DEF 14A of TE Connectivity plc
Filed Jan 17, 2024 · FY20230001558370-24-000315
Director nominees
Director nominees
Director nominees
| Board changes since 2017 5 of 9 independent director nominees have joined the Board | | | | | | | Jean-Pierre Clamadieu Independent Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Solvay S.A. Age 65 Tenure 2023 Committee: NGCC | Terrence R. Curtin Executive Director Chief Executive Officer, TE Connectivity Ltd. Age 55 Tenure 2016 | | | | Laura H. Wright Independent Former Chief Financial Officer, Southwest Airlines Co. Age 63 Tenure 2014 Committee: AC (Financial Expert) Dawn C. Willoughby Independent Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer The Clorox Company Age 54 Tenure 2020 Committee: MDCC | | | | | | | | | | : | | | Meeting attendance > 90% • Overall attendance at Board and Committee meetings • There were 5 Board meetings in Fiscal Year 2023 | | Mark C. Trudeau Independent Former President, Chief Executive Officer, Mallinckrodt plc Age 62 Tenure 2016 Committee: MDCC | Abhijit Y. Talwalkar Independent Former President and Chief Executive Officer, LSI Corporation Age 59 Tenure 2017 Committee: MDCC (Chair) | | Committees: AC – Audit MDCC – Management Development & Compensation NGCC – Nominating Governance & Compliance | | | |
Director nominees
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Director nominees
| | | | | | | | | Independence – Director Nominees ■ Independent 9 ■ Not Independent 2 | | Carol A. (“John”) Davidson Current Lead Independent Director Former Senior Vice President Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, Tyco International Ltd. Age 68 Tenure 2016 Committee: AC (Chair) (Financial Expert) | Lynn A. Dugle Independent Former Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board, Engility Holdings, Inc Age 64 Tenure 2020 Committee: AC (Financial Expert) | | | | | William A. Jeffrey Independent Retired Chief Executive Officer, SRI International Age 64 Tenure 2012 Committee: NGCC (Chair) | | | | | Syaru Shirley Lin Independent Research Professor, University of Virginia Age 55 Tenure 2022 Committee: NGCC | | | | Heath A. Mitts Executive Director Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, TE Connectivity Ltd. Age 52 Tenure 2021 | | | Lead Independent Director ● Board currently maintains a Lead Independent Director with robust authority |
Director nominees
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AGENDA ITEM NO. 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS At the Annual General Meeting, upon the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee, the Board of Directors proposes eleven (11) nominees for individual election as directors to hold office until the Annual General Meeting of shareholders in 2025. All eleven (11) nominees are current directors of TE Connectivity Ltd. Current board member Thomas J. Lynch has decided to retire from the Board of Directors and not stand for reelection. All nominees are listed below with brief biographies.
Vote Requirement to Elect Directors
Vote Requirement to Elect Directors The approval of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting, whether in person or by proxy, is required for approval of the election of each of the eleven (11) nominees for director.
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of the eleven (11) nominees for director.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors TE promotes a high performing culture through highly engaged employees who are both inclusive and open to diverse perspectives, fostering TE’s purpose of creating a safer, sustainable, productive and connected future. The Company executes on this vision by building on three central pillars – Inclusion, Diversity and Engagement. See “Board Diversity and Self-Assessment” below for additional information. The Company’s Board Governance Principles require that the Board as a whole is constituted to be strong in its collective knowledge of and diversity of experience in accounting and finance, management and leadership, vision and strategy, business operations, business judgment, crisis management, risk assessment, industry knowledge, corporate governance and global markets. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee designs searches for candidates to fill vacancies on the board and makes recommendations for director nominations to the board. When preparing to search for a new director, the committee takes into account the experience, qualifications, skills and expertise of the board's current members. The committee seeks candidates who have a history of achievement and leadership and are experienced in areas relevant to the Company's business such as international trade, finance, technology, manufacturing processes and marketing. The committee also considers independence, as defined by applicable law, stock exchange listing standards and the categorical standards listed in the Company's Board Governance Principles, which are set forth in the "Board Organization and Independence of its Members" section of the Principles, and which can be found on the Company's website at https://www.te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/about-te/our-company/global/leadership/leadership-documents/board-governance-principles To assist with determining the needs of the board, the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee developed and maintains a Diversity and Skills Matrix to assist in the consideration of the appropriate balance of experience, skills and attributes required of a director and to be represented on the board of directors as a whole. The Diversity and Skills Matrix is based on the Company's strategic plan and is reviewed and updated by the Board on a regular basis. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee evaluates candidates against the Diversity and Skills Matrix when determining whether to recommend candidates for initial election to the Board of Directors and when determining whether to recommend currently serving directors for re-election. In addition, our Board considers director tenure in connection with evaluating current directors for nomination for re-election. It is the general policy of the Board not to nominate directors who have reached the age of 72 for re-election, although the Board may determine to waive this policy in individual cases. See “Board Retirement Policy” below for additional information.
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
The professional experience, qualifications, skills and expertise of each nominee is set forth immediately below and in the director Diversity and Skills Matrix that follows the Board’s biographies. The Board and the Company believe that all nominees possess additional qualities, business knowledge and personal attributes valuable to their service on the Board and that all have demonstrated commitment to ethical and moral values and personal and professional integrity. The Board of Directors has concluded that the experience, qualifications, skills and expertise of each director nominee qualifies each nominee to serve as a director of the Company.
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| Age 65 Director since 2023 Current Public Company Directorships ● Airbus SE ● Engie SA (Chair) TE Board committee ●Nominating Governance & Compliance Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ● AXA SA ● Solvay S.A. ● Rhodia SA ● Faurecia SA | Jean-Pierre Clamadieu – Independent Chairman, ENGIE S.A. Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Solvay S.A. Professional Highlights Mr. Clamadieu is Chairman of the Board of Directors of ENGIE S.A., a French multinational utility company mainly active in the power and gas sectors. He was first appointed in May 2018 and has been reelected in April 2022 for 4 years. From 2011 to 2019 Mr. Clamadieu served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Solvay S.A., a Belgian multinational chemical company. In 1993, he joined the Rhône-Poulenc group where he held several management positions. Following the creation of Rhodia SA as a spin-off of the chemicals and polymers activities of Rhône-Poulenc Mr. Clamadieu held a variety of leadership roles in this organization, including Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2008 to 2011. In September 2011 Rhodia was acquired by the Solvay Group. Between 1981 - 1993, he held various positions in the French Public Service. Mr. Clamadieu graduated from École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris with an engineering degree. He is Chief Engineer of the Corps of Mines. Nominee Qualifications Mr. Clamadieu brings a range of valuable expertise to the Board. He has held multiple global leadership positions, including as a two-time CEO of global chemicals companies, and has proven himself as an effective leader both in times of financial crisis and in growth. He has held numerous Independent Director and Chairman roles with international companies in industry relevant to TE Connectivity. Mr. Clamadieu has strong global experience. Prior to becoming CEO of Rhodia, he held numerous multijurisdictional and global leadership positions. He has served on (or currently serves on) the Board of Directors of global businesses of scale across the aerospace, financial services, utilities, chemicals and industrial sectors. Mr. Clamadieu’s international business experience and perspective make him a valuable asset for providing essential business guidance to the Board and the Company. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| Age 55 Executive Director since 2016 Chief Executive Officer since 2017 Current Public Company Directorships ● DuPont de Nemours Inc. TE Board committee ● None Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ● None | Terrence R. Curtin - Executive Director Chief Executive Officer, TE Connectivity Ltd. Professional Highlights Mr. Curtin has served as the Chief Executive Officer of TE Connectivity since March 2017. Previously Mr. Curtin served as President of TE Connectivity from March 2015 and immediately prior to that served as Executive Vice President and President, Industrial Solutions since August 2012. Previously he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from October 2006 through July 2012. Mr. Curtin served on the TE Connectivity Board prior to our separation from Tyco International and was Vice President and Corporate Controller at Tyco Electronics since 2001. Prior to joining TE Connectivity, Mr. Curtin worked for Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Curtin has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Albright College. Nominee Qualifications Mr. Curtin has extensive knowledge of our Company and executive leadership experience having served as an employee of ours since 2001 and in executive leadership positions at TE Connectivity since 2006 including having served as our Chief Executive Officer since March 2017. In his prior role as President, Mr. Curtin was responsible for all of TE’s connectivity and sensor businesses and mergers and acquisitions activities. In his prior role as President, Industrial Solutions, Mr. Curtin was responsible for the operations and strategic direction of TE’s Industrial, Energy, and Aerospace, Defense, Oil and Gas businesses. As TE’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Curtin was responsible for developing and implementing the financial strategy for TE and for creating the financial infrastructure necessary to drive the Company’s financial direction, vision and compliance initiatives. Mr. Curtin is also a Certified Public Accountant and has been a member of the U.S. China Business Council since June 2018. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| Age 68 Director since 2016 Current Public Company Directorships ●FMC Corporation ●International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. TE Board committee ●Audit (Chair) Financial Expert Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ●Allergan plc ●Legg Mason, Inc ●DaVita Inc. ●Pentair plc | Carol A. (“John”) Davidson – Current Lead Independent Director Former Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, Tyco International Ltd. Professional Highlights Mr. Davidson served as the Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Tyco International Ltd., a provider of diversified industrial products and services, from January 2004 to September 2012. Between 1997 and 2004, Mr. Davidson held a variety of leadership roles at Dell Inc., a computer and technology services company, including the positions of Vice President, Audit, Risk and Compliance, and Vice President, Corporate Controller. From 1981 to 1997, Mr. Davidson held a variety of accounting and financial leadership roles at Eastman Kodak Company, a provider of imaging technology products and services. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John Fisher University and an MBA from the University of Rochester. Nominee Qualifications Mr. Davidson is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive leadership experience across multiple industries and brings a strong track record of building and leading global teams and implementing governance and controls processes. From January 2013 to August 2018 he served on the Board of Governors of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), an independent regulator of securities firms. In addition, until December 2015, he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Accounting Foundation which oversees financial accounting and reporting standards setting processes for the United States. Mr. Davidson’s significant experience with complex accounting and financial issues combined with his knowledge of public reporting requirements and processes bring accounting and financial management insight to the Board. Mr. Davidson brings over ten years of public company directorship experience to the Board. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| ● ● ● Financial Expert) | | | Age 64 Director since 2020 Current Public Company Directorships ●EOG Resources, Inc. ●KBR, Inc. ●Micron Technology Inc. TE Board committee ● Audit Financial Expert Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ● State Street Corporation | Lynn A. Dugle – Independent Former Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board, Engility Holdings, Inc. Professional Highlights Ms. Dugle joined Engility in 2016 and formerly served as Engility’s (NYSE: EGL) chief executive officer, president and chairman of the board of directors before leading the sale of the company to SAIC (NYSE: SAIC) in 2019. Prior to joining Engility, Ms. Dugle spent more than a decade in senior management positions at Raytheon and retired from the company in March 2015 as a Raytheon Company vice president and President of Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS) which housed Raytheon’s Cyber and Special Operations division. Prior to her President’s role, Ms. Dugle was vice president of engineering, technology and quality for the former Raytheon Network Centric Systems (NCS). Before joining Raytheon in April 2004, Ms. Dugle held a number of officer-level positions culminating in a general management role with ADC Telecommunications. Ms. Dugle earned a bachelor’s of science in technical management and a bachelor’s of arts in Spanish from Purdue University. She received a master’s of business administration from The University of Texas at Dallas. Nominee Qualifications Ms. Dugle has more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in defense, intelligence and high-tech industries. As the former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Engility Holdings, Ms. Dugle brings to the Board valuable experience in leading the development of large businesses with a focus on information, technology and security matters. Prior to her role at Engility, Ms. Dugle was responsible for advanced cyber solutions, cyber security services and information-based solutions at Raytheon. Ms. Dugle also has leadership experience with respect to strategy and global operations, including with respect to engineering, technology and quality functions. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| ● ●Compliance ● | | | Age 64 Director since 2012 Current Public Company Directorships ●None TE Board committee ●Nominating Governance & Compliance (Chair) Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ●None | William A. Jeffrey – Independent Retired Chief Executive Officer, SRI International Professional Highlights The Honorable Dr. William A. Jeffrey served as Chief Executive Officer of SRI International, a research and development organization serving government and industry, from September 2014 to December 2021. From September 2008 through August 2014, Dr. Jeffrey was Chief Executive Officer and President of HRL Laboratories, LLC, an automotive, aerospace and defense research and development laboratory. From 2007 through 2008, he was the Director of the Science and Technology Division of the Institute for Defense Analyses and prior to that he was Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology from 2005. From 2002 to 2005, Dr. Jeffrey served in the White House as Senior Director of Homeland and National Security and Assistant Director of Space and Aeronautics in the Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology Policy. He began his career at the Institute for Defense Analyses in 1988. Nominee Qualifications Dr. Jeffrey brings exceptional technical and scientific expertise and leadership experience to the Board as a former CEO of a private technology research organization with broad technical experience relevant to TE’s major markets as well as in innovation strategies, particularly as related to research and development. He has almost 20 years of government executive experience and experience in U.S. public policy. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| Age 55 Director since 2022 Current Public Company Directorships ● Langham Hospitality Investments ● Mediatek, Inc. TE Board committee ●Nominating Governance & Compliance Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ●Swire Pacific ●Mercuries Life Insurance | Syaru Shirley Lin – Independent Research Professor, University of Virginia Professional Highlights Professor Lin has been Research Professor since 2022 and had previously been Compton Visiting Professor of World Politics since 2019 at the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. She is also a Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institution and an Adjunct Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and chairs the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation (CAPRI). Previously, she was with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. holding multiple positions, including Managing Director and Partner, Principal Investment Area, based in Hong Kong from 2000 to 2003, Vice President, Principal Investment Area from 1997 to 2000, and Associate, Corporate Finance, Investment Banking from 1994 to 1997. Prof. Lin earned a doctoral degree in Politics and Public Administration in 2010 from the University of Hong Kong; a master's degree in International and Public Affairs, in 2005 from the University of Hong Kong and an A.B. degree in East Asian Studies, in 1990 from Harvard College. Nominee Qualifications Prof. Lin brings a range of valuable expertise to the Board. She has more than 10 years of instructional experience in international relations, international and comparative political economy in the United States and Asia as well as over a decade of analytical and investment experience in the investment banking industry. Prof. Lin brings vast knowledge on international matters, with a focus on the Asia Pacific environment, to the Board. Her senior leadership experience with Goldman Sachs lent her the opportunity to gain valuable experience by serving on the boards of private and publicly listed companies in the U.S., China, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. She brings deep China/APAC experience across many sectors, including as an executive, board director, researcher, author and lecturer. Prof. Lin also has leadership experience with respect to strategy and global operations, gained by managing over 30 investment professionals and administrators based in Asia, including Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo and Singapore, making investments in twelve countries. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| Age 52 Director since 2021 Current Public Company Directorships ●Columbus McKinnon Corporation (until January 31, 2024) ●Veralto Corporation TE Board committee ●None Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ●None | Heath A. Mitts – Executive Director Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, TE Connectivity Ltd. Professional Highlights Mr. Mitts has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at TE Connectivity since September 2016. Previously he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at IDEX Corporation, a globally diversified company specializing in fluid, metering, health and science technologies, as well as fire, safety and other products, from March 2011 until September 2016. Mr. Mitts joined IDEX as Vice President, Corporate Finance in September 2005. Mr. Mitts holds an MBA in finance from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor’s degree in finance and political science from Southern Methodist University. Nominee Qualifications Mr. Mitts has extensive knowledge of our Company and executive leadership experience having served as our Chief Financial Officer since 2016. In addition, Mr. Mitts’ other qualifications to serve on our Board include his senior leadership and governance experience, his extensive finance and accounting background and his international business experience. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| Age 59 Director since 2017 Current Public Company Directorships ● Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. ● iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (Chair) ● Lam Research Corporation (Chair) TE Board committee ● Management Development & Compensation (Chair) Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ● None | Abhijit Y. Talwalkar – Independent Former President and Chief Executive Officer, LSI Corporation Professional Highlights Mr. Talwalkar is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of LSI Corporation, a leading provider of silicon, systems and software technologies for the storage and networking markets, a position he held from May 2005 until the completion of LSI’s merger with Avago Technologies in May 2014. From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Talwalkar was employed by Intel Corporation, the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the industry. At Intel, he held a number of senior management positions, including Corporate Vice President and Co-General Manager of the Digital Enterprise Group, which was comprised of Intel’s business client, server, storage and communications businesses, and as Vice President and General Manager for the Intel Enterprise Platform Group, where he focused on developing, marketing, and driving Intel business strategies for enterprise computing. Prior to joining Intel, Mr. Talwalkar held senior engineering and marketing positions at Sequent Computer Systems, a multiprocessing computer systems design and manufacturer that later became a part of IBM; Bipolar Integrated Technology, Inc., a VLSI bipolar semiconductor company; and Lattice Semiconductor Inc., a service driven developer of programmable design solutions widely used in electronic systems. Mr. Talwalkar has a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University. Nominee Qualifications Mr. Talwalkar brings experience as a public company executive officer and director, along with a proven record of executive leadership including nine years as a chief executive officer. Mr. Talwalkar served as a member of the board of directors of the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association, a semiconductor industry trade association from May 2005 to May 2014. He was additionally a member of the U.S. delegation for World Semiconductor Council proceedings. His experience in marketing, mergers and acquisitions and other business and operations experience brings relevant insight to the Board. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| Age 62 Director since 2016 Current Public Company Directorships ● None TE Board committee ● Management Development & Compensation Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ● Mallinckrodt plc | Mark C. Trudeau – Independent Former President, Chief Executive Officer, Mallinckrodt plc Professional Highlights Mr. Trudeau served from June 2013 until June 2022 as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Mallinckrodt plc, a global business that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes specialty pharmaceuticals and therapies, which filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in October 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Trudeau served as Senior Vice President and President of the Pharmaceuticals business of Covidien plc beginning in February 2012. He joined Covidien from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals LLC USA, the U.S. healthcare business of Bayer AG, where he served as Chief Executive Officer. He simultaneously served as President of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. organization of Bayer’s global pharmaceuticals business. In addition, he served as Interim President of the global specialty medicine business unit from January to August 2010. Prior to joining Bayer in 2009, Mr. Trudeau headed the immuno science Division at Bristol Myers Squibb. During his 10 plus years at Bristol Myers Squibb, he served in multiple senior roles, including President of the Asia/Pacific region, President and General Manager of Canada and General Manager/Managing Director in the United Kingdom. Mr. Trudeau also served in a variety of executive positions at Abbott Laboratories from 1988 to 1998. Mr. Trudeau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and an MBA, both from the University of Michigan. Nominee Qualifications Mr. Trudeau brings experience as a public company executive officer and director, along with a proven record of executive leadership and strong global business expertise including in the areas of strategy, operations and management, as well as other areas of business. Mr. Trudeau has over three decades of leadership positions at global companies which makes him well suited to provide valuable insight to our board and meets the SEC definition of an audit committee financial expert. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| Age 54 Director since 2020 Current Public Company Directorships ● J. M. Smucker Company ● International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. TE Board committee ● Management Development & Compensation Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ● None | Dawn C. Willoughby – Independent Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Clorox Company Professional Highlights Ms. Willoughby was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Clorox Company, a manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products, from September 2014 through January 2019. She also served as the company’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, Clorox Cleaning Division; Vice President and General Manager, Home Care Products; and Vice President and General Manager, Glad Products, along with several other positions since she began there in 2001. Prior to her career at The Clorox Company, Ms. Willoughby spent nine years with The Procter & Gamble Company, where she held several positions in sales management. Ms. Willoughby obtained a Bachelor of Arts in sports management from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles Anderson School of Business. Nominee Qualifications Ms. Willoughby is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to her prior business experience and experience serving as a public company director. Ms. Willoughby brings an extensive background leading business operations through her former roles with The Clorox Company and The Procter & Gamble Company. She also brings strong insights regarding sustainability through her former role with The Clorox Company. In addition, Ms. Willoughby’s background enables her to provide valuable insights to the Board, particularly in management, strategy, sales, marketing, and sustainability. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
| Age 63 Director since 2014 Current Public Company Directorships ● Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. ● CMS Energy Corporation and its subsidiary Consumers Energy Company ● Joby Aviation, Inc. TE Board committee ● Audit Financial Expert Other Public Company Directorships within the past five years ● None | Laura H. Wright – Independent Former Chief Financial Officer of Southwest Airlines Professional Highlights Ms. Wright retired in 2012 as Chief Financial Officer of Southwest Airlines, a provider of air transportation in the United States. During her 25 year career at Southwest, she served in a variety of financial roles including Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. She began her career at Arthur Young & Co. in 1982 as a member of their tax staff, following which she became a Tax Manager from 1986 through 1988. Ms. Wright holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in accounting from the University of North Texas and is a Certified Public Accountant. Nominee Qualifications Ms. Wright brings extensive large public company leadership experience, including nine years as Chief Financial Officer and six years as Treasurer. As a former Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, she brings finance experience, including corporate financial reporting, risk management, capital markets, investor relations, tax, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions to the Board. She also brings ten years of public company directorship experience to the Board and meets the SEC definition of an audit committee financial expert. |
