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Draft 4.5.23

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

 


Filed by the Registrant  ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐  

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

 

Definitive Additional Materials

 

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.

   

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

   

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 



 

1

 
 

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/87edc11d34d405ed4ac7a89c7a9cd37d-lmat01.jpg

 

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

63 Second Avenue

Burlington, Massachusetts 01803

 


April 14, 2023

 

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of LeMaitre Vascular, Inc., which will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at our offices at 32 Third Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803.

 

This booklet includes a notice of meeting and proxy statement. The proxy statement describes the business to be conducted at the meeting and provides other information that you should know when you vote your shares.

 

It is important that your shares be represented whether or not you attend the meeting. You can vote your shares by marking your votes on the proxy card, signing and dating it, and mailing it promptly using the envelope provided.

 

We have provided space on the proxy card for comments. We urge you to use it to let us know your feelings about LeMaitre or to bring a particular matter to our attention. If you hold your shares through an intermediary, please feel free to write directly to us.

 

 
https://cdn.kscope.io/87edc11d34d405ed4ac7a89c7a9cd37d-gwl01.jpg
 

George W. LeMaitre

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

2

 

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/87edc11d34d405ed4ac7a89c7a9cd37d-lmat01.jpg

 

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

63 Second Avenue

Burlington, Massachusetts 01803

 


 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OF STOCKHOLDERS

 


 

TIME AND DATE

10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, June 1, 2023

   

PLACE

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

32 Third Avenue

Burlington, Massachusetts 01803

   

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

(1) To elect two Class II directors nominated by the Board of Directors for three-year terms.

(2) To conduct an advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

(3) To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.

(4) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

   

RECORD DATE

You can vote if you were a stockholder of record on April 4, 2023.

   

ANNUAL REPORT

Our 2022 annual report, which is not a part of the proxy solicitation material, is enclosed.

   

PROXY VOTING

Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. If you do not attend the meeting to vote in person, your vote will not be counted unless a proxy representing your shares is presented at the meeting. To ensure that your shares will be voted at the meeting, please vote by marking, signing, dating, and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you do attend the meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote by ballot. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.

 

   
 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

   
 
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Joseph P. Pellegrino

 

Chief Financial Officer, Director and Secretary

 

April 14, 2023

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on June 1, 2023

 

This proxy statement, the notice of the annual meeting, a sample proxy card, our 2022 annual report to stockholders and directions to attend the Annual Meeting in person are available at http://www.lemaitre.com/proxy.

 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of proposals one, two and three.

 

3

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/87edc11d34d405ed4ac7a89c7a9cd37d-lmat01.jpg

 

LEMAITRE VASCULAR, INC.

 


 

PROXY STATEMENT

 


 

ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING INFORMATION

 

Why did I receive these proxy materials?

 

You are receiving these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors (“Board” or “Board of Directors”) of LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “LeMaitre” or the “Company”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 1, 2023 (the “Meeting”). We are sending this proxy statement to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 4, 2023 (the “Record Date”) on or about April 20, 2023. You may obtain additional copies of this proxy statement and proxy card, as well as our 2022 annual report, at the following Internet website: http://www.lemaitre.com/proxy.

 

What will stockholders vote on at the Meeting?

 

Stockholders will vote on three items at the Meeting:

 

 

to elect two Class II directors nominated by the Board of Directors for three-year terms;

 

an advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and

 

to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.

 

Will there be any other items of business on the agenda?

 

Aside from the matters described above, the Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented at the Meeting. If any other matter should be presented at the Meeting upon which a vote properly may be taken, shares represented by all proxies received by the Board of Directors will be voted with respect thereto in accordance with the judgment of the persons named as attorneys-in-fact in the proxies.

 

What are the recommendations of the Board of Directors on how I should vote my shares?

 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote your shares as follows:

 

 

“FOR” the election of the two nominees as directors;

 

“FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and

 

“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.

 

What vote is required to approve each proposal?

 

 

For Proposal 1, the election of directors, the nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares present, either in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Meeting shall be elected as directors, subject to the director resignation policy described below under “Corporate Governance-Director Resignation Policy.” Only votes “For” or “Withhold” will affect the outcome.

 

For Proposal 2, the advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, and for Proposal 3, the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current year, an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes properly cast for and against such matter, is required for approval. Abstentions will not be counted towards the vote total and will have no impact on the outcome of the vote for this proposal.

 

Who is entitled to vote at the Meeting?

 

Stockholders of record of our common stock at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. As of that date, April 4, 2023, there were 22,142,776 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. We are soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors to give all stockholders who are entitled to vote on the matters that come before the Meeting the opportunity to do so whether or not they attend the Meeting in person.

 

4

 

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

 

If on the Record Date your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure your vote is counted.

 

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

 

If, on the Record Date, your shares were held not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

 

What is the quorum requirement?

 

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid Meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present at the Meeting in person or represented by proxy. On the Record Date, there were 22,142,776 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, meaning that 11,071,389 shares must be represented in person or by proxy to have a quorum.

 

Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present at the Meeting in person or represented by proxy may adjourn the Meeting to another date.

 

What are my voting rights?

 

Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share.

 

 

How do I vote?

 

You may either vote “For” any nominee to the Board of Directors or you may “Withhold” your vote for any nominee you specify. For the other matters to be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The procedures for voting are fairly simple:

 

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

 

If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Meeting or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card. Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the Meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy. To vote in person, come to the Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive. You may obtain directions to the Meeting at the following Internet website: http://www.lemaitre.com/proxy. To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.

 

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

 

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote in person at the Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank, or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

 

What if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote but do not make specific choices?

 

The persons named as attorneys-in-fact in the proxies, George W. LeMaitre and Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr., were selected by the Board of Directors and are officers of LeMaitre. All properly executed proxies returned in time to be counted at the Meeting will be voted by such persons at the Meeting. Where a choice has been specified on the proxy, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with that specification. If no such specifications are indicated, such proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. If any other matter is properly presented at the Meeting, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his best judgment.

 

5

 

What can I do if I change my mind after I vote my shares?

 

Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before the final vote at the Meeting. Proxies may be revoked by (1) filing with our Secretary, before the taking of the vote at the Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy, (2) duly completing a later-dated proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to our Secretary before the taking of the vote at the Meeting, or (3) attending the Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a proxy). Any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy should be sent to LeMaitre Vascular, Inc., 63 Second Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, Attention: Secretary, at or before the taking of the final vote at the Meeting.

 

What are broker non-votes?

 

Broker non-votes occur when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed “non-routine.” Generally, if shares are held in street name, the beneficial owner of the shares is entitled to give voting instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares. If the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the broker or nominee can still vote the shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under the rules and interpretations of the NYSE, “non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, election of directors (even if not contested) and executive compensation, including advisory votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of holding advisory votes on executive compensation.

 

 

What effect do abstentions and broker non-votes have?

 

Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are not considered voted for the particular matter, if applicable, and have the effect of reducing the number of affirmative votes required to achieve a majority for such matter by reducing the total number of shares from which the majority is calculated. Proposals 1 and 2 are considered to be “non-routine” under NYSE rules meaning that your broker may not vote your shares on those proposals in the absence of your voting instructions. However, Proposal 3 is considered to be a “routine” matter under NYSE rules meaning that if you do not return voting instructions to your broker by its deadline, your shares may be voted by your broker in its discretion on Proposal 3.

 

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

 

We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for these solicitation activities. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.

 

Who tabulates the votes?

 

An automated system administered by our transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services, tabulates the votes. The vote on each matter submitted to stockholders is tabulated separately.

 

How can I find out the results of the voting at the Meeting?

 

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Meeting. Final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days following the Meeting.

 

What proxy materials are available on the internet?

 

The proxy statement, our 2022 annual report to stockholders and a sample proxy card are available at http://www.lemaitre.com/proxy.

 

6

 

 

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES

 

The following table identifies the director nominees to be elected at the Meeting and our directors, executive officers, and certain individuals that we believe are our key employees, and sets forth the positions with us held by each such person currently and the age of each such person as of April 1, 2023.

 

Name

 

Age 

 

Position

George W. LeMaitre(1) 

 

58

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

David B. Roberts(1)         

 

58

 

President and Director

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.(1)         

 

58

 

Chief Financial Officer and Director

Trent G. Kamke(1)         

 

52

 

Senior Vice President, Operations

Kimberly L. Cieslak         

 

50

 

Vice President, Marketing

Ryan H. Connelly         

 

45

 

Senior Vice President, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

Giovannella Deiure         

 

54

 

Vice President, Sales – Southern Europe

Helen Goulding         

 

62

 

Vice President, Sales – Northern Europe

Andrew Hodgkinson         

 

47

 

Senior Vice President, Clinical, Regulatory and Quality Affairs

Chance Kriesel         

 

50

 

Vice President, Sales, The Americas

Roli Kumar-Choudhury         

 

44

 

Vice President, Quality Affairs

Ina Leininger         

 

40

 

Director, Sales – Central Europe

Stéphane Maier         

 

47

 

Senior Vice President, EMEA

Christopher D. Minnett         

 

51

 

Country Manager, Canada

Daniel J. Mumford         

 

41

 

Director, Human Resources

Jonathan W. Ngau         

 

49

 

Vice President, Information Technology

Jacob Petersen         

 

46

 

Vice President, Asia-Pac

James Russell         

 

47

 

Vice President, Production and Supply Chain

Kathryn L. Tebbe         

 

41

 

Senior Director, Financial Reporting

Xiang Zhang         

 

50

 

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs

Lawrence J. Jasinski         

 

65

 

Director

John J. O’Connor         

 

75

 

Director

Bridget A. Ross(2)         

 

58

 

Director

John A. Roush(2)         

 

58

 

Director

Martha Shadan         

 

67

 

Director

 


(1)

Executive officer

(2)

Director nominee

 

Director Nominees

 

Class II Directors (Current terms expire at our 2023 Annual Meeting)

 

Bridget A. Ross has served as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2020. Ms. Ross serves as CEO and Board Director of ChroniSense Medical, an early-stage medical device company focused on transforming chronic care with Polso CONNECT™, a remote patient monitoring solution. Ms. Ross serves as advisor to Breathe Biomedical (formerly Picomole), a medical technology company focused on developing a breath test for lung cancer. She is the Leader of the Innovation Investing Council at The Committee of 200 (C200.org), an association driven to advance women in business leadership. Ms. Ross has served as a mentor for the Canadian Technology Accelerator and MassMEDIC’s IGNITE Accelerator program. From 2017 to 2018, Ms. Ross was President of the Global Medical Group and member of the Executive Management team at Henry Schein, Inc., an international medical and dental product distributor/solutions provider. From 1988 to 2017 she held numerous senior leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson where she was responsible for the commercial success of a variety of businesses and for bringing a number of innovations to market. Most recently she served as VP of Commercial Operations for Medical Devices, J&J North America. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. The Board has concluded that Ms. Ross should serve on our Board due to her strong executive management skills, knowledge of the medical device industry and breadth of functional, geographic, and therapeutic experience gained during her 30+ year career.

 

7

 

John A. Roush has served as a member of our Board of Directors since 2014. Mr. Roush serves as an operating executive advisor to ACON Investments, LLC, a private equity firm. He currently serves on the board of two privately-held ACON portfolio companies: 1) Pine Environmental, LLC, which provides equipment and services to the environmental testing industry and 2) Novipax, LLC, which supplies absorbent pads to the poultry industry. He also serves as a board director and member of the Compensation Committee and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee for Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEIS). Mr. Roush also serves as a board director for Targan, a privately-held company that is developing vaccine delivery technology for animal health markets. Mr. Roush previously served as chairman of the board and chief financial officer of ACON S2 Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ:STWO), which was a publicly-traded acquisition company that merged with ESS Inc. (NYSE:GWH) in October 2021. He also previously served as chairman of the board of two additional privately-held ACON portfolio companies that were sold in 2021. Prior to his involvement with ACON Investments, Mr. Roush served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Novanta Inc., a global supplier of precision photonic components and subsystems to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the medical, industrial, scientific and microelectronics markets, from 2010 to 2016. Prior to joining Novanta Inc., he was a corporate officer and served in several senior leadership positions for twelve years with PerkinElmer, Inc., a provider of technology and services to the diagnostics, research, environmental, safety and security, industrial and laboratory services markets. Prior to joining PerkinElmer, Mr. Roush held management positions with Outboard Marine Corporation; AlliedSignal, Inc., now Honeywell International; McKinsey & Company Inc. and General Electric. Mr. Roush received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. The Board has concluded that Mr. Roush should serve on our Board due to his experience at an executive level and his more than 20 years of experience supplying products into the medical device and life sciences industries.

