DEF 14A of Del Monte Corp
Filed Apr 25, 2025 · FY20240000950170-25-058700
What are the requirements to elect the director nominees and to approve each of the proposals in this proxy statement?
What are the requirements to elect the director nominees and to approve each of the proposals in this proxy statement? Under the laws of the Cayman Islands and our Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, directors are elected and the ratification of auditors is deemed approved when they are approved by an “Ordinary Resolution” which is defined as simple majority of the votes cast by such Shareholders on such matter as, being entitled to do so, in person or by proxy. Proposal 3 is a non-binding advisory vote. This means that while we ask shareholders to approve a resolution regarding Say on Pay, it is not an action that requires shareholder approval.
What are the requirements to elect the director nominees and to approve each of the proposals in this proxy statement?
| Proposal | Vote Requirement | | Election of Directors | Majority of the Votes Cast | | Ratification of Auditors | Majority of the Votes Cast | | “Say on Pay” | Majority of the Votes Cast |
What are the requirements to elect the director nominees and to approve each of the proposals in this proxy statement?
Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the vote for any of the Proposals under Cayman Islands law.
PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
| PROPOSAL SUMMARY What Are You Voting On? We are asking our shareholders to elect the following three director nominees to serve on the Board. Information about the Board and each director nominated is included in this section. | | | | Class I Director Nominees Three-Year Term Ending 2028 Amir Abu-Ghazaleh Mary Ann Cloyd Charles Beard, Jr. | | Voting Recommendation The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” each director nominee listed above. After consideration of the individual qualifications, skills and experience of each of our director nominees, the Board believes these three director nominees would contribute to a well-balanced and effective Board. Each of the Class I directors elected at the Annual General Meeting will hold office until the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2028 or until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification. Amir Abu-Ghazaleh, Mary Ann Cloyd, and Charles Beard, Jr. currently serve as Class I members of the Board. Unless contrary instructions are given, the shares represented by a properly executed proxy will be voted “FOR” each of the director nominees presented below. If, at the time of the meeting, one or more of the director nominees has become unavailable to serve, shares represented by proxies will be voted for the remaining director nominees and for any substitute director nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors, unless the size of the Board is reduced. The Board knows of no reason why any of the director nominees will be unavailable or unable to serve. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the director nominees listed. | | | | The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” each nominee for director |
PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Introduction
Introduction Our Second Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association provides that our Board must consist of between three and nine directors. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that a majority of our board shall be directors who meet the independence standards of the NYSE with one of the independent directors serving as the lead independent director. Our Board is divided into three classes and currently consists of eight directors, of whom five are independent directors (ID) and three are non-independent directors. The non-independent directors together represent the largest single owner of Ordinary Shares. We believe that the classified board is the most effective way for the Board to be organized because it ensures a greater level of certainty of continuity from year to year, provides stability in near term operational performance balanced with long term investments, and allows for the refresh of experience to meet the evolving needs of the Company. As a result of the three classes, at each annual general meeting, directors are elected for a three-year term. Class terms expire on a rolling basis so that one class of directors is elected each year. Our current directors and classifications are as follows:
Introduction
| Class I – Expiring 2025 Amir Abu-Ghazaleh Mary Ann Cloyd (ID) Charles Beard, Jr. (ID) | Class II – Expiring 2026 Michael J. Berthelot (ID) Lori Tauber Marcus (ID) | Class III – Expiring 2027 Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh Ahmad Abu-Ghazaleh Dr. Ajai Puri (ID) |
Introduction
The terms of the three current Class I directors expire at the Annual General Meeting. The Governance Committee recommended to the Board for nomination, and the Board has nominated each of Amir Abu-Ghazaleh, Mary Ann Cloyd and Charles Beard, Jr. for re-election. Each of Amir Abu-Ghazaleh, Mary Ann Cloyd and Charles Beard, Jr. have consented to serve if elected. If any director nominee is unable or unwilling to serve at the time of the election, the proxy holders may vote for another person, or persons, in their discretion. A director nominee who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast will be required to submit his or her resignation as a director. The Board will then consider all the facts and circumstances relative to the continued service of such director before accepting or declining such resignation. We believe that each of our directors and director nominees possesses the experience, skills and qualities to fully perform his or her duties as a director and contribute to our success. Our director nominees were nominated because each is of high ethical character, highly accomplished in his or her field with superior credentials and recognition, has a reputation, both personal and professional, that is consistent with our image and reputation, has the ability to exercise sound business judgment, and is able to dedicate sufficient time to fulfilling his or her obligations as a director. Our directors as a group complement each other and each of their respective experiences, skills and qualities so that collectively the Board operates in an effective, collegial and responsive manner.
Introduction
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Director Skills, Experience and Background
Director Skills, Experience and Background The Board regularly reviews the skills, experience, and background that it believes are desirable to be represented on the Board and that align with our strategic vision, business and operations. The following is a summary and description of some of the skills, experience and background that our continuing directors and director nominees bring to the Board. The directors’ biographies note each director’s relevant skills, experience and qualifications relative to this list.
Director Skills, Experience and Background
| LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE | Experience serving as a CEO, CFO, senior executive or functional leader within an organization | | | | | | | | | | | 8 of 8 | | PUBLIC COMPANY BOARD EXPERIENCE | Experience serving on the boards of other U.S. or international public companies and familiarity with key corporate governance matters | | | | | | | | | | 7 of 8 | | | INDUSTRY EXPERTISE | Experience in key aspects of our businesses and industry, including food/agribusiness, distribution, transportation/shipping, retail and innovation/research & development | | | | | | | | | 6 of 8 | | | | FINANCE/ACCOUNTING | Experience or expertise in financial accounting and reporting or the financial management of an organization | | | | | | | | 5 of 8 | | | | | INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE | Experience doing business internationally or focusing on international issues and operations or with multinational companies | | | | | | | | | | 7 of 8 | | | ERM/RISK MANAGEMENT | Experience overseeing risk management matters | | | | | | | 4 of 8 | | | | | | M&A/INTEGRATION | Experience leading growth through acquisitions and other business combinations and ability to evaluate operational integration plans | | | | | | | | 5 of 8 | | | | | OPERATIONS/HUMAN CAPITAL | Experience managing compensation and employee moral, and implementing succession planning and talent development | | | | | | | | 5 of 8 | | | |
Director Skills, Experience and Background
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Director/Director Nominee Biographies
Director/Director Nominee Biographies Each director and director nominee’s principal occupation and other pertinent information about particular experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that led the Board to conclude that such person should serve as a director appears on the following pages.