Qualifications of Nominees Recommended by the Board of Directors
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Voting Standards for the Election of Directors
Voting Standards for the Election of Directors Directors are elected by an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, at a general meeting of shareholders and serve until the next Annual General Meeting of shareholders. In an uncontested election of directors, any nominee for director who does not receive at least half plus one additional vote of the share votes cast at the meeting is not elected to the Board.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors The Board of Directors currently consists of twelve (12) directors, eleven of whom are nominees for election. The Board held five meetings in fiscal year 2023. All of the incumbent directors attended greater than 90% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which they served in fiscal 2023. It is the policy of the Board that directors are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting of shareholders. All twelve of the current directors attended the 2023 Annual General Meeting of shareholders. An annual performance evaluation is conducted by the Board and each of its committees to determine whether they are functioning effectively. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee plans and recommends to the Board the method of evaluation. In 2023, the Company’s General Counsel was appointed by the Board to gather information from directors through individual discussions and interviews and to report results back to the Board and Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee for consideration of actions to be taken as a result of the evaluation.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
| CD&A Table of Contents | | Page | | Highlights | Introduction | 51 | | | Executive Summary/Compensation Highlights & Governance (including Say-on-Pay) | 51-53 | | Compensation Elements and Pay Determination | Executive Compensation Philosophy, Principles & Peer Groups | 53-55 | | | Determining Executive Compensation | 55 | | | Compensation Assessment | 55 | | | NEO Compensation Paid or Awarded for Performance | 56 | | | - Base Salary | 56 | | | - Annual Cash Incentive Awards | 56-59 | | | - Long-Term Incentive Awards | 60-61 | | | Other Benefits and Perquisites | 62 | | Policies and Practices | Executive Stock Ownership Requirements | 62 | | | Termination Payments | 63 | | | Swiss Law Requirements | 63 | | | Insider Trading Policy | 64 | | | Clawbacks and Other Remedies for Potential Misconduct | 64 | | | Roles and Responsibilities of MDCC, Independent Nonemployee Members of the Board of Directors, Consultant & CEO | 65 | | | Tax Deductibility and Risk Profile | 66 | | Other | Management Development and Compensation Committee Report | 67 | | | Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation | 67 | | Executive Compensation | Summary Compensation Table | 68-69 | | | Grants of Plan-Based Awards | 70 | | | Outstanding Equity Awards | 71 | | | Option Exercises and Stock Vested | 72 | | | Pension Benefits | 72 | | | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation | 72-73 | | | Termination and Change in Control Payments | 73-76 | | | CEO Pay Ratio | 76-77 | | | Pay-versus-Performance (PVP) | 77-81 | | | Compensation of Non-Employee Directors | 81-82 |
Executive Summary - Fiscal 2023 Executive Compensation Highlights and Governance
| ● | Request for shareholder approval of our executive compensation programs and board of directors compensation can be found in Agenda Items No. 8, No. 9, No. 10 and No. 11. |
Executive Summary - Fiscal 2023 Executive Compensation Highlights and Governance
| Pay Component | Purpose & Metrics | % of target total compensation | | | | | CEO | NEO | | Base Salary | – Fixed cash income to retain and attract highly marketable executives in a competitive market for executive talent. | 8% | 19% | | Annual Short-term Incentive | – Focuses our executives on achieving financial and other business objectives. – FY2023 Metrics: Revenue, Operating Income, Strategic Priorities (KPIs) and Earnings Per Share | 13% | 17% | | Annual Long-term Incentive | – Further aligns the focus of our executives with stockholders through the use of multi-year performance goals and stock ownership. – FY2023 Vehicles: • 50% Performance Stock Units (PSU) • 50% Stock Options (SO) | 79% | 64% |
Executive Summary - Fiscal 2023 Executive Compensation Highlights and Governance
| | | | | Messrs. Stucki and Jenkins had increases in base salary to maintain their competitive pay position in the marketplace | Approved payouts ranged from 102.0% to 112.2% of target based on performance against metrics | Annual Grants were delivered in the form of PSU (50%) and SO (50%); FY2021 PSU with a three-year performance cycle vested in December 2023 above target range |
What We Do
| √ Link pay to performance with a high percentage of variable compensation | √ Include a “clawback” provision in all executive officer incentive award agreements (both annual and long-term), in addition to adopting the NYSE mandated executive “clawback” policy | | √ Perform annual say-on-pay advisory vote for shareholders | √ Maintain robust stock ownership requirements for executives (6x CEO, 3x executive officers) | | √ Perform mandatory (under Swiss Law) say-on-pay vote on maximum aggregate compensation for Board of Directors and executive management | √ Include performance criteria in incentive plans | | √ Follow principles of executive compensation that are included in our Articles of Association and have been approved by our shareholders | √ Retain a fully independent external compensation consultant whose independence is reviewed annually by the MDCC | | √ Design compensation programs to mitigate undue risk-taking | √ Provide only limited non-business aircraft usage | | √ Align executive compensation with shareholder returns through long-term incentives | √ Maintain an insider trading policy applicable to all executive officers and employees | | √ Cap incentive compensation payments for individuals including our CEO | √ Review share utilization annually |
Executive Compensation Principles
| Shareholder alignment | – Designed to focus our executives on creating shareholder value – Long-term incentive awards, delivered in the form of equity, make up a significant percentage of our executives’ total compensation and closely align the interests of executives with the long-term interests of our shareholders | | Performance based | – Designed to ensure pay realized by our leaders varies with both company and individual performance – Annual cash incentive awards are tied to overall corporate, segment or business unit measures that are tailored to the characteristics and priorities of our business units – Long-term incentive awards are designed to reward our executive officers for creating long-term shareholder value. Long-term incentive awards are granted primarily in the form of stock options and performance stock units | | Appropriate risk | – Designed to encourage executive officers to take appropriate risks in managing their businesses to achieve optimal performance – Oversee and review annually the results of the assessment of risks related to the Company’s compensation policies and programs for officers and employees | | Competitive with external talent markets | – Designed to ensure that our programs are competitive within the relevant markets for leadership talent – As one input to developing and assessing the continued appropriateness of executive pay programs that meet our specific objectives, we consider the practices of other companies with which we compete for talent, business and capital – To provide balanced context, we consider compensation and governance practices drawn from a group of electronics and related industry companies that align with our business segments (our “Industry Peer Group”) as well as from the broader market within which we compete for executive talent. Additional market samples are also referenced to meet unique circumstances where appropriate | | Focus on executive stock ownership | – Designed to ensure that our leaders own stock and directly align their long-term financial interests with all other shareholders – The TE Connectivity Stock Ownership and Retention Requirement Plan, together with long-term equity awards, drives executive stock ownership – The CEO is required to hold shares equal to six times his base salary, and the other named executive officers are required to hold shares equal to three times their respective base salaries | | Simple and transparent | – Designed to ensure both our leaders and external stakeholders understand our priorities and expectations – Our executive compensation programs are designed to be readily understood by our executives, and transparent to our investors | | Fair and Equitable | – Designed to deliver fair and equitable pay based on roles and responsibilities and on company and individual performance, regardless of gender, race/ethnicity or any other individual demographics |
Industry Peer Group
Industry Peer Group As context in establishing pay levels, mix and practices for our Senior Executives, the MDCC periodically reviews market data. The foundation for these market data is TE’s Industry Peer Group as established by the MDCC with input from Pay Governance as its independent compensation consultant. The Industry Peer Group is comprised of companies aligned with TE’s business segments within the electronics and related industries. Individual companies are selected for their similar revenue size, market capitalization, products, or markets, or with which we compete for executive talent. The MDCC reviews and approves the peer group structure annually to ensure that the group continues to be an appropriate and balanced reference. It is our main resource for reviewing executive pay levels for our CEO, CFO and Board of Directors, in assessing plan design features and trends, award decisions and in conducting pay for performance analyses. Based on this year’s review there were no changes made to the peer group.
Industry Peer Group
| 54 | 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement |
Industry Peer Group
As shown below, the fiscal year 2023 industry peer group continues to include 21 companies, with publicly disclosed fiscal-annual revenues ranging from $5.3 billion to $38.5 billion and a median of $15.6 billion.
Industry Peer Group
| 3M Company | Eaton Corporation | NXP Semiconductors N.V. | | Amphenol Corporation | Emerson Electric Co. | Parker-Hannifin Corporation | | Aptiv PLC | Fortive Corporation | Rockwell Automation Inc. | | Carrier Global Corporation | General Dynamics Corporation | Stanley Black & Decker Inc. | | Corning Inc. | Honeywell International Inc. | Texas Instruments Inc. | | Cummins Inc. | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Textron Inc. | | Dover Corporation | Johnson Controls International plc | Trane Technologies plc |
Industry Peer Group
Because robust data are only available for select executive leadership positions among the Industry Peer Group companies, our compensation consultant also provides the MDCC with additional third-party compensation market data (e.g., Willis Towers Watson) for a cross-industry sample of companies within a reasonable size range of TE.
Determining Executive Compensation
| Role | – Responsibilities, scope, and complexity of the executive’s role relative to external benchmark data – Relative importance of the role within TE Connectivity | | Comprehensive Market Analysis | – Comprehensive analysis of current base salary, target annual incentive opportunity, target long term incentive opportunity, target total cash compensation (base salary and target annual incentive), and target total direct compensation for each executive officer | | Performance | – Each executive’s individual performance, level of experience and expected contribution to strategic initiatives and future results | | Current Compensation | – A review of the executive’s current total direct compensation including internal pay equity and compensation history | | CEO Recommendations | – The Chief Executive Officer’s detailed performance assessments for the other executive officers and recommendations concerning compensation actions |
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2023
| Base Salary and Annual Incentive Plan | | Long-Term Equity Incentives | | Broad-based Retirement and Health and Welfare Benefits | | Total Compensation and Rewards | | Focus on Current Year Performance | | Focus on Multi- Year Performance | | Focus on Attraction and Retention | | |
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2023
Annual Cash Incentive Awards The annual incentive program is designed to focus executive officers on achieving financial and strategic priorities and reward them for performance against pre-established goals at the corporate or segment level; final payouts also may be modified to reflect the MDCC’s assessment of individual or company performance beyond these goals. Generally, the MDCC intends the annual incentive award program to provide market competitive (generally median) payouts for achieving pre-determined, target performance goals. There were two performance intervals for fiscal year 2023 with one payout at the end of the fiscal year in order to consider the ongoing challenges in our global markets, such as supply chain issues, rising energy costs, and macroeconomic uncertainty. In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the MDCC established:
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2023
| ● | Performance Criteria for the first half of the year: applicable threshold, target and maximum performance criteria for each financial performance metric for the first half of the year required to earn threshold, target and maximum bonus awards; no bonus is earned for performance below threshold on any metric and payouts vary proportionally based on actual performance achieved; |
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2023
| ● | Annual Individual Target Bonus Opportunity: a percent of each executive officer’s salary, established by the MDCC as part of the fiscal year 2023 Compensation Assessment. |
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2023
In the third quarter of fiscal 2023, the MDCC established the threshold, target and maximum performance criteria for each financial performance metric for the second half of the year required to earn threshold, target and maximum bonus awards; no bonus is earned for performance below threshold on any metric and payouts vary proportionally based on actual performance achieved.