 

Continuing Directors

 

Class III Directors (Current terms expire at our 2024 annual meeting)

 

Lawrence J. Jasinski has served as a member of our Board of Directors since 2003. Mr. Jasinski is the Chief Executive Officer of ReWalk Robotics Ltd. (formerly Argo Medical Technologies), a Nasdaq–listed company that has created and commercialized the first Exoskeleton Technology, which enables paralyzed individuals the ability to walk again. He has also served on the Board of Directors of ReWalk Robotics since 2012. From 2005 until 2012, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Soteira, Inc., a company that offered products which treated individuals with vertebral compression fractures. From 2000 to 2005, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Cortek, Inc., a company that developed next-generation treatments for degenerative disc disease. From 1985 to 2000, Mr. Jasinski worked at Boston Scientific Corporation (“BSC”) and served as its Vice President of Global Marketing, BSC Vascular, from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Jasinski received a B.S. in Marketing from Providence College and an M.B.A. from the University of Bridgeport. Mr. Jasinski is also a member of the Board of Directors for Massachusetts Bay Lines, a company that offers commuter services and other commercial vessel services in the Boston Harbor and Islands. The Board has concluded that Mr. Jasinski should serve on our Board due to his experience serving in a variety of executive level positions, coupled with his more than 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, which provides the Board with an understanding of the current trends as well as provides us with deeper contacts in the industry. Mr. Jasinski also provides the Board with operational experience, including building and organizing an effective sales force, seeking and obtaining regulatory approvals for medical devices, and managing significant manufacturing operations.

 

John J. OConnor has served as a member of our Board of Directors since 2008. Prior to his retirement in December 2006, Mr. O’Connor was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent public accounting firm, from 1982 to December 2006, most recently serving as Vice Chairman of Services from June 2002 to November 2006. Mr. O’Connor served as the leader of the U.S. audit practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers from September 2000 to June 2002, and served as the Managing Partner of the firm’s Boston office from 1995 to September 2000. He is a director of mTuitive, Inc., a developer of clinical data capture and synoptic reporting software for use by healthcare professionals, Segue Manufacturing Services, LLC, a manufacturing services company, Health Data Analytics, Inc., a healthcare analytics company and Abt Associates, a mission driven global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and economic policy and international development. Mr. O’Connor has also served as a director of Aspect Medical Systems, Inc., a publicly-traded brain monitoring device company that was acquired by Covidien plc. in November 2009, and Open Pages, Inc., a provider of enterprise governance, risk and compliance management solutions that was acquired by IBM in October 2010. Mr. O’Connor is a graduate of Suffolk University and has attended the Harvard Business School’s Leadership in Professional Service Firms program and the executive M.B.A. program at the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. The Board has concluded that Mr. O’Connor should serve on our Board due to his extensive capabilities in public financial accounting, his financial expertise, his experience and knowledge of operational management and strategic planning, and his insight into the operational challenges of a public company finance department. In addition, this experience qualifies Mr. O’Connor as an “audit committee financial expert.”

 

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr. has served as our Chief Financial Officer since 2007 and as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2016. Mr. Pellegrino joined us as our Executive Vice President, Finance, in 2005. From 1997 to 2003, Mr. Pellegrino worked at Zoots, Inc., a consumer services company founded by the founders of Staples, Inc., where most recently he served as Senior Vice President of Operations. Previously, Mr. Pellegrino built and sold a regional mall-based specialty retailing company. Mr. Pellegrino has also served as an investment banking analyst at Lehman Brothers, as part of their mergers and acquisitions group. Mr. Pellegrino is a director of Access Vascular, Inc., a medical device company focused on venous access devices. Mr. Pellegrino received an A.B. in Economics from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. The Board has concluded that Mr. Pellegrino should serve on our Board due to his extensive knowledge of our business, his responsibility within the organization for our finances and his operational and financial experience gained with prior employers.

 

8

 

Class I Directors (Current terms expire at our 2025 annual meeting)

 

George W. LeMaitre has served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors since 1992, serving as our Chairman since 2004. Previously, Mr. LeMaitre was an investment banking analyst at Lehman Brothers, an associate at the leveraged buyout firm McCown De Leeuw and a credit analyst for Connecticut National Bank. Mr. LeMaitre received a B.A. in History from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. The Board has concluded that Mr. LeMaitre should serve on our Board due to his extensive knowledge of our business, his role since 1992 as our principal executive officer, and his corporate vision, operational knowledge and his strategic guidance to the Board.

 

David B. Roberts has served as our President since 2007 and as a member of our Board of Directors since 2001. Mr. Roberts joined us in 1997 as Vice President of Business Development and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2000, which position he held until 2007. Mr. Roberts worked from 1994 to 1997 at BUCA, Inc., and from 1992 to 1994 at Hancock Venture Partners. Mr. Roberts received a B.A. in Business Economics and History from Brown University and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Roberts is a director of Lexington Medical, Inc. and of Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Inc. The Board has concluded that Mr. Roberts should serve on our Board due to his extensive knowledge of our business, his responsibility within the organization for strategic transactions, and his thorough understanding of the industry in which we operate and the opportunities and challenges that we face.

 

Martha Shadan has served as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2022. Ms. Shadan was the president and chief executive officer at Miach Orthopaedics, Inc. from 2019 to 2022. From 2018 to 2019, Ms. Shadan served as global vice president of marketing at Smith & Nephew plc, following its acquisition of Rotation Medical, where she was president and chief executive officer from 2013 to 2018. Prior to joining Rotation Medical, from 2011 to 2013, she was the president of the trauma division at Zimmer Biomet, and from 2007 to 2011, she served at Covidien as vice president/general manager of Vascular Therapies and vice president/general manager BioSurgery and Sports Surgery. She also previously held positions at Bristol Myers Squibb Co. and Merck Millipore. Ms. Shadan has served on the board of Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) since 2017. She also chairs the AdvaMed I&D initiative, AdvaMed Advance. She also serves on the board of CVRx, Inc. (NASDAQ:CVRX), a medical device company with products that address heart failure and resistant hypertension. Ms. Shadan is the chair of the board for BrilliantStrings Therapeutics, an early stage start-up focused on healing soft tissue injuries. Ms. Shadan has a master of business administration from Northeastern University, a master of science in biology from Michigan State University and a bachelor of science in biology from the University of New Hampshire. The Board has concluded that Ms. Shadan should serve on our Board due to her decades of experience in the life sciences industry as a business leader in a variety of both large and start-up organizations and her strength in commercialization and regulatory approvals.

 

 

Board Skills Matrix

 

The following matrix provides supplemental information about certain major areas of knowledge, skill or experience our directors may possess. While our Board considers the areas listed below as most relevant to our business, it is not a comprehensive list of all areas in which our directors possess expertise or experience valuable in their service on our Board. Additionally, the degree of knowledge, skills or experience may vary among members.

 

Knowledge, Skills or Experience

Jasinski

LeMaitre

OConnor

Pellegrino

Roberts

Ross

Roush

Shadan

Public Company Board Experience

Financial and Accounting

Risk Management

 

✔ 

✔ 

 

✔ 

✔ 

Regulatory

   

HR/Compensation

 

Executive Experience

Operations

Strategic Planning/Oversight

 

Medical Device Industry Experience

Mergers & Acquisitions

Global Experience

Sales & Marketing

   

Research & Development

     

 

9

 

Other Executive Officers and Key Employees

 

Executive Officers

 

Trent G. Kamke has served as our Senior Vice President, Operations since 2005. Mr. Kamke joined us in 1997 as Quality Assurance Manager. From 1999 to 2005, Mr. Kamke served as our Vice President, Operations. Prior to joining us in 1997, Mr. Kamke was employed by Haemonetics Corporation, which designs, manufacturers, and markets automated blood processing equipment. Mr. Kamke received a B.A. in Physics from Colby College and a B.E. from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College.

 

George W. LeMaitre, David B. Roberts and Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr. are also executive officers of the Company. See “Continuing Directors” above for additional information. Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our Board of Directors.

 

Key Employees

 

Kimberly L. Cieslak has served as our Vice President, Marketing since 2003. Ms. Cieslak joined us in 1998 and was promoted to Director of Marketing in 2001. Prior to joining LeMaitre, Ms. Cieslak worked in the insurance division of General Electric. Previously, Ms. Cieslak was employed by the law firm Hudson and Co. in London, England. Ms. Cieslak received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan.

 

Ryan H. Connelly has served as our Senior Vice President, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, since January 2023 having been promoted from VP, Research and Development. Mr. Connelly joined us in 2002 and has held the additional positions of R&D Engineer, Senior R&D Engineer, and Co-General Manager of our Phoenix facility and Director, Research and Development during that time. From 2001 to 2002, Mr. Connelly worked as a research and development engineer at Panduit Corporation, a network and electrical solutions provider. Mr. Connelly received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University.

 

Giovannella Deiure has served as our Vice President, Sales - Southern Europe since May 2019. Ms. Deiure joined us in 2009 as our Country Manager, Italy and was promoted to Director, Italy and Iberia in 2014. In 2018 she assumed responsibility for France as well, with the title Director, Southern Europe. From 2004 to 2009, she served as Sales and Marketing Manager of Arrow Italy S.p.A. From 2001 to 2004 she worked in the Business Unit of Cardiac Surgery Business of Medtronic Italia S.p.A. in a variety of marketing and sales positions. Previously she was employed by DePuy Italia S.r.L in the marketing department. Ms. Deiure received a degree in Electronic Engineering from Politecnico of Milan University and an M.B.A. from the same institution.

 

Helen Goulding has served as our Vice President, Sales - Northern Europe since January 2023, having been promoted from Director, Sales – Northern Europe. Ms. Goulding joined us in 2006 and has held the positions of UK Sales Representative, UK Sales Manager and Sales Director UK/Benelux. Prior to joining LeMaitre, Ms. Goulding worked for Edwards Lifesciences in the Vascular and Endovascular market.

 

10

 

Andrew Hodgkinson has served as our Senior Vice President, Clinical, Regulatory and Quality Affairs since 2013. Mr. Hodgkinson joined us in 2000 as Production Supervisor and was promoted to Production Manager in 2003, Director, Manufacturing in 2006, Director, Clinical Affairs in 2007, Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs in 2008 and Vice President, Clinical, Regulatory and Quality Affairs in 2011. Mr. Hodgkinson received a B.A. in Economics from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire.

 

Chance Kriesel has served as our Vice President of Sales, The Americas, since November 2018. Mr. Kriesel joined us in 2003 and has held the positions of Sales Representative, Regional Sales Manager and Director of Sales—West. Prior to joining LeMaitre, Mr. Kriesel was a Captain in the U.S. Army and a UH60 Blackhawk pilot responsible for leading various teams as an operations officer, logistics officer and personnel officer. Following his service in the military, Mr. Kriesel worked at Ethicon Endo-Surgery. Mr. Kriesel has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an M.B.A. in Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix.

 

Roli Kumar-Choudhury has served as our Vice President, Quality Affairs since December 2019. Ms. Kumar-Choudhury joined us in 2002 and has held the positions of Quality Engineer, Quality Supervisor, Quality Manager and Director, Quality Assurance. Ms. Kumar-Choudhury received a B.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts – Isenberg School of Management.

 

Ina Leininger has served as our Director, Sales - Central Europe since October 2019. Ms. Leininger joined us in 2011 as a Sales Representative and was promoted to Regional Sales Manager, Southern Germany in January, 2019. Prior to joining LeMaitre, she was a pharmaceutical sales representative. Ms. Leininger has a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences and Home Economics and an M.S. in Nutrition from the University of Giessen, Germany.

 

Stéphane Maier has served as our Senior Vice President, EMEA since October 2020. Mr. Maier joined us in 2000 and held the position of Manager, European IT, in our French facility. In 2003, he joined our European headquarters in Germany as Manager, International IT. Mr. Maier was promoted to Director, International IT and Administration in 2011, then to Director, International Operations in 2013 and Vice President, EMEA Operations in 2018. From 1999 to 2000, he worked as IT project manager for Total S.A. headquarters in Paris, France. Mr. Maier received a Diploma in Sales and Administration and a technical degree in IT Management from the IPI Colmar, France.

 

Christopher D. Minnett has served as our Country Manager, Canada since 2018. Mr. Minnett joined LeMaitre in 2013 as a Sales Representative. Prior to joining LeMaitre, Mr. Minnett was a trained paramedic in Ontario, Canada, held a supervisory role in the distribution and environmental services department at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital and worked as a Sales Consultant at American Medical Systems, a urological medical device company. Mr. Minnett graduated with a B.A. in Health Sciences from Brock University and also has an M.B.A. from Charles Sturt University.

 

Daniel J. Mumford has served as our Director, Human Resources since January 2020. Prior to joining LeMaitre, Mr. Mumford worked as Global Franchise HR Leader at Johnson & Johnson DePuy Synthes from 2017 to January 2020. He also founded Staff Designs, an HR software startup, which he ran from 2015 to 2017, and he served as Senior HR Partner at Becton, Dickinson and Company from 2006 to 2015. Mr. Mumford received a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University Maryland and an M.B.A. from Fordham University.