Director Nominees
Director Nominees
Class I Directors
Class I Directors
Class I Directors
| Amir Abu-Ghazaleh Director Since: 1996 Age: 78 General Manager, Abu-Ghazaleh & Sons Co. Ltd. Biography: Since 1987, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh has served as the General Manager of Ahmed Abu-Ghazaleh & Sons Co. Ltd., a marketer and distributor of fresh fruit and vegetables. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh serves on the boards of directors of Clemenceau Medical Center, Arab Wings and Royal Jordanian Air Academy. He also serves as the Chairman of Abu-Ghazaleh Investments (AGI). He previously served on the board of International General Insurance Co. Ltd in Jordan. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh and Mr. Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh are brothers, and Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh is the uncle of Mr. Ahmad Abu-Ghazaleh. Skills & Qualifications: Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh brings to the Board over 20 years of executive, management and operating experience in the wholesale fresh fruit-related businesses, experience in marketing, finance, corporate governance matters and international business with extensive knowledge of the Middle East markets. | Experience Highlights: Leadership, Public Company Board, Finance/Accounting, Industry, International, M&A/Integration |
Class I Directors
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Class I Directors
| Mary Ann Cloyd Director Since: 2019 Age: 70 Former Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Biography: From 1990 until her retirement in June 2015, Ms. Cloyd was a senior Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), a global accounting and consulting firm. During her 25 years as a partner at PwC, Ms. Cloyd served in multiple leadership positions, including leading PwC’s Governance Insights Center from 2012 until her retirement in 2015. Ms. Cloyd is a retired Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Cloyd has served as a director of Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., a publicly-traded company focused on exoskeleton technology, since 2020. Previously, Ms. Cloyd served as a director of Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly-traded clinical-stage biotherapeutics company, from February 2016 until March 2024, and as a director of Angel Pond Holdings Corporation, a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company, from March 2021 until December 2022. Since April 2018, she has served as a director of NCMIC Group, Inc., a private mutual insurance and financial services company. Between 2004 and 2013, Ms. Cloyd served on both PwC’s Global and U.S. Boards of Partners and Principals. Ms. Cloyd also is on the Board of Directors for the Geffen Playhouse, the Caltech Associates Board, and the Advisory Board of the UCLA Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center. Skills & Qualifications: Ms. Cloyd brings to the Board 40 years of public accounting/advisory experience, significant experience in corporate governance matters and experience in risk management and oversight. | Experience Highlights: Leadership, Public Company Board, Finance/Accounting, ERM/Risk Management, M&A/Integration, Operations/Human Capital Independent Committees: Audit (Chair) Governance Other Public Boards: Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc. |
Class I Directors
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Class I Directors
| Charles Beard, Jr. Director Since: 2020 Age: 62 Partner, Chief Operating Officer, Guidehouse, Inc., Retired Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Biography: Mr. Beard served as the Chief Operating Officer of global professional services firm Guidehouse, Inc. from 2018 through 2024. He was responsible for guiding the company to exclusively use public cloud services and simultaneously incorporate advanced cyber security capabilities both for the enterprise and its clients. He has more than 30 years of experience as a corporate officer, board member, and professional consultant in the application and exploitation of technology for businesses operating in high risk environments. He was previously with PwC, where his practice focused on cybersecurity-related services and corporate transactions in the technology sector. He is the former General Manager of the Cybersecurity and Intelligence Unit of SAIC, where he also served as the company’s Chief Information Officer. He is the former Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Science Applications International Corporation (now Leidos), and General Manager of the Cybersecurity and Intelligence Business Unit. Previously, Mr. Beard led the global Transportation and Industrial Markets segment of KPMG consulting. Mr. Beard has served as a director of Healthstream, Inc., a publicly-traded company focused on providing workforce and provider solutions for healthcare organizations, since 2025. Mr. Beard holds a Master of Jurisprudence from Seton Hall School of Law, an MBA from the University of Montana and a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University. He is a graduate of the US Air Force Space & Missile program. Skills & Qualifications: Mr. Beard brings to the Board more than 30 years of experience in cybersecurity, digital innovation, including adoption of cloud computing infrastructure and addressing the security and control challenges inherent in digital transformations, technology management and business automation. | Experience Highlights: Leadership, Industry Expertise, Finance/Accounting, International, ERM/Risk Management, M&A/Integration, Operations/Human Capital Independent Committees: Governance (Chair) Compensation Other Public Boards: Healthstream, Inc. |
Class I Directors
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Continuing Directors
Continuing Directors
Class II Directors
Class II Directors
Class II Directors
| Michael J. Berthelot Director Since: 2006 Age: 74 Chief Executive Officer, Cito Capital Corporation Biography: Since 2004, Mr. Berthelot has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Cito Capital Corporation, a strategic consulting firm. From 2010 until 2024, Mr. Berthelot served as Managing Principal and founder of Corporate Governance Advisors Inc., a consulting firm that provides board evaluation and advisory services. Mr. Berthelot is a Certified Public Accountant. Since 2009, Mr. Berthelot has been a faculty member of the University of California San Diego’s Rady School of Management, where he teaches corporate governance in the MBA program. From February 2019 until June 2020, Mr. Berthelot served on the board of PenChecks Inc., a privately held financial services company. From 1992 to 2003, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TransTechnology Corporation, a publicly-traded multinational manufacturing firm, and from 2003 until 2006, he continued to serve as its non-executive Chairman. From 2009 to 2013, Mr. Berthelot served on the board of directors of Pro-Dex, Inc., a medical device manufacturer, where he also served as the Chief Executive Officer and President from 2012 to 2013. Skills & Qualifications: Mr. Berthelot brings to the Board extensive management and operating experience, including in his previous role as a chief executive officer of a publicly-traded multinational manufacturing and distribution business, as well as significant experience and corporate governance matters as well as accounting and financial reporting. | Experience Highlights: Leadership, Public Company Board, Finance/Accounting, International, ERM/Risk Management, M&A/Integration Lead Independent Director Committees: Compensation (Chair) Audit |
Class II Directors
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Class II Directors
| Lori Tauber Marcus Director Since: 2021 Age: 62 Founder of Courtyard Connections, LLC, Board Advisor and Retired Chief Marketing Officer Biography: Ms. Marcus is an experienced Chief Marketing Officer with over 35 years of experience in consumer-facing industries. Ms. Marcus is the founder of Courtyard Connections, LLC, an advisory firm focused on marketing and leadership in consumer goods, retail, food service, and consumer technology. From 2017 to 2020, Ms. Marcus worked with the Harvard Business School’s Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator as Chair of Direct to Patient Initiative. In 2016, Ms. Marcus served as Interim Chief Marketing Officer for Peloton Interactive, Inc., a publicly-traded fitness platform. From 2013 to 2015, Ms. Marcus was the Executive Vice President and Chief Global Brand and Product Officer at Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., a publicly-traded coffee and coffee machine company. From 2011 to 2012, she was Chief Marketing Officer at The Children’s Place, a publicly-traded children’s clothing company. Ms. Marcus previously spent 24 years with PepsiCo in marketing & general management positions of increasing responsibility, culminating in her appointment as Senior Vice President, Marketing Activation for PepsiCo Beverages, North America. Since January 2021, Ms. Marcus has served on the board of 24-Hour Fitness, a privately-held fitness company. Ms. Marcus was a board director for PRIMO Water Corporation, a publicly-traded home/office delivery, pure-play water company from May 2023 to November 2024 and Phunware, Inc, a publicly-traded enterprise software company from December 2018 to September 2021. Ms. Marcus previously served on the boards of the following privately-held companies: Golub Corporation; DNA Diagnostic Center; and Talalay Global. Since 2004, Ms. Marcus has served on the board of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Skills & Qualifications: Ms. Marcus brings to the Board strategic vision, strong business and general management acumen with direct-to-consumer expertise in e-commerce, digital marketing and social media to grow consumer-facing businesses worldwide. | Experience Highlights: Leadership, Public Company Board, Industry, International, Operations/Human Capital Independent Committees: Audit Compensation |
Class II Directors
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Class III Directors
Class III Directors
Class III Directors
| Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh Director Since: 1996 Age: 83 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. Biography: Since 1996, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh has served as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He serves as the Chairman of the Royal Jordanian Air Academy, Arab Wings, and Queen Noor Civil Aviation Technical College. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh also serves as Chairman of the Abdali Clemenceau Hospital project, a $290 million development project in Amman, Jordan. He is a founding shareholder of Clemenceau Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh currently serves on the board of directors of United Cable Industries Company, a Jordanian public company. Previously, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh served as Chairman of International General Insurance Co. until its listing on NASDAQ in 2020. He served on the board of directors of Bank Misr Liban from 2007 to 2018 and Jordan Kuwait Bank from 2004 to 2011. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh and Mr. Amir Abu-Ghazaleh are brothers. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh is Mr. Ahmad Abu-Ghazaleh’s father. Skills & Qualifications: Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh brings to the Board a unique understanding of our strategies and operations gained through over 20 years of executive leadership of our Company and over 45 years of experience in the fresh produce-related businesses serving in operations, management and executive leadership roles. | Experience Highlights: Leadership, Public Company Board, Industry, International, ERM/Risk Management, M&A/Integration, Operations/Human Capital Other Public Boards: United Cables Industries Company (Jordan). |
Class III Directors
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Class III Directors