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2023
Target Bonus Percentages The target bonus percentages for the named executive officers for fiscal year 2023 are listed below.
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2023
| | Business Segment | | | | | | | Communications | Industrial | Transportation | | Performance Metrics | Corporate | Solutions | Solutions | Solutions | | Earnings Per Share ("EPS")(1) | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | | Revenue(2) | 25% | 30% | 30% | 25% | | Operating income(2) | 35% | 30% | 30% | 35% | | Key Performance Indicator ("KPI")(3) | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2023
| | Performance Achieved (% of Target) | | | Payout Earned (% of Target) | | | | Performance Metric | Threshold | Target | Maximum* | Threshold | Target | Maximum* | | EPS (20%) | 90% | 100% | 110% | 50% | 100% | 200% | | Revenue (30%) | 95% | 100% | 105% | 50% | 100% | 200% | | Operating Income (30%) | 90% | 100% | 110% | 50% | 100% | 200% | | Key Performance Indicator (20%) | Varies by business unit | | | 50% | 100% | 200% |
Compensation Paid or Awarded in Fiscal 2023
* For performance on an individual metric (other than KPIs) that significantly exceeds the maximum goal, the MDCC, in its discretion, may recognize these exceptional results with a payout for that metric of up to 300% of target. Payouts are capped at 100% of target if operating income results are less than target. Regardless of payouts on individual metrics, the aggregate total award payout earned by an individual executive can never exceed 200% of target. For executive officers, annual incentive payouts are based solely on company and business segment performance as shown above. No individual performance metrics were assigned to any executive officer under the fiscal year 2023 annual incentive program. The MDCC reserved the discretion to adjust individual or business unit award amounts up or down, based on its evaluation of the individual or business unit performance during the fiscal year. In addition, there is a reserve pool of 10% of the total target annual incentive award pool amount that, with the MDCC’s approval, could be used to reward exceptional performance at either the business unit or individual level, regardless of performance results against the established financial measures. Annual Incentive Payments for Fiscal 2023 Fiscal year 2023 performance targets, actual attainment, and corresponding annual incentive award results at the corporate level and for the Communications Solutions and Transportation Solutions business segments for the named executive officers were as follows:
(Messrs. Curtin, Mitts, Jenkins)
| | Performance | | | Performance | Bonus | | Performance Measure (% weighting) | Period | Target | Results | % to Target | Score** | | EPS (20%) | 1H-FY 2023 | $2.95–$3.30 | $3.08 | 104.4% | 100.0% | | | 2H-FY 2023 | $3.45–$3.80 | $3.64 | 105.6% | 100.0% | | | FY 2023 | | | | 100.0% | | Business Unit Revenue (25%) | 1H-FY 2023 | $7,760–$8,055 | $7,718 | 99.5% | 93.2% | | | 2H-FY 2023 | $8,000–$8.340 | $8,116 | 101.4% | 100.0% | | | FY 2023 | | | | 96.6% | | Business Unit Operating Income (35%) | 1H-FY 2023 | $1,240–$1,415 | $1,248 | 100.6% | 100.0% | | | 2H-FY 2023 | $1,380–$1,510 | $1,426 | 103.3% | 100.0% | | | FY 2023 | | | | 100.0% | | Key Performance Indicators (20%) | FY 2023 | * | * | | 125.5% | | Corporate Level Earned Award: | | | | | 104.2% |
(Mr. Stucki)
| | Performance | | | Performance | Bonus | | Performance Measure (% weighting) | Period | Target | Results | % to Target | Score** | | EPS (20%) | 1H-FY 2023 | $2.95–$3.30 | $3.08 | 104.4% | 100.0% | | | 2H-FY 2023 | $3.45–$3.80 | $3.64 | 105.6% | 100.0% | | | FY 2023 | | | | 100.0% | | Business Unit Revenue (30%) | 1H-FY 2023 | $1,112–$1,157 | $1,024 | 92.0% | 0.00% | | | 2H-FY 2023 | $902–$967 | $897 | 99.5% | 95.1% | | | FY 2023 | | | | 47.6% | | Business Unit Operating Income (30%) | 1H-FY 2023 | 21.2-22.8% | 19.9 | 93.8% | 64.0% | | | 2H-FY 2023 | 18.6-19.9% | 18.3 | 98.5% | 93.8% | | | FY 2023 | | | | 78.9% | | Key Performance Indicators (20%) | FY 2023 | * | * | | 161.2% | | Communication Solutions Segment Earned Award: | | | | | 102.0% |
Transportation Solutions Segment
| | Performance | | | Performance | Bonus | | Performance Measure (% weighting) | Period | Target | Results | % to Target | Score** | | EPS (20%) | 1H-FY 2023 | $2.95–$3.30 | $3.08 | 104.4% | 100.0% | | | 2H-FY 2023 | $3.45–$3.80 | $3.64 | 105.6% | 100.0% | | | FY 2023 | | | | 100.0% | | Business Unit Revenue (25%) | 1H-FY 2023 | $4,845–$5,034 | $4,867 | 100.5% | 100.0% | | | 2H-FY 2023 | $4,850–$5,005 | $4,910 | 101.2% | 100.0% | | | FY 2023 | | | | 100.0% | | Business Unit Operating Income (35%) | 1H-FY 2023 | 19.4%–20.9% | 19.8% | 102.8% | 100.0% | | | 2H-FY 2023 | 21.5%–22.0% | 21.8% | 101.3% | 100.0% | | | FY 2023 | | | | 100.0% | | Key Performance Indicators (20%) | FY 2022 | * | * | | 139.0% | | Transportation Solutions Segment Earned Award: | | | | | 112.2% |
Transportation Solutions Segment
* The Company’s business segments, including Communications Solutions, Transportation Solutions and the Corporate level, were not assigned specific key performance indicator metrics for fiscal year 2023. The Communications Solutions and Transportation Solutions key performance indicator bonus score is the revenue weighted average of each of their respective business units’ key performance indicator metric scores. In setting the key performance indicator metrics for each business unit, the Company established targets that represented improvement over performance levels attained in fiscal year 2022 and that were deemed to be difficult to attain assuring strong performance and anticipated economic conditions. The Corporate Level bonus score for the key performance indicator metric is the revenue weighted average of the key performance indicator metric scores for the business segments. The Company has determined that disclosure of the target performance levels and performance results for the key performance indicator metrics for Communications Solutions, Transportation Solutions and Corporate Level would result in competitive harm. ** The bonus score is calculated based on the level of performance attained relative to the threshold, target and maximum described above for each performance measure. Messrs. Curtin, Mitts and Jenkins received fiscal year 2023 annual incentive payouts based entirely on the corporate bonus score of 104.2%. Mr. Merkt’s fiscal year 2023 annual incentive payout was based entirely on the Transportation Solutions bonus score of 112.2%. Mr. Stucki's fiscal year 2023 annual incentive payout was based on the Communications Solutions bonus score of 102%. TE will maintain the current Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) structure in fiscal 2024, with two performance intervals for financial metrics and a single payout at the end of the fiscal year. Given the ongoing challenges in our global markets, such as supply chain issues, energy cost volatility, inflationary pressures, geopolitical tensions and a macroeconomic uncertainty, we believe the two-period model provides a better line of sight and allows us to motivate and reward performance more effectively.
Transportation Solutions Segment
Long-Term Incentive Awards The Company uses equity-based long-term incentive awards in the form of performance stock units (“PSUs”) and stock options to focus leaders on long-term priorities, support stock ownership, and deliver competitive, performance-based compensation that varies with company financial and share price performance. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, the MDCC sets the fair value of these annual equity-based long-term incentive awards to be competitive with our peer groups and designs the plans to deliver compensation at the high end of the market if our stock performs particularly well and at the low end of the market if our stock performance is weak. For purposes of the PSU program, EPS is calculated in the same manner as is used in the annual incentive program, as described in further detail on page 58. The following table describes the general terms and conditions of the fiscal 2023 grants:
Transportation Solutions Segment
| Description | Performance Stock Units (PSU) | Stock Options (SO) | | Definition | Promise to deliver a share of TE stock at a specified point in the future as long as certain performance metrics are achieved | Right to purchase a share of TE common stock at a future date for a predetermined, fixed price | | Performance Period | 3 Years | 4 Years | | Performance Measure | Three year average Relative Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth against S&P500 Non-Financial Index | – | | Award Vesting (% of Target) | Threshold (25th) – 50% Target (50th) – 100% Maximum (75th) – 200% | – | | Vesting | Cliff Vesting upon the MDCC certification following the third anniversary of the grant date | 25% Ratable beginning on or after the first anniversary of the grant date | | Expiration | – | 10 years | | Dividends | Dividend Equivalent Units (DEU) vesting on the third anniversary proportional to the PSUs earned | Not applicable |
Transportation Solutions Segment
Grant of Fiscal 2023 Long-Term Incentive Awards The MDCC granted long-term equity incentive awards for fiscal year 2023 in November 2022. Fiscal year 2023 equity awards for named executive officers were made in the form of stock options (50%) and PSUs (50%). The Committee reviewed multiple factors including the Company’s peer group, succession planning, current role within the organization, experience and performance. For fiscal 2023 the MDCC approved (and in the case of Mr. Curtin, the independent members of the Board of Directors ratified) the following equity award values for the named executive officers. The awards reflect meaningful year-over-year increases in value in
Transportation Solutions Segment
Payout for Fiscal 2021 PSU Grant Fiscal year 2023 was the third year of our fiscal year 2021 PSU grant and recipients earned shares for the period calculated at 112.0% of target which reflected the Company’s performance relative to the index over the three-year period. The table below shows the shares earned and vested under the fiscal 2021 PSU grant for each of our named executive officers.