 

Jonathan W. Ngau has served as our Vice President, Information Technology since 2003 and previously served as our Director of Information Technology from 2000 to 2003. Since joining us in 1996, Mr. Ngau has implemented and managed all information technology, application development, infrastructure operations, business intelligence, compliance and cybersecurity for all of LeMaitre’s facilities. Mr. Ngau received a B.A.B.S. in Marketing and Information Systems from Boston University.

 

Jacob Petersen has served as our Vice President, APAC since October 2018, at which time he established our APAC headquarters in Singapore. Prior to joining LeMaitre, Mr. Petersen was employed in the Surgical Workflow division of Getinge from 2007 to 2018, most recently in the positon of Senior Director from 2016 to 2018. Mr. Petersen has 15 years of working experience in APAC in the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. Mr. Petersen received an M.A. in International Business and Modern Languages from University of Southern Denmark.

 

James Russell has served as our Vice President, Production and Supply Chain since October 2020. Mr. Russell joined us in 2004 and has held the positions of Buyer/Planner and Materials Manager during that time. Mr. Russell was promoted to Operations Manager in 2010 and to Director, Operations in 2017. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Russell worked as a Materials Planner for Pacific Scientific, and from 2002 to 2004, he worked as a Buyer/Planner for CMC Torque Systems. Mr. Russell received a B.A. in Business Administration from Merrimack College.

 

11

 

Kathryn L. Tebbe has served as our Senior Director, Financial Reporting since April 2023. Ms. Tebbe joined us in 2015 as Manager of Financial Reporting and was promoted to Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis in 2017 and then Director, Financial Reporting in 2019.  Prior to joining LeMaitre, Ms. Tebbe was an Assurance Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 2012 to 2015.  From 2004 to 2012, she was an Audit Manager with Feeley & Driscoll, P.C.  Ms. Tebbe received a B.S. in Business Administration with an accounting concentration from Bryant University and has a Massachusetts Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.  

 

Xiang Zhang has served as our Vice President, Regulatory Affairs since 2016. He first joined us as Regulatory Affairs Specialist in 2009 and was promoted to Senior Regulatory Specialist in 2010. From 2011 to 2012, he served as Director of Regulatory Affairs at Smith & Nephew. He rejoined our Company in 2012 as Director of Regulatory and was promoted to Global Director of Regulatory in 2014. Mr. Zhang received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Rutgers University in 2001.

 

 

Board Diversity Matrix

 

The following Board Diversity Matrix presents our Board diversity statistics in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5606, as self-disclosed by our directors. Any director who has chosen not to identify as any race or not to identify as LGBTQ+ has been included in the “Did Not Disclose Demographic Background” category.

 

Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 4, 2023)

Total Number of Directors

8

 
 

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose Gender

Part I: Gender Identity

Directors

2

6

0

  0

Part II: Demographic Background

 

African American or Black

0

0

0

0

Alaskan Native or Native American

0

0

0

0

Asian

0

0

0

0

Hispanic or Latinx

0

0

0

0

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

0

0

0

0

White

2

6

0

0

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

0

0

0

0

LGBTQ+

0

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

0

 

12

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 4, 2023:

 

 

by each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock;

 

by each of our named executive officers (as defined below under “Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors”);

 

by each of our directors or nominees; and

 

by all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Unless otherwise indicated below, each person listed below maintains a business address in the care of LeMaitre Vascular, Inc., 63 Second Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803 and has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock owned.

 

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)

   

Percentage of Shares
Beneficially Owned

 

5% Stockholders(2)

               

BlackRock, Inc.(3)

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10055

    3,284,565       14.8 %
                 

Conestoga Capital Advisors, LLC(4)

550 E. Swedesford Road, Ste 120

Wayne, PA 19807

    1,938,886       8.8 %
                 

Copeland Capital Management, LLC(5)

161 Washington St, Suite 1325

Conshohocken, PA 19428

    1,277,478       5.8 %
                 

The Vanguard Group(6)

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, PA 19355

    1,477,542       6.7 %
                 
                 

Named Executive Officers

               

George W. LeMaitre(7)

    2,532,694       11.4 %

David B. Roberts(8)

    55,088       *  

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.(9)

    24,720       *  

Trent G. Kamke(10)

    16,156       *  
                 

Directors

               

Lawrence J. Jasinski(11)

    12,958       *  

John J. O’Connor(12)

    70,102       *  

Bridget A. Ross(13)

    20,331       *  

John A. Roush(14)

    29,998       *  

Martha Shadan

    593       *  

All executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons)(15)

    2,762,640       12.4 %

 


*

Represents less than 1% of the outstanding common stock

(1)

This table is based upon information supplied by executive officers, directors and principal stockholders and in their filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the SEC’s rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities as well as shares of common stock subject to options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023. Applicable percentage of ownership is based upon 22,142,776 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 4, 2023. Common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023 are deemed to be outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these options and the percentage ownership of any group of which the holder is a member but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.

 

13

 

(2)

This information is based solely upon a review of the Schedule 13G reports or related amendments filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to holdings of the Company’s common stock as of December 31, 2022.

(3)

In its Schedule 13G/A, BlackRock, Inc. states that it is the parent holding company or control person of the following entities, which acquired the shares beneficially held by BlackRock, Inc.: BlackRock Advisors, LLC, Aperio Group, LLC, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited, BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock Fund Managers Ltd, BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC.

(4)

In its Schedule 13G/A, Conestoga Capital Advisors, LLC indicates that it is an investment adviser that indirectly beneficially owns shares on behalf of accounts and through Conestoga Small Cap Fund also on behalf of accounts.

(5)

In its Schedule 13G, Copeland Capital Management, LLC indicates that it is an investment adviser.

(6)

In its Schedule 13G/A, the Vanguard Group indicates that it is an investment adviser and owns shares on behalf of investment companies and other managed accounts.

(7)

Includes 24,181 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023.

(8)

Includes 35,151 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023.

(9)

Includes 16,958 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023.

(10)

Includes 8,858 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023.

(11)

Includes 3,648 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023.

(12)

Includes 21,148 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023.

(13)

Represents 19,148 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023.

(14)

Includes 21,148 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023.

(15)

Includes an aggregate of 150,240 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise by our executive officers and directors of options presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 4, 2023.

 

14

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CERTAIN COMPLIANCE MATTERS

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

The Board is currently chaired by our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. LeMaitre. The Board believes that combining the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman helps to ensure that the Board and management act with a common purpose and provides a single, clear chain of command to execute our strategic initiatives and business plans. In addition, the Board believes that a combined Chief Executive Officer/Chairman is better positioned to act as a bridge between management and the Board, facilitating the regular flow of information. The Board also believes that it is advantageous to have a Chairman with an extensive history with, and knowledge of, the company, as is the case with our Chief Executive Officer who has served as our principal executive officer since 1992. Having determined that the leadership structure described above is appropriate and effective for our company, the Board does not have a lead independent director.

 

Policies on Corporate Governance

 

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of business conduct and corporate governance, which we believe are essential to running our business efficiently, serving our stockholders well, and maintaining our integrity in the marketplace. We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors, officers, and employees. The Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which, in conjunction with our Charter, Amended and Restated By-Laws, Board committee charters, and key Board policies, form the framework for our governance. The current version of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the Board’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are available at http://ir.lemaitre.com/corporate-governance/governance-overview. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may also be obtained, free of charge, from us upon a request directed to: LeMaitre Vascular, Inc., 63 Second Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, Attention: Investor Relations. We intend to disclose any amendment to or waiver of a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or controller, or persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on our investor relations website available at http://ir.lemaitre.com. Our website is not incorporated into this proxy statement.

 

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

 

One of the Board’s key functions is informed oversight of our risk management process. The Board administers this oversight function directly through the Board as a whole, as well as through the Board’s standing committees that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing areas of material risk to the Company, including financial, strategic, operational, cybersecurity, environmental, social and governance (ESG), legal and regulatory risks, and makes a determination of the nature and level of risk appropriate for us. Our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures, including liquidity, credit and currency risk, and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines, including whether they are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. Both the Board as a whole and the various standing committees receive periodic reports from management, as well as incidental reports if matters arise. It is the responsibility of the committee chairs to report findings regarding material risk exposures to the Board as quickly as possible.

 

Hedging Policy

 

Our policy on hedging prohibits Company “insiders” from engaging in any hedging transactions in the Company’s securities. Insiders include our directors, officers and other employees and consultants who in the ordinary course of the performance of their duties have access to material, nonpublic information regarding the Company. Hedging or monetization transactions are typically accomplished through a number of possible mechanisms, including through the use of financial instruments such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds, all of which our insiders are precluded from using or trading in.

 

Director Independence

 

Under The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed company’s Board of Directors must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by the Board of Directors. The Board consults with our counsel to ensure that the Board’s determinations are consistent with relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” including those set forth in pertinent listing standards of Nasdaq, as in effect from time to time.

 

15

 

Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and us, our senior management and our independent auditors, the Board has affirmatively determined that the following five directors are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards: Lawrence J. Jasinski, John J. O’Connor, Bridget A. Ross, John A. Roush and Martha Shadan. In making independence determinations, the Board found that none of these directors had a material or other disqualifying relationship with us.

 

Director Resignation Policy

 

The Board has adopted a Director Resignation Policy, which provides that any nominee for director in an uncontested election who does not receive a majority of the votes cast (i.e. receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” in such election) shall submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will then consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances and recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such offer of resignation. The Board will then act on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation. Promptly following the Board’s decision, the Company will disclose that decision and an explanation of such decision publicly.

 

Nominations for Directors

 

Director Qualifications

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing with the Board of Directors from time to time the appropriate qualities, skills, and characteristics desired of members of the Board of Directors in the context of the needs of the business and current make-up of the Board of Directors. This assessment includes consideration of the following minimum qualifications that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes must be met by all directors:

 

 

nominees must have experience at a strategic or policy-making level in a business, government, non-profit, or academic organization of high standing;

 

nominees must be highly accomplished in their respective fields, with superior credentials and recognition;

 

nominees must be well regarded in the community and have a long-term reputation for the highest ethical and moral standards;

 

nominees must have sufficient time and availability to devote to our affairs, particularly in light of the number of boards on which they may serve; and

 

nominees must, to the extent that they serve or have previously served on other boards of directors, demonstrate a history of actively contributing at board meetings.

 

The Board of Directors seeks members who combine a broad spectrum of relevant industry and strategic experience and expertise that, in concert, offer us and our stockholders diversity of opinion and insight in the areas most important to us and our corporate mission. In addition, nominees for director are selected to have complementary, rather than overlapping, skill sets. All candidates for director nominee must have time available to devote to the activities of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers the independence of candidates for director nominee, including the appearance of any conflict in serving as a director. Candidates for director nominee who do not meet all of these criteria may still be considered for nomination to the Board of Directors, if the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the candidate will make an exceptional contribution to us and our stockholders.

 

Process for Identifying and Evaluating Director Nominees

 

The Board of Directors is responsible for identifying suitable candidates for nomination to the Board of Directors and assessing their qualifications. The Board of Directors delegates the nomination process to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with the expectation that other members of the Board of Directors, and management, will be requested to take part in the process.

 

Generally, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies candidates for director nominees in consultation with management, with non-management directors, through the use of paid search firms to assist with the sourcing of candidates or other advisors, through the recommendations submitted by stockholders, or through such other methods as it deems to be helpful to identify candidates. Once candidates have been identified, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee confirms that the candidates meet all of the minimum qualifications for director nominees established by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may gather information about the candidates through interviews, detailed questionnaires, comprehensive background checks, or any other means that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee deems to be helpful in the evaluation process. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then usually considers the qualities and skills of each candidate, both on an individual basis and taking into account the overall composition and needs of the Board of Directors. In conducting this assessment, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers experience, skills, and such other factors as it deems appropriate given the current needs of our Board and our company, to ensure our Board has a diversity of skills and experience with respect to accounting and finance, management and leadership, vision and strategy, business operations, business judgment, industry knowledge and corporate governance. Based on the results of the evaluation process, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends candidates for the Board’s approval as director nominees for election to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also recommends candidates to the Board of Directors for appointment to the committees of the Board of Directors.

 

16

 

Procedures for Recommendation of Director Nominees by Stockholders

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director nominee candidates who are recommended by our stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not intend to alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates, including the minimum criteria set forth above, based on whether or not the candidate was recommended by a stockholder. In submitting recommendations to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for director nominee candidates, stockholders shall follow the following procedures:

 

Under our advance notice bylaws, recommendations for nomination must be received by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement delivered to stockholders in connection with the preceding year’s annual meeting. In addition, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the company’s nominees must also comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

All recommendations for nomination must be in writing and include the following:

 

 

Name and address of the stockholder making the recommendation, as they appear on our books and records;

 

A representation that the stockholder is a record holder of our securities, or if the stockholder is not a record holder, evidence of ownership in accordance with Rule 14a-8(b)(2) of the Exchange Act;

 

Name, age, business and residential address, educational background, current principal occupation or employment, and principal occupation or employment for the preceding five full fiscal years of the individual recommended for consideration as a director nominee;

 

A written statement from the stockholder making the recommendation stating why such recommended candidate meets our minimum qualifications and other criteria and would be able to fulfill the duties of a director;

 

A written statement describing all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and the proposed director candidate; and

 

All other information relating to the recommended candidate that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of directors or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, including the recommended candidate’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if approved by the Board of Directors and elected.