| Ahmad Abu-Ghazaleh Director Since: 2018 Age: 48 Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Jordanian Air Academy, Arab Wings, Queen Noor Technical College and Gulf Wings Biography: Since 2003, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh has served as the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Jordanian Air Academy, a flight training academy, Arab Wings, a private jet charter and aircraft management company, Queen Noor Technical College, a private engineering college, and Gulf Wings, a private jet charter company. He also serves as the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Abdali Clemenceau Hospital project in Amman, Jordan. He is the founder of the MMAG Foundation campus in Amman, a free art school, exhibition space and community center. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh is an active member of several museum councils and advisory groups. Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh currently serves on several boards of directors of private and public organizations, including Queen Rania Foundation, Endeavor Jordan and The American Center for Oriental Research (ACOR). He has served as the Chairman of United Cables Industries Company (UCIC), a Jordanian publicly-traded company, since 2013 and of Augustus Management International since July 2016. He previously served as the Chairman of National Poultry Company (NPC), a Jordanian publicly-traded company and on the board of directors of Banque Misr Liban, Arab Pharmaceutical Company and Modern Pharma, both publicly traded companies that were merged and sold to Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK: Lon). Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh is the son of Mr. Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh and the nephew of Mr. Amir Abu-Ghazaleh. Skills & Qualifications: Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh brings to the Board over 15 years of management experience in global operations, as well as extensive experience in the transportation and food industries. | Experience Highlights: Leadership, Public Company Board, Industry, International Other Public Boards: United Cables Industries Company (Jordan). |
Class III Directors
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Class III Directors
| Dr. Ajai Puri Director Since: 2024 Age: 71 Non-Executive Director, Olam International, IMI PLC, Califia Farms LP Biography: Dr. Puri currently serves as a board member of Olam Group Limited (Singapore), a Singaporean public company and a leading global food and agriculture business; and IMI plc (U.K.), a specialist engineering and technology group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Dr. Puri has previously served as a board member of Britannia Industries Ltd. (India), an Indian public company and India’s largest independent food company and Tate & Lyle PLC, a global supplier of food and beverage products to food and industrial markets that is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, Dr. Puri serves as a board member of privately-held Califia Farms LP, a leading plant-based milks company since October 2021. As part of his executive career, Dr. Puri spent over 20 years at Minute Maid (part of The Coca-Cola Company) where he played an integral role in building the company’s global juice platform with products like Simply Orange™ and Minute Maid Pulpy™. Dr. Puri holds a B.S. from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India; an M.S. from the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India; an M.B.A. from the Crummer Business School, Rollins College, and a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Maryland. Skills & Qualifications: Dr. Puri brings to the Board extensive experience in the food and beverage industry and years of global R&D, innovation, supply chain development and consumer marketing experience. | Experience Highlights: Leadership, Public Company Board, Finance/Accounting, Industry, International, Operations/Human Capital Independent Committees: Audit Governance Other Public Boards: Olam Group Limited (Singapore) IMI plc (U.K.) |
Class III Directors
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Director Compensation
Director Compensation The Board maintains a compensation arrangement for the non-employee directors of the Board. The Board compensation arrangement is comprised of the following types and levels of compensation. Annual Equity Grant. In prior years, non-employee directors received an equity grant in the form of restricted stock units at the time of the annual meeting. This would cause significant variation in the grant and vest dates. In order to make the grant and vest dates more consistent, the Board approved grants to be made on May 4 on a go forward basis. This process update was approved by the Board on May 7, 2024, and as a result, May 7 was the grant date for 2024. On May 7, 2024, each non-employee director received an equity award with a grant day fair value of $150,000 or 6,162 restricted share units, which vest on May 7, 2025. Upon vesting of the awards, directors are required to hold the shares until the share ownership guidelines are met under our share ownership and retention policy. See “Share Ownership Guidelines” below. Retainer and Fees Paid in Cash. The annual retainer for non-employee directors is $90,000. Directors serving as members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance Committee are entitled to additional annual retainers of $15,000, $7,500 and $5,000, respectively. The lead independent director is entitled to an additional retainer of $35,000, and the Chairs of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance Committee are entitled to an additional retainer of $25,000, $20,000 and $15,000, respectively. Non-employee directors are also reimbursed for incidental expenses associated with each Board or Committee meeting. Directors who are employees do not receive any additional compensation for their services as a director. The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation of our non-employee directors for fiscal 2024. Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, our Chairman and CEO, is omitted from the table as he does not receive any additional compensation for his services as a director. For more information on Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh’s compensation, see “Executive Compensation” beginning on page 62.
Director Compensation
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2)(3) | Total ($) | | Ahmad Abu-Ghazaleh | 90,000 | 149,983 | 239,983 | | Amir Abu-Ghazaleh | 90,000 | 149,983 | 239,983 | | Charles Beard, Jr. | 112,500 | 149,983 | 262,483 | | Michael J. Berthelot | 160,000 | 149,983 | 309,983 | | Mary Ann Cloyd | 120,000 | 149,983 | 269,983 | | Ajai Puri | 110,000 | 181,193(4) | 291,193 | | Lori Tauber Marcus | 114,084(5) | 149,983 | 264,067 |
Director Compensation
(1) Amounts reflect the aggregate dollar amount of all fees earned or paid in cash for services as a director, including annual retainer fees and committee and chair fees for the 2024 fiscal year. (2) Amounts reflect the full grant date fair value of a grant of restricted stock units, determined in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10 Compensation—Stock Based Compensation. For additional information on the valuation assumptions regarding the fiscal 2024 grants, refer to Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 27, 2024 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2024 fiscal year filed with the SEC on February 24, 2025. The following table sets forth the aggregate number of restricted stock units outstanding as of December 27, 2024 for each of our non-employee directors who received a restricted stock unit award in 2024.
Director Compensation
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Director Compensation
| Name | RSUs(a) | | Ahmad Abu-Ghazaleh | 6,330 | | Amir Abu-Ghazaleh | 6,330 | | Charles Beard, Jr. | 6,330 | | Michael J. Berthelot | 6,330 | | Mary Ann Cloyd | 6,330 | | Ajai Puri(b) | 7,656 | | Lori Tauber Marcus | 6,330 |
Director Compensation
(4) Dr. Puri was granted 1,313 shares on February 19, 2024 as a prorated grant for his appointment to the Board. (5) Ms. Tauber Marcus was on all three Committees at the start of 2024. Dr. Puri replaced Ms. Tauber Marcus on the Governance Committee effective April 30, 2024. As a result, her fees in the above table include a partial year having served on the Governance Committee as well as full year fees paid for serving on the Audit and Compensation Committees. (a) Includes 168.3018 dividend equivalent units that are subject to the same restrictions and vesting criteria based on the underlying RSUs to which they relate. (b) Includes an additional 12.6689 dividend equivalent units for the prorated grant when he was appointed to the Board. Share Ownership Guidelines. We have share ownership guidelines that apply to non-employee directors and executive officers. Non-employee directors are expected, within five years of the director’s appointment, to own Ordinary Shares having a value equal to four times the annual cash retainer for non-employee directors. Directors are required to retain at least 50% of their Ordinary Shares issued to them upon vesting of an RSU award until they have satisfied their ownership guideline. Based on the current annual board retainer, the individual ownership guideline for each non-employee director is Ordinary Shares having a value of $360,000. Each of our non-employee directors is in compliance with the guidelines and recently appointed non-employee directors are proceeding reasonably towards timely meeting the guidelines. We believe that this ownership policy further aligns director and shareholder interests and thereby promotes the objective of increasing shareholder value.
Annual Incentive Awards
Annual Incentive Awards Our annual cash incentive award plans are designed to reward an NEO for his or her contribution to our achievement of our annual financial objectives and to reflect the executive’s contribution to our operational and financial goals. Our annual cash incentive award has traditionally been set up as two different programs, our CEO Annual Incentive Plan (the “CEO AIP”) and our Annual Incentive Plan for Senior Executives (the “Senior Executive AIP”). For 2024, the CEO AIP and Senior Executive AIP included the same financial performance metrics: Why we pay annual incentive compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that the annual incentive award programs encourage executive officers to balance the short-term financial, operational, functional and qualitative performance objectives with those that form the basis of long-term growth. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the appropriateness of each of these performance metrics, their relationship to our overall growth strategy and the impact of such performance metrics on long-term shareholder value, and revises the measures, as necessary to maintain alignment with our business plan.
Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan
Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan How the CEO Annual Incentive Award was determined. For 2024, the Compensation Committee continued the CEO AIP with revised financial performance objectives and profitability threshold. The CEO AIP is designed to make the CEO’s annual performance objectives relevant to our current economic and operational environment and our long term business interests. The Compensation Committee establishes annual performance goals targeting key performance objectives that it believes are relevant to our desired business results for the coming year. The CEO AIP provides for the amount of an award to be calculated based upon the “Corporate Achievement Factor” multiplied by a target opportunity equal to 100% of the CEO’s annual base salary, which is then multiplied by an “Individual Performance Factor.” The Corporate Achievement Factor is the weighted average of the actual achievement against the financial performance metrics established by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the year. The threshold performance level for each financial performance metric other than EPS was 80% of target, which earned 80% of target opportunity for such metric, while the threshold performance level for EPS was 86% of target, which earned 86% of target opportunity for such metric. The maximum performance level for each financial performance metric was 150%. EPS calculation was based on the number of shares outstanding as of the award date, consequently, stock issuances and repurchases did not impact performance level achieved. The Individual Performance Factor, determined based upon the Compensation Committee’s subjective evaluation of the CEO’s performance and his contribution to the Company, is then applied to the product of the Corporate Achievement Factor and the target opportunity at a maximum rate of 200%. However, the maximum award payable to our CEO under the 2024 CEO AIP was $3,000,000.
Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan
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Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan
CEO Financial Performance Metrics and 2024 Results. For 2024, the Compensation Committee utilized three weighted financial performance metrics for purposes of the CEO AIP. For 2024, the Compensation Committee decided to transition from Return on Assets or ROA to Return on Equity or ROE (calculated as Net Income / Average Equity) and retained the remaining two performance metrics from the prior year, earnings per share (EPS) and free cash flow. The table below sets forth the financial performance metrics used in the CEO AIP, as well as the weight and threshold, target and maximum performance levels set for 2024.
Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan
| | 2024 CEO AIP Allocated % of Target | Performance Level | | | | Performance Metric | Opportunity | Threshold | Target | Maximum | | Return on Equity (Net Income / Average Equity) | 35% | 4.60% | 5.70% | 8.60% | | Free Cash Flow ($mm) | 20% | $101.0 | $126.0 | $189.0 | | Payout Percentage(1) | | 80% | 100% | 150% | | Earnings per Share | 45% | $1.81 | $2.11 | $3.17 | | Payout Percentage(1) | | 86% | 100% | 150% |
Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan
(1) Calculated as a percentage of Target The table below sets forth our actual performance against each of our financial performance metrics for 2024.
Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan
| Metric | | Weight | Target | Achieved | % Achieved | | Return on Equity | | 35% | 5.70% | 7.30% | 127% | | EPS | | 45% | $2.11 | $2.44 | 116% | | Free Cash Flow | | 20% | $126.0million | $203.0million | 150% | | | Total Corporate Achievement Factor | | | | 127% | | X | Individual Performance Factor (Max 200%) | | | | 175% | | X | AIP Target Opportunity | | | | $1,200,000 | | | 2024 CEO AIP PLAN PAYOUT | | | | $2,667,000 |
Chief Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan
* The maximum performance level for each financial performance metric is 150%. Upon review of the financial results for fiscal 2024, the Compensation Committee determined that all three metrics were achieved above the threshold, and that free cash flow was achieved at the maximum level. After determining the levels at which the Company met its financial performance metrics, the Compensation Committee evaluated the CEO’s performance. As part of this evaluation, the Compensation Committee, recommended and the independent directors approved, our CEO’s Individual Performance Factor at 175%.
Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan
Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan How the Senior Executive Annual Incentive Awards were determined. For 2024, the Compensation Committee continued to utilize the Senior Executive AIP for determining the annual incentive awards payable to all NEOs, other than the CEO. Awards under the Senior Executive AIP were based on an assessment of the Company’s financial performance and an evaluation of the performance of each executive against pre-determined and approved individual objectives (“Individual Performance Objectives”).
Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan
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Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan
The 2024 Senior Executive AIP was based on the same three financial performance metrics as the CEO AIP: ROE, EPS and Free Cash Flow. However, as set forth in the table below, the financial performance metrics represented an aggregate of only 70% of the target opportunity while Individual Performance Objectives represented 30% of the target opportunity.
Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan
| Performance Metric | Allocated % of Target Opportunity | | Financial Performance Metrics | 70.0% | | Return on Equity | 24.5% - (35% of 70%) | | Free Cash Flow ($mm) | 14.0% - (20% of 70%) | | Earnings per Share | 31.5% - (45% of 70%) | | Individual Performance Objectives | 30.0% |
Senior Executive Annual Incentive Plan
Financial Performance Metrics. Similar to the CEO AIP, the threshold performance level for each financial performance metric, other than EPS, was 80% of target, which earned 80% of target opportunity for such metric, and for EPS, the threshold performance level was 86% of target, which earned 86% of target opportunity for such metric. The maximum performance level for each financial performance metric was 150%. Individual Performance Objectives. In addition, the Compensation Committee approved each NEO’s Individual Performance Objectives under the Senior Executive AIP, which were developed with the review, input and approval of our CEO and presented to the Compensation Committee for final review and approval. Each of the Individual Performance Objectives was designed to reflect an executive’s area of responsibility within the Company. Each Individual Performance Objective was assigned a specific percentage of the NEO’s overall achievement value, with all goals totaling 100%. Typically, each NEO has a specific number of performance criteria upon which his or her annual bonus is based. The payout of the Individual Performance Objective was then evaluated based on individual achievement of performance objectives. The maximum award for any award under the Senior Executive AIP was 150% of target opportunity. For 2024, our NEOs typically had an average of 4 to 8 Individual Performance Objectives which were tied to their specific area of responsibility and business line of sight, and were aligned with our core business objectives. The Individual Performance Objectives for our NEOs fell into the following categories of operational priorities, customized, based on the NEO’s role: • Improve costs structure and market share; • Implement changes in organization structure to create efficiencies and strengthen leadership;and • Improve our global supply chain through efficient sourcing and distribution.
2024 Performance
2024 Performance Company Financial Performance. As set forth in the table above, under “CEO Performance Metrics and 2024 Results” the Compensation Committee determined that the Company had met the threshold requirements on all three financial performance metrics, Return on Equity, EPS, and Free Cash Flow. All three were achieved at above the target level, and Free Cash Flow was achieved at maximum. Consequently, each NEO earned 127% of their target opportunity (127% of 70%). Individual Performance. In determining the relative level of achievement of the applicable Individual Performance Objectives for each NEO for 2024, the Compensation Committee reviewed the performance of each of the NEOs against the Individual Performance Objectives established at the beginning of the year. The Compensation Committee determined that individual achievement levels for the NEOs, other than the CEO, were met at percentages ranging between 80% and 95%. Payouts. The Company’s financial performance exceeded the threshold and was paid out at between 113% to 117% of target for the NEOs other than the CEO. The CEO was awarded 222% based on achievement of objectives and payout
2024 Performance
| Name | Target Opportunity | Payout | Total Payout as % of Target Opportunity | | Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh | $1,200,000 | $2,667,000 | 222% | | Monica Vicente | $242,500 | $273,783 | 113% | | Mohammed Abbas | $425,000 | $496,400 | 117% | | Marissa R. Tenazas | $187,912 | $220,609 | 117% | | Effie D. Silva | $204,223 | $230,568 | 113% |
Long Term Cash Incentive Plan
Long Term Cash Incentive Plan Why we pay long-term cash incentive compensation. Our Compensation Committee has approved a Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) for senior officers, including NEOs, to provide an incentive for executives to focus on our long-term sustainable growth by rewarding business decisions and actions over a longer term than the single year plans then in place. The Compensation Committee recognizes that the efforts of executives may not be adequately rewarded for taking those steps that will provide a foundation for significantly improved long-term performance of the Company, if those steps negatively affect annual operating results, and therefore annual cash incentive awards. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that a balanced compensation plan, with short-term and long-term incentives, avoid any incentive to take actions that would result in short-term gain without regard to the long-term best interests of the Company. How long-term cash incentive awards are determined. Under the LTIP, each participating NEO receives a performance-based cash award opportunity each year covering a three-year performance period. The Compensation Committee annually determines the target award as a percentage of each participating NEO’s base salary. For each of the currently outstanding LTIP award cycles, the target award for the CEO was set at 100% of base salary and for each of the other participating NEOs, the target award was set at 35% of base salary. Performance is measured based on a combination of three financial performance results The LTIP award has (1) a threshold performance level of 80% of target for each metric (which pays out at 80% of the allocated target) and (2) target performance level (which pays out at 100% of the target award for such metric). For all NEOs, the 2022-2024 award is capped at 100% of the target award for such metric and for the full award. Beginning with the 2023-2025 award, the maximum was raised to 125% of the target to provide additional incentive for superior performance. Payouts for performance between threshold and maximum will be calculated on a linear basis. Performance Metrics. For the currently outstanding LTIP awards under the 2022 – 2024 LTIP Cycle and 2024 – 2026 LTIP Cycle, the Compensation Committee set the same three financial metrics with the same weighting as follows:
Long Term Cash Incentive Plan
| LTIP Metrics (2022-2024 and 2024-2026 LTIP Cycles) | Weight | | Net Sales Growth Over 3 Year Period | 15% | | ROE (Net Income / Average Equity) | 45% | | Net Operating Cash Flow / Average Equity | 40% |
Long Term Cash Incentive Plan
For the 2023 – 2025 LTIP cycle, the Compensation Committee replaced ROE with Return on Assets, or ROA (calculated as EBIT divided by average assets) and retained the remaining financial metrics from the prior two LTIP cycles. The performance metrics and their weightings for the 2023 – 2025 LTIP cycle were as follows:
Long Term Cash Incentive Plan
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Long Term Cash Incentive Plan
| LTIP Metrics (2023 – 2025 LTIP Cycle) | Weight | | Net Sales Growth Over 3 Year Period | 15% | | Return on Assets (ROA) (EBIT / Average Assets) | 45% | | Net Operating Cash Flow / Average Equity | 40% |
Long Term Cash Incentive Plan
2022-2024 Performance Cycle Payout In early 2025, the Compensation Committee evaluated the Company’s performance against each of the three financial metrics and determined the extent to which the financial metric had been earned. The table below sets forth the target and the actual performance of the Company against each financial metric.