Transportation Solutions Segment
| | Fiscal 2021 | Total Fiscal 2021 | | | Target PSUs | Vested Shares | | Mr. Curtin | 47,290 | 55,824 | | Mr. Mitts | 14,600 | 17,234 | | Mr. Merkt | 12,790 | 15,096 | | Mr. Stucki | 5,310 | 6,267 | | Mr. Jenkins | 9,170 | 10,822 |
Termination Payments
Termination Payments Under the Swiss Code, members of executive management, including the NEOs, are not eligible for severance benefits or change in control severance. The terms and conditions of employment for NEOs are contained in employment contracts which reflect the requirement of the Swiss Code. Under the employment contracts, executive officers whose employment is terminated involuntarily for any reason other than cause, permanent disability or death or who voluntarily resign their employment for “good reason” within 12 months of the occurrence of a change in control will have a notice period of up to 12 months. The following table describes treatment during and at the end of the notice period:
Termination Payments
| Time Period | Treatment during the Time Period | | During the 12-month notice period (treated as regular full-time employee) | – Continue to receive base salary – Eligibility for bonus (subject to terms and conditions of the applicable plan) – Continued vesting in outstanding equity awards (under terms and conditions of the applicable award agreements); and continued health and welfare benefits. | | At the end of the 12-month notice period | – Receives twelve months’ pay as consideration for non-compete and non-solicitation covenants in favor of the Company |
Termination Payments
In the event of involuntary or “good reason” termination after a change in control under our 2007 TE Stock and Incentive Plan, outstanding equity will be treated as follows:
Termination Payments
| ● | PSUs will vest in full at target performance and stock options and RSUs will become fully vested in the event of a qualifying termination. |
Termination Payments
Termination treatment as described above and other benefits payable as a result of a qualifying termination after a change in control will be limited to the greater after tax amount resulting from (i) payment of the full benefits, followed by the imposition of all taxes, including any applicable excise taxes under Internal Revenue Code Section 280G, or (ii) payment of the full benefits up to the Section 280G limit with no excise tax imposed. Termination and other benefits payable will not be grossed up to reflect Section 280G or any other taxes.
Roles and Responsibilities
| Responsible Party | Roles and Responsibilities Relating to Compensation Decisions | | Management, Development and Compensation Committee (MDCC) (composed solely of independent, non- employee directors and reports to the Board) | – Establishes our executive compensation programs and philosophies and oversees their development and implementation; – Conducts an annual evaluation of our Chief Executive Officer’s performance and reviews such evaluation with the independent members of the Board of Directors; – Approves the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, subject to approval and ratification by the independent members of the Board of Directors, and other executive officers; – Approves the performance metrics and goals for performance-based long-term and short-term incentive compensation plans; – Approves all changes to the composition of the executive peer group | | Independent Nonemployee Members of the Board of Directors | – Considers the MDCC’s annual evaluation of our Chief Executive Officer’s performance; and – Considers the MDCC’s actions regarding the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and, if deemed appropriate, ratifies such actions. | | Independent Consultant to the Compensation Committee (Pay Governance) | – Supports the Committee’s oversight and management of the executive compensation programs; – Reviews and provides an assessment of the material economic and reputational risks associated with the Company’s incentive compensation programs; – Reviews and provides an independent assessment of materials provided to the Committee by management of the Company; – Provides advice and recommendations to the Committee regarding the composition of the peer group; – Provides expert knowledge of best-in-class governance practices, market trends, and best practices relating to executive compensation and competitive pay levels; – Coordinate and support the annual performance appraisal for the Chief Executive Officer; – Makes recommendations regarding the compensation of the Named Executive Officers (including Chief Executive Officer); – Provides advice to the MDCC and the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee on director compensation levels and trends – Provides advice on the implications of the Swiss Code on the Company’s pay programs; – Regularly attends and actively participates in meetings of the Committee, including executive sessions. | | Chief Executive Officer (Assisted by the CHRO, and other Company employees) | – Approves annual performance goals and objectives for other Named Executive Officers; – Reviews and evaluates his direct reports, which includes each of the other Named Executive Officers; – Makes recommendations to the MDCC with respect to annual compensation and awards for all executive officers (other than himself) based on the final assessment of their performance. |
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation Prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limited the tax deduction available to a public company for annual compensation paid to certain executive officers in excess of $1 million, unless the compensation qualified as performance-based compensation or was otherwise exempt from Section 162(m). For our tax years starting on or after September 29, 2018, the exemption for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) was repealed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, meaning that all compensation paid to certain executive officers in excess of $1 million will not be deductible unless the compensation qualifies for transition relief available to arrangements in place on November 2, 2017 and not modified thereafter. Annual incentive bonuses, stock options and other performance-based awards made to named executive officers and that qualify for transition relief are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for these purposes. Our annual incentive bonus plan requires that a threshold operating income metric be met in order to satisfy the performance-based requirements of Section 162(m).
Risk Profile of Compensation Programs
| 1. | Conducted an inventory of our executive and non-executive incentive compensation programs globally, including all significant sales incentive programs. |
Risk Profile of Compensation Programs
| 2. | Each program was evaluated to determine whether its primary components properly balanced compensation opportunities and risk. The compensation consultant facilitated this evaluation by preparing a compensation risk analysis checklist. Each program was evaluated against the checklist, the results were recorded, and risk levels were identified. |
Summary Compensation Table
Summary Compensation Table The following table summarizes the compensation of the named executive officers for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2023 (fiscal year 2023), September 30, 2022 and September 24, 2021. The named executive officers are the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, three other most highly compensated executives serving as executive officers as of September 29, 2023.
Summary Compensation Table
| | | | | | | | Change in | | | | | | | | | | | Pension | | | | | | | | | | | Value and | | | | | | | | | | Non-Equity | Nonqualified | | | | | | | | | | Incentive | Deferred | | | | | | | | Stock | Option | Plan | Compensation | All Other | | | | | Salary(1) | Bonus | Awards(2) | Awards(3) | Compensation(4) | Earnings(5) | Compensation(6) | Total | | Name and | Year | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | | Principal Position | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | (h) | (i) | (j) | | Terrence R. Curtin | 2023 | $1,302,188 | — | $6,387,876 | $6,575,048 | $2,084,067 | — | $368,569 | $16,717,748 | | Chief Executive | 2022 | $1,262,532 | — | $5,872,860 | $6,085,856 | $2,074,067 | — | $632,551 | $15,927,866 | | Officer (PEO) | 2021 | $1,200,000 | — | $5,006,119 | $5,208,994 | $2,903,400 | — | $397,343 | $14,715,856 | | Heath A. Mitts | 2023 | $761,265 | — | $1,890,214 | $1,945,238 | $976,673 | — | $86,252 | $5,659,642 | | EVP & Chief Financial | 2022 | $746,557 | — | $1,788,560 | $1,852,872 | $971,987 | — | $199,225 | $5,559,201 | | Officer (PFO) | 2021 | $673,111 | — | $1,545,556 | $1,608,190 | $1,357,159 | — | $133,795 | $5,317,811 | | Steven T. Merkt | 2023 | $686,842 | — | $1,331,119 | $1,369,204 | $770,637 | — | $20,850 | $4,178,652 | | President, | 2022 | $692,503 | — | $1,467,820 | $1,521,464 | $568,019 | — | $101,412 | $4,351,218 | | Transportation Solutions | 2021 | $654,136 | — | $1,353,949 | $1,408,819 | $1,021,760 | — | $104,587 | $4,543,251 | | Aaron K. Stucki | 2023 | $568,636 | — | $851,717 | $877,511 | $497,051 | — | $1,165,561 | $3,960,476 | | President, | 2022 | $555,794 | — | $801,060 | $830,403 | $937,125 | — | $1,127,408 | $4,251,790 | | Communication Solutions | | | | | | | | | | | John S. Jenkins | 2023 | $673,049 | — | $1,064,646 | $1,096,440 | $589,488 | — | $72,190 | $3,495,813 | | EVP & General | 2022 | $609,413 | — | $881,640 | $913,255 | $555,442 | — | $129,174 | $3,088,924 | | Counsel | 2021 | $573,513 | — | $970,736 | $1,010,076 | $786,315 | — | $98,311 | $3,438,951 |
Summary Compensation Table
| (1) Due to an administrative payroll error relating to Swiss tax payments made on behalf of three executives, fiscal 2023 salary includes the following additional amounts: for Mr. Curtin - $52,148, Mr. Mitts - $11,420 and Mr. Jenkins - $20,286. Amounts shown are not reduced to reflect the named executive officers’ elections, if any, to defer receipt of salary into the TE Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan (SSRP). |
Summary Compensation Table
| (2) This amount represents the grant date fair value of restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance stock units (PSUs) calculated using the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. Dividend equivalent rights accrue on RSU and PSU awards and are factored into grant date fair value. The value of PSUs included in the table assumes target performance. The following table reflects the grant date fair value of the PSUs at target, as well as the maximum grant date fair value if the highest level of performance is achieved: |
Summary Compensation Table
| Grant Date Fair Value of PSUs | | | | | Target | Maximum | | | Value | Value | | Name | ($) | ($) | | Mr. Curtin | $6,387,876 | $12,775,752 | | Mr. Mitts | $1,890,214 | $3,780,427 | | Mr. Merkt | $1,331,119 | $2,662,238 | | Mr. Stucki | $851,717 | $1,703,434 | | Mr. Jenkins | $1,064,646 | $2,129,292 |
Summary Compensation Table
| (3) This amount represents the grant date fair value of stock options calculated using the provisions of ASC 718. See Note 19 (Share Plans) to the consolidated financial statements (“Note 19”) set forth in TE Connectivity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2023 (the “10-K”) for the assumptions made in determining ASC 718 grant date fair values. |
Summary Compensation Table
| (4) Represents amounts earned under the fiscal year 2023 annual incentive program. Amounts shown are not reduced to reflect the named executive officers’ elections, if any, to defer receipt of awards into the SSRP. |
Summary Compensation Table
| (5) Represents the aggregate change in actuarial present value of the accumulated benefits for Mr. Merkt under the frozen pension plan as described in “CD&A—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Benefits.” For fiscal 2023, the change in pension value is a decrease from fiscal 2022. Rather than report a negative value, a change of zero is reported. Messrs. Curtin, Jenkins, Mitts and Stucki do not participate in a pension plan. There are no nonqualified deferred compensation earnings because the SSRP does not provide for “above-market” or preferential earnings as defined in applicable SEC rules. |
Summary Compensation Table
| 68 | 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement |
Summary Compensation Table
| (6) See the All Other Compensation table below for a breakdown of amounts shown in column (i) which include perquisites, the Company contribution portion of 401(k) plan and nonqualified defined contribution plan and other amounts. We also provide group life, health, hospitalization and medical reimbursement plans which do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of officers and are available to all full-time employees; the values of the benefits are not shown in the table. |
Summary Compensation Table
All Other Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
| | | | | Company | | | | | | ESPP | Contributions | Total | | | | | Company | to DC | All Other | | | | Perquisites(a) | Match(b) | Plans(c) | Compensation | | Name | Year | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | | Terrence R. Curtin | 2023 | $135,882 | — | $232,687 | $368,569 | | Heath A. Mitts | 2023 | — | — | $86,252 | $86,252 | | Steven T. Merkt | 2023 | — | $1,950 | $18,900 | $20,850 | | Aaron K. Stucki | 2023 | $1,072,977 | $2,925 | $89,659 | $1,165,561 | | John S. Jenkins | 2023 | — | — | $72,190 | $72,190 |
Summary Compensation Table
| (a) Amounts greater than $25,000 for Mr. Curtin totaling $135,882 include the incremental cost to us of Mr. Curtin’s non business use of our aircraft including travel by Mr. Curtin to attend board meetings of DuPont de Nemours Inc. as Mr. Curtin is a member of the DuPont board of directors. As described in page 63, Mr. Curtin is permitted to use the aircraft for business and non-business purposes. |
Summary Compensation Table
The amount for Mr. Stucki includes expenses pertaining to an expatriate assignment in Switzerland during fiscal 2023. Amounts less than $25,000 for Mr. Stucki are comprised of automobile expenses, relocation management fees, visa/immigration fees, and various miscellaneous fees and expenses which total $64,405. Amounts greater than $25,000 are comprised of housing expenses totaling $314,201, dependent education totaling $118,151, hardship allowance totaling $42,989, tax preparation services in the amount of $44,490 and home leave totaling $70,727. Tax allowances are provided to individuals on expatriate assignments to make their assignments effectively tax and cost neutral to them. Under these arrangements, the company paid on behalf of Mr. Stucki foreign taxes in the amount of $410,014 (net of amounts withheld from his base pay under the tax equalization program) and related U.S. state taxes in the amount of $8,000 for services performed in Switzerland in fiscal 2023. The company also provided Mr. Stucki with tax gross-up payments of $533,913. Due to the timing of payments in fiscal 2023 the following range of exchange rates, primarily as determined by TE Connectivity finance, were used to convert amounts reported or paid in Swiss francs to U.S. dollars: $0.9893-1.166 CHF:1.