 

 

Nominations must be sent to the attention of our Secretary by U.S. mail (including courier or expedited delivery service) to:

 

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

63 Second Avenue

Burlington, Massachusetts 01803

Attn: Secretary of LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

 

Our Secretary will promptly forward any such nominations to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Once the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives the nomination of a candidate and the candidate has complied with the minimum procedural requirements above, such candidacy will be evaluated and a recommendation with respect to such candidate will be delivered to the Board of Directors.

 

17

 

MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Meetings and Attendance

 

The Board meets on a regularly scheduled basis during the year to review significant developments affecting us and to act on matters requiring Board approval. It also holds special meetings from time to time when Board action is required between scheduled meetings. Members of senior management periodically attend Board meetings to report on and discuss their areas of responsibility. In 2022, the Board of Directors held six meetings, and committees of the Board held a total of sixteen meetings. All directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and of the committees on which they served held during the last fiscal year, except Martha Shadan, who joined the Board in September 2022. Subsequent to her appointment, Ms. Shadan attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and did not serve on any Board committees in 2022.

 

Our corporate governance guidelines provide that each director is expected to spend the time and effort to properly fulfill his or her responsibilities, including regularly attending meetings of the Board and committees on which he or she sits, with the understanding that on occasion a director may be unable to attend a meeting. A director who is unable to attend a meeting is expected to notify the Chairman of the Board or the chairperson of the appropriate committee in advance of such meeting. Directors and nominees are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of stockholders in person or telephonically. Five of our directors then in office attended the 2022 annual meeting.

 

Executive Sessions of Independent Directors

 

The Board of Directors typically holds an executive session of the independent directors at least once per year. Executive sessions do not include any of our employee directors. The independent directors rotate the responsibility for chairing executive sessions.

 

Communication with the Board of Directors

 

Stockholders may communicate with all members of the Board of Directors, the chair of any committee of the Board of Directors, or any individual director by directing the communication in writing in care of our Secretary at the address set forth on the front page of this Proxy Statement. All communications will be received and processed by our Secretary, and the stockholder making such communications will receive a written acknowledgement from our Secretary of the receipt of the communication.

 

Communications are distributed to the Chairman of the Board, as a representative of the Board of Directors, or to any individual director, depending upon to whom the communication is addressed. In that regard, the Board of Directors has requested that certain communications unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors should be excluded, such as product complaints, inquiries, and suggestions; other ordinary business affairs suited to our management; resumes and other forms of job inquiries; surveys; and business solicitations or advertisements. In addition, material that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal, or similarly unsuitable will be excluded.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our Amended and Restated By-laws provide that the Board may delegate responsibility to committees. During 2022, the Board had three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The membership of each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors. In addition, all members of the Audit Committee meet the heightened standards of “independence” for audit committee members required by SEC rules and Nasdaq listing standards. The Board has also determined that each member is free of any relationship that would impair his or her individual exercise of independent judgment with regard to us.

 

The table below shows the membership of each Board committee, the number of times each Board committee took action by unanimous written consent and the number of meetings held in 2022.

 

Name

 

Audit

 

Compensation

 

Nominating and
Corporate
Governance

Lawrence J. Jasinski         

 

X

 

Chair

 

X

John J. O’Connor         

 

Chair

       

Bridget A. Ross         

         

Chair

John A. Roush         

 

X

 

X

   

Martha Shadan         

           

2022 Consents         

 

2

 

23

 

2

2022 Meetings         

 

4

 

2

 

4

 

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Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors was established by the Board to oversee our corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Jasinski, O’Connor and Roush. Mr. O’Connor serves as chairperson of the Audit Committee. The Board reviews the Nasdaq listing standards definition of independence for Audit Committee members on an annual basis and has determined that all members of our Audit Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Nasdaq listing standards). The Board has also determined that each member of the Audit Committee is financially sophisticated and is able to read and understand consolidated financial statements and that Mr. O’Connor is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in SEC rules. Stockholders should understand that this designation is a disclosure requirement of the SEC related to Mr. O’Connor’s experience and understanding with respect to certain accounting and auditing matters. The designation does not impose upon Mr. O’Connor any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than those generally imposed on him as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors, and his designation as audit committee financial expert pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duties, obligations, or liabilities of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors.

 

As described more fully in its charter, the Audit Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes, internal controls, and audit functions. In fulfilling its role, the Audit Committee’s responsibilities include:

 

 

appointing, evaluating, and, where appropriate, replacing our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

pre-approving all auditing services and permissible non-audit services provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm and with management the proposed scope of the annual audit, past audit experience, our program for the internal examination and verification of our accounting records, and the results of recently completed internal examinations;

 

resolving disagreements between management and our independent registered public accounting firm regarding financial reporting;

 

reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls;

 

monitoring compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as it pertains to issues regarding accounting, internal controls, or auditing matters; and

 

preparing the Audit Committee report required by SEC rules to be included in our annual proxy statement.

 

The Audit Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, a current copy of which is available at http://ir.lemaitre.com/corporate-governance/governance-overview.

 

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Jasinski and Roush. Mr. Jasinski serves as the chairperson of the Compensation Committee. All members of our Compensation Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards).

 

The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include:

 

 

administering our annual incentive and equity-based incentive plans;

 

reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to incentive compensation and equity-based plans;

 

reviewing and determining compensation of executive officers and certain senior management;

 

reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to non-employee director compensation; and

 

if and as required by SEC regulations, discussing with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and, if appropriate, recommending its inclusion in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and proxy statement.

 

Typically, the Compensation Committee meets quarterly and with greater frequency if necessary. In 2022, the Compensation Committee met twice and also conducted business by conferring and acting by unanimous written consent on 23 occasions. The agenda for each meeting is usually developed by our Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the Chair of the Compensation Committee. Our Chief Executive Officer attends most meetings, but does not participate in, and is not present during, any deliberations or determinations of the Compensation Committee regarding his compensation or individual performance objectives. From time to time, various members of management and other employees as well as outside advisors or consultants may be invited by the Compensation Committee to make presentations, to provide financial or other background information or advice or to otherwise participate in Compensation Committee meetings. The charter of the Compensation Committee grants the Compensation Committee full access to all of our books, records, facilities and personnel, as well as authority to obtain, at our expense, advice and assistance from internal and external legal, accounting or other advisors and consultants and other external resources that the Compensation Committee considers necessary or appropriate in the performance of its duties. In particular, the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain compensation consultants to assist in its evaluation of executive and director compensation, including the authority to approve the consultant’s reasonable fees and other retention terms.

 

19

 

The Compensation Committee typically determines the annual cash compensation for officers at a regular meeting held in the quarter preceding the start of the fiscal year or in the first quarter of a fiscal year for that year. Generally, the Compensation Committee’s process comprises two related elements: the determination of compensation levels and the establishment of performance objectives for the current year. In undertaking this process, the Compensation Committee considers the degree to which each executive’s entire compensation package should be variable and based on either personal performance or company performance. For executives other than our Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee solicits and considers evaluations and recommendations submitted to the Committee by our Chief Executive Officer, who provides significant input on the compensation of the other executive officers and his other direct reports. In the case of our Chief Executive Officer, the evaluation of his performance is conducted by the Compensation Committee, which determines any adjustments to his compensation. For all executives, as part of its deliberations, the Compensation Committee may review and consider, as appropriate, materials such as financial reports and projections, operational data, total compensation that may become payable to executives in various hypothetical scenarios, executive stock ownership information, company stock performance data, analyses of historical executive compensation levels, current company-wide compensation levels and recommendations of a compensation consultant, if engaged at the time, including analyses of executive compensation paid at other companies identified by the consultant.  

 

The Compensation Committee has historically conducted an assessment in the first quarter following completion of the fiscal year and the completion of our internal financial close process to review financial and operational results against performance objectives in order to determine and, if and as appropriate, award non-equity incentive plan and bonus compensation relating to the prior fiscal year. Our Chief Executive Officer submits detailed recommendations to the Compensation Committee but is not present for deliberations with respect to his own compensation. If preliminary financial results are materially modified during the audit process, our named executive officers may be required to repay any overpayments.

 

The Compensation Committee typically considers and determines annual equity awards in the fourth quarter. The Compensation Committee typically makes annual equity grants to our executive officers based upon, among other factors, the level of the executive officer in our organization, the amount of equity remaining for grant under our equity incentive plan, and any contractual agreements with the executive officer. These equity grants typically vest in equal annual installments over a period of four or five years, subject to continued employment.

 

Additionally, the Compensation Committee considers matters related to individual compensation, such as compensation for new executive hires, as well as high-level strategic issues, such as the efficacy of our compensation strategy, potential modifications to that strategy and new trends, plans or approaches to compensation, at various meetings throughout the year. The Compensation Committee may also adjust performance targets based upon strategic transactions occurring during the course of the fiscal year and other interim changes in our operating strategy. The Compensation Committee also uses these meetings to administer our short-term incentive program, which involves the periodic and discretionary determination of quarterly incentive goals for certain officers other than our Chief Executive Officer. Executive officers who achieve their performance goals receive cash and equity awards following the quarter in which the goal was achieved.

 

The Compensation Committee is authorized to review and make recommendations regarding our non-employee director cash and equity compensation programs, and related matters, for consideration by our Board of Directors, and considers such matters periodically.

 

The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, a current copy of which is available at http://ir.lemaitre.com/corporate-governance/governance-overview.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

For 2022, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Jasinski and Roush. No member of the Compensation Committee is an officer or employee of the Company, and none of our executive officers serve as a director or member of a compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee.

 

20

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Mr. Jasinski and Ms. Ross. Ms. Ross serves as chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities include:

 

 

developing and recommending to the Board criteria for board and committee membership;

 

recommending director nominee candidates to the Board;

 

periodically reassessing the Board’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and recommending any proposed changes to the Board for approval; and

 

monitoring, in cooperation with the Board’s Audit Committee, compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, a current copy of which is available at http://ir.lemaitre.com/corporate-governance/governance-overview.

 

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 with management of the Company. The Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2022, the matters that are required to be discussed by the applicable Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) standards. The Audit Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP the accounting firm’s independence. Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

 

   
 

Respectfully Submitted by the Audit Committee:

   
 

John J. O’Connor (Chairman)

 

Lawrence J. Jasinski

 

John A. Roush

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING OUR

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

The following table shows the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by Grant Thornton LLP to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

   

2022

   

2021

 

Audit Fees

    $908,000       $811,000  

Audit-Related Fees

    -       2,000  

Tax Fees

    -       -  

All Other Fees

    -       -  

Total

    $908,000       $813,000  

 

Audit Fees

 

Audit Fees for both years consist of fees for professional services associated with the annual consolidated financial statements’ audit, statutory filings, consents and assistance with, and review of, documents filed with the SEC.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

There are no Audit-Related Fees for 2022.

 

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All of the fees referenced in the table above were pre-approved by our Audit Committee pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policy described below.

 

Pre-Approval Policy

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has implemented procedures under our Audit Committee pre-approval policy to ensure that all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided to us have been pre-approved by the Audit Committee (the “Pre-Approval Policy”). Specifically, the Audit Committee pre-approves the use of our independent registered public accounting firm for specific audit and non-audit services, within approved monetary limits. If a proposed service has not been pre-approved pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policy, then it must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee before it may be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. Any pre-approved services exceeding the pre-approved monetary limits require specific approval by the Audit Committee.

 

The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of services other than audit services by our independent registered public accounting firm is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

Meeting Attendance

 

Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP attended all in-person meetings of the Audit Committee in 2022.

 

We expect that a representative of Grant Thornton LLP will be in attendance at the Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and will also be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

 

 

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that appears in this proxy statement. Based on such review and discussion with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and in LeMaitre’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted by the Compensation Committee:

   
 

Lawrence J. Jasinski (Chairman)

 

John A. Roush

 

22

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) explains our compensation philosophy, policies and practices for our executive officers, who are referred to in this CD&A and in the following tables as our “named executive officers.” Our named executive officers for 2022 are:

 

 

George W. LeMaitre – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr. – Chief Financial Officer

 

David B. Roberts – President

 

Trent G. Kamke – Senior Vice President, Operations

 

Messrs. LeMaitre, Pellegrino, Roberts and Kamke were our only executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

 

This CD&A should be read in conjunction with the compensation tables below, which provide a detailed view of compensation paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Principles and Philosophy

 

We have designed our executive compensation program to attract, retain, and motivate highly qualified executives and to align their interests with the interests of our stockholders. The ultimate goal of our program is to increase stockholder value by providing executives with appropriate incentives to achieve our business objectives. We seek to achieve this goal through a program that rewards executives for superior performance, as measured by both financial and non-financial factors, and includes major compensation components that are linked to the achievement of certain operational, financial, product development, and clinical objectives that are aimed at increasing both long-term and short-term stockholder value.