Long Term Cash Incentive Plan
| Metric | Weight | Threshold | Target | Actual | % Earned | | Net Sales Growth (2024 Net Sales / 2021 Net Sales) | 15% | 15.4% | 19.2% | 0.7% | —% | | ROE (Net Income / Average Equity) | 45% | 5.3% | 6.6% | 7.2% | 100% | | Net Operating Cash Flow / Average Equity | 40% | 8.6% | 10.8% | 9.3% | 86% |
Long Term Cash Incentive Plan
As noted above, there is a threshold of 80% of target performance in order to receive a payout under each metric. The Company achieved above the threshold for the ROE and Net Operating Cash Flow / Average Equity metrics. However, the Company did not achieve above the threshold for the Net Sales Growth metric. Our CEO and the following NEOs, Mr. Abbas, Ms. Vicente, and Ms. Silva, earned 79% of their 2022-2024 LTIP Award. Ms. Tenazas was not active during 2022 and did not participate in our 2022-2024 LTIP program. The individual amounts paid for the 2022-2024 LTIP Award are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
Equity Awards
Equity Awards Why we make equity awards. In order to create a properly balanced compensation program, the Compensation Committee supplements the cash components of the executive compensation program with equity awards. Each NEO is eligible to receive an annual equity compensation award. The Company believes, based on its performance-based approach to compensation, that equity ownership in the Company is important to tie the level of compensation to the performance of the Ordinary Shares and shareholder gains; the Company believes this is particularly important for NEOs. Because equity compensation awards vest over a period of years, they also provide a retention component and create an incentive for executives to create sustained growth. For 2024, the Compensation Committee determined that it would use 100% Performance-based restricted stock units as the sole form of equity. Performance-based restricted stock units (PSUs) that are earned based on the Company’s annual EBITDA and, to the extent earned, vest over a three-year period. How equity awards are determined. Guidelines for the size of the equity granted to each NEO are determined by the Compensation Committee based upon the executive officer’s position and responsibilities, job level, performance, and the value of the award at the time of grant. In addition, the Compensation Committee may make additional equity awards following a significant change in job responsibility or in recognition of a significant achievement. 2024 Equity Awards. In 2024, the Compensation Committee recommended and the Board (or the independent directors in the case of the CEO) and made adjustments to reflect market data. Specifically, Ms. Vincente and Ms. Silva were awarded additional PSUs in 2024 to allign their total compensation to the market median. Consequently, the Compensation Committee awarded the following PSUs to our NEOs:
Equity Awards
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Equity Awards
| Name | Target 2024 PSU Award (Dollar Value $)* | | Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh | $4,000,000 | | Mohammed Abbas | 724,500 | | Monica Vicente | 493,417 | | Effie D. Silva | 379,350 | | Marissa R. Tenazas (1) | 188,198 |
Equity Awards
* Due to accounting, the Fair Market Value of the award may differ and is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table. (1) Ms. Tenazas' PSU equity award was pro-rated based on her appointment on March 18, 2024. Terms of PSUs and 2024 Results. The performance objective was based on an EBITDA goal for the 2024 fiscal year with a minimum threshold at 70% target achievement. Assuming the target is met, the CEO may earn between 70% and 125% of the PSU award, and each other NEO may earn between 70% to 100% of the PSU award depending on EBITDA performance. The percentage of the PSU award earned will then vest equally over the three-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date. For 2024, the Compensation Committee set the PSU target as 2024 EBITDA of $261.0 million. The Company’s actual 2024 EBITDA was $275.4 million. As certified by the Compensation Committee (and the independent directors in the case of the CEO) the CEO achieved 105.5% of target, and the NEOs received 100% of target, due to the cap.
Equity Awards
| Performance Period | Performance Measure | Target | Actual | % Earned | | Fiscal 2024 | EBITDA | $261.0million | $275.4million | 105.5% |
Other Compensation Components
Other Compensation Components The Compensation Committee provides additional benefits to the NEOs that are customary for executives of similar rank to enable our executives to focus on our business and enhance their commitment to us. Severance Arrangements and Payments upon a Change of Control: We are subject to a legacy Executive Retention and Severance Agreement for the CEO which was adopted in 2003. As further described under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control,” this severance agreement provides that to the extent that (1) the CEO is terminated by the Company other than for “cause”, (2) if the CEO terminates his employment for “good reason”, or (3) if he is terminated without “cause” in connection with a change in control, the CEO is entitled to certain severance payments consideration, an enhanced payment to take into effect any taxes due on the consideration, and other benefits. In consideration of the Company entering into this agreement, the CEO agreed to a two-year period following the termination of his employment during which he cannot solicit the Company’s employees, distributors, vendors or customers. The severance agreement for the CEO contains a provision requiring the company to reimburse the CEO for IRS Section 280G excise tax and applicable taxes thereon that may be triggered by a change in control, although the CEO should not be subject to any such excise tax under Section 280G because he is not subject to United States income tax. Each of our other NEOs are covered by our general severance policy applicable to U.S. employees, which provides a maximum of twenty-six weeks’ severance based upon the years of service of each participant. Perquisites: No significant pension or welfare benefits are available to NEOs other than the broad-based 401(k) plan, health and welfare benefits, and life insurance that are generally available to most of our full-time U.S. employees. Under our 401(k) plan, the Company offers all its eligible employees a 50% employer match to a maximum 6% employee contribution.
Compensation Setting Process
Compensation Setting Process Annually, the Compensation Committee evaluates the design and competitiveness of our executive compensation program. Role of Compensation Committee and Management. The Compensation Committee evaluates and recommends to the Board (or the independent directors in the case of the CEO) the amount and nature of compensation for all NEOs. In making this determination, the recommendation and advice of certain executives is considered. The Compensation Committee solicits the CEO’s recommendation regarding the Chief Operating Officer’s (the “COO”) compensation. Additionally, the COO provides recommendations annually to the Compensation Committee regarding the compensation of all NEOs, excluding himself and the CEO. The COO’s recommendations are based on the results of his annual performance review of each NEO, at which time each NEO’s individual goals are assessed in light of their achievement of specific strategic goals. Each NEO also provides input about his individual contributions to the Company’s success for the period being assessed. The Compensation Committee reviews each of these performance reviews as part of its compensation setting process. Role of Independent Compensation Consultant. As discussed above under the responsibilities of the Compensation Committee on page 23, the Compensation Committee has authority to retain compensation consultants and other advisors as it deems appropriate to assist in fulfilling its responsibilities. For 2024, the Compensation Committee engaged Willis Towers Watson (WTW) as its independent executive compensation consultant to: • review the Company’s current compensation program compared to its peer group and other relevant compensation surveys to ensure market competitiveness; • evaluate the effectiveness of our compensation strategy and practices in supporting and reinforcing our long-term strategic goals; • review and comment on broader aspects of our executive compensation programs, including program philosophy, design and implementation, and executive compensation trends, as requested by the Compensation Committee; • review the Company’s comparative peer group of companies and conduct an annual review of competitive market data (including base salary, annual incentive targets and long-term incentive targets) for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers; • provide a competitive analysis of our compensation components for our NEOs against our peer group; • assist in reviewing the Company’s share ownership guidelines relative to peer group practices; • perform a competitive analysis of compensation levels for non-employee directors; and • review this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. In addition, WTW attends all Compensation Committee meetings at the request of the committee and presents relevant data and analysis to the committee for its consideration. Independence of the Compensation Consultant. The Compensation Committee recognizes the importance of using an independent compensation consultant that is appropriately qualified and that provides services solely to the Compensation Committee and not to the Company. The Compensation Committee annually reviews its relationship with WTW and determines whether to renew the engagement. Only the Compensation Committee has the right to approve services to be provided by, or to terminate the
Compensation Setting Process
services of, WTW. WTW and its affiliates do not provide any services to the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates other than advising the Compensation Committee on director and executive compensation. During 2024, the Compensation Committee considered WTW’s independence and determined that the engagement of WTW did not raise any conflict of interest or other issues that would adversely impact WTW’s independence, including using the six factors set forth in the SEC and the NYSE rules regarding compensation advisor conflicts of interest and independence. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee determined WTW to be independent and free from conflicts of interest. Evaluating Compensation Program Design and Relative Competitive Position An important basis for structuring the Company’s compensation program and establishing target compensation levels for the Company’s NEOs is the analysis of the compensation packages offered to similarly situated executive officers of peer group companies. As part of its engagement, the Compensation Committee directed WTW to review its comparative group of companies and to perform analyses of competitive performance and compensation levels for that group. The peer group of companies was selected based on company size, market for executive talent and companies subject to the same industry economics as the Company when evaluating peers. The comparative compensation information provided by WTW was obtained from publicly filed reports of each company in the comparative peer group, as well as from nationally recognized compensation surveys.