Summary Compensation Table
| (b) Represents the Company matching contribution made under the TE Connectivity employee stock purchase plan. |
Summary Compensation Table
| (c) Reflects contributions made on behalf of the named executive officers under TE Connectivity’s qualified defined contribution plan and accruals on behalf of the named executive officers under the SSRP (a nonqualified defined contribution excess plan), as follows: |
Summary Compensation Table
| | | Company Matching | Company | | | | Contribution | Contribution | | Name | Year | (Qualified Plan) | (Non-Qualified Plan) | | Mr. Curtin | 2023 | $21,000 | $211,687 | | Mr. Mitts | 2023 | $16,500 | $69,752 | | Mr. Merkt | 2023 | $18,900 | $— | | Mr. Stucki | 2023 | $8,400 | $81,259 | | Mr. Jenkins | 2023 | $5,040 | $67,150 |
Summary Compensation Table
| 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement | 69 |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2023
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2023 The following table discloses the potential payouts for fiscal 2023 under the Company’s annual incentive program and actual numbers of stock option and performance stock unit awards granted during fiscal year 2023 and the grant date fair value of these awards.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2023
| | | | | | | | | All | | | | | | | | | | | | | Other | All Other | | | | | | | | | | | | Stock | Option | | Grant Date | | | | | | | | | | Awards: | Awards: | Exercise | Fair | | | | | | | | | | Number | Number of | or Base | Value of | | | | Estimated Possible Payouts | | | Estimated Possible Payouts | | | of Shares | Securities | Price of | Stock and | | | Grant | Under Non-Equity Incentive | | | Under Equity Incentive | | | of Stock | Underlying | Option | Option | | | Date | Plan Awards(1) | | | Plan Awards(2) | | | or Units(3) | Options(4) | Awards | Awards(5) | | | | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Threshold | Target | Maximum | | | | | | | | ($) | ($) | ($) | (#) | (#) | (#) | (#) | (#) | ($/Sh) | ($) | | Name (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | (h) | (i) | (j) | (k) | (l) | | Terrence R. Curtin | | | | | | | | | | | | | Annual Incentive Plan | | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $4,000,000 | | | | | | | | | Stock Option | 11/14/22 | | | | | | | | 183,200 | $124.52 | $6,575,048 | | PSU | 11/14/22 | | | | 25,650 | 51,300 | 102,600 | | | | $6,387,876 | | Heath A. Mitts | | | | | | | | | | | | | Annual Incentive Plan | | $468,750 | $937,500 | $1,875,000 | | | | | | | | | Stock Option | 11/14/22 | | | | | | | | 54,200 | $124.52 | $1,945,238 | | PSU | 11/14/22 | | | | 7,590 | 15,180 | 30,360 | | | | $1,890,214 | | Steven T. Merkt | | | | | | | | | | | | | Annual Incentive Plan | | $343,500 | $687,000 | $1,374,000 | | | | | | | | | Stock Option | 11/14/22 | | | | | | | | 38,150 | $124.52 | $1,369,204 | | PSU | 11/14/22 | | | | 5,345 | 10,690 | 21,380 | | | | $1,331,119 | | Aaron K. Stucki | | | | | | | | | | | | | Annual Incentive Plan | | $243,650 | $487,300 | $974,600 | | | | | | | | | Stock Option | 11/14/22 | | | | | | | | 24,450 | $124.52 | $877,511 | | PSU | 11/14/22 | | | | 3,420 | 6,840 | 13,680 | | | | $851,717 | | John S. Jenkins | | | | | | | | | | | | | Annual Incentive Plan | | $282,850 | $565,700 | $1,131,400 | | | | | | | | | Stock Option | 11/14/22 | | | | | | | | 30,550 | $124.52 | $1,096,440 | | PSU | 11/14/22 | | | | 4,275 | 8,550 | 17,100 | | | | $1,064,646 |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2023
| (1) The “Threshold” column represents the minimum amount payable (50% of target payout) when threshold performance is met. The “Target” column represents the amount payable (100% of target payout) if the specified performance targets are reached. The “Maximum” column represents the maximum amount payable (200% of target payout). See “CD&A—Compensation Elements and Pay Determination—Annual Cash Incentive Awards.” |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2023
| (2) Amounts in columns (f) through (h) represent potential share payouts with respect to PSUs assuming threshold, target and maximum performance conditions are achieved. The “Threshold” column represents the minimum amount payable (50% of target payout) when threshold performance is met. The “Target” column represents the amount payable (100% of target payout) if the specified performance targets are reached. The “Maximum” column represents the maximum amount payable (200% of target payout). Awards vest following the conclusion of the three-year performance period which ends with the close of fiscal year 2023. See “CD&A—Compensation Elements and Pay Determination—Long-Term Incentive Awards—for additional information about these awards, including performance criteria. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2023
| (3) This column shows the number of RSUs granted in fiscal year 2023 to the named executive officers. There were no RSUs granted in fiscal year 2023 to the named executive officers. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2023
| (4) This column shows the number of stock options granted in fiscal year 2023 to the named executive officers. Stock options issued have a ten-year term and vest ratably over a four-year period, with 25% becoming vested and exercisable on the November 15 that is at least 12 months from the grant date, and the subsequent 3-year anniversaries of the first vest date. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2023
| (5) This column shows the full grant date fair value of PSUs and stock options under ASC 718 granted to the named executive officers in fiscal year 2023. For PSUs, the grant date fair value has been determined based on target performance being achieved. For additional information on the valuation assumptions, see Note 19 in the 10-K. In determining the number of PSUs and stock options that are awarded to eligible equity award participants, including each named executive officer, the Company follows an established policy under which it uses the average daily closing price of the 20 business days preceding the grant date as the applicable value. For purposes of the fiscal year 2023 equity awards reflected in the table above, the applicable stock value used to determine the number of PSU and stock option shares awarded to each named executive officer was $116.96 per share for the November grant. The value of the award shown in this column, however, is based on the grant date closing price, $124.52 per share for the November grant. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2023
| 70 | 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement |
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End The following table shows the number of TE Connectivity shares covered by exercisable and unexercisable options, unvested RSUs and unvested PSUs held by the Company’s named executive officers on September 29, 2023. Each equity grant is shown separately for each named executive officer. The vesting schedule for each grant is shown following the table, based on the option, RSU or PSU award grant date.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End
| | | Option Awards | | | | Stock Awards | | | | | | | | | | | | | Equity | Equity | | | | | | | | | | Incentive | Incentive | | | | | | | | | | Plan Awards: | Plan Awards: | | | | | | | | | Market | Number of | Market or | | | | | | | | Number of | Value of | Unearned | Payout Value | | | | | | | | Shares | Shares or | Shares, | of Unearned | | | | | | | | or Units | Units of | Units | Shares, Units | | | | Number of Securities | | | | of Stock | Stock | or Other | or Other | | | | Underlying | | Option | | That Have | That | Rights That | Rights That | | | | Unexercised Options | | Exercise | Option | Not | Have Not | Have Not | Have Not | | | | Exercisable | Unexercisable(1) | Price | Expiration | Vested(1)(2) | Vested(3) | Vested(1)(2)(4) | Vested(3) | | | Grant | (#) | (#) | ($) | Date | (#) | ($) | (#) | ($) | | Name (a) | Date | (b) | (c) | (e) | (f) | (g) | (h) | (i) | (j) | | Terrence R. Curtin | 11/13/17 | 189,350 | — | $93.36 | 11/13/27 | | | | | | | 11/12/18 | 259,150 | — | $76.66 | 11/12/28 | | | | | | | 11/11/19 | 211,575 | 70,525 | $93.63 | 11/11/29 | | | | | | | 11/09/20 | 118,225 | 118,225 | $105.86 | 11/9/30 | | | 49,622 | $6,129,811 | | | 11/08/21 | 40,400 | 121,200 | $158.00 | 11/8/31 | | | 38,438 | $4,748,278 | | | 11/14/22 | — | 183,200 | $124.52 | 11/14/32 | | | 52,221 | $6,450,924 | | Heath A. Mitts | 11/13/17 | 59,700 | — | $93.36 | 11/13/27 | | | | | | | 11/12/18 | 91,150 | — | $76.66 | 11/12/28 | | | | | | | 11/11/19 | 61,725 | 20,575 | $93.63 | 11/11/29 | | | | | | | 11/09/20 | 36,500 | 36,500 | $105.86 | 11/09/30 | | | 15,320 | $1,892,455 | | | 11/08/21 | 12,300 | 36,900 | $158.00 | 11/08/31 | | | 11,706 | $1,446,072 | | | 11/14/22 | — | 54,200 | $124.52 | 11/14/32 | | | 15,452 | $1,908,870 | | Steven T. Merkt | 11/13/17 | 65,550 | — | $93.36 | 11/13/27 | | | | | | | 11/12/18 | 40,225 | — | $76.66 | 11/12/28 | | | | | | | 11/11/19 | 56,662 | 18,888 | $93.63 | 11/11/29 | | | | | | | 11/09/20 | 31,975 | 31,975 | $105.86 | 11/09/30 | | | 13,420 | $1,657,773 | | | 11/08/21 | 10,100 | 30,300 | $158.00 | 11/08/31 | | | 9,607 | $1,186,750 | | | 11/14/22 | — | 38,150 | $124.52 | 11/14/32 | | | 10,882 | $1,344,257 | | Aaron K. Stucki | 11/14/16 | 18,750 | — | $66.74 | 11/14/26 | | | | | | | 11/13/17 | 13,100 | — | $93.36 | 11/13/27 | | | | | | | 11/12/18 | 16,100 | — | $76.66 | 11/12/28 | | | | | | | 11/11/19 | 12,600 | 4,200 | $93.63 | 11/11/29 | | | | | | | 11/9/20 | 13,275 | 13,275 | $105.86 | 11/09/30 | | | 5,572 | $688,282 | | | 11/08/21 | 5,512 | 16,538 | $158.00 | 11/08/31 | | | 5,243 | $647,667 | | | 11/14/22 | — | 24,450 | $124.52 | 11/14/32 | | | 6,962 | $860,123 | | John S. Jenkins | 11/13/17 | 40,800 | — | $93.36 | 11/13/27 | | | | | | | 11/11/19 | 37,800 | 12,600 | $93.63 | 11/11/29 | | | | | | | 11/09/20 | 22,925 | 22,925 | $105.86 | 11/09/30 | | | 9,621 | $1,188,536 | | | 11/08/21 | 6,062 | 18,188 | $158.00 | 11/08/31 | | | 5,770 | $712,816 | | | 11/14/22 | — | 30,550 | $124.52 | 11/14/32 | | | 8,704 | $1,075,154 |
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End
| (1) All outstanding options and RSUs vest equally over four years starting on the first anniversary of the grant date. Vesting of the PSUs occurs when the MDCC certifies year 3 results following the close of the three-year performance period. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End
| (2) Any dividend equivalents issued on RSUs and PSUs, column g and i, respectively, have been included in the number of units reported. Those issued on PSUs reflect target performance and will be adjusted based on certified performance results following the close of the three-year performance period. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End
| (3) Value represents the market value of TE Connectivity common shares based on the closing price of $123.53 per share on September 29, 2023. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End