 

The Compensation Committee’s executive compensation philosophy embraces three core objectives:

 

Core Objectives of the Executive Compensation Philosophy

Core Objective

Primary Purpose

Market Driven

Provide competitive compensation to attract, motivate, and retain superior talent

Pay for Performance

Reward individual and team successes linked to the achievement of company objectives aimed at increasing stockholder value

Equitable

Seek to ensure rewards are internally and externally equitable

 

Compensation Process

 

The Compensation Committee typically determines the annual cash compensation for officers at a regular meeting held in the quarter preceding the start of the fiscal year or in the first quarter of a fiscal year for that year. Generally, the Compensation Committee’s process comprises two related elements: the determination of compensation levels and the establishment of performance objectives for the current year. In undertaking this process, the Compensation Committee considers the degree to which each executive’s entire compensation package should be variable and based on either personal performance or company performance. For executives other than our Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee solicits and considers evaluations and recommendations submitted to the Committee by our Chief Executive Officer, who provides significant input on the compensation of the other executive officers and his other direct reports. In the case of our Chief Executive Officer, the evaluation of his performance is conducted by the Compensation Committee, which determines any adjustments to his compensation. For all executives, as part of its deliberations, the Compensation Committee may review and consider, as appropriate, materials such as financial reports and projections, operational data, total compensation that may become payable to executives in various hypothetical scenarios, executive stock ownership information, company stock performance data, analyses of historical executive compensation levels, current company-wide compensation levels and external compensation surveys. In addition to external data, the Compensation Committee considers internal assessments, including the assessment of the company’s performance, assessments of each executive officer’s performance, significant changes in roles and responsibilities and retention risk.

 

23

 

Our Compensation Committee has established recommended levels of fixed versus variable pay for our named executive officers. This practice aligns with one of our core objectives in executive pay philosophy, pay for performance. The levels for 2022 were:

 

Name

Fixed Pay vs. Variable Pay

as % of Total Cash Compensation

George W. LeMaitre

63%/37%

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.

David B. Roberts

Trent G. Kamke

72%/28%

 

2022 Say on Pay Vote

 

At our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our stockholders indicated their support of our executive compensation with more than 98% of the votes cast in favor of our executive compensation program. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee view this as indicating general approval of our approach to executive compensation, and as such we did not make any substantial changes to our executive compensation arrangements and programs as a result of the vote.

 

2022 Financial Results

 

In 2022, we reported:

 

 

net sales of $161.7 million, representing 5% reported growth over 2021;

 

income from operations of $26.8 million, representing a 26% decline versus 2021;

 

adjusted income from operations of $29.9 million, which we use to mean income from operations excluding a $3.1 million restructuring charge, representing an 18% decline versus 2021; and

 

net income of $20.6 million, representing a 23% decline versus 2021.

 

Additionally, in 2022 we increased the annual value of our dividend payment to shareholders by approximately 14% from $0.44 to $0.50.

 

Financial performance in 2022 largely reflected our investment in sales representatives and direct labor employees, in order to increase revenue growth and manufacturing production.

 

NEO Tenure

 

As of December 31, 2022, the average tenure of our named executive officers was approximately 24 years, demonstrating our ability to retain top talent, even in a competitive hiring environment in 2022.

 

Components of Compensation

 

The following chart outlines the key components of our executive compensation.

 

Key Components of Executive Compensation

Compensation Component

Form

Primary Purpose

Base Salary

Cash

Provide competitive pay to attract and retain experienced and successful executives; intended to reflect the market value of the role, with differentiation for individual capability

Short-Term Incentive

Cash – Performance Based Bonuses

Encourage and reward contributions with respect to meeting short-term financial and operational goals, tied directly to company performance and company goals

Long-Term Incentive

Periodic Equity Grants

Encourage and reward long-term stockholder value creation, create and sustain a retention incentive and facilitate long-term stock ownership among our executive team

 

24

 

In addition to the compensation components listed above, our executive officers are eligible to participate in the same comprehensive benefits program offered to our broad-based employee population. Our benefits include a health plan, dental plan, 401(k) plan with a company matching contribution, health savings account and the opportunity to enroll in short term disability, long term disability, vision and life insurance plans.

 

The compensation components referenced above are described in more detail below.

 

Base Salary and Short-Term Incentive Compensation

 

For 2022, the Compensation Committee approved a 5% increase in total compensation (base salary plus variable compensation) for company employees. Managers were given discretion to allocate a higher percentage increase to one employee as long as they offset that increase by giving other employee(s) increases lower than the target percentage.

 

In 2021, the Company’s human resources department, at the direction of the Compensation Committee, conducted a compensation review covering certain members of management, including our named executive officers. For purposes of the review of the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, our President and our Chief Financial Officer, the Company’s human resources department selected a peer group of the following 17 medical device companies: Angiodynamics, Inc., Anika Therapeutics, Inc., Artivion, Inc., Atricure, Inc., Atrion Corporation, AxoGen, Inc., Aziyo Biologics, Inc., Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., ConforMIS, Inc., Merit Medical Systems, Inc., Orthofix Medical Inc., Surgalign Holdings, Inc., Surmodics, Inc., Tactile Systems Technology, Inc., TransMedics Group, Inc., Vapotherm, Inc. and ViewRay, Inc. (the “Peer Group”). The Peer Group was selected on the basis of peers’ revenues, operating income, market capitalization and size of employee population falling within prescribed bands deemed comparable to those of our company. The Compensation Committee agreed that the Peer Group provided appropriate reference points for the evaluation of the Company’s compensation of its top three named executive officers. Based on a review of the compensation data from the Peer Group, the Compensation Committee approved changes to those named executive officers’ base salaries and bonuses (taken together) to bring their cash compensation to between the 20th and 40th percentiles of the Peer Group but capped any increase at 20% maximum, effective January 1, 2022. The compensation of our Senior Vice President, Operations was reviewed by reference to third-party market data and the Compensation Committee approved changes to his base salary and bonus (taken together) to bring his cash compensation to the 25th percentile of the reference data but capped any increase at 20% maximum, effective January 1, 2022. We believe maintaining a competitive compensation program is instrumental in securing and retaining the services of our executives and in driving our strong performance.

 

Changes in annual cash compensation for the named executive officers were:

 

Name

 

2022 Annual

Salary

   

2022 Annual Bonus at

Plan

   

2023 Annual

Salary

   

2023 Annual

Bonus at Plan

 

George W. LeMaitre

    $568,498       $333,880     $592,659     $348,070  

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.

    $365,256       $142,044     $381,693     $148,436  

David B. Roberts

    $411,781       $160,137     $430,311     $167,343  

Trent G. Kamke

    $283,080       $110,086     $301,480     $117,242  

 

Under our Management Incentive Compensation Plan, or our bonus plan, annual cash bonus objectives are linked to certain operational, financial, product development, regulatory and quality goals that have been approved by the Compensation Committee. Frequently these align with our company “planks,” which are our key corporate performance objectives for the fiscal year. We seek to ensure that each objective is directly linked to increasing either short-term or long-term stockholder value. These key performance objectives are intended to be directional in nature and challenging to achieve in the aggregate.

 

25

 

The bonus plan compensation of many of our senior officers is based, in part, on overall company financial performance metrics. For Messrs. LeMaitre, Pellegrino and Roberts, those metrics were the achievement of target levels of net sales of $165.8 million, adjusted income from operations of $40.4 million and net income of $28.3 million. Adjusted operating income is the Company’s operating income adjusted for a restructuring charge of $3.2 million.

 

Name

% of 2022 Target Bonus

Opportunity Tied to Above Targets

George W. LeMaitre

75%

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.

53%

David B. Roberts

53%

 

Mr. Kamke’s 2022 target bonus opportunity, however, was predominantly tied to operational metrics instead of company financial performance metrics in view of his position as Senior Vice President, Operations.

 

A bonus was separately payable for each financial performance metric; thus, our failure to reach the minimum threshold for one performance metric would result in no bonus payable for that metric, but could still result in a bonus payable for other performance metrics, presuming we reached the minimum threshold performance for such metrics. Additionally, these bonuses are earned based upon a continuously functioning, sliding scale; thus, failure to reach the targeted performance level could still result in a lesser bonus payable, provided that a certain minimum threshold had been achieved. Similarly, exceeding the targeted performance level could result in a greater bonus payable. In 2022, our net sales performance was below the target level of $165.8 million but above the minimum threshold performance of $149.2 million, while our adjusted income from operations and net income performance was below the minimum threshold performance applicable to those metrics.

 

The remaining percentage of each named executive officer’s bonus opportunity for 2022 was tied to the achievement of individual objectives. Notwithstanding that the objectives are individualized, in establishing those objectives, we seek to maximize the performance of our named executive officers in furthering Company planks. Individual performance measures for 2022 cash bonuses varied in scope and subject matter based on each named executive officer’s department and area of functional responsibility.

 

Target cash bonuses under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan for each of the named executive officers for 2022 are set forth in the table below. Additionally, each named executive officer was provided the opportunity to earn additional amounts by way of performance beyond targeted performance expectations.

 

Named Executive Officer

 

Target 2022 Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Compensation under the
Management Incentive
Compensation Plan
($)

   

Actual 2022 Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Compensation under the
Management Incentive
Compensation Plan
($)

 

George W. LeMaitre

  $ 333,880     $ 206,836  
                 

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.

  $ 142,044     $ 98,322  
                 

David B. Roberts

  $ 160,137     $ 91,308  
                 

Trent G. Kamke

  $ 110,086     $ 102,500  

 

Amounts earned pursuant to our Management Incentive Compensation Plan by our named executive officers are reflected in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” payments column in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

26

 

Long-Term Incentive: Equity Compensation

 

The Compensation Committee typically makes annual equity grants to our executive officers. These equity grants vest in equal annual installments over a pre-determined period of time, subject to continued employment.

 

As described in the “Base Salary and Short-Term Incentive Compensation” discussion above, the Company’s human resources department, at the direction of the Compensation Committee, conducted a compensation review covering certain members of management, including our named executive officers. In evaluating equity compensation, the Company’s human resources department utilized, and the Compensation Committee approved, the same Peer Group described above. On the basis of this review, the Compensation Committee implemented several changes to the Company’s equity compensation program, effective beginning with the 2021 grant cycle.

 

First, we changed the vesting period for our equity awards granted to employees from five years to four years to better align with the practices of the Peer Group. Second, we adjusted the value of our equity awards to match award levels at the 25th percentile of the Peer Group. Third, we added performance stock units as a new award type to be granted to senior personnel to further align our long-term compensation with the interests of our stockholders.

 

Our Compensation Committee approved annual equity awards to the named executive officers in the fourth quarter of 2022. The value of the annual equity awards made to our named executive officers in 2022 (taking into account the changes described above) was:

 

 

Name

 

Annual Equity Value(1)

 

George W. LeMaitre

    $1,100,000  

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.

    $500,000  

David B. Roberts

    $500,000  

Trent G. Kamke

    $225,000  

 


 

(1)

50% stock options, 25% restricted stock units and 25% performance stock units. In the case of performance stock units, the value above assumes target achievement of the performance goal.

 

Each stock option award is intended to be an incentive stock option to the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, with a per share exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on the date of grant, and subject to a seven-year term except in the case of Mr. LeMaitre, whose incentive stock options have a per share exercise price equal to 110% of the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on the date of grant and are subject to a five-year term. All non-qualified stock options, including those granted to Mr. LeMaitre, have a per share exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on the date of grant and are subject to a seven-year term.

 

Each stock option and restricted stock unit award vests in equal annual installments over a period of four years. Vesting of performance stock units awarded in 2022 is contingent upon achievement of budgeted operating income as approved by our Board.

 

The number of shares subject to a performance stock unit award will be determined based on achievement of a target level of operating income for 2023, which will be assessed following the public release of our 2023 financial results in Q1 2024, according to the grid below.

 

 

 

Operating Income as a % of Budget

PSU Payout

 

<80%

0%

Threshold

80%

80%

Target

100%

100%

Maximum

120%

120%

 

 

If we achieve the target level of operating income, then the number of shares subject to the performance stock unit becomes fixed at 100%. If we exceed the target level of operating income up to 120%, then the number of shares subject to the performance stock unit becomes fixed proportionately to the level of achievement. If we do not achieve the target level of operating income but achieve at least 80%, then the number of shares subject to the performance stock unit becomes fixed proportionately to the level of achievement. At that time, 25% of the performance stock units will vest, and the remaining 75% will vest annually on the next three anniversaries of the grant date.

 

27

 

Employment Agreements

 

We are party to employment agreements with Messrs. LeMaitre, Pellegrino and Roberts. These agreements do not contain ongoing contractual obligations relating to annual salary and bonus. Such employment agreements do contain ongoing severance arrangements, the material terms of which are described in the section titled “Severance Arrangements Pursuant to Agreements” below.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth summary information concerning the compensation paid or earned for services rendered to us in all capacities during the years ended December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and each of the other two most highly compensated persons serving as our executive officers (collectively, the “named executive officers”).