2024 Peer Group
2024 Peer Group In August 2023, the Compensation Committee, based on recommendations from WTW, approved a peer group of food and beverage, agricultural products and consumer products companies of similar size based on revenue, market capitalization, and number of employees as a measure of the complexity of the enterprise. WTW reviewed with the Compensation Committee the prior year's Peer Group based on financial measures of company size (revenue, market capitalization, net income and total assets), market for executive talent, and companies subject to the same industry economics. Based on this review, WTW recommended, and the Compensation Committee approved changes in the compensation peer group to (i) remove Sanderson Farms, which was taken private and no longer publicly discloses executive pay, and (ii) add each of Dole plc, which went public in August 2021, and Mission Produce, Inc., a competitor in the fresh produce industry, as members of the group. The peer group approved in August 2023 along with the published compensation survey data, was used as the basis, for an evaluation of our executive compensation in late 2023, which informed 2024 pay decisions. As a result, the Peer Group that was used in connection with the 2024 compensation decisions consisted of the following companies (the “2024 Peer Group”):
2024 Peer Group
| B&G Foods, Inc. Brown-Forman Corporation Campbell Soup Company Darling Ingredients, Inc. Dole plc Flowers Foods, Inc. Hormel Foods Corporation Ingredion Incorporated | Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. McCormick & Company, Inc. Mission Produce, Inc. Post Holdings, Inc. The Hershey Company The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. The J.M. Smucker Company Treehouse Foods, Inc. |
2024 Peer Group
Based on the data presented to the Compensation Committee by WTW and the analysis described above, the Compensation Committee has targeted base salary, annual and long-term cash incentive compensation, and equity incentive compensation for NEOs around the 50th percentile of the peer group comparison. The Compensation Committee also targets the overall proportion of total variable compensation (i.e., compensation based on performance) and fixed compensation (i.e., base or guaranteed compensation) for each NEO to be consistent with the 50th percentile of the peer group comparison. In determining the level of compensation provided to its NEOs, the Compensation Committee not only considers the Company’s performance, but also evaluates the Company’s comparative performance against peer group companies considering sales growth, growth in earnings per share (“EPS”), and share price performance, among other factors. In addition, the Compensation Committee considers the Company’s geographic locations, including the greater Miami area, where there is significant competition for employees in the global agricultural and consumer products industries. The Compensation Committee also evaluates individual NEO experience, seniority, and performance, based
2024 Peer Group
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2024 Peer Group
on both objective and subjective measures, on an annual basis and may award merit salary increases as a result of these assessments. This approach ensures that the Company’s compensation programs will enable it to remain competitive in its markets and reward individual NEO performance. While the Compensation Committee targets cash compensation and equity awards in the 50th percentile of the peer group, the Compensation Committee recognizes the Company’s desire to keep the best talent in its executive management team. To retain and motivate these key individuals, the Compensation Committee may determine that it is in the best interests of the Company to negotiate or award total compensation that may deviate from the general benchmark targets described above. Actual pay for each executive is determined based on this premise and is driven by the performance of the executive over time and the annual performance of the Company. Equity grant guidelines are then set by job level, using market survey data and current guidelines to determine the appropriate annual grant levels for the upcoming year. The Company provides Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh with greater total compensation and benefits (including post-employment benefits) than those provided to other NEOs to reflect the increased level of responsibility and risk faced by Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh as the Company’s CEO. We continue to maintain Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh’s compensation level in accordance with the Compensation Committee’s review of peer group compensation data, as it reflects the competitive nature of compensation paid to chief executive officers within the peer group. The Compensation Committee believes that Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh’s competitive compensation package is important to motivate and retain him as the highly valued top executive of the Company. Consideration of Shareholder Advisory Vote As part of its compensation setting process, the Compensation Committee annually reviews and considers the results of the prior-year’s shareholder advisory vote on our executive compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that this advisory vote can provide useful feedback regarding whether shareholders believe that the Compensation Committee is achieving its goal of designing an executive compensation program that promotes the best interests of our Company and our shareholders by providing its executives with the appropriate compensation and meaningful incentives. In establishing the 2024 compensation program, the Compensation Committee noted that approximately 95% of the votes cast at the 2024 Annual General Meeting supported Fresh Del Monte’s executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee intends to annually review the results of the advisory vote and will be cognizant of this feedback as it completes its annual review of each pay element and the total compensation packages for our NEOs.
Tax Deductibility of Compensation
Tax Deductibility of Compensation Code Sections 280G and 4999. Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) limit our ability to take a tax deduction for certain “excess parachute payments” (as defined in the Code) and impose excise taxes on each executive that receives “excess parachute payments” in connection with his or her severance and other payments from us that are contingent on or in connection with a change of control. The Compensation Committee considered the adverse tax liabilities imposed by Sections 280G and 4999, as well as other competitive factors, when it structured certain post-termination compensation payable to our CEO. The potential adverse tax consequences to us and/or the executive, however, are not necessarily determinative factors in such decisions. The severance agreement for the CEO contains a provision requiring us to reimburse the CEO for IRS Section 280G excise tax and applicable taxes thereon that may be triggered by a change in control. However, as our CEO is currently not a U.S. person, and therefore not subject to United States income tax, we do not expect that he will be subject to any such excise tax under Section 280G. Code Section 409A. Under Section 409A of the Code, amounts deferred by an NEO under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan (including certain severance plans) may be included in gross income when earned and subject to a 20% additional federal tax, unless the plan complies with certain requirements related to the timing of deferral election and distribution decisions. We administer our plans consistent with Section 409A requirements and have amended plan documents to reflect Section 409A requirements.
Summary Compensation Table
Summary Compensation Table The following tables, narrative and footnotes discuss the compensation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and the three other most highly compensated executive officers in 2024 who were serving as executive officers at the end of 2024, who are referred to collectively as NEOs.
Summary Compensation Table
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1)(2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3) | All Other Compensation ($)(4) | Total ($) | | Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh | 2024 | 1,200,062 | 4,000,000 | 3,615,000 | 42,883 | 8,857,945 | | Chairman and CEO | 2023 | 1,200,046 | 2,433,301 | 768,000 | 48,142 | 4,449,489 | | | 2022 | 1,195,385 | 3,179,283 | 1,652,005 | 103,887 | 6,130,560 | | Monica Vicente | 2024 | 486,200 | 493,417 | 396,874 | 6,651 | 1,383,142 | | SVP and CFO | 2023 | 485,000 | 245,859 | — | 7,800 | 738,659 | | | 2022 | 446,285 | 99,416 | 197,153 | 32,759 | 775,613 | | Mohammed Abbas | 2024 | 850,000 | 724,500 | 731,425 | 19,239 | 2,325,164 | | EVP and COO | 2023 | 833,654 | 689,381 | 101,150 | 19,543 | 1,643,728 | | | 2022 | 517,541 | 432,068 | 303,071 | 344,998 | 1,597,678 | | Effie D. Silva | 2024 | 407,358 | 379,350 | 334,229 | 8,879 | 1,129,816 | | SVP, General Counsel | 2023 | 394,462 | 201,005 | 68,405 | 8,403 | 672,275 | | Marissa R. Tenazas SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer(5) | 2024 | 370,131 | 188,198 | 220,609 | 9,589 | 788,527 |
Summary Compensation Table
(1) These amounts represent the grant date fair value of target PSUs, which represents the probable attainment level of these awards at the time of grant, and RSUs. The assumptions underlying grant date fair value can be found in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2024. Assuming the maximum award is achieved, the grant data fair value for Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh's award would be $4,999,993. All other NEOs are capped at the target award. (2) PSUs granted in 2024 were earned and granted at 105.5% for Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh. For the remaining NEOs, the earned and granted award was capped at 100% of the target award. (3) The amounts shown in this column include the cash awards (i) earned with respect to 2024 performance under the CEO AIP or the Senior Executive AIP for Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, Ms. Vicente, Mr. Abbas, Ms. Silva, and Ms. Tenazas in the amounts of $2,667,000, $273,783, $496,400, $230,568, and $220,609, respectively and (ii) for Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, Ms. Vicente, Mr. Abbas, and Ms. Silva, payments for completed the 2022-2024 LTIP cycle in the amounts of $948,000, $123,091, $235,025 and $103,661, respectively. For more details about these plans, please refer to the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Annual Cash Incentive Awards” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Long Term Incentive Awards.” (4) The All Other Compensation column includes perquisites and other benefits. The amounts quantified below as car benefits include the amount that the Company recognized as an expense for fiscal year 2024 for each car or car allowance (where leased, the annual cost of the lease; where owned by the company, the depreciation of the car for that year), including the maintenance, insurance, and fuel expenses. The amount for Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh includes a car benefit of $30,089, and medical and dental insurance premiums of $12,794. The amount for Mr. Abbas represents family health and medical benefits. The amounts for Ms. Vicente, Ms. Silva and Ms. Tenazas include costs related to phone allowance and employer contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan. Ms. Tenazas joined the Company on March 18, 2024.
