-Semi International, Inc., Cavendish Kinetics Limited and Decawave Limited.
Tax Fees. This category consists of professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. The services for the fees disclosed under this category include tax return preparation, tax planning, research and technical tax advice.
All Other Fees. This category includes the aggregate fees for products and services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm that are not reported above under Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees or Tax Fees.
The Audit Committee has considered the compatibility of the non-audit services performed by and fees paid to EY in fiscal years 2021 and 2020, and the proposed non-audit related services and proposed fees for fiscal year 2022 and has determined that such services and fees are compatible with the independence of EY. All services were approved by the Audit Committee prior to such services being rendered.
54 2021 Proxy Statement
Report of the Audit Committee
Each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director under existing Nasdaq listing standards and SEC requirements. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that each of Ms. Bruner, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Harding, and Mr. Quinsey is an audit committee financial expert, as defined by SEC rules.
In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm managements assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and the independent registered public accounting firms evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent registered public accounting firm its judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of our accounting principles and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm such other matters as are required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firms communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm that firms independence.
Based upon the discussions and review described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 3, 2021 for filing with the SEC. This report has been prepared by members of the Audit Committee. Current members of this committee are:
Jeffery R. Gardner (Chair)
Judy Bruner
John R. Harding
Roderick D. Nelson
Ralph G. Quinsey
2021 Proxy Statement 55
Related Person Transactions
Related Person Transactions Policy
The Board maintains a written policy regarding transactions that involve Qorvo and any of its executive officers, directors, director nominees or five percent or greater stockholders or their affiliates, which are referred to generally as related persons. The Governance and Nominating Committee will analyze and consider any such transaction in accordance with this written policy in order to determine whether the terms and conditions of the transaction are substantially the same as, or more favorable to Qorvo than, transactions that would be available from unaffiliated parties.
The policy governs the procedures for review and consideration of all related person transactions, as that term is defined in the policy, to help ensure that any such transactions are timely identified and given appropriate consideration. Generally, any current or proposed financial transaction, arrangement or relationship in which a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, in an amount exceeding $120,000 and in which Qorvo was or will be a participant, requires the approval of the Governance and Nominating Committee or a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Before granting such approval, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances to ensure that the proposed transaction is in the best interest of Qorvo and its stockholders. The term related person is defined by the policy and by Item 404 of Regulation S-K.
In conducting its review of any proposed related person transaction, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances available to the Governance and Nominating Committee, including but not limited to (a) the benefits to Qorvo; (b) the impact on a directors independence in the event the related person is a director, an immediate family member of a director or an entity in which a director is a partner, stockholder or executive officer; (c) the availability of other sources for comparable products or services; (d) the terms of the proposed related person transaction; and (e) the terms available to unrelated third parties or to employees generally in an arms-length negotiation. No member of the Governance and Nominating Committee will participate in any review, consideration or approval of any related person transaction with respect to which such member or any of his or her immediate family members is the related person.
The Governance and Nominating Committee may, from time to time as it determines in its discretion to be appropriate, review periodically any previously approved or ratified related person transaction to determine if it is in the best interests of Qorvo and our stockholders to continue, modify or terminate such related person transaction.
We did not engage in any related person transactions during the year ended April 3, 2021.
56 2021 Proxy Statement
Proposals for 2022 Annual Meeting
PROPOSALS FOR 2022 ANNUAL MEETING
Pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8, under certain conditions, stockholders may request that we include a proposal in our proxy materials for a forthcoming meeting of Qorvo stockholders. Any stockholder desiring to include a proposal in our proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 must ensure that we receive the proposal at our principal executive office in Greensboro, North Carolina by March 1, 2022 in order for the proposal to be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement and proxy card relating to our 2022 Annual Meeting.