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary
($)

   

Bonus
($)

   

Stock
Awards(1)
($)

   

Option
Awards(2)
($)

   

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(3)
($)

   

All Other
Compensation(4)
($)

   

Total
($)

 

George W. LeMaitre

 

2022

  $ 568,498           $ 550,000     $ 550,000     $ 206,936     $ 64,678 (5)   $ 1,940,112  

Chairman and Chief

 

2021

    473,470             550,000       550,000       363,959       44,601       1,982,030  

Executive Officer

 

2020

    310,564 (6)           181,250       543,750       263,394       87,548 (7)     1,386,506  
                                                             

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.

 

2022

  $ 365,256           $ 250,000     $ 250,000     $ 98,322           $ 963,578  

Chief Financial Officer

 

2021

    341,438             250,000       250,000       177,157             1,018,595  
   

2020

    270,403 (6)     5,100 (8)     62,500       187,500       122,811       2,106       650,421  
                                                             

David B. Roberts

 

2022

  $ 411,781           $ 250,000     $ 250,000     $ 91,408       19,128 (9)   $ 1,022,317  

President

 

2021

    385,925       16,000 (8)     250,000       250,000       192,282       8,800       1,103,007  
   

2020

    303,357 (6)     5,100 (8)     62,500       187,500       141,600       6,521       706,578  
                                                             

Trent G. Kamke

 

2022

  $ 283,080           $ 112,500     $ 112,500     $ 125,600       9,150     $ 642,830  

Senior Vice President,

 

2021

    262,316       10,000 (8)     112,500       112,500       87,500       8,800       593,616  

Operations

 

2020

    210,048 (6)     7,549 (8)     28,750       86,250       96,500       8,038       437,135  

 


(1)

The dollar amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value for each stock award (both restricted stock units and, for 2021 and 2022, performance stock units) granted to our named executive officers for the indicated year pursuant to our equity compensation plan. These amounts have been calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. The value of performance stock units is based on target attainment of the performance goal and may not reflect the actual value of such units when they vest, which value is contingent upon the Company’s actual performance in the designated performance period. For additional information regarding the assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts, which is incorporated herein by reference, please refer to Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2023. The values of performance stock units awarded to our named executive officers in 2022 at the grant date assuming maximum attainment of the performance goal are: Mr. LeMaitre, $330,000; Mr. Pellegrino, $150,000; Mr. Roberts, $150,000; and Mr. Kamke, $67,500.

(2)

The dollar amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value for each option award granted to our named executive officers for the indicated year pursuant to our equity compensation plan. These amounts have been calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For additional information regarding the assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts, which is incorporated herein by reference, please refer to Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2023.

(3)

Represents cash incentive payments for the achievement of financial, corporate and/or management objectives under our applicable management incentive plans. For more information regarding Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation, see the “Short-Term Incentive Compensation” discussion above.

(4)

“All Other Compensation” includes for Messrs. LeMaitre, Roberts and Kamke an amount paid by the Company to match, in part, the contributions of each of to his respective 401(k) plan account.

(5)

Represents the following:

Amount

Purpose

$9,150

Matching contribution by the Company to Mr. LeMaitre’s 401(k) plan account

$55,528

Value of personal services provided to Mr. LeMaitre by his executive assistant in 2022 imputed as income to Mr. LeMaitre

(6)

We imposed reductions on our named executive officers’ base salaries for a portion of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in lower salaries for 2020 than in 2019. See the “Base Salary and Short-Term Incentive Compensation” discussion above.

(7)

Because the value of LeMaitre stock owned by Mr. LeMaitre and the size of LeMaitre exceeded thresholds set forth in the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and related rules (the “HSR Act”), Mr. LeMaitre was required to make a filing under the HSR Act in 2020 in order to maintain and increase his stock ownership level in the Company. The Compensation Committee approved the payment of the $45,000 HSR Act filing fee on Mr. LeMaitre's behalf and the gross-up of that payment in an amount equal to $36,135 to defray the tax effects of such payment. As a result, $81,135 was imputed as income to Mr. LeMaitre.

(8)

Represents extraordinary bonuses approved in advance by the Compensation Committee in relation to cost cutting, regulatory, operational and other initiatives in 2020 and 2021.

(9)

Includes the value of a standard company long-term service award awarded to Mr. Roberts valued at $9,978.

 

28

 

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following table sets forth information concerning non-equity incentive plan awards and grants of our common stock and stock options made to our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

 

       

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

   

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)

    All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(1) (#)       All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options(1) (#)       Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)       Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(2) ($)  

Name

 

Grant

Date

 

Threshold
($)

   

Target
($)

   

Maximum
($)

   

Threshold
(#)

   

Target
(#)

   

Maximum
(#)

                 
                                                                                     

George W. LeMaitre

          333,880       533,115                                            
   

12/12/2022

                                              30,419       $51.91   (3)   $550,000  
   

12/12/2022

                      4,662       5,828       6,994       5,828                   $550,000  
                                                                                     

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr

          142,044       227,660                                            
   

12/12/2022

                                              13,721       $47.19       $250,000  
   

12/12/2022

                      2,119       2,649       3,179       2,649                   $250,000  
                                                                                     

David B. Roberts

          160,137       256,108                                            
   

12/12/2022

                                              13,721       $47.19       $250,000  
   

12/12/2022

                      2,119       2,649       3,179       2,649                   $250,000  
                                                                                     

Trent G. Kamke

          110,086       176,000                                            
   

12/12/2022

                                              6,175       $47.19       $112,500  
   

12/12/2022

                      954       1,192       1,430       1,192                   $112,500  

 


(1)

Our Compensation Committee approved annual stock option awards, performance stock unit awards and restricted stock unit awards under our Third Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Option and Incentive Plan to the named executive officers in the fourth quarter of 2022. Each stock option award was intended to be an incentive stock option to the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, with a per share exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on NASDAQ on the date of grant, and subject to a seven-year term except in the case of Mr. LeMaitre, whose incentive stock options have a per share exercise price equal to 110% of the closing price of our common stock on NASDAQ on the date of grant and subject to a five-year term. Each option and restricted stock award vests in equal annual installments over a period of four years. The initial vesting of each performance stock unit is contingent upon achievement of operating income for 2023 against budgeted operating income as approved by our Board and will thereafter vest annually on the second, third and fourth anniversaries on the grant date.

(2)

The dollar amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value for each option and stock award, as applicable. The value of performance stock units is based on target attainment of the performance goal and may not reflect the actual value of such units when they vest, which value is contingent upon the Company’s actual performance in the designated performance period. These amounts have been calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For additional information regarding the assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts which is incorporated herein by reference, please refer to Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2023.

(3)

The exercise price is $47.19 to the extent these option awards are non-qualified stock options.

 

29

 

Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2022

 

The following table presents information regarding outstanding option and stock awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2022.

 

   

Option Awards

   

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of

Securities

underlying

Unexercised

Options - #

Exercisable

   

Number of

Securities

underlying

Unexercised

Options - # Unexcercisable

   

Option

Exercise

Price

   

Option

Expiration Date

   

Number of

shares or units

of stock that

have not vested -

#

   

Market value of

shares or units

of stock that

have not vested -

$

   

Equity

incentive

plan awards:

number of

unearned

shares, units

or other

rights that

have not

vested - #(1)

   

Equity

incentive

plan awards:

market or

payout value

of unearned

shares, units

or other rights

that have not

vested - $

 
                                                                 

George W. LeMaitre

    -       4,244 (3)   $ 25.92    

12/19/2023

      -       -       -       -  
      -       8,503 (3)   $ 23.56    

12/19/2025

      -       -       -       -  
      -       2,818 (4)   $ 39.03    

12/20/2024

      -       -       -       -  
      8,610 (4)     14,402 (4)   $ 35.48    

12/20/2026

      -       -       -       -  
      -       2,681 (5)   $ 41.02    

12/2/2025

      -       -       -       -  
      7,837 (5)     20,827 (5)   $ 37.29    

12/2/2027

      -       -       -       -  
      7,734 (6)     23,200 (6)   $ 48.60    

12/11/2028

      -       -       -       -  
      -       2,119 (7)   $ 51.91    

12/12/2027

      -       -       -       -  
      -       28,300 (7)   $ 47.19    

12/12/2029

      -       -       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       1,609 (3)   $ 74,057       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       2,111 (4)   $ 97,127       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       2,974 (5)   $ 136,855       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       4,289 (6)   $ 197,393       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       5,828 (7)   $ 268,205       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       -       -       4,662 (8)   $ 214,564  

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr

    3,461 (2)     -     $ 31.30    

12/22/2024

      -       -       -       -  
      4,367 (3)     4,366 (3)   $ 23.56    

12/19/2025

      -       -       -       -  
      2,942 (4)     5,882 (4)   $ 35.48    

12/20/2026

      -       -       -       -  
      2,673 (5)     8,018 (5)   $ 37.29    

12/2/2027

      -       -       -       -  
      3,515 (6)     10,546 (6)   $ 48.60    

12/11/2028

      -       -       -       -  
      -       13,721 (7)   $ 47.19    

12/12/2029

      -       -       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       559 (3)   $ 25,747       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       728 (4)   $ 33,499       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       1,025 (5)   $ 47,156       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       1,951 (6)   $ 89,791       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       2,649 (7)   $ 121,907       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       -       -       2,119 (8)   $ 97,526  

David B. Roberts

    17,303 (2)     -     $ 31.30    

12/22/2024

      -       -       -       -  
      17,466 (3)     4,366 (3)   $ 23.56    

12/19/2025

      -       -       -       -  
      8,824 (4)     5,882 (4)   $ 35.48    

12/20/2026

      -       -       -       -  
      5,346 (5)     8,018 (5)   $ 37.29    

12/2/2027

      -       -       -       -  
      3,515 (6)     10,546 (6)   $ 48.60    

12/11/2028

      -       -       -       -  
      -       13,721 (7)   $ 47.19    

12/12/2029

      -       -       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       559 (3)   $ 25,747       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       728 (4)   $ 33,499       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       1,025 (5)   $ 47,156       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       1,951 (6)   $ 89,791       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       2,649 (7)   $ 121,907       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       -       -       2,119 (8)   $ 97,526  

Trent G. Kamke

    1,774 (2)     -     $ 31.30    

12/22/2024

      -       -       -       -  
      4,017 (3)     2,009 (3)   $ 23.56    

12/19/2025

      -       -       -       -  
      2,706 (4)     2,706 (4)   $ 35.48    

12/20/2026

      -       -       -       -  
      2,460 (5)     3,688 (5)   $ 37.29    

12/2/2027

      -       -       -       -  
      1,582 (6)     4,745 (6)   $ 48.60    

12/11/2028

      -       -       -       -  
      -       6,175 (7)   $ 47.19    

12/12/2029

      -       -       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       251 (3)   $ 11,535       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       331 (4)   $ 15,227       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       470 (5)   $ 21,640       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       878 (6)   $ 40,420       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       1,192 (7)   $ 54,856       -       -  
      -       -       -       -       -       -       954 (8)   $ 43,885  

 


(1)

The number of performance stock units is based on threshold attainment of the performance goal in accordance with Item 402(f) of Regulation S-K and may not reflect the actual number of such units when they vest, which is contingent upon the Company’s actual performance in the designated performance period.

(2)

20% of this award vested on December 22, 2018 and the remainder vests annually at the rate of 20% per year.

(3)

20% of this award vested on December 19, 2019 and the remainder vests annually at the rate of 20% per year.

(4)

20% of this award vested on December 20, 2020 and the remainder vests annually at the rate of 20% per year.

(5)

20% of this award vested on December 2, 2021 and the remainder vests annually at the rate of 20% per year.

(6)

25% of this award vests on December 11, 2022 and the remainder vests annually at the rate of 25% per year.

 

30

 

(7)

25% of this award vests on December 12, 2023 and the remainder vests annually at the rate of 25% per year.

(8)

Initial vesting of this performance stock award is contingent upon satisfaction of the performance goal in 2023, which will be measured in Q1 2024. If the threshold performance goal is attained, 25% of the award will vest and thereafter an additional 25% will vest on each of the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date.

 

2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

The following table provides certain information regarding option exercises and stock vested during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 with respect to our named executive officers.  

 

   

Option Awards

   

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number

of

Shares

Acquired

on

Exercise

(#)

   

Value

Realized on

Exercise

($) (1)

   

Number

of

Shares

Acquired

on

Vesting

(#)

   

Value

Realized on

Vesting

($) (2)

 

George W. LeMaitre

    24,399     $ 457,502       6,279     $ 290,583  

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.

    31,998       894,767       2,308       106,835  

David B. Roberts

    7,079       229,006       2,533       116,814  

Trent G. Kamke

    5,587       161,975       1,225       58,006  

 


 

(1)

Value realized is calculated on the basis of the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of our common stock as reported on Nasdaq on the date of the exercise, multiplied by the number of shares of common stock underlying the options.