| (4) Represents target shares that have not yet been earned under the PSU program. See “CD&A—Compensation Elements and Pay Determination—Long-Term Incentive Awards—Performance Stock Unit (PSU) Program” for additional information about these awards, including performance criteria. Delivery of vested shares occurs as soon as administratively feasible following the year 3 certification process. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End
| 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement | 71 |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2023
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2023 The following table sets forth certain information regarding TE Connectivity options and stock awards exercised and vested, respectively, during fiscal year 2023 for the named executive officers.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2023
| | Option Awards | | Stock Awards | | | | Number of Shares | Value Realized on | Number of Shares | Value Realized on | | | Acquired on Exercise | Exercise(1) | Acquired on Vesting(2) | Vesting(3) | | | (#) | ($) | (#) | ($) | | Name (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | | Terrence R. Curtin | 70,721 | 5,394,517 | 55,551 | $6,786,666 | | Heath A. Mitts | — | — | 16,194 | $1,978,421 | | Steven T. Merkt | — | — | 14,877 | $1,817,523 | | Aaron K. Stucki | — | — | 7,832 | $978,958 | | John S. Jenkins | 25,025 | 1,142,747 | 10,653 | $1,305,817 |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2023
| (1) The value realized on exercise is equal to the difference between the market price of the shares acquired upon exercise and the option exercise price for the acquired shares. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2023
| (2) Represents vesting of RSUs and PSUs. Any dividend equivalents issued on RSUs and PSUs that vested during fiscal year 2023 have been included in the number of units reported. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2023
| (3) The aggregate dollar amount realized upon vesting was computed by multiplying the number of units vested by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date. |
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2023
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2023 The following table provides details regarding the present value of accumulated benefits under the plans described in “CD&A—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Benefits” for the named executive officers in fiscal year 2023.
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2023
| | | Number of Years | Present Value of | | | | | Credited | Accumulated | Payments During | | | | Service(2) | Benefit(3) | Last Fiscal Year | | | Plan Name | (#) | ($) | ($) | | Name (a) (1) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | | Steven T. Merkt | Tyco Electronics Pension Plan—Part II AMP | 10.5 | $95,548 | — |
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2023
| (1) Messrs. Curtin, Mitts, Jenkins and Stucki do not participate in any pension plan sponsored by TE Connectivity. |
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2023
| (2) Years of service is calculated from date of original hire through the end of 1999, when the plan was frozen. |
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2023
| (3) The present value of accumulated benefit amount has been measured as of September 29, 2023 and is based on a number of assumptions, including: |
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2023
| ● | A discount rate of 6.05% was used for the Tyco Electronics Pension Plan—Part II—the rates as of September 29, 2023 in accordance with ASC 715-30, Compensation—Retirement Benefits; |
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2023
| ● | Mortality assumption reflects the Pri-2012 mortality tables, projected with generational mortality improvements using improvement scale MP-2020; and |
Pension Benefits for Fiscal 2023
| ● | No retirements prior to assumed retirement age (earliest unreduced age, as defined by the respective plan documents) or withdrawals for disability or otherwise prior to retirement. |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023 The following table discloses contributions and earnings credited to each of the named executive officers under the SSRP in fiscal year 2023 and balances at fiscal year-end. The SSRP is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. See “CD&A—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Benefits” for information regarding the plan. Pursuant to the SSRP, executive officers may defer up to 50% of their base salary, up to 100% of their annual bonus and elect to contribute “Spillover” deferrals. Spillover deferrals allow them to continue their pre-tax contributions into the SSRP once they reach the qualified plan annual pre-tax contribution limit under the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan. We provide matching contributions based on the executive’s deferred base salary and bonus, as well as on the eligible wages used to calculate their Spillover deferrals. Matching contributions called “Company Credits” are also provided on any eligible compensation earned in excess of the Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17) limit ($330,000 in 2023). All employees become vested in the matching contributions once they complete three years of service, and matching contributions are calculated using the same matching percentage the executive officer is eligible to receive in the qualified plan. The
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023
| 72 | 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023
Company match structure for the qualified plan is based on years of service as well as the employee’s contributions.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023
| | Executive | Registrant | | | Aggregate | | | Contributions in | Contributions in | Aggregate | Aggregate | Balance at Last | | | Last Fiscal | Last Fiscal | Earnings in | Withdrawals/ | Fiscal Year | | | Year(1) | Year(2) | Last Fiscal Year(3) | Distributions | End | | | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | | Name (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | | Terrence R. Curtin | $188,062 | $211,687 | $2,583,732 | $(174,035) | $13,985,353 | | Heath A. Mitts | $83,510 | $69,592 | $101,132 | $— | $888,526 | | Steven T. Merkt | $— | $— | $1,048 | $— | $9,017 | | Aaron K. Stucki | $1,213,164 | $81,259 | $208,112 | $(545,591) | $2,569,867 | | John S. Jenkins | $678,861 | $67,150 | $860,343 | $— | $6,328,969 |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023
| (1) The amounts shown represent deferrals of cash and bonuses by the named executive officers under the SSRP, the amounts of which are included in the Summary Compensation table in the Salary or Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column, as applicable. |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023
| (2) The amounts shown represent matching contributions by the Company, the amounts of which are included in the Summary Compensation table in the All Other Compensation column. |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023
| (3) No portion of these earnings shown in column (d) were included in the Summary Compensation Table because the SSRP does not provide for “above-market” or preferential earnings as defined in applicable SEC rules. |
CEO Pay Ratio
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 disclosing the ratio of the median employee's annual total compensation to the annual total compensation of our CEO. Neither the Compensation Committee nor management of the Company used the pay ratio in making compensation decisions. |
CEO Pay Ratio
| ● | For fiscal 2023 the median employee is the same employee that was used in the fiscal 2022 CEO Pay Ratio calculation as we reasonably believe there has been no change in our employee population or our compensation arrangements that would significantly affect our pay ratio disclosure. The identified median employee's fiscal year 2023 compensation package, using a September 29, 2023 measuring date, was $28,447 which included actual salary, bonus, and perquisites earned. The annual total compensation for our CEO, Mr. Curtin, was $16,717,748, as calculated in accordance with the "Summary Compensation Table" requirements. The median ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the compensation of our median employee was 588:1. |
CEO Pay Ratio
| ● | As reported above the median employee is the same employee that was used in the fiscal 2022; the methodology to determine the employee was as follows: |
CEO Pay Ratio
Methodology
CEO Pay Ratio
| ● | All TE Connectivity employees worldwide, except for our CEO, were included to identify our median employee. As of July 31, 2022, we estimate that we had approximately 78,553 employees worldwide, which includes 9,687 U.S. employees and 68,866 non-U.S. employees. |
CEO Pay Ratio
| ● | Using the 5% de minimis exemption we excluded 4.95% of our total employee population. The excluded employees included Morocco (2,751), Slovakia (168), Thailand (963) and Ukraine (7). |
CEO Pay Ratio
| ● | Our median employee was identified using Total Target Cash Compensation (annual base pay plus target bonus). |
CEO Pay Ratio
| ● | Once the median employee was identified we collected, from local HR, all compensation elements including base salary, actual annual bonus, all allowances, perquisites and any other local compensation. |
CEO Pay Ratio
| 76 | 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement |
CEO Pay Ratio
| ● | All compensation components for Non-U.S. employees were converted to USD using fiscal 2023 annually set internal exchange rates. |
CEO Pay Ratio
| ● | Seasonal, temporary and part-time associates were not annualized. No adjustments were made for global cost of living differences. |
CEO Pay Ratio
Comparing TE Connectivity’s Ratio to Other Companies This ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated using a methodology consistent with the SEC rules, as described above. Because applicable SEC rules permit various methodologies, assumptions and exclusions, our CEO pay ratio may not be comparable to ratios calculated and disclosed by other companies.
Pay Versus Performance
Pay Versus Performance In accordance with the SEC’s disclosure requirements set forth in Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K regarding pay versus performance (“PVP”), the following table presents the total compensation of our Named Executive Officers (NEOs) for the past three fiscal years as documented in the Summary Compensation Table. The Management Development and Compensation Committee (MDCC) did not incorporate the below pay versus performance disclosure in its compensation determinations for any of the years displayed. For discussion of how the MDCC seeks to align pay with performance when making compensation decisions, please review the CD&A beginning on page 51.