Summary Compensation Table
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards for the 2024 Fiscal Year
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for the 2024 Fiscal Year The following table provides information about equity and non-equity awards granted to our NEOs in the 2024 fiscal year.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for the 2024 Fiscal Year
| | | | | | | Estimated Future | | | All Other Share Awards: | Grant Date Fair Value | | | | | Estimated Future Payouts under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards ($)(1) | | | Payouts under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (#)(2) | | | Number of Shares of Stock | of Stock and Option | | Name | Plan | Grant Date | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Threshold | Target | Maximum | or Units (#) | Awards ($)(3) | | Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh | AIP | 5/1/2024 | 992,400(4) | 1,200,000 | 3,000,000 | | | | | | | | 2024-2026 LTIP | 5/1/2024 | 960,000(5) | 1,200,000 | 1,500,000 | | | | | | | | PSUs | 3/1/2024 | | | | 114,895 | 164,136 | 205,170 | | $3,999,994 | | Monica Vicente | AIP | 5/1/2024 | 200,548(4) | 242,500 | 363,750 | | | | | | | | 2024-2026 LTIP | 5/1/2024 | 135,800(5) | 169,750 | 212,188 | | | | | | | | PSUs | 3/1/2024 | | | | 14,173 | 20,247 | 20,247 | | 493,419 | | Mohammed Abbas | AIP | 5/1/2024 | 351,475(4) | 425,000 | 637,500 | | | | | | | | 2024-2026 LTIP | 5/1/2024 | 238,000(5) | 297,500 | 371,875 | | | | | | | | PSUs | 3/1/2024 | | | | 20,810 | 29,729 | 29,729 | | 724,496 | | Marissa R. Tenazas | AIP | 5/1/2024 | 155,403(4) | 187,912 | 281,868 | | | | | | | | 2024-2026 LTIP | 5/1/2024 | 124,958 | 156,197 | 195,246 | | | | | | | | PSUs | 4/1/2024 | | | | 5,176 | 7,394 | 7,394 | | 188,177 | | Effie D. Silva | AIP | 5/1/2024 | 168,892(4) | 204,223 | 306,334 | | | | | | | | 2024-2026 LTIP | 5/1/2024 | 114,365(5) | 142,956 | 178,695 | | | | | | | | PSUs | 3/1/2024 | | | | 10,896 | 15,566 | 15,566 | | 379,343 |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for the 2024 Fiscal Year
(1) Reflects potential value of the payout pursuant to the terms of the plan awards for the 2024 fiscal year under the CEO AIP and 2024-2026 LTIP for our CEO, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, and the Senior Executive AIP and 2024-2026 LTIP for the other NEOs, as described in the section captioned Executive Compensation under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Annual Cash Incentive Awards” and “Long Term Incentive Awards.” Please refer to the discussion under the payouts section for individual AIP awards. (2) On March 1, 2024, the Company awarded PSUs to its NEOs with a fair market value of $24.37 per share under the 2022 Omnibus Plan. The PSUs were subject to meeting a target performance goal of $261 million in adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2024 with a minimum threshold at 70% target achievement. The performance goal for this award was earned at 105.5% of the target, therefore 105.5% of the PSUs were earned by the CEO and 100% of the PSUs were earned by each NEO. The PSU grant for Ms. Tenazas was made on April 1, 2024 due to her hire date of March 18, 2024 with a fair market value of $25.45 per share under the 2022 Omnibus Plan. (3) Represents the grant date fair value for the equity awards reported in this table. For the PSUs for each NEO, the amount represents the fair market value at the award date based upon the probable outcome of the performance conditions. Refer to “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Equity Awards” for the descriptions of the PSUs and RSUs. (4) The amounts shown in this column represent the value of the incentive granted under the 2024 CEO AIP and/or 2024 AIP for Senior Executives assuming that the Return on Equity and Free Cash Flow metrics are achieved at 80%, and the Earnings Per Share metric is achieved at 86%. Each metric is measure individually what could generate a payment for lesser value. The amounts shown in this column represent the value of the incentive granted under the 2024-2026 LTIP Plan assuming that the performance goal was achieved at 80%.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for the 2024 Fiscal Year
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End The following table provides information with respect to outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs at 2024 fiscal year-end.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
| | Type of | # of shares or units of stock that have | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not | | Name | Equity Award | not vested (#) | vested ($)(1) | | Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh | 2022 PSUs | 36,101(2) | 1,194,221 | | | 2024 PSUs | 179,609(3) | 5,941,466 | | | 2023 RSUs | 16,176(4) | 535,091 | | Monica Vicente | 2022 PSUs | 909(2) | 30,065 | | | 2024 PSUs | 21,001(3) | 694,703 | | | 2022 RSUs | 607(5) | 20,071 | | | 2023 RSUs | 2,724(4) | 90,106 | | Mohammed Abbas | 2016 PSUs | 4,688(6) | 155,090 | | | 2017 PSUs | 4,193(6) | 138,716 | | | 2019 PSUs | 3,387(6) | 112,041 | | | 2020 PSUs | 2,189(6) | 72,426 | | | 2021 PSUs | 4,212(6) | 139,345 | | | 2022 PSUs | 3,529(2) | 116,730 | | | 2022 RSUs | 3,064(5) | 101,354 | | | 2023 RSUs | 7,638(4) | 252,663 | | | 2024 PSUs | 30,836(3) | 1,020,044 | | Marissa R. Tenazas | 2024 PSUs | 7,596(3) | 251,274 | | Effie D. Silva | 2022 PSUs | 909(2) | 30,065 | | | 2024 PSUs | 16,145(3) | 534,091 | | | 2022 RSUs | 607(5) | 20,071 | | | 2023 RSUs | 2,228(4) | 73,688 |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
(1) Represents the dollar value of the unvested RSUs or PSUs multiplied by the closing price of our Ordinary Shares ($33.08) on December 27, 2024, the last day of our 2024 fiscal year. The ultimate value of the awards will depend on the value of our Ordinary Shares on the actual vesting date. (2) Represents PSUs granted on July 6, 2022 to vest between July 6, 2023 and March 2, 2025. The 2022 performance objective for these PSUs was achieved at 97.3%, which means that 97.3% of the granted PSUs were achieved and will be earned and will vest equally over a three-year period. The number disclosed above represents the achieved PSUs at 97.3%. The number of outstanding shares also includes accrued dividend equivalent units (DEUs). (3) Represents PSUs granted on March 1, 2024 to vest between March 1, 2025 and March 1, 2027. The 2024 performance objective for these PSUs was achieved at 105.5%, which means that 105.5% of the target shares was granted to the CEO and 100% of the target shares were granted to the remaining NEOs. These shares vest equally over a three-year period. The number of outstanding shares also includes accrued dividend equivalent units (DEUs). (4) Represents unvested RSUs that will vest on March 2, 2025 and March 2, 2026. The number of outstanding shares also includes accrued dividend equivalent units (DEUs). (5) Represents unvested RSUs that will vest on March 2, 2025. The number of outstanding shares also includes accrued dividend equivalent units (DEUs). Represents PSUs granted in the referenced year, all of which are fully vested. Vested PSU will be settled six months after termination of employment. The number of outstanding shares also includes accrued DEUs.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
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Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table for the 2024 Fiscal Year
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table for the 2024 Fiscal Year The following table sets forth information with respect to the NEOs concerning the vesting of RSUs and PSUs in fiscal 2024. The Company no longer has outstanding stock options nor has it granted any stock options therefore no options were exercised with respect to the NEOs during the 2024 fiscal year.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table for the 2024 Fiscal Year
| | Stock Awards(1) | | | Name | Number of Shares Acquired On Vesting (#)(1) | Value Realized On Vesting ($)(2) | | Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh | 93,554(3) | 2,279,911 | | Monica Vicente | 3,637(4) | 88,634 | | Mohammed Abbas | 11,841(5) | 288,565 | | Effie D. Silva | 2,486(6) | 60,584 | | Marissa R. Tenazas | — | — |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table for the 2024 Fiscal Year
(1) Amounts in this column include dividend shares paid on the vested shares. (2) The dollar value realized represents the market value at vesting date using the closing price of our Ordinary Shares on vesting date. (3) Represents 53,389 vested PSUs from the 2021 and 2022 PSU grants and 40,165 vested RSUs from the 2020, 2021, and 2023 RSU grants. (4) Represents 848 vested PSUs from the 2022 PSU grant and 2,789 vested RSUs from the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 RSU grants. An aggregate of 2,532 shares were withheld for tax purposes. (5) Represents 3,300 vested PSUs from the 2022 PSU grant and 8,541 vested RSUs from the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 RSU grants. An aggregate of 5,064 shares were withheld for tax purposes. (6) Represents 848 vested PSUs from the 2022 PSU grant and 1,638 vested RSUs from the 2022 and 2023 RSU grants. An aggregate of 2124 shares were withheld for tax purposes.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
Pay Versus Performance
Pay Versus Performance As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid to our principal executive officer, or PEO, and for the average of the other NEOs and certain financial performance of the Company. For further information concerning the Company’s compensation philosophy and how the Company aligns executive compensation with the Company’s performance, refer to “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
Pay Versus Performance
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Pay Versus Performance
| | | | Average Summary | Average | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On: | | | | | Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO(1) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(2) | Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs(3) | Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs(4) | Total Shareholder Return(5) | Peer Group Total Shareholder Return(6) | Net Income (millions)(7) | EBITDA (millions)(8) | | (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | (h) | (i) | | 2024 | $8,857,945 | $9,767,649 | $1,406,662 | $1,477,383 | $105.78 | $124.27 | $141.6 | $273.9 | | 2023 | $4,449,489 | $4,326,157 | $892,993 | $844,022 | $81.18 | $114.36 | $(1.6) | $124.1 | | 2022 | $6,130,560 | $5,375,558 | $843,407 | $628,138 | $78.74 | $104.79 | $97.7 | $241.8 | | 2021 | $5,470,325 | $5,698,163 | $1,225,904 | $1,264,940 | $81.16 | $108.31 | $79.9 | $206.1 | | 2020 | $5,911,194 | $4,176,140 | $1,338,101 | $1,147,163 | $69.66 | $98.07 | $46.3 | $177.4 |
Pay Versus Performance
(1) The dollar amounts reported in column (b) are the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh (our Chief Executive Officer) for each corresponding year in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Refer to “Executive Compensation – Executive Compensation Tables – Summary Compensation Table.” (2) The dollar amounts reported in column (c) represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh’s total compensation for each year to determine the compensation actually paid:
Pay Versus Performance
| Year | Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO | Reported Value of Equity Awards(a) | Equity Award Adjustments(b) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO | | 2024 | $8,857,945 | $(4,000,000) | $4,909,704 | $9,767,649 | | 2023 | $4,449,489 | $(2,433,301) | $2,309,969 | $4,326,157 | | 2022 | $6,130,560 | $(3,179,283) | $2,424,281 | $5,375,558 | | 2021 | $5,470,325 | $(3,156,854) | $3,384,692 | $5,698,163 | | 2020 | $5,911,194 | $(2,492,463) | $757,409 | $4,176,140 |
Pay Versus Performance
(a) The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year. (b) The equity award adjustments for each applicable year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year.