(2)

Value realized is calculated on the basis of the closing price of our common stock as reported on Nasdaq on the vesting date, multiplied by the number of shares.

 

Severance Arrangements Pursuant to Agreements

 

Pursuant to agreements with Messrs. LeMaitre, Pellegrino and Roberts, we have severance arrangements as follows:

 

George W. LeMaitre

 

Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, dated October 10, 2005, Mr. LeMaitre is an at-will employee and either we or Mr. LeMaitre may terminate his employment at any time. If Mr. LeMaitre terminates his employment for good reason, as defined in the agreement, or if we terminate his employment without cause, as defined in the agreement, he is entitled to (i) a lump sum payment equivalent to two weeks of his then-current base salary for each completed twelve-month period of service as of the date of termination, but in no event to exceed 52 weeks of such base salary and (ii) for the same period, our payment of our customary share of premiums for Mr. LeMaitre’s health insurance coverage. Mr. LeMaitre’s severance payment is conditioned upon his delivery of a signed non-disparagement agreement and release of known and unknown claims related to his employment, his resignation as an officer and director, and his delivery to us of all company property in his possession. Additionally, if Mr. LeMaitre is at any time found to have breached the terms of his obligations agreement, which includes non-competition and non-solicitation covenants that continue for two years following Mr. LeMaitre’s termination, then Mr. LeMaitre must reimburse us for any severance payments made after the first date on which Mr. LeMaitre’s breach occurred.

 

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.

 

Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, dated April 20, 2006, Mr. Pellegrino is an at-will employee and either we or Mr. Pellegrino may terminate his employment at any time. If we terminate his employment without cause, as defined in the agreement, he is entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the greater of $100,000 or the equivalent of two weeks of base salary for each completed twelve-month period of service as of the date of termination. Mr. Pellegrino’s severance payment is conditioned upon his delivery of a signed non-disparagement agreement and release of known and unknown claims related to his employment, his resignation as an officer, and his delivery to us of all company property in his possession. Additionally, if Mr. Pellegrino is at any time found to have breached the terms of his obligations agreement, which includes non-competition and non-solicitation covenants that continue for two years following Mr. Pellegrino’s termination, then Mr. Pellegrino must reimburse us for any severance payments made after the first date on which Mr. Pellegrino’s breach occurred.

 

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David B. Roberts

 

Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, dated June 20, 2006, Mr. Roberts is an at-will employee and either we or Mr. Roberts may terminate his employment at any time. If we terminate Mr. Roberts’s employment without cause, as defined in the agreement, he is entitled to (i) a lump sum payment equivalent to four weeks of his then-current base salary for each completed twelve-month period of service as of the date of termination, but in no event to exceed 52 weeks of such base salary and (ii) for the same period, our payment of our customary share of premiums for Mr. Roberts’s health insurance coverage. Mr. Roberts’s severance payment is conditioned upon his delivery of a signed non-disparagement agreement and release of known and unknown claims related to his employment, his resignation as an officer and director, and his delivery to us of all company property in his possession. Additionally, we have the option to require that Mr. Roberts remain employed for a 180-day transition period in order to receive the severance payment. If Mr. Roberts is at any time found to have breached the terms of his obligations agreement, which includes non-competition and non-solicitation covenants that continue for two years following Mr. Roberts’s termination, then Mr. Roberts must reimburse us for any severance payments made after the first date on which Mr. Roberts’s breach occurred.

 

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control

 

The following tables set forth potential payments payable to our named executive officers under their current employment agreements as at December 31, 2022, upon termination of employment or a change in control of our company.

 

George W. LeMaitre

 

Payments and Benefits

 

Voluntary

Termination

Without Good

Reason

   

Involuntary

Termination

Without Cause

   

Voluntary

Termination

for Good

Reason

   

Termination

for Cause

   

Termination

upon Death

   

Termination

upon Disability

   

Retirement

   

Termination

w/o Cause after

Change-in-Control

 

Cash Severance

        $ 568,498     $ 568,498                             $ 568,498  

Health Care Benefits

          12,835       12,835                               12,835  

Total

        $ 581,333     $ 581,333                             $ 581,333  

 

Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr.

 

Payments and Benefits

 

Voluntary

Termination

Without Good

Reason

   

Involuntary

Termination

Without Cause

   

Voluntary

Termination

for Good

Reason

   

Termination

for Cause

   

Termination

upon Death

   

Termination

upon Disability

   

Retirement

   

Termination

w/o Cause after

Change-in-Control

 

Cash Severance

        $ 238,821     $                             $ 238,821  

Total

        $ 238,821                                   $ 238,821  

 

David B. Roberts

 

Payments and Benefits

 

Voluntary

Termination

Without Good

Reason

   

Involuntary

Termination

Without Cause

   

Voluntary

Termination

for Good

Reason

   

Termination

for Cause

   

Termination

upon Death

   

Termination

upon Disability

   

Retirement

   

Termination

w/o Cause after

Change-in-Control

 

Cash Severance

        $ 411,781                                   $ 411,781  

Health Care Benefits

          14,283                                     14,283  

Total

        $ 426,064                                   $ 426,064  

 


 

Pay Ratio Disclosure 

 

As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the ratio of the annual total compensation of our “median” employee to the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, George W. LeMaitre, for 2022.

 

As permitted by SEC rules, we used annual base pay and target bonus as the consistently applied compensation measure to compare the total compensation of our 591 full-time employees (excluding our CEO) as of December 31, 2022 and to identify our median employee. We annualized the base pay and target bonus for any permanent employees who commenced work during 2022 or who were on unpaid leave during the year.  Additionally, compensation for employees outside of the U.S. was converted to U.S. dollars.  Using this approach, we identified our median employee.

 

32

 

We collected annual total compensation for our median employee for 2022 using the same methodology we used for our named executive officers as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table above. The annual total compensation of our median employee for 2022 was $67,375, and our CEO’s compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table plus the 401(k) match was $1,940,112, resulting in a ratio of 29:1.

 

This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on the methodology described above. Given that companies may use a range of methodologies to determine an estimate of their pay ratio, the estimated ratio reported above should not be used as a basis for comparison between companies.

 

Compensation Recovery Policy

 

As a public company subject to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, if we are required to restate our financial results as the result of misconduct or due to our material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer may be legally required to reimburse us for any bonus or incentive-based or equity-based compensation they receive. In addition, we will comply with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and anticipate that we will adopt a compensation recovery policy once final regulations on the subject have been adopted by Nasdaq, which has not yet occurred.

 

Risk Analysis of Our Compensation Plans

 

In support of the Compensation Committee’s oversight of the risks of our compensation policies and practices, management conducted a risk assessment of our compensation policies and practices for 2022, including our executive compensation programs. The primary focus of the assessment was on incentive compensation paid to employees. The Compensation Committee reviewed the assessment, and the Compensation Committee concurred with management’s assessment that our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company.

 

Tax Treatment of Compensation

 

Section 162(m) of the Code generally provides that publicly held companies may not deduct compensation paid to certain of their top executive officers to the extent that such compensation exceeds $1 million per officer in any year. In connection with The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the exemption from the deduction limit under Section 162(m) of the Code for “performance-based compensation” has been repealed, such that compensation paid to our “covered employees” in excess of $1 million will not be deductible unless it qualifies for transition relief applicable to certain “grandfathered” arrangements in place as of November 2, 2017. The Company routinely evaluates the potential impact of Section 162(m) of the Code. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had two covered employees with adjusted compensation in excess of $1 million, including stock options granted after November 2, 2017, resulting in nondeductible compensation of $0.9 million. In determining the form and amount of compensation for our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee may continue to consider all elements of the cost of such compensation. While the Compensation Committee considers the deductibility of awards as one factor in determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee may also look at other factors in making its decisions, and retains the flexibility to award compensation that it determines to be consistent with the goals of our executive compensation program even if the compensation is not deductible by us for tax purposes.

 

Accounting Considerations

 

The accounting impact of our executive compensation program is one of many factors that the Compensation Committee considers in determining the size and structure of that program.

 

33

 

 

2022 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

The following table sets forth the retainers, other cash fees, and equity compensation received by our non-employee directors for their service during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Name

 

Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash(1)
($)

   

Stock

awards
($)(2)

   

Option
awards
($)(3)

   

Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
($)

   

All other
compensation
($)

   

Total
($)

 

Lawrence J. Jasinski

  $ 42,000     $ 56,000     $ 56,000                 $ 154,000  

John J. O’Connor

    46,000       56,000       56,000                   158,000  

Bridget A. Ross

    36,167       56,000       56,000                   148,167  

John A. Roush

    34,500       56,000       56,000                   146,500  

Martha Shadan

    7,143       56,000       56,000                   119,143  

 


(1)

Represents fees earned in 2022 pursuant to our non-employee director compensation policy in effect for 2022, as discussed below.

(2)

The dollar amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value for each stock award (both restricted stock units and performance stock units) granted to our directors in 2022 pursuant to our equity compensation plan. These amounts have been calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. The value of performance stock units is based on target attainment of the performance goal and may not reflect the actual value of such units when they vest, which value is contingent upon the Company’s actual performance in the designated performance period. For additional information regarding the assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts, which is incorporated herein by reference, please refer to Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2023. The value of performance stock units awarded to each of our non-employee directors in 2022 at the grant date assuming maximum attainment of the performance goal is $33,600. As of December 31, 2022, each current non-employee director held 981.02 restricted stock units (other than Ms. Shadan who held 593 restricted stock units) and 593 performance stock units (assuming target attainment).

(3)

The dollar amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value for each option award granted to our directors in 2021 pursuant to our equity compensation plan. These amounts have been calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For additional information regarding the assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts, which is incorporated herein by reference, please refer to Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2023. As of December 31, 2022, non-employee directors held outstanding options for the following number of shares: Mr. Jasinski, 11,653; Mr. O’Connor, 29,153; Ms. Ross, 34,153; Mr. Roush, 29,153; and Ms. Shadan 3,209.

 

Employee directors do not receive cash compensation for their service as members of the Board of Directors.

 

On July 23, 2021, our Board approved changes to our director compensation policy. Changes to equity compensation were effective immediately, and changes to cash compensation were effective as of January 1, 2022.

 

In accordance with our non-employee director compensation policy, in 2022, non-employee directors receive an annual retainer for Board membership of $26,000. The chairman of our Audit Committee receives an annual retainer of $20,000, the chairman of our Compensation Committee receives an annual retainer of $7,500, and the chairman of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives an annual retainer of $6,500. Members of our Audit Committee receive an annual retainer of $6,000, members of our Compensation Committee receive an annual retainer of $2,500, and members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receive an annual retainer of $2,000.

 

Under the revised policy, each non-employee director is eligible for an annual equity grant valued at $112,000, comprised of 50% options, 25% performance stock units and 25% restricted stock units, provided that he or she has served as a director for at least six months at the time of grant.

 

All of the directors are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on our behalf, and all of the directors are eligible to participate in the Third Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Option and Incentive Plan on an ad hoc basis from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

 

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PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

 

As described in greater detail in “Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation program reflects a variable pay-for-performance philosophy. The following table and related disclosures provide further “pay versus performance” disclosure with respect to our chief executive officer, also referred to as our principal executive officer (PEO), and our other named executive officers (NEOs), as contemplated by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

 

Year

 

Summary Compensation

Table Total to

PEO1

   

Compensation

Actually Paid

to PEO2

   

Average

Summary Compensation

Table Total For

Non-PEO

   

Average

Compensation

Actually Paid

to Non-PEO

   

Value of Initial Fixed $100

Investment Based On:

   

Net

Income

(millions)7

   

Income

from

Operations

(millions)8

 
                   

Named

Executive

Officers3

   

Named

Executive

Officers4

   

Company

TSR5

   

Peer

Group

TSR6

                 

(a)

 

(b)

   

(c)

   

(d)

   

(e)

   

(f)

   

(g)

   

(h)

   

(i)

 

2022

  $ 1,940,112     $ 2,426,823     $ 876,242     $ 984,574     $ 132     $ 97     $ 20.6     $ 26.8  

2021

  $ 1,982,030     $ 5,341,607     $ 905,073     $ 1,704,467     $ 143     $ 144     $ 26.9     $ 36.4  

2020

  $ 1,386,506     $ 3,114,459     $ 598,045     $ 1,062,349     $ 114     $ 140     $ 21.2     $ 28.8  

 


 

(1)

The dollar amounts reported in column (b) are the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. LeMaitre (our Chief Executive Officer or PEO) for each corresponding year in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Refer to “Executive Compensation –Summary Compensation Table.”

