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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
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 under §240.14a-12
Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

No fee required.

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)
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(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)
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(5)
Total fee paid:

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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Amount Previously Paid:
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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Date Filed:

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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_floordecor-4c.jpg]
2500 Windy Ridge Parkway, SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
March 22, 2021
Dear Stockholder,
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be held only by remote communication in a virtual format at: http://web.lumiagm.com/271307858. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person to ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. To be admitted to the Annual Meeting at http://web.lumiagm.com/271307858, you must log in using the meeting password and the 11-digit control number found in the proxy materials previously distributed to you. The password for the meeting is floor2021. For registered stockholders, your 11-digit control number can be found on the proxy card, voting instruction form or notice of internet availability you received previously. If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank, broker or other nominee, you must register in advance to attend the Annual Meeting. To register, you must submit proof of your “legal proxy” obtained from your bank, broker or nominee reflecting your Company holdings, along with your name and email address, to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC: (1) by email to proxy@astfinancial.com; (2) by facsimile to (718) 765-8730 or (3) by mail to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, Attn: Proxy Tabulation Department, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219. Please reference “Floor & Decor 2021 Annual Meeting May 12, 2021” in the subject line. Obtaining a “legal proxy” may take several days and stockholders are advised to register as far in advance as possible. Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 5, 2021. You will receive a confirmation email from American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC of your registration.
During the Annual Meeting, if you were a stockholder of record as of the record date, you will be able to vote by following the instructions on the virtual meeting website at http://web.lumiagm.com/271307858. If you hold shares of the Company’s common stock in “street name” through a broker, bank or other institution or nominee, you must follow the instructions provided by your broker or other financial institution regarding how to instruct your broker or financial institution to vote your shares.
The agenda for the Annual Meeting includes:

the election of four Class I directors for three-year terms expiring in 2024 (Proposal 1);

the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for our 2021 fiscal year (Proposal 2);

an advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal) (Proposal 3);

a vote to approve amendments to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to declassify our Board of Directors (Proposal 4); and

a vote to approve amendments to our Charter to eliminate supermajority voting requirements and other obsolete provisions, including the elimination of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock (Proposal 5).
The Company’s Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the four Class I directors, FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors, FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of compensation paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, FOR amending the Charter to declassify the Board of Directors and FOR the
 

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amending the Charter to eliminate supermajority voting and other obsolete provisions, including the elimination of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock.
Your interest in the Company and your vote are very important to us. The enclosed proxy materials contain detailed information regarding the business that will be considered at the Annual Meeting. It is important that all stockholders participate in the affairs of the Company, regardless of the number of shares owned. Accordingly, we encourage you to read the proxy materials and vote your shares as soon as possible. You may authorize your proxy via the Internet or telephone or, if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials, by mail by completing and returning the proxy card.
On behalf of the Company, I would like to express our appreciation for your ongoing interest in Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Thomas V. Taylor
Thomas V. Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
 

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FLOOR & DECOR HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 12, 2021
TIME
3:00 P.M. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 12, 2021
PLACE
http://web.lumiagm.com/271307858
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
(1)
To elect four Class I directors for three-year terms expiring at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders once their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal (Proposal 1).
(2)
To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for our 2021 fiscal year (Proposal 2).
(3)
To approve, by non-binding vote, the compensation paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as disclosed in these proxy materials (commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal) (Proposal 3).
(4)
To approve amendments to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to declassify our Board of Directors (Proposal 4).
(5)
To approve amendments to our Charter to eliminate supermajority voting requirements and other obsolete provisions, including the elimination of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock (Proposal 5).
(6)
To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
RECORD DATE
You are entitled to vote only if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on March 16, 2021.
PROXY VOTING
It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to transmit your voting instructions online at www.voteproxy.com or via telephone by calling 800-776-9437 (800-PROXIES), or to complete and return a proxy card (no postage is required).
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on May 12, 2021: As permitted by rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, rather than mailing a full paper set of these proxy materials, we are mailing to many of our stockholders only a notice of internet availability of proxy materials containing instructions on how to access these proxy materials and authorize their respective proxy votes online. This proxy statement, our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the proxy card are available at www.voteproxy.com. You will need your notice of internet availability or proxy card to access these proxy materials.
March 22, 2021
/s/ David V. Christopherson

David V. Christopherson
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 

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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_floordecor-4c.jpg]
2500 Windy Ridge Parkway, SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
PROXY SUMMARY
We are providing these materials in connection with the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider. Please read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting as it contains important information about matters upon which you are being asked to vote.
TIME
3:00 P.M. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 12, 2021
PLACE
http://web.lumiagm.com/271307858
RECORD DATE
You are entitled to vote only if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on March 16, 2021.
Agenda and Voting Recommendations
Proposal
Board Recommendation
See Page
(1) To elect four Class I directors for three-year terms expiring at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders once their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. FOR each Nominee
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(2) To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for our 2021 fiscal year. FOR
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(3) To approve, by non-binding vote, the compensation paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as disclosed in these proxy materials (commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal). FOR
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(4) To approve amendments to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to declassify our Board of Directors. FOR
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(5) To approve amendments to our Charter to eliminate supermajority voting requirements and other obsolete provisions, including the elimination of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. FOR
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(6) To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. FOR
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Board of Director Nominees
The following table provides summary information about each director nominee. Each director nominee is standing for election for a three-year term or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. All of the director nominees are current directors.
 
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Name
Age
Director Since
Principal Occupation
Committees
Norman H. Axelrod
68
December 2011 Former CEO of Linen ‘n Things Compensation Committee
Ryan Marshall
46
January 2021 President and CEO of PulteGroup, Inc. Audit Committee
Richard L. Sullivan
64
April 2017 CEO of PGA Tour Superstore Audit Committee
Felicia D. Thornton
57
April 2017 Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of 99 Cents Only Stores LLC Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Governance Evolution and Highlights
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company is committed to strong corporate governance. As we continue our transition from a “controlled company” to a widely held company following the completion of our former principal stockholders’ sell-down of their equity ownership positions in fiscal 2020, we are committed to evolving our Board and our corporate governance processes to reflect the changes in our Company’s stockholder base. We are committed to strong corporate governance practices that reflect high standards of ethics and integrity and promote long-term stockholder value.
As a result of our Board’s continued evaluation of our corporate governance practices, its understanding of the views of the investment community and feedback from our stockholders, at this year’s Annual Meeting, we are seeking stockholder approval to implement changes to our Charter to further strengthen our corporate governance principles and enhance the ability of our stockholders to influence our governance structure. In particular, we are seeking stockholder approval to declassify our Board and eliminate supermajority voting requirements from our Charter, as well as other obsolete provisions related to our former principal stockholders, including eliminating our Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. These changes are consistent with our continued evolution to a widely held company and modernize provisions of our Charter.
 