Pay Versus Performance
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Pay Versus Performance
The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:
Pay Versus Performance
| Year | Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards of Equity Awards Granted in the Year | Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards | Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year | Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year | Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year | Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation | Total Equity Award Adjustments PEO | | 2024 | $5,728,232 | $605,322 | $— | $(152,396) | $(1,391,591) | $120,137 | $4,909,704 | | 2023 | $1,987,991 | $6,882 | $— | $281,614 | $(71,892) | $105,374 | $2,309,969 | | 2022 | $2,662,790 | $(109,442) | $— | $(39,811) | $(149,551) | $60,295 | $2,424,281 | | 2021 | $3,174,399 | $266,406 | $— | $100,230 | $(163,676) | $7,333 | $3,384,692 | | 2020 | $1,761,924 | $(945,548) | $274,200 | $(368,638) | $— | $35,471 | $757,409 |
Pay Versus Performance
(3) The dollar amounts reported in column (d) represent the average of the amounts reported for the Company’s NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh) in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table in each applicable year. The names of each of the NEOs included for purposes of calculating the average amounts in each applicable year are as follows: (i) for 2023, Monica Vicente, Mohammed Abbas, Jesus Rodriguez Calvo, Effie D. Silva and Ziad Nabulsi; (ii) for 2022, Monica Vicente, Mohammed Abbas, Ziad Nabulsi, Helmuth Lutty, Youssef Zakharia and Eduardo Bezerra; (iii) for 2021, Eduardo Bezerra, Mohammed Abbas, Youssef Zakharia and Marlene M. Gordon; and (iv) for 2020, Eduardo Bezerra, Youssef Zakharia, Annunciata Cerioli and Marlene M. Gordon. (4) The dollar amounts reported in column (e) represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh), as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to these NEOs as a group during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for these NEOs for each year to determine the compensation actually paid, using the same methodology described above in Note 2:
Pay Versus Performance
| Year | Average Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs | Average Reported Value of Equity Awards | Average Equity Award Adjustments* | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs | | 2024 | $1,406,662 | $(446,366) | $517,087 | $1,477,383 | | 2023 | $892,993 | $314,437 | $265,466 | $844,022 | | 2022 | $843,407 | $(136,720) | $(78,549) | $628,138 | | 2021 | $1,225,904 | $(429,688) | $468,724 | $1,264,940 | | 2020 | $1,338,101 | $(381,503) | $190,565 | $1,147,163 |
Pay Versus Performance
* The amounts deducted or added in calculating the total average equity award adjustments are as follows:
Pay Versus Performance
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Pay Versus Performance
| Year | Average Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Year | Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards | Average Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year | Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year | Average Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year | Average Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation | Total Average Equity Award Adjustments | | 2024 | $603,181 | $31,606 | $— | $(5,294) | $(116,038) | $3,632 | $517,087 | | 2023 | $256,893 | $361 | $— | $7,442 | $(3,284) | $4,054 | $265,466 | | 2022 | $226,694 | $(6,175) | $— | $(449) | $(308,609) | $9,989 | $(78,549) | | 2021 | $434,433 | $46,389 | $— | $13,119 | $(27,428) | $2,211 | $468,724 | | 2020 | $270,215 | $(81,151) | $37,222 | $(36,960) | $— | $1,238 | $190,565 |
Pay Versus Performance
(5) Cumulative TSR is calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between the Company’s share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by the Company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period. (6) Represents the weighted peer group TSR, weighted according to the respective companies’ stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. The peer group used for this purpose is the published industry index S&P 600 Food Products. (7) The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year. (8) EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization, income tax provision (benefit), and share-based compensation expense. While the Company uses several financial and non-financial performance measures for the purpose of evaluating performance for the Company’s compensation programs, the Company has determined that EBITDA is the financial performance measure that, in the Company’s assessment, represents the most important performance measure (that is not otherwise required to be disclosed in the table) used by the Company to link compensation actually paid to the Company’s NEOs, for the most recently completed fiscal year, to Company performance.
CEO PAY RATIO
CEO PAY RATIO As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the median annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of our CEO. For 2024, our last completed fiscal year: • The median of the annual total compensation of all our employees (other than our CEO) was $7,965; and • The annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table included elsewhere in this proxy statement, was $8,857,945. Based on this information, for 2024 the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees was 1,112 to 1. We took the following steps to identify the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of our median employee and our CEO: 1) We selected November 30, 2024 as the date upon which we would identify the “median employee” to allow sufficient time to identify the median employee given the global scope of our operations. We determined that, as of November 30, 2024, our employee population consisted of approximately 40,892 individuals. This population consisted of our full-time, part-time, and temporary employees employed with us as of the determination date, of which 1,250 were located in the United States and 39,642 were located in the other 38 countries in which we operate. 2) To identify the “median employee” from our employee population, we used the following methodology: a) We considered all our employees in the different countries where we are located. b) We used the amount of “gross wages” for the identified employees as reflected in our payroll records for the eleven-month period beginning January 1, 2024 and ending November 30, 2024. c) We determined our sample size and took a representative sample from each country based on below: i) For countries where employee headcount is less than 1% of the total Company headcount, we took a sample of one so that all countries will be represented in the analysis; ii) For countries whose employee headcount is more than 1% of the total Company headcount, a sample size was determined based on a pre-determined formula; iii) Once the sample size from the different countries were determined, random sampling was applied to ensure fairness of data when determining the median employee (sample used in 2024 was 256); and iv) The resulting random sampling of employees was stacked to identify the median employee. d) For gross wages, we generally used the total amount of compensation the employees were paid before any taxes, deductions, insurance premiums, and other payroll withholding. 3) For the annual total compensation of our median employee, we identified and calculated the elements of that employee’s compensation for 2024 in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x), resulting in annual total compensation of 7,965. Since the median employee is located in Costa Rica, to arrive at this amount, we converted the employee’s pay from the local currency based on an exchange rate of 507.2794 Costa Rican Colones to each U.S. Dollar (the exchange rate as of November 30, 2024). For the annual total compensation of our CEO, we used the amount reported in the “Total” column of our Summary Compensation Table included in this proxy statement.
CEO PAY RATIO
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