 

(2)

The dollar amounts reported in column (c) represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to Mr. LeMaitre, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the average amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. LeMaitre during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to the average compensation for Mr. LeMaitre for each year to determine the compensation actually paid:

 

Year

Reported Summary

Compensation

Table Total for

PEO

Reported Value of

Equity Awards(a)

Equity Award

Adjustments(b)

Compensation

Actually Paid to

PEO

2022

$1,940,112

($1,100,000)

$1,586,711

$2,426,823

2021

$1,982,030

($1,100,000)

$4,459,577

$5,341,607

2020

$1,386,506

($725,000)

$2,452,953

$3,114,459

 

(a)         Represents the grant date fair value of equity-based awards granted each year as reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year. Because we do not maintain a pension in which any NEO participates, no adjustments from the SCT total related to pension value are needed to calculate “compensation actually paid” in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K.

(b)         The equity award adjustments for each applicable year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:

 

35

 

Year

Year End

Fair Value

of Equity

Awards

Year over Year

Change in Fair

Value of

Outstanding

and Unvested

Equity Awards

Fair Value as

of Vesting

Date of

Equity

Awards

Granted and

Vested in the

Year

Year over

Year Change

in Fair Value

of Equity

Awards

Granted in

Prior Years

that Vested in

the Year

Fair Value at

the End of the

Prior Year of

Equity

Awards that

Failed to

Meet Vesting

Conditions in

the Year

Value of Dividends or

other Earnings Paid on

Stock or Option

Awards not Otherwise

Reflected in Fair Value

or Total Compensation

Total Equity

Award

Adjustments

2022

$1,065,968

($357,456)

$1,759

$1,161,759

($286,647)

$1,329

$1,586,711

2021

$1,157,309

$703,308

$2,304

$2,596,656

$0

$0

$4,459,577

2020

$831,690

$448,074

$2,387

$1,170,802

$0

$0

$2,452,953

 

(3)

The dollar amounts reported in column (d) represent the average of the amounts reported for the Company’s named executive officers (NEOs) as a group (excluding Mr. LeMaitre, who has served as our CEO in each of the covered years) in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table in each applicable year. For each of the reported years, the names of each of the NEOs (excluding Mr. LeMaitre) included for purposes of calculating the average amounts in each applicable year are David B. Roberts, Joseph P. Pellegrino, and Trent G. Kamke.

 

(4)

The dollar amounts reported in column (e) represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid” (CAP) to the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. LeMaitre), as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. LeMaitre) during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to the average compensation for the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. LeMaitre) for each year to determine the compensation actually paid:

Year

Average Reported

Summary

Compensation

Table Total for

Non-PEO NEOs

Average Reported

Value of Equity

Awards(a)

Average Equity

Award

Adjustments(b)

Average

Compensation

Actually Paid to

Non-PEO NEOs

2022

$876,242

($408,333)

$516,666

$984,574

2021

$905,073

($408,333)

$1,207,728

$1,704,467

2020

$598,045

($205,000)

$669,304

$1,062,349

(a)         Represents the grant date fair value of equity-based awards granted each year as reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year. Because we do not maintain a pension in which any NEO participates, no adjustments from the SCT total related to pension value are needed to calculate “compensation actually paid” in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K.

(b)         The equity award adjustments for each applicable year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:

 

36

 

Year

Average

Year End

Fair Value

of Equity

Awards

Year over

Year Average

Change in

Fair Value of

Outstanding

and Unvested

Equity

Awards

Average Fair

Value as of

Vesting Date

of Equity

Awards

Granted and

Vested in the

Year

Year over Year

Average Change

in Fair Value of

Equity Awards

Granted in Prior

Years that

Vested in the

Year

Average Fair

Value at the End

of the Prior Year

of Equity

Awards that

Failed to Meet

Vesting

Conditions in the

Year

Average Value

of Dividends or

other Earnings

Paid on Stock or

Option Awards

not Otherwise

Reflected in Fair

Value or Total

Compensation

Total

Average

Equity

Award

Adjustments

2022

$395,661

($108,829)

$6,860

$328,914

($106,362)

$422

$516,666

2021

$429,021

$198,028

$384

$580,295

$0

$0

$1,207,728

2020

$234,727

$119,345

$772

$314,460

$0

$0

$669,304

 

(5)

Company TSR is calculated to show the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock during the covered period, including reinvestment of dividends.

(6)

Represents the weighted peer group TSR, weighted according to the respective companies’ stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. The peer group used for this purpose is the following published industry index: Nasdaq Medical Equipment Index.

(7)

The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income reflected in our audited financial statements for the applicable year.

(8)

The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of income from operations reflected in our audited financial statements for the applicable year. With respect to fiscal 2022, the Company’s bonus plan target level with respect to income from operations was set to adjusted income from operations to account for a restructuring charge.

 

 

Financial Performance Measures

 

As described in greater detail in “Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation program reflects a variable pay-for-performance philosophy. The most important financial performance measures we used to link executive compensation actually paid to our NEOs, for the most recently completed fiscal year, to our performance are as follows:

 

 

Net sales;

 

Income from operations;

 

Adjusted income from operations; and

 

Net income

 

 

Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay versus Performance Table

 

While we utilize several performance measures to align executive compensation with our performance, all of these measures are not presented in the above Pay versus Performance Table. Moreover, we generally seek to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore do not specifically align our performance measures with compensation that is actually paid (as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for a particular year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay versus Performance Table.

 

37

 

CAP versus TSR

 

As shown in the chart below, the PEO and other NEOs’ CAP amounts are aligned with the Company’s TSR. This is due primarily to the Company’s use of equity incentives, which are tied directly to stock price in addition to the company’s financial performance.

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/87edc11d34d405ed4ac7a89c7a9cd37d-graph01.jpg
 

 

CAP versus Net Income

 

As shown in the chart below, while the variations in the Company’s net income and the PEO and other NEOs’ CAP have been directionally consistent each year.

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/87edc11d34d405ed4ac7a89c7a9cd37d-graph02.jpg

 

38

 

 

 

CAP versus Company-Selected Measure (CSM)

 

The chart below compares the PEO and other NEOs’ CAP to our CSM, income from operations, which indicates there is a very strong relationship between this CSM and CAP.

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/87edc11d34d405ed4ac7a89c7a9cd37d-graph03.jpg

 

 

TSR: Company versus Peer Group

 

As shown in the chart below, the Company's 3-year cumulative TSR is less than the companies included in our industry index, the Nasdaq Medical Equipment Index. For more information regarding the Company’s performance and the companies that the Compensation Committee considers when determining compensation, refer to “Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

 

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The information contained above under the heading “Pay Versus Performance” shall not be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference in any such filing.

 

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company has a written policy that any transaction that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K of the rules and regulations of the SEC, with a “related person” must be reviewed and approved or ratified by the Audit Committee and/or the Board of Directors, excluding any director interested in such transaction.

 

Except as disclosed below or elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, there were no transactions with any of directors, executive officers, holders of more than 5% of our voting securities, or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, since January 1, 2022.

 

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers, and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock. Such persons are required by regulations of the SEC to furnish us with copies of all such filings.

 

To the Company’s knowledge, based on its review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and certain written representations made by directors and executive officers that no other reports were required during the year ended December 31, 2022 (or prior fiscal years), all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners were complied with during fiscal 2022.

 

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our Board of Directors currently consists of eight members. Our charter divides the Board of Directors into three classes. One class is elected each year for a term of three years. Vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the Board to fill a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class and until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified.

 

The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has nominated Bridget A. Ross and John A. Roush and recommended that each be elected to the Board of Directors as a Class II director, to hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in the year 2026 and until their successor has been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, or removal. Each nominee is currently serving as a director, and their current term as a Class II director expires at this Meeting.

 

The Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of the nominees would be unable or unwilling to serve, but if any nominee should for any reason be unable or unwilling to serve, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person for the office of director as the Board of Directors may recommend in the place of such nominee. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the nominees named below.

 

This Proposal 1 relates solely to the election of two Class II directors nominated by the Board and does not include any other matters relating to the election of directors, including, without limitation, the election of directors nominated by any of our stockholders.

 

The Board expects the nominees will be available for election. If a nominee declines or is unable to act as a director, your proxy may be voted for any substitute nominee proposed by the Board or the size of the Board may be reduced. In accordance with our Bylaws, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes properly cast on the election of directors.

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR THE ELECTION OF BRIDGET A. ROSS AND JOHN A. ROUSH.

 

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PROPOSAL 2

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF

THE COMPANYS NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we are asking our stockholders to vote on an advisory basis to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as such compensation is disclosed in this proxy statement under the heading “Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors-Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” As discussed in that section of this proxy statement, we have designed our compensation programs for our named executive officers in a way we believe enables the Company to attract, retain and motivate the key individuals who have the skills and experience to drive our success and build long-term value for our stockholders. We encourage you to review the section of this proxy statement entitled “Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors.” This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.

 

This vote is advisory and is not binding on the Board or us. Stockholders are being asked to vote on the following advisory resolution:

 

RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as such compensation is disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission in this proxy statement, is hereby APPROVED.

 

Although the vote is non-binding, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee of the Company will consider the results of this vote in connection with their periodic reviews of the Company’s compensation arrangements and programs for the Company’s named executive officers.

 

Advisory approval of this proposal requires the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting.

 

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE

TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANYS NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,

ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, BY VOTING FOR PROPOSAL 2.

 

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PROPOSAL 3

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected the firm of Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to serve as our independent certified public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2023. As a matter of good corporate governance, the Audit Committee has determined to submit its selection to stockholders for ratification. If the selection of Grant Thornton LLP is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE

“FOR THE RATIFICATION OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS OUR

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2023.

 

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

Proposals of stockholders intended for inclusion in the Proxy Statement to be furnished to all stockholders entitled to vote at our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act by the SEC, must be received at our principal executive offices not later than December 22, 2023. Any such proposal must comply with the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

Our Amended and Restated By-Laws establish an advance notice procedure with regard to proposals that stockholders otherwise desire to introduce at the annual meeting without inclusion in our proxy statement for that meeting. Written notice of such stockholder proposals for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders—other than one that will be included in our Proxy Statement—must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices not earlier than the close of business on February 1, 2024 nor later than the close of business on March 3, 2024, in order to be considered timely. However, if our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is scheduled to take place before May 2, 2024, or after July 31, 2024, in order to be timely, our Secretary must receive notice by the stockholder at our principal executive offices no later than (a) the 90th day prior to the scheduled date of our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or (b) the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is first made by us.

 

In addition, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the company’s nominees must also comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act.

 

Any proposal to be considered for inclusion at the annual meeting must contain specified information concerning the matters proposed to be brought before such meeting and concerning the stockholder proposing such action, and further must be proper matters for stockholder action. You are also advised to review our Amended and Restated By-Laws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

The sections of this proxy statement entitled “Corporate Governance-Hedging Policy,” “Audit Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee Report” do not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate such report by reference therein.

 

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

 

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

 

This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are LeMaitre stockholders will be “householding” our proxy materials. A single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, please notify your broker. You may also direct your written request to LeMaitre Vascular, Inc., Corporate Secretary, 63 Second Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 or contact the Corporate Secretary at (781) 221-2266.

 

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OTHER MATTERS

 

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be brought before the Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Meeting, the persons appointed in the accompanying proxy intend to vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their best judgment on such matters, under applicable laws.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors
   
 
https://cdn.kscope.io/87edc11d34d405ed4ac7a89c7a9cd37d-jpp01.jpg
  Joseph P. Pellegrino
  Chief Financial Officer, Director and Secretary

April 14, 2023

 

A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, AS FILED WITH THE SEC, IS BEING FURNISHED TO STOCKHOLDERS CONCURRENTLY HEREWITH. A STOCKHOLDER MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL COPY OF THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 TO: SECRETARY, 63 SECOND AVENUE, BURLINGTON, MA 01803.

 

NOTE 1 OF THE NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, INCLUDED IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FILED ON MARCH 1, 2023, IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

 

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Proxy Card

 

Proxy LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

 

Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting June 1, 2023

 

George W. LeMaitre and Joseph P. Pellegrino, Jr., or any of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. to be held on June 1, 2023 or at any postponement or adjournment thereof.

 

Shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the stockholder. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR Bridget A. Ross, FOR John A. Roush, FOR item 2 to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, and FOR item 3 to ratify Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.

 

In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on June 1, 2023. The proxy statement, the notice of the annual meeting, directions to the annual meeting, a sample proxy card, and our 2022 annual report to stockholders are available at http://www.lemaitre.com/proxy.

 

(Items to be voted appear on reverse side.)

 


 

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

 

PLEASE SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

 

A - Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed, FOR Proposal 2 and FOR Proposal 3.

 

1. Election of Directors:

 

       
       

(01) Bridget A. Ross

FOR

WITHHOLD

 
 

 
       

(02) John A. Roush

FOR

WITHHOLD

 
 

 

 

   
 

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

 

2. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

 
         
         
         
 

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

 

3. To ratify Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.

 

 

 

 

B - Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below.

Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.

 

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) – Please print date below.                             

 

Signature 1 – Please keep signature within the box.                                             

 

Signature 2 – Please keep signature within the box.                                             

 

C Non-Voting Items

 

Change of Address – Please print new address below.                             

 

Comments – Please print your comments below.                             

 

Meeting Attendance – Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. ☐