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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_floordecor-4c.jpg]
2500 Windy Ridge Parkway, SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
PROXY STATEMENT
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), has prepared this document to solicit your proxy to vote upon certain matters at the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”).
These proxy materials contain information regarding the Annual Meeting, to be held on May 12, 2021, beginning at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time, to be held by remote communication in a virtual format at: http://web.lumiagm.com/271307858, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. As permitted by the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), rather than mailing a full paper set of these proxy materials, we are mailing to many of our stockholders only a notice of internet availability of proxy materials (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access and review these proxy materials and authorize their respective proxy votes online. If you receive the Notice and would like to receive a paper copy of these proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials located at www.voteproxy.com.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND THESE PROXY MATERIALS
The approximate date that this proxy statement, the proxy card, and our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”) are first being sent or given to our stockholders is on or about March 22, 2021. The information regarding stock ownership and other matters in this proxy statement is as of March 16, 2021 (the “Record Date”), unless otherwise indicated.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND THESE PROXY MATERIALS
What may I vote on?
You may vote on the following proposals:

the election of four Class I directors for three-year terms expiring at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders once their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified, or their earlier resignation or removal (“Proposal 1”);

the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as independent auditors for our 2021 fiscal year (“Proposal 2”);

the approval, by non-binding vote, of the compensation paid to our named executive officers (“NEOs”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 as disclosed in these proxy materials (commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal) (“Proposal 3”);

the approval of amendments to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to declassify our Board of Directors (“Proposal 4”); and

the approval of amendments to our Charter to eliminate supermajority voting requirements and other obsolete provisions, including the elimination of our Class B and Class C Common Stock (“Proposal 5”).
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FOUR CLASS I DIRECTORS, FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF EY AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, FOR THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF COMPENSATION PAID TO
 
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OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 (“SAY-ON-PAY”), FOR AMENDING THE CHARTER TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOR THE AMENDING THE CHARTER TO ELIMINATE SUPERMAJORITY VOTING AND OTHER OBSOLETE PROVISIONS, INCLUDING THE ELIMINATION OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK AND CLASS C COMMON STOCK.
Who may vote?
Stockholders of record of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“common stock”), at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to receive the Notice and these proxy materials and to vote their respective shares at the Annual Meeting. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter that is properly brought before the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, 104,609,895 shares of common stock were outstanding.
How do I vote?
We have elected to provide access to proxy materials over the Internet under the SEC’s “notice and access” rules to reduce the environmental impact and cost of the Annual Meeting. However, if you prefer to receive paper copies of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice.
Stockholders of Record
If your common stock is registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, you are considered a stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As a stockholder of record, you have the right to vote by proxy.
You may authorize your proxy in any of the following three ways:
Internet.   Go to www.voteproxy.com to use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the website.
Phone.   Call 800-776-9437 (800-PROXIES) using any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Have your proxy card in hand when you call.
Mail.   Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided, or return it to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.
Authorizing your proxy by any of these methods will not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. However, for those who will not be voting in person at the Annual Meeting, your final voting instructions must be received by no later than 11:59 P.M. on May 11, 2021.
Beneficial Owners
Most of our stockholders hold their shares through a stockbroker, bank or other nominee, rather than directly in their own names. If you hold your shares in one of these ways, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name”, and the Notice is being forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote. Your broker, bank or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction form for you to use in directing the broker, bank or nominee on how to vote your shares. Unless you provide specific voting instructions, your brokerage firm will only have the discretion to vote shares it holds on your behalf with respect to Proposal 2 (the ratification of EY as independent auditors for our 2021 fiscal year), but not with respect to Proposal 1 (the election of four Class I directors), Proposal 3 (the say-on-pay proposal), Proposal 4 (amending the Charter to declassify the Board) or Proposal 5 (amending the Charter to remove the supermajority voting requirement and other obsolete provisions, including the elimination of our Class B and Class C Common Stock) as more fully described under “What is a broker ‘non-vote’?” below.
 
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Can I change my vote?
Yes. If you are the stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy before it is exercised by doing any of the following:

sending a letter to us stating that your proxy is revoked;

signing a new proxy and sending it to us; or

attending the Annual Meeting and voting by ballot.
Beneficial owners should contact their broker, bank or nominee for instructions on changing their votes.
How many votes must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?
A “quorum” is necessary to hold the Annual Meeting. A quorum is a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. They may be present at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” are not counted as votes cast either “FOR” or “AGAINST” a given proposal, but are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum.
How many votes are needed to approve the proposals?
The following table sets forth the voting requirements with respect to each of the proposals at the Annual Meeting:
Proposal
Vote Required
1 The election of four Class I directors A “FOR” vote by a majority of votes cast
2 The ratification of EY as independent auditors for our 2021 fiscal year A “FOR” vote by a majority of votes cast
3 The Say-On-Pay Proposal A “FOR” vote by a majority of votes cast
4 The amendment of our Charter to declassify the Board A “FOR” vote by a two-thirds majority of votes entitled to be cast
5 The amendment of our Charter to eliminate supermajority voting and other obsolete provisions, including eliminating our Class B and Class C Common Stock A “FOR” vote by a two-thirds majority of votes entitled to be cast
A “FOR” vote by a “majority of votes cast” means that the number of shares voted “FOR” exceeds the number of shares voted “AGAINST.”
A “FOR” vote by a “two-thirds majority of votes entitled to be cast” means that the number of shares voted “FOR” represents at least two-thirds of the number of our shares outstanding on the record date.
How can I submit questions relating to the Annual Meeting?
Stockholders may submit questions relating to Annual Meeting matters by sending an email our Investor Relations department at InvestorRelations@flooranddecor.com with “2021 Annual Meeting” in the subject line. Only questions pertinent to meeting matters will be answered during the meeting, subject to time constraints. Questions regarding other matters, including those related to employment, product or service issues, or suggestions for product innovations, are not pertinent to meeting matters and therefore will not be answered. Questions that are substantially similar may be grouped and answered together to avoid repetition.
How can I access the list of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
Access to the list of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting for any purpose germane to the meeting will be available beginning ten days prior to the meeting by emailing
 
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InvestorRelations@flooranddecor.com with “Annual Meeting Stockholder List” in the subject line. Stockholders submitting any such request must include their control number.
Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
The Company will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and publish final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days of the completion of the meeting.
What is an abstention?
An abstention is a properly signed proxy card that is marked “abstain.” Abstentions do not constitute votes “FOR” or votes “AGAINST.”
What is a broker “non-vote?”
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and do not provide the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on routine matters but cannot vote on non-routine matters. If the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, such organization will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to vote on this matter with respect to your shares. This is commonly referred to as a broker “non-vote.”
The election of directors (Proposal 1), the say-on-pay proposal (Proposal 3), the proposal to amend the Charter to declassify the Board (Proposal 4) and the proposal to amend the Charter to eliminate supermajority voting and other obsolete provisions, including the elimination of our Class B and Class C Common Stock (Proposal 5) are matters considered non-routine under applicable rules. A broker, bank or other nominee cannot vote without your instructions on non-routine matters. For your vote to be counted in the above proposals, you will need to communicate your voting decisions to your broker, bank or other nominee before the date of the meeting using the voting instruction form provided by your broker, bank or other nominee.
Broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors (Proposal 1) or the say on pay proposal (Proposal 3). Broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal to amend the Charter to declassify the Board (Proposal 4) and the proposal to amend the Charter to eliminate supermajority voting and other obsolete provisions, including the elimination of our Class B and Class C Common Stock (Proposal 5).
The ratification of the appointment of EY as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 30, 2021 (Proposal 2) is a matter considered routine under applicable rules. A broker, bank or other nominee may generally vote on routine matters.
Will any other matters be acted on at the Annual Meeting?
If any other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the persons named in the proxy will have discretion to vote on those matters. As of February 12, 2021, the date by which any proposal for consideration at the Annual Meeting submitted by a stockholder must have been received by us to be presented at the Annual Meeting, and as of the date of these proxy materials, we did not know of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
Who pays for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay the expenses of soliciting proxies. In addition to solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone or other means by our directors or associates. We will reimburse brokerage firms and other nominees, custodians and fiduciaries for costs incurred by them in mailing these proxy materials to the beneficial owners of common stock held of record by such persons.
 
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Whom should I contact with other questions?
If you have additional questions about these proxy materials or the Annual Meeting, please contact: Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., 2500 Windy Ridge Parkway, SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, Attention: David V. Christopherson, Telephone: (404) 471-1634.
 
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ELECTION OF FOUR CLASS I DIRECTORS (PROPOSAL 1)
Board Structure and the Nominees
The Board is currently comprised of 10 directors. Pursuant to our Charter, the Board is divided into three classes. The members of each class serve for staggered, three-year terms. Upon the expiration of the term of a class of directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (the “Nominating Committee”) will recommend to the Board for its approval the slate of director nominees to be nominated for election for three-year terms at the annual meeting of stockholders in the year in which the term of a class of directors expires. On October 27, 2020, Brad Brutocao, Rachel Lee, and John Roth each resigned from the Board, effective as of January 1, 2021. Mr. Brutocao and Ms. Lee served on the Compensation Committee of the Board, and Mr. Roth and Ms. Lee served on the Nominating Committee of the Board. On October 28, 2020, the Board determined, effective as of the January 1, 2021, to appoint Ryan Marshall, Kamy Scarlett and Charles Young to the Board. On February 10, 2021, Michael Fung, a member of our Board and the chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Board passed away. Effective February 24, 2021, the Board appointed Felicia Thornton, a current member of the Board, as chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Board.
Our directors have a balance of tenure and age, which provides our Board with an effective mix of experience and perspective, as shown in the chart and biographies below:
[MISSING IMAGE: tm212453d1-pc_election4clr.jpg]
In connection with the Annual Meeting, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, has nominated each of Norman H. Axelrod, Ryan Marshall, Richard L. Sullivan and Felicia D. Thornton (together, the “Nominees”) for reelection as a Class I director, for a three-year term expiring at our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders once their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Set forth below is information concerning our directors, and the key experience, qualifications and skills they bring to the Board as well as an overview of our Board’s diversity in demographic makeup. Our Board collectively leverages the diverse backgrounds of our directors and their strengths and experiences in many areas including those described below.
Board Skills & Experience and Demographic Matrix
The table below summarizes the specific qualifications, attributes, skills and experience of each director that led our board of directors to conclude that the nominee is qualified to serve on our board of directors. While each director is generally knowledgeable in each of these areas, an “X” in the chart below indicates
 
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that the item is a specific qualification, attribute, skill or experience that the individual brings to our board. The lack of an “X” for a particular item does not mean that the individual does not possess the qualification, attribute, skill or experience.
Skills & Experience
Norman A.
Axelrod
Ryan
Marshall
Richard L.
Sullivan
Felicia D.
Thornton
Charles
Young
Thomas V.
Taylor
Kamy
Scarlett
David B.
Kaplan
Peter M.
Starrett
George
Vincent
West
Audit & Financial Expertise X X X X X X
Corporate Strategy & Business Development X X X X X X X X X X
Corporate Governance X X X X
Ethics/Social Responsibility Oversight X X X
Consumer Goods X X X X X X X
Retail Chains X X X X X X X X
CEO X X X X X X X X
Mergers & Acquisitions X X X X X X
Risk Oversight X X X
Company Founder X X
Real Estate X X X X X X X X X
Home Improvement X X X X
High Growth X X X X X X X X
Digital/Omni-Channel X X X X X
Human Capital/Compensation Oversight X X X X X X X X X X
International X X X X X
Commercial or B-to-B X X
Demographic Background
Years on Board 9.1
Less
than1
3.8 3.8
Less
than1
8.1
Less
than1
10.3 10.2 21
Gender
Male X X X X X X X X
Female X X
Age
68 46 64 57 52 55 57 53 73 66
Race/Ethnicity
African American/Black X
Asian, Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander
White/Caucasian X X X X X X X X
Hispanic/Latino X
Number of Public Boards
1 2 1 3 2 2 1 2 2 1
The Nominees
Norman H. Axelrod, 68, has served as our Chairman since December 2011 and as a member of our Board since November 2010. Beginning in 1988, Mr. Axelrod served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Linens ‘n Things, Inc., a retailer of home textiles, housewares and decorative home accessories, was appointed as Chairman of its board of directors in 1997, and served in such capacities until its acquisition in February 2006. Mr. Axelrod also serves on the boards of directors of the parent entities of Guitar Center, Inc., a musical instruments retailer, The Neiman Marcus Group LLC, a luxury retailer, and 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, a deep-discount retailer. Mr. Axelrod served on the board of directors of the parent entity of Smart & Final Stores, Inc., a warehouse-style food and supply retailer, until 2019. Mr. Axelrod was also appointed Chairman of the board of directors of 99 Cents Only Stores LLC in February 2018 and has previously served as the Chairman of the boards of directors of GNC Holdings,
 
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Inc., a specialty retailer of health and wellness products, National Bedding Company LLC, a mattress and bedding product manufacturer, and Simmons Company, a mattress and bedding product manufacturer, and as a member of the boards of directors of Jaclyn, Inc., a handbags and apparel company, Reebok International Ltd., a leading worldwide designer and marketer of sports, fitness and casual footwear, apparel and equipment, and Maidenform Brands, Inc., an intimate apparel retailer. Mr. Axelrod has provided consulting services to certain entities related to Ares Management Corporation (“Ares Management”). Mr. Axelrod received a B.S. in Management and Marketing from Lehigh University and an M.B.A. from New York University. Mr. Axelrod’s vast experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member of our Board.
Ryan Marshall, 46, has served as a member of our Board since January 2021. Mr. Marshall has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of PulteGroup, Inc. (“Pulte”) since September 2016. Prior to becoming the Chief Executive Officer and President of Pulte, Mr. Marshall served as the President of Pulte since February 2016 and had the responsibility for Pulte’s homebuilding operations and its marketing and strategy departments. Prior to being named President, Mr. Marshall served as Pulte’s Executive Vice President of Homebuilding Operations. Other previous roles with Pulte included Area President for Pulte’s Southeast Area, Area President for Florida, Division President in both South Florida and Orlando and Area Vice President of Finance. In those roles, he managed various financial and operating functions including financial reporting, land acquisition and strategic market risk and opportunity analysis. Mr. Marshall’s strategic growth experience, his financial expertise, his experience with home construction and ability to contribute to our commercial business and his experience as a public company CEO led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member of our Board.
Richard L. Sullivan, 64, has served as a member of our Board since April 2017. Mr. Sullivan has been the President and CEO of the parent entity of PGA TOUR Superstore, a nationwide specialty golf retailer, since 2009 and the Chairman of the National Golf Foundation, a non-profit golf market research provider, since 2019. Previously, Mr. Sullivan was the Chief Marketing Officer for Home Depot Inc. (“Home Depot”) from 1992 to 2002. From 2002 to 2008, Mr. Sullivan served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer overseeing sales, marketing and other business-related functions for the Atlanta Falcons and team owner Arthur Blank. Mr. Sullivan was elected Vice Chairman of the board of directors of the National Golf Foundation in January 2016 and serves as a member of its compensation committee. He received his B.S. in Accounting from Roger Williams University. Mr. Sullivan’s business experience, including in home improvement and specialty retailers, led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member of our Board.
Felicia D. Thornton, 57, has served as a member of our Board since April 2017. Ms. Thornton served as Interim Chief Executive Officer from June 2019 to March 2020 and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, a deep-discount retailer, from November 2015 to August 2018. Ms. Thornton was appointed to the board of directors for 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, where she currently serves as Vice Chair, in February 2018 and served as the Audit Committee Chair from November 2018 to April 2019. In September 2020, Ms. Thornton was appointed to the board of directors and audit committee of Pactiv Evergreen Inc., a food and beverage packaging company. Ms. Thornton is a member of the board of directors and Audit Committee Chair of Covergint Technologies and Coolsys, both private companies. In February 2021, Ms. Thornton was appointed to the board of directors and audit committee of Ares Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company. Previously, Ms. Thornton served as Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer for DeMoulas Super Market, Inc., (“DeMoulas”), a supermarket chain, from June 2014 to December 2014 and as the Chief Executive Officer of Knowledge Universe U.S., a private childhood education company, from 2006 to 2011. Ms. Thornton served as Chief Financial Officer and led overall strategy for Albertsons, a grocery and drugstore company, from 2001 to 2006. Ms. Thornton served in a variety of executive strategic and financial roles from 1992 to 2000 for Ralphs Grocery Company, Inc., a grocery store chain, and for Fred Meyer, a retail supermarket company, both of which eventually became part of The Kroger Company, a global retailer of grocery, multi-department, discount, convenience and jewelry stores, where Ms. Thornton served as Group Vice President responsible for retail operations. Ms. Thornton has served as a member of the boards of directors of public and private companies, including Nordstrom, Inc., a luxury retailer, from November 2010 to May 2012 and for Knowledge Universe Education, Inc. from November 2006 to May 2012. Ms. Thornton also served as an Advisor to the Special Committee of the board of directors of DeMoulas from April 2014 to June 2014.
 
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Ms. Thornton is a member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association and is a National Association of Corporate Directors Fellow. Ms. Thornton received a B.S. in Economics from Santa Clara University and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California. Ms. Thornton’s extensive executive experience in retail, and particularly in large high-growth multi-unit retailers, led to the conclusion that she should serve as a member of our Board.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FOUR NOMINEES AS CLASS I DIRECTORS.
Directors Remaining in Office until our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Charles Young, 52, has served as a member of our Board since January 2021. Mr. Young has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Invitation Homes since 2017. From 2015 until Invitation Homes completed its merger with Starwood Waypoint Homes (“SWH”), Mr. Young served in a number of senior roles with SWH and its predecessor. Earlier in his career, Mr. Young worked for Goldman, Sachs & Co. in its Real Estate Principal Investment Area (Whitehall) and Goldman’s Investment Banking Division, in mergers and acquisitions. He also has prior experience in real estate development and diversity consulting. Before starting his career in real estate and investment banking, Mr. Young spent several years as a professional football player in the National Football League and the World League of American Football. He is a member of the Stanford Board of Trustees and currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. He was also a founding member of the LEARN Charter School Network. He received his B.A. in Economics from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Mr. Young’s operating experience, including in a high-growth public company, his experience in mergers and acquisitions and his real estate expertise led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member of our Board.
Thomas V. Taylor, 55, has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board since December 2012. Prior to joining us, Mr. Taylor began his career at age 16 in 1983 at a Miami Home Depot store. He worked his way up through various manager, district manager, vice president, president, and senior vice president roles to eventually serve as the Executive Vice President of Operations with responsibility for all 2,200 Home Depot stores and then the Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing, again for all stores. After leaving Home Depot in 2006, for the next six years, Mr. Taylor was a Managing Director at Sun Capital Partners. During his tenure, he was a board member for over twenty portfolio companies in the United States and Europe. Mr. Taylor currently serves on the board of directors of National Vision Holdings Inc., an optical retailer, and Cooper’s Hawk, a differentiated wine club and restaurant concept. Mr. Taylor’s significant experience as a board member and his expertise in the home improvement retail industry led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member of our Board.
Kamy Scarlett, 57, has served as a member of our Board since January 2021. Ms. Scarlett has served as the Chief Human Resources Officer of Best Buy Co. Inc. (“Best Buy”) since 2017. In this role, she oversees talent development and the health and well-being of nearly 125,000 Best Buy employees worldwide. She has previously served as Best Buy’s President, U.S. retail, leading operations of Best Buy’s nearly 1,000 U.S. store locations. Before taking on senior executive roles in the U.S., Ms. Scarlett led Human Resources and Retail operations for Best Buy’s Canadian operations. Prior to joining Best Buy in 2014, Ms. Scarlett was the Chief Operating Officer at Grafton-Fraser Inc., a leading Canadian retailer of men’s apparel, and previously held leadership roles at Loblaw Cos., Hudson’s Bay Co. and Dylex Inc. Ms. Scarlett also serves on the board of the Best Buy Foundation. Ms. Scarlett’s experience managing human capital for a global enterprise, her experience leading diversity and inclusion efforts, her operational retail experience, including in Canada, and her experience working for a leading omnichannel retail led to the conclusion that she should serve as a member of the Board.
Directors Remaining in Office until our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
David B. Kaplan, 53, has served as a member of our Board since October 2010, including as Chairman from October 2010 to December 2011. Mr. Kaplan is a Co-Founder of Ares Management, a Director and Partner of Ares Management, Co-Chairman of the Ares Private Equity Group and Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ares Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company. He is a member of the Ares Executive Management Committee and the firm’s Management
 
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Committee. He additionally serves on the Ares Private Equity Group’s Corporate Opportunities, Asia Private Equity and Special Opportunities Investment Committees. Mr. Kaplan joined Ares Management in 2003 from Shelter Capital Partners, LLC, where he was a Senior Principal from June 2000 to April 2003. From 1991 through 2000, Mr. Kaplan was a Senior Partner of, Apollo Management, L.P. and its affiliates, during which time he completed multiple private equity investments from origination through exit. Prior to Apollo Management, L.P., Mr. Kaplan was a member of the Investment Banking Department at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp. Mr. Kaplan currently serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the parent entity of Mytheresa and as a member of the boards of directors of 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, the parent entities of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, and Guitar Center, Inc. Mr. Kaplan’s previous public company board of directors experience includes Maidenform Brands, Inc., where he served as the company’s Chairman, GNC Holdings, Inc., Dominick’s Supermarkets, Inc., Stream Global Services, Inc., Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation, and Allied Waste Industries Inc. Mr. Kaplan also serves on the board of directors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and serves on the President’s Advisory Group of the University of Michigan. Mr. Kaplan graduated with High Distinction, Beta Gamma Sigma, from the University of Michigan, School of Business Administration with a B.B.A. concentrating in Finance. Mr. Kaplan’s over 25 years of experience managing investments in, and serving on the boards of directors of, companies operating in various industries led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member of our Board.
Peter M. Starrett, 73, has served as a member of our Board since November 2010. In 1998, Mr. Starrett founded Peter Starrett Associates, a retail advisory firm, and currently serves as its President. In connection with his activities at Peter Starrett Associates, Mr. Starrett also provides consulting services to certain Freeman Spogli affiliated entities. From 1990 to 1998, Mr. Starrett served as the President of Warner Bros. Studio Stores Worldwide, a specialty retailer. Previously, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Place, a specialty retailer. Prior to that, Mr. Starrett held senior executive positions at both Federated Department Stores and May Department Stores, each a department store retailer. Mr. Starrett is Chairman of the board of directors of Boot Barn, Inc., a specialty apparel and footwear retailer. From May to November of 2012, Mr. Starrett served as Boot Barn, Inc.’s interim Chief Executive Officer. In addition, he is a member of the board of directors of several private companies. Previously, he was also the Chairman of the board of directors of Pacific Sunwear, Inc. and served on the board of directors of hhgregg, Inc., an electronics and appliances retailer. Mr. Starrett received a B.S.B.A. from the University of Denver and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Starrett’s extensive experience as an officer and a director of both public and private companies in the retail industry led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member of our Board.
George Vincent West, 66, has served on our Board since he founded us in 2000. He served as our Chief Executive Officer from 2000 to 2002, as Co-Chief Executive Officer from 2008 to 2010 and as Chief Executive Officer from 2010 through 2012. Currently, Mr. West serves as the Vice Chairman of our Board, a position that he has held since December 2012. Mr. West began his business career starting a successful retail glassware business in Atlanta. He was eventually recruited to work for his family building materials business, West Building Materials, which operated in five southeastern states, and eventually became its President. Mr. West also developed and sold a multistate billboard company and has developed several real estate projects across the state of Georgia, the most recent being Utana Bluffs, a boutique mountain home community in the north Georgia Mountains. Mr. West graduated from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia in 1977. Mr. West’s experience and intimate knowledge of the Company led to the conclusion that he should serve as a member of our Board.
OTHER BOARD INFORMATION
Board Meetings in 2020
The Board held eight meetings during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020”).
Director Attendance
During Fiscal 2020, each of our directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and committees on which he or she served that were held during the period he or she served as a director or committee member, as applicable.
 
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We encourage, but do not require, our directors to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. All of our directors who served on the Board in Fiscal 2020 attended our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.
Director Independence
Our Board has reviewed the independence of our directors and has considered whether any director has a material relationship with us that could compromise that director’s ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out that director’s responsibilities. Our Board has affirmatively determined that each of Messrs. Axelrod, Kaplan, Marshall, Starrett, Sullivan and Young and Mses. Scarlett and Thornton qualifies as an “independent director,” as defined in the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).
Our common stock has been listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “FND” since April 27, 2017.
Board Leadership Structure
Our Board has no policy with respect to the separation of the offices of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. It is the Board’s view that the most effective leadership structure for the Company is for the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Nominating Committee, and upon consideration of all relevant factors and circumstances, to determine, as and when appropriate, whether the two offices should be separate, rather than having a rigid policy.
Currently, our leadership structure separates the offices of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board with Mr. Taylor serving as our Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Axelrod as Chairman of the Board. We believe this is appropriate as it provides Mr. Taylor with the ability to focus on our day-to-day operations while Mr. Axelrod focuses on oversight of our Board.
The procedures by which a particular director is selected to preside at each executive session meeting of the independent or non-management directors of our Board are disclosed in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on the Governance Documents page of the Investors section of our website located at www.FloorandDecor.com. Our website is not part of this proxy statement; references to our website address in this proxy statement are intended to be inactive textual references only.
Risk Oversight
Our Board plays an active role in overseeing management of our risks. Our Board regularly reviews information regarding our credit, compliance, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. The compensation committee of our Board (the “Compensation Committee”) is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements and the audit committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) is responsible for overseeing the management of financial, legal and regulatory risks and our enterprise risk management process generally. The Nominating Committee is responsible for managing risks associated with the independence of the Board. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, our full Board keeps itself regularly informed regarding such risks through committee reports and otherwise.
Board Committees
Our Board has the authority to appoint committees to perform certain management and administration functions. Our Board has the following standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee. The composition and responsibilities of each standing committee are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by the Board. The Board has adopted a written charter for each of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee, which are available, along with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines, on the Governance Documents page of the Investors section of our website located at www.FloorandDecor.com. We intend to disclose any amendments to the above documents, or any waivers of their requirements, on our website to the extent required by applicable SEC rules or the rules of the NYSE.
 
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Audit Committee
The Audit Committee held four meetings during Fiscal 2020. The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Marshall and Sullivan and Ms. Thornton, who acts as its chair. Mr. Marshall joined the Audit Committee on January 1, 2021. Mr. Starrett served on the Audit Committee until January 1, 2021. Mr. Fung served as chairperson of the Audit Committee until his passing on February 10, 2021. Effective February 24, 2021 Ms. Thornton was appointed as chairperson of the Audit Committee. Our Board determined that each of Ms. Thornton and Messrs. Marshall and Sullivan qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K, has the attributes set forth in such section and is financially literate, as required by the rules of the NYSE. In addition, our Board has determined that each of Messrs. Marshall and Sullivan and Ms. Thornton is independent as independence is defined under the rules of the NYSE and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
The principal duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee are as follows:

to monitor our financial reporting process and internal control system;

to appoint and replace our independent registered public accounting firm from time to time, determine their compensation and other terms of engagement and oversee their work;

to oversee the performance of our internal audit function; and

to oversee our compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory requirements.
The Audit Committee has the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties. It also has the authority to retain counsel and advisors to fulfill its responsibilities and duties.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee held three meetings during Fiscal 2020. The Compensation Committee is comprised of Mr. Starrett, Ms. Scarlett and Mr. Axelrod, who acts as its chair. Mr. Starrett and Ms. Scarlett joined the Compensation Committee on January 1, 2021. Mr. Brutocao and Ms. Lee served on the Compensation Committee until January 1, 2021, the effective date of the resignation of each of Mr. Brutocao and Ms. Lee.
The principal duties and responsibilities of our Compensation Committee are as follows:

to provide oversight on the development and implementation of the compensation policies, strategies, plans and programs for our key employees and outside directors and disclosure relating to these matters;

to review and approve the compensation of our chief executive officer and the other executive officers of us and our subsidiaries; and

to provide oversight concerning the compensation of our chief executive officer, performance of the chief executive officer, to prepare a report on executive compensation for inclusion in this proxy statement and the Annual Report and related matters.
Role of Outside Advisors.   Pursuant to the charter of the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee has the authority to engage independent counsel, accountants, consultants and other advisers as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties and responsibilities. As discussed in these proxy materials under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” in Fiscal 2020, our Compensation Committee engaged Korn Ferry to provide analysis related to the competitiveness of our executive and director compensation programs, periodic reviews of our compensation peer group, the presentation of compensation and governance trends to the Compensation Committee, and other mandates as directed by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee annually reviews the independence of Korn Ferry as its consultant under applicable SEC and NYSE rules on conflict of interest. Following this review, the Compensation Committee determined that Korn Ferry’s work for us does not raise any conflicts of interest. The Compensation Committee’s evaluation included consideration of all services provided to us, the amount of
 
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fees received as a percentage of Korn Ferry’s annual revenue, its policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest, any business or personal relationships between Korn Ferry and the members of our Compensation Committee or executive officers and any ownership of our stock by the advisors providing executive and director compensation services to us.
Compensation Risk Assessment.
In Fiscal 2020, Korn Ferry supported management and the Compensation Committee in conducting their risk assessment of our incentive compensation plans and practices. As a result of this analysis as well as their regular review of compensation policies and practices, management has concluded that our compensation programs do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and agrees with management’s conclusion.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee held three meetings during Fiscal 2020. The Nominating Committee is comprised of Messrs. Young and Starrett and Ms. Thornton, who acts as its chair. Messrs. Starrett and Young joined the Nominating Committee on January 1, 2021. Mr. Roth and Ms. Lee served on the Nominating Committee until January 1, 2021, the effective date of their resignations.
The principal duties and responsibilities of the Nominating Committee are as follows:

to establish criteria for board and committee membership and recommend to our Board proposed nominees for election to the Board and for membership on committees of the Board;

oversee the evaluations of the Board, the committees of the Board and management;

advise and assist the Board with oversight of environmental, social and governance-related (“ESG”) matters; and

to make recommendations to our Board regarding board governance matters and practices.
Director Qualifications; Nominating Committee Process; Board Diversity.   The Nominating Committee’s policy is to identify potential nominees from any properly submitted nominations, including any properly submitted nominations from our stockholders, and subsequently evaluate each potential nominee. To properly submit a nomination, our stockholders must provide timely notice of such nomination in accordance with Section 1.10 of our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”).
The Nominating Committee conducts the appropriate and necessary inquiries (as determined by the Nominating Committee) with respect to the backgrounds and qualifications of any potential nominees, without regard to whether a potential nominee has been recommended by our stockholders, and, upon consideration of all relevant factors and circumstances, recommends to the Board for its approval the slate of director nominees to be nominated for election at our annual meeting of stockholders. Given the complex nature of the Company’s business, the Board believes it is important to consider diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, age, education, cultural background, and professional experiences in evaluating candidates. Accordingly, when evaluating candidates for nomination as new directors, the Nominating Committee will consider (and will require any search firm that it engages to provide) a set of candidates that includes diverse candidates. We intend to succeed in accomplishing that goal through, among other things, soliciting suggestions from our Board and senior management, hiring third-party search firms as needed, and considering candidates proposed by shareholders in the same manner we evaluate candidates proposed by our Board or senior management.
We believe the enhanced quality that results from a diverse board is beyond any reasonable dispute. We will continue the progress made to date by continuing to implement our policy of recruiting diverse nominee candidates.
The Nominating Committee is committed to a policy of inclusiveness and seeks members with diverse backgrounds, an understanding of our business and a reputation for integrity. Our director refreshment over the last several years has resulted in a diverse group of independent directors with low average tenure, gender diversity and significant experience. Highlights of our recent progress in building a diverse Board include:
 
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In 2020, three of the Board’s members were racially diverse, and two were female.

Of the three new directors recommended by the Nominating Committee in 2020 to replace departing directors, one is racially diverse, and one is female.

Director Felicia Thornton was recognized by the organization Latino Leaders in its Latinos on Boards 2020 edition, and our former Director Michael Fung was named to the 2020 National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Directorship 100™, which honors influential boardroom leaders each year.
Environmental, Social and Governance Matters
We believe that the Company is able to advance ESG-related considerations and that sound corporate citizenship includes responsiveness to ESG issues that materially impact our stakeholders and the communities in which we operate. We are committed to operating our business with integrity; focusing on material ESG issues; giving back to the communities we serve; being environmentally conscious; and operating a responsible supply chain that focuses on the quality of our products and improves the lives of workers involved in manufacturing our products. Our Board provides overall oversight of the Company’s ESG efforts, and the charter of the Nominating and Governance Committee specifically tasks that committee with development and review of our ESG efforts — making recommendations to the Board and/or management regarding the same. A copy of the charter of the Nominating and Governance Committee is available on our website at www.FloorandDecor.com under “Governance Documents.” Below are just a few examples demonstrating our commitment to ESG matters:

Since 2015, we have raised over $890,000 from our associates and directors for our associates in need through our employee assistance organization, the West Fund.

By investing in energy efficiency, over 75% of our stores have high-efficiency HVAC units, and over 85% of our stores and distribution centers have LED lighting. We have also phased out single-use plastic bags from our stores.

We have appointed a Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (“DEI”) to lead our DEI efforts. These efforts are supported by cross-functional steering committee and working group.

We donated over 7,000 medical masks to support hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, we also donated 310,000 square feet of merchandise to charitable organizations.
Employees
We believe that one of the biggest drivers in our growth and success is our employees and the culture that attracts them. We have built a strong team of employees to support our continued success. Each of our stores is led by a Chief Executive Merchant (“CEM”) and is supported by an operations manager, product category department managers, a design team, a Pro sales and support team, and a number of additional associates. Outside of our stores, we have employees dedicated to serving our stores in corporate, store support, infrastructure, e-commerce, and similar functions as well as support for our distribution centers and Asian sourcing office. We dedicate significant resources to training our employees and believe they are key to our success. As of December 31, 2020, we had 8,790 employees with 8,778 of these employees located in the United States and 12 located outside of the United States. This population consisted of our full-time, part-time, and temporary employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor organization or are a party to any collective bargaining arrangement.
We are mindful of diversity throughout the employment cycle and believe that diversity is key to our culture and long-term success. We strive to foster a supportive environment that cultivates professional growth and encourages employees to continuously develop their skills. We consider our relationship with employees to be vital, and are focused on effective recruiting, onboarding, and implementation of our values. We intend to make additional investments in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the future. A summary of Fiscal 2020 year-end U.S. demographic data follows:
 
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[MISSING IMAGE: tm212453d1-pc_employees4c.jpg]
[MISSING IMAGE: tm212453d1-pc_board4c.jpg]
Annual Board Self-Evaluation
In 2020, the Board and each of its committees undertook a self-evaluation process that included a series of interviews conducted by the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee with each of our directors to gather input on individual director’s contributions, the effectiveness of the Board and committee compositions and structure and the relationship between management and the Board. Feedback from the 2020 and prior Board self-evaluation processes has driven changes in the format of Board meetings, the format and content of the director onboarding process and individuals nominated to be members of the Board.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is
 
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available on our website at www.FloorandDecor.com. We intend to disclose any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, on our website to the extent required by applicable SEC rules or the rules of the NYSE. The inclusion of our website address in this proxy statement does not include or incorporate by reference the information on or accessible through our website into this proxy statement.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the directors who served on the Compensation Committee in Fiscal 2020 has ever served as one of our officers or employees. In addition, none of the directors who served on the Compensation Committee had any relationship with us or any of our subsidiaries during Fiscal 2020 pursuant to which disclosure would be required under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC pertaining to the disclosure of transactions with related persons. During Fiscal 2020, (A) none of our executive officers served as a member of the compensation committee (or other committee performing similar functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of any other entity of which an executive officer of such other entity served on our Compensation Committee; (B) none of our executive officers served as a director of any other entity of which an executive officer of such other entity served on our Compensation Committee; and (C) none of our executive officers served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of any other entity of which an executive officer of such other entity served on the Board.
Stockholder and Interested Party Communications
The Board welcomes communications from our stockholders and other interested parties. Stockholders and other interested parties may send communications to the Board, or to any particular director, to the following address: Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., 2500 Windy Ridge Pkwy SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, Attention: Secretary. Stockholders or interested parties should indicate clearly the director or directors to whom the communication is being sent so that each communication may be forwarded directly to the appropriate director(s).
 
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Investor Rights Agreement
Until August 2020 when Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund III, L.P. (“Ares”), a fund affiliated with Ares Management and FS Equity Partners VI, L.P. and FS Affiliates VI, L.P., funds affiliated with Freeman Spogli Management Co., L.P. (collectively “Freeman Spogli”) ceased to hold beneficial ownership in the Company, we were party to an investor rights agreement among us, Ares and Freeman Spogli (the “Investor Rights Agreement”), which, among other things, (i) provided Ares and Freeman Spogli the right to nominate directors for election to our Board, subject to certain conditions as set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement and (ii) contained agreements between Ares and Freeman Spogli for voting for such nominees. The Investor Rights Agreement also provided that the size of our Board may not exceed 12 members unless otherwise agreed by Ares and Freeman Spogli. We were required to bear the expenses associated with any transactions contemplated under the Investor Rights Agreement.
Registration Rights Agreement
We are a party to a registration rights agreement with certain of our stockholders (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the stockholders party thereto are entitled to various rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act. Registration of any of these shares under the Securities Act would result in such shares becoming fully tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration, except for shares purchased by affiliates.
Registration Rights
If we propose to register any of our own securities under the Securities Act in a public offering, we will be required to provide notice to the holders of our common stock with registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement and provide them with the right to include their shares in the registration statement, subject to certain conditions and exceptions contained in the Registration Rights Agreement. Until August 2020 when Ares and Freeman Spogli ceased to hold beneficial ownership in the Company, they were able to require us to use reasonable best efforts to register their common stock under the Securities Act, subject to certain conditions and restrictions contained in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Expenses
We will be required to bear the registration expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, associated with any registration of shares of our common stock held by the holders of our common stock with registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement.
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our Charter and Bylaws provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers.
Ordinary Course Transactions with Related Persons
From time to time, our directors, officers, employees and affiliates may enter into commercial transactions with us in the ordinary course of business, primarily for the purchase of inventory at our stores.
Statement of Policy Regarding Transactions with Related Persons
Policies regarding transactions with related persons are included in the charter of our Audit Committee and in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, each of which require that any transaction with a “related person” ​(as defined in paragraph (a) of Item 404 Regulation S-K) that is brought to the Audit Committee’s attention be reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee.
 
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RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS (PROPOSAL 2)
In accordance with the Audit Committee’s charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment and retention of our independent auditors. In our fiscal years ended December 26, 2019 (“Fiscal 2019”) and December 31, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020”), all audit and non-audit services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee has appointed EY to serve as our independent auditors for our fiscal year ending December 30, 2021, subject to ratification by our stockholders. Representatives of EY will be present at the Annual Meeting to answer questions and will also have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. If the proposal to ratify EY’s appointment is not approved, other certified public accountants will be considered by the Audit Committee. Even if the proposal is approved, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of new independent auditors at any time during the year if it believes that such a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.
Fees Paid to EY
The fees incurred by us for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young for Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2020 were as follows:
Fiscal 2020
Fiscal 2019
Audit Fees
$ 1,907,928(1) $ 2,423,577(1)
Audit-Related Fees
Tax Fees
448,687(2) 155,000(2)
All Other Fees
$ 2,356,615 $ 2,578,577
(1)
Audit fees include fees and expenses for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements, reviews of quarterly financial statements, Information Technology General Controls (“ITGC”) material weakness remediation and related services. Audit fees also include fees and expenses associated with securities offerings and filing registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission for two secondary offerings in 2020 and one secondary offering in 2019. In 2019, the portion of audit fees incurred for audit services to remediate the ITGC material weakness, as further detailed in Item 9A in our 2018 Form 10-K, were $528,000.
(2)
Tax fees include fees for tax services, including tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
The Audit Committee has concluded that the provision of the foregoing services is compatible with maintaining EY’s independence.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of audit services and permitted non-audit and tax services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm. Pre-approval may also be given as part of our Audit Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual, case-by-case basis before the independent auditor is engaged to provide each service. The chairperson of the Audit Committee has been delegated the authority to pre-approve any engagement for such audit services and permitted non-audit and tax services, provided that the chairperson of the Audit Committee must disclose all such pre-approved services to the full Audit Committee at the meeting of the Audit Committee immediately following any such pre-approval.
All of the services provided by EY described above were approved by our Audit Committee pursuant to our Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF EY AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 30, 2021.
 
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee is comprised of three independent directors and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website located at www.FloorandDecor.com. The Board has determined that each of Messrs. Marshall and Sullivan and Ms. Thornton is independent as independence is defined under the applicable section of the NYSE rules, and that each of Messrs. Marshall and Sullivan and Ms. Thornton is independent as independence is defined under Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. The Board has also determined that each of Ms. Thornton and Messrs. Marshall and Sullivan qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.”
The primary purposes of the Audit Committee are to: monitor our financial reporting process and internal control system; appoint our independent registered public accounting firm, determine its compensation and other terms of engagement and oversee its work; oversee the performance of our internal audit function; and oversee our compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory matters.
As noted above, the Audit Committee assists the Board in appointing our independent registered public accounting firm, EY, which includes, among other things, reviewing and evaluating the qualifications, performance and independence of the lead audit partner responsible for our audit, overseeing the required rotation of the lead audit partner and reviewing and considering the selection of the lead audit partner. In appointing EY and the lead audit partner, the Audit Committee considered, among other things, the quality and efficiency of the services provided, including the results of a global internal survey of EY’s performance, the technical capabilities of the engagement teams, external data concerning EY’s audit quality and performance obtained from reports of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), the engagement teams’ understanding of our company’s business as well as the potential impact of changing auditors. The Audit Committee and the Board believe that the continued retention of EY to serve as the Company’s independent auditor is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and have recommended that stockholders ratify the appointment of EY as the Company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year 2021.
The Audit Committee discussed the auditors’ review of our quarterly financial information with the auditors prior to the release of such information and the filing of our quarterly reports with the SEC. The Audit Committee also met and held discussions with management and EY with respect to our audited year-end financial statements.
Further, the Audit Committee discussed with EY the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 1301, as amended (Communications With Audit Committees), received the written disclosures and the letter from EY required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, has discussed with the auditors the auditors’ independence and has considered, among other things, the audit and non-audit services performed by, and the amount of fees paid for such services to, the independent registered public accounting firm. In determining EY’s independence, the Audit Committee considered whether EY’s provision of non-audit services were compatible with the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also discussed with the auditors and our financial management matters related to our internal control over financial reporting. Based on these discussions and the written disclosures received from EY, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board include the audited financial statements in the Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, for filing with the SEC. The Board has approved this recommendation.
This audit committee report is not deemed filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and is not incorporated by reference into any filings that we may make with the SEC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Felicia Thornton (Chairperson)
Ryan Marshall
Richard L. Sullivan
 
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Name
Age
Position
Thomas V. Taylor
55
Chief Executive Officer and a Director
Trevor S. Lang
50
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Lisa G. Laube
58
President
Brian K. Robbins
63
Executive Vice President, Business Development Strategy
David V. Christopherson
46
Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Steven A. Denny
57
Executive Vice President, Store Operations
The biography for Mr. Taylor is set forth above under “Election of Four Class I Directors (Proposal 1) — The Nominees.”
Trevor S. Lang, 50, is our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Lang joined the Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2011, and was promoted to Executive Vice President of Professional Services and Chief Financial Officer in October 2014 in connection with his assuming responsibility for leading our in-store Pro business. From 2007 to 2011, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Zumiez Inc. and also served as its Chief Administrative Officer beginning in April 2010. Previously, he had served as Vice President of Finance for Carter’s, Inc. since 2003. At Carter’s, Mr. Lang was responsible for the management of the corporate accounting and finance functions. From 1999 until joining Carter’s in 2003, Mr. Lang served in a progressive series of Vice President roles in the finance area at Blockbuster Inc., culminating in his role as Vice President of Operations Finance where he was responsible for accounting and reporting for over 5,000 company-owned and franchised stores. From 1994 until 1999, Mr. Lang worked in the audit division of Arthur Andersen reaching the level of audit manager. Mr. Lang is a 1993 graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.B.A. in Accounting. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Lisa G. Laube, 58, is our President. Ms. Laube joined the Company as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer in 2012 and was promoted to President in February 2020. She is responsible for Merchandising, Marketing, Training, E-Commerce and Store Operations. From 2005 to 2011, Ms. Laube was President of Party City where she was responsible for Merchandising, Marketing and E-Commerce and prior to that she was the company’s Chief Merchandising Officer. From 2002 to 2004, she was the Vice President of Merchandising for White Barn Candle Company, a division of Bath and Body Works. Prior to that, Ms. Laube worked from 1996 to 2002 at Linens ‘n Things beginning as a Buyer and progressing to General Merchandising Manager. From 1988 to 1996, she was a Buyer at Macy’s in the Textiles division. Ms. Laube began her career at Rich’s department store in the Executive Training Program. Ms. Laube also currently serves on the respective boards of directors of Boot Barn Holdings, Inc., a specialty footwear and apparel retailer, Action Ministries, an Atlanta based nonprofit organization, Zoo Atlanta, a zoological park in Atlanta and the Terry Dean’s Advisory Council for the Terry School of Business at the University of Georgia. She graduated from the Terry School of Business, University of Georgia in 1985 with a B.B.A. in Marketing.
Brian K. Robbins, 63, is our Executive Vice President, Business Development Strategy. He joined the Company as Senior Vice President — Supply Chain in 2013, was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2016 and assumed responsibility for our real estate function in 2017 and commercial business in 2018. In 2018, his title changed to reflect these additional responsibilities. Prior to joining us, Mr. Robbins was a senior supply chain or merchandising executive with three portfolio companies of Cerberus Capital Management since 2009. He had also held senior supply chain roles with GE and DuPont, and was a Merchandise Vice President with Home Depot. Early in his career, Mr. Robbins received his CPA certificate and held various accounting positions with Grant Thornton, Scripps Howard and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Robbins is a graduate of Miami University with a B.S. degree in Education, majoring in Industrial Management.
David V. Christopherson, 46, is our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. He joined the Company as General Counsel and Secretary in 2013 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2015 and Executive Vice President in 2018. Mr. Christopherson was the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Teavana Holdings, Inc. from 2011 to 2013 and the Deputy General Counsel of Swett & Crawford
 
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from 2007 to 2011. He was previously an attorney with the law firms King & Spalding and Sullivan & Cromwell. Mr. Christopherson received an A.B. in Political Science from Davidson College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Steven A. Denny, 57, is our Executive Vice President, Store Operations and is responsible for all store regions, design services, regional merchandising and safety and asset protection. He joined the Company as a Chief Executive Merchant in 2013 and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Stores in 2017 and Executive Vice President, Stores in 2020. From 2000 to 2013, Mr. Denny held a variety of roles at Home Depot, including serving as the Western Division Field Merchandise Manager. Mr. Denny brings over 35 years of retail and commercial experience in store operations and merchandising with Builders Square, BMC West, Ernst Home & Nursery and Home Depot.
 
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we address our philosophy, programs and processes related to the compensation paid or awarded for Fiscal 2020 to our NEOs listed in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2020 that follows this discussion.
Our NEOs for Fiscal 2020, which consist of our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers for Fiscal 2020, are:

Thomas V. Taylor, who serves as Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board and is our principal executive officer;

Trevor S. Lang, who serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and is our principal financial officer;

Lisa G. Laube, who served as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer until February 2020, and who now serves as President;

Brian K. Robbins, who serves as Executive Vice President, Business Development Strategy; and

David V. Christopherson, who serves as Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel.
Highlights of 2020 Business Performance
We believe that our NEOs were instrumental in helping us drive positive results for our stockholders in Fiscal 2020, particularly in light of the challenging circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic (which had a negative impact on our operations and financial results for the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2020). Our positive results are evidenced by the following:

the Company opened 13 new warehouse-format stores and one small-format design studio;

net sales increased 18.6% to $2,425.8 million in Fiscal 2020, compared to $2,045.5 million in Fiscal 2019; relatedly, comparable store sales increased 5.5% in Fiscal 2020;

operating income increased 34.8% to $214.6 million in Fiscal 2020, compared to $159.2 million in Fiscal 2019; relatedly, operating margin increased 100 basis points to 8.8% in Fiscal 2020; and

net income increased 29.4% to $195.0 million in Fiscal 2020, compared to $150.6 million in Fiscal 2019; relatedly, net income per diluted share was $1.84 in Fiscal 2020 compared to $1.44 in Fiscal 