Pay Versus Performance Table
Pay Versus Performance Table
Pay Versus Performance Table
| | | | Average | Average | | | | | | | Summary | | Summary | Compensation | Value of Initial Fixed $100 | | | | | | Compensation | Compensation | Compensation | Actually | Investment based on: | | | Adjusted | | | Table Total for | Actually Paid to | Table Total for | Paid for | | Peer Group | | Earnings | | | CEO(1) | CEO(2) | other NEOs(3) | other NEOs(2) | TSR(4) | TSR(4) | Net Income(5) | Per Share(6) | | Year | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($M) | ($) | | 2023 | $16,717,748 | $21,833,929 | $4,323,646 | $5,450,015 | $135.95 | $152.54 | $1,910 | $6.74 | | 2022 | $15,927,866 | $3,836,791 | $4,365,021 | $1,786,007 | $119.28 | $120.36 | $2,428 | $7.33 | | 2021 | $14,715,856 | $45,381,475 | $4,070,539 | $11,522,755 | $153.36 | $145.17 | $2,261 | $6.51 |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| (1) Represents the total compensation of our CEO, Terrence Curtin, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each year reported in the table. |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| (2) SEC rules require certain adjustments be made to the Summary Compensation Table totals to determine “compensation actually paid” as reported in the Pay versus Performance Table above. “Compensation actually paid” does not mean that our CEO and other NEOs actually received those amounts in the listed year. The following table details the applicable adjustments that were made to determine “compensation actually paid” for each year reported in the table: |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement | 77 |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| CEO – Compensation Actually Paid (CAP) Reconciliation | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | | Summary Compensation Table Total | $14,715,856 | $15,927,866 | $16,717,748 | | - Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | $(10,215,113) | $(11,958,716) | $(12,962,924) | | + Fair Value at Fiscal Year-End of Outstanding Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | $19,643,931 | $6,956,690 | $12,592,842 | | ± Change in Fair Value of Outstanding Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years | $16,231,766 | $(10,975,355) | $2,299,381 | | ± Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year | $5,005,036 | $3,886,306 | $3,186,882 | | Compensation Actually Paid | $45,381,475 | $3,836,791 | $21,833,929 | | Average NEO – Compensation Actually Paid (CAP) Reconciliation | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | | Summary Compensation Table Total | $4,070,539 | $4,365,021 | $4,323,646 | | - Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | $(2,404,192) | $(2,554,732) | $(2,606,522) | | + Fair Value at Fiscal Year-End of Outstanding Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | $4,623,246 | $1,486,138 | $2,532,107 | | ± Change in Fair Value of Outstanding Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years | $3,915,715 | $(2,352,119) | $485,925 | | ± Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year | $1,317,447 | $841,698 | $714,860 | | Compensation Actually Paid | $11,522,755 | $1,786,007 | $5,450,015 |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| (3) The individuals comprising the other NEOs for each year presented are listed below: |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | | Heath Mitts | Heath Mitts | Heath Mitts | | Steve Merkt | Steve Merkt | Steve Merkt | | Shad Kroeger | Shad Kroeger | Aaron Stucki | | John Jenkins | Aaron Stucki | John Jenkins |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| (4) Total Shareholder Return (TSR) compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common shares against the cumulative return on the Dow Jones U.S. Electrical Components and Equipment Index. It assumes the investment of $100 in our common shares and in the Dow Jones Electrical Components and Equipment Index at the fiscal year end 2020 and assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| (5) Reflects net income calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations included in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the applicable fiscal year. |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| (6) Adjusted Earnings Per Share represents diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (the most comparable GAAP financial measure) before special items including restructuring and other charges, acquisition-related charges, impairment of goodwill, tax sharing income related to adjustments to prior period tax returns and other tax items, other income or charges, and certain significant tax items, if any, and, if applicable, the related tax effects. This measure is a significant component in our incentive compensation plans. |
Pay Versus Performance Table
| 78 | 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement |
Relationship Between “Compensation Actually Paid” and Performance Measures
Relationship Between “Compensation Actually Paid” and Performance Measures The following charts show, for the past three years, the relationship of the Company’s TSR relative to its peers as well as the relationship between the CEO and non-CEO “compensation actually paid” and (i) the Company’s TSR; (ii) the Company’s net income; and (iii) the Company’s Adjusted Earnings Per Share. *Value of initial fixed investment of $100
Relationship Between “Compensation Actually Paid” and Performance Measures
| 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement | 79 |
Relationship Between “Compensation Actually Paid” and Performance Measures
| 80 | 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS Compensation paid during fiscal year 2023 to each director who is not our salaried employee or an employee of our subsidiaries was based on the following fee structure:
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| | Fee Structure Effective | | | | October 2022(1) | | | | Cash | Equity | | Annual retainer | $100,000 | $200,000 | | Additional annual fees: | | | | Non‑Executive Chairman | $185,000 | | | Lead Independent Director | $40,000 | | | Audit Committee Chair | $25,000 | | | Audit Committee Member | $15,000 | | | Nominating, Governance & Compliance Committee Chair | $20,000 | | | Management, Development & Compensation Committee Chair | $20,000 | | | Science Advisory Board Retainer | $10,000 | |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| (1) The table above reflects full year fee structures that were in effect during fiscal year 2023. The fee structure reflects an increased cash retainer for the Non-Executive Chairman and the Nominating, Governance & Compliance Committee Chair. Our board members are also reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending board and committee meetings or performing other services for us in their capacities as directors. Such expenses include food, lodging and transportation. |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
In addition to the compensation described above, TE Connectivity will also provide Company matching gift contributions on behalf of certain directors under TE Connectivity’s matching gift program up to a maximum of $10,000 per year. Each non-employee director received the equity component of their compensation in the form of a grant of common shares of TE Connectivity Ltd. The following table discloses the cash and equity awards paid to each of our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended September 29, 2023.
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| | Fees Earned or | Stock | All Other | | | | Paid in Cash(1) | Awards(2) | Compensation(3) | Total | | | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | | Name | (b) | (c) | (g) | (h) | | Jean-Pierre Clamadieu(4) | $58,333 | $113,793 | $— | $172,126 | | Carol A. (John) Davidson | $165,000 | $212,805 | $10,000 | $387,805 | | Lynn A. Dugle | $115,000 | $212,805 | $10,000 | $337,805 | | William A. Jeffrey | $130,000 | $212,805 | $10,000 | $352,805 | | Syaru Shirley Lin | $100,000 | $212,805 | $34,385 | $347,190 | | Thomas J. Lynch | $285,000 | $212,805 | $37,766 | $535,571 | | Yong Nam(5) | $41,667 | $106,340 | $— | $148,007 | | Abhijit Y. Talwalkar | $120,000 | $212,805 | $10,000 | $342,805 | | Mark C. Trudeau | $100,000 | $212,805 | $— | $312,805 | | Dawn C. Willoughby | $100,000 | $212,805 | $10,000 | $322,805 | | Laura H. Wright | $115,000 | $212,805 | $10,000 | $337,805 |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| (1) The amounts shown represent the amount of cash compensation earned in fiscal year 2023 for Board and committee services. We pay additional annual cash retainers to our Non-Executive Chairman, Lead Independent Director, Chairperson of each of our committees of the Board, members of the audit committee and our science advisory board member. |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| (2) The amounts shown represent the amount of equity compensation granted in fiscal 2023 for Board services. On November 14, 2022 each non-employee director excluding Mr. Nam and Mr. Clamadieu received a grant of 1,709 common shares; Mr. Nam received a grant of 854 common shares. In determining the number of common shares to be issued, we used the average daily closing price for the 20-day period prior to the grant date ($116.96 per share), the same methodology used to determine employee equity awards. The grant date fair value of these awards, as shown above for fiscal year 2023, was calculated by using the closing price of TE Connectivity Ltd. common shares on the date of grant ($124.52 per share). On March 16, 2023, Mr. Clamadieu received a grant of 911 common shares. In determining the number of common shares to be issued, we used the average daily closing price for the 20-day period prior to the grant date ($128.07 per share), the same methodology used to determine employee equity awards. The grant date fair value of this award as shown above for fiscal 2023, was calculated by using the closing price of the TE Connectivity Ltd. common shares on the date of grant ($124.91 per share). |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement | 81 |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| (3) Amounts shown represent company charitable matching gift contributions made on behalf of certain directors under TE Connectivity’s matching gift program. For Mr. Lynch, amount also includes an additional $27,766 due to an administrative payroll error relating to Swiss tax payments made on behalf of Mr. Lynch. For Ms. Lin, $34,385 represents the payment by the Company of Ms. Lin’s Swiss social tax obligations for 2022 (and additional amounts paid to Ms. Lin to cover income tax obligations on the Company’s social tax payment) as a result of the Company’s failure to notify Ms. Lin of her Swiss social tax obligations and to withhold the Swiss social tax amounts as required. Ms. Lin was responsible for her ongoing Swiss social tax obligations effective March 2023. |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| (4) On March 15, 2023 Mr. Clamadieu was elected to our Board of Directors. Cash and equity compensation for Mr. Clamadieu was pro-rated for his service during fiscal 2023. |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| (5) Mr. Nam left our board of directors effective March 16, 2023. Cash and equity compensation for Mr. Nam was pro-rated for his service during fiscal 2023. |
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
Charitable Contributions Our Board Governance Principles require that the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee approve all charitable donations by TE Connectivity to organizations associated with a director. The amount of any such donation is limited to an amount annually that is less than the greater of $1 million or 2% of such tax exempt organization’s consolidated gross revenues. Furthermore, charitable director matching gift donations by TE Connectivity are limited to matching donations in an amount no greater than the amount contributed by the Director, and consistent with TE Connectivity’s employee matching gift program.
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
| 82 | 2024 Annual General Meeting Proxy Statement |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
| Art. 26b Verträge betreffend Vergütung von Mitgliedern des Verwaltungsrats und der Geschäftsleitung | Art. 26b Agreements Regarding Compensation of Directors and Members of the Executive Management | | 4Arbeitsverträge mit Mitgliedern der Geschäftsleitung können Vereinbarungen zu Konkurrenzverboten beinhalten, welche nach der Beendigung des Arbeitsvertrages bis zu 18 Monate fortdauern können, wobei jede, für eine Konkurrenzverbotsverpflichtung entrichtete Entschädigung den gemäss Art. 735c Ziff. 2 OR festgelegten Maximalbetrag nicht überschreiten darf die totale jährliche Vergütung des entsprechenden Mitgliedes der Geschäftsleitung, welche es während dem letzten vollen Geschäftsjahr erhielt, in welchem es angestellt war, nicht überschreiten darf. | 4Employment contracts entered into with members of the executive management may include non-compete agreements covering a period of up to 18 months following termination of the employment contract, provided, however, that any consideration paid for a non-compete undertaking may not execeed the maximum amount as set forth in art. 735c para. 2 CO shall not exceed the total annual compensation of the relevant member of the executive management during the last full fiscal year when the member was employed. |