If a stockholder desires to propose any business from the floor during the meeting (other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 or our proxy access bylaw provisions), our bylaws provide that the stockholder must deliver or mail timely advance written notice of such business to our principal executive office. Under our bylaws, to be timely, such stockholders notice generally must be delivered to our Secretary not later than the close of business on the 90th day before the first anniversary of the date of the preceding years annual meeting and not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such anniversary. In the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the first anniversary date of the preceding years annual meeting, then notice by the stockholder must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the annual meeting, or by the 10th day following the notice date for such meeting if the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting.
If a stockholder desires to propose a director candidate for nomination to the Board of Directors pursuant to our proxy access bylaw provisions, our bylaws provide that the stockholder must deliver or mail timely advance written notice of such nomination to our principal executive office. Under our bylaws, to be timely, such stockholders notice generally must be delivered to our Secretary not later than the close of business on the 120th day before the first anniversary of the date the definitive proxy statement was first sent to stockholders in connection with the preceding years annual meeting and not earlier than the close of business on the 150th day before such anniversary. In the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, then notice by the stockholder must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 150th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.
Each item of business proposed by a stockholder, including director nominations, must be made in accordance with our bylaws, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and any other applicable law, rule or regulation. In addition, any notice of a proposed director candidate must also comply with our bylaws, including the criteria set forth under Procedures for Director Nominations on page 14 of this proxy statement. If written notice is not given in accordance with these requirements, the proposal or nomination will be considered deficient or untimely, as applicable, and Qorvo may exclude such business from consideration at the meeting.
If the proposal or proposed director candidate is permitted to be considered at the meeting, the proxies appointed pursuant to the proxy card will have discretionary authority to vote for or against the matter even if the proposal or proposed director candidate was not discussed in the proxy statement. Assuming that the date of our annual meeting of stockholders is not advanced or delayed in the manner described above:
● | Appropriate notice of a proposal or proposed director candidate (other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 or our proxy access bylaw provisions) for the 2022 Annual Meeting would need to be delivered to our principal executive office no earlier than April 12, 2022 and no later than May 12, 2022 to be considered timely. |
● | Appropriate notice of a proposed director candidate pursuant to the proxy access provisions of our bylaws for the 2022 Annual Meeting would need to be delivered to our principal executive office no earlier than January 30, 2022 and no later than March 1, 2022. |
2021 Proxy Statement 57
Householding of Annual Meeting Materials
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS
Some banks, brokers or other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of householding annual reports, proxy statements and Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. This means that only one copy of our annual report, proxy statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, may have been sent to multiple stockholders in the same household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of our annual report, proxy statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, to any stockholder upon request submitted in writing to Qorvo at the following address: Qorvo, Inc., 7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409-9421, Attention: Investor Relations Department, or by calling (336) 664-1233. Any stockholder who wants to receive separate copies of our annual report, proxy statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the future, or who is currently receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for his or her household, should contact his or her bank, broker or other nominee record holder, or contact Qorvo at the above address and telephone number.
Our annual report for the fiscal year ended April 3, 2021 is enclosed. Upon written request, we will provide without charge to any stockholder of record or beneficial owner of common stock a separate copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 3, 2021, including financial statements, filed with the SEC. Any such request should be directed to Doug Delieto, our Vice President of Investor Relations, at 7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409-9421. We will furnish any exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K upon receipt of payment for our reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibit.
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board knows of no other matter to come before the annual meeting. However, if any other matter requiring a vote of the stockholders arises, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote properly executed proxies in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Jason K. Givens
Secretary
Dated: June 29, 2021
58 2021 Proxy Statement
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.
D56909-P58654
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF QORVO, INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AUGUST 10, 2021 |
||||||||
The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Robert A. Bruggeworth and Jason K. Givens, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common Stock of Qorvo, Inc. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on August 10, 2021, at the Four Seasons Hotel, 75 Fourteenth Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE, FOR ITEM 2, 1 YEAR ON ITEM 3, AND FOR ITEM 4.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE.
|
||||||||
|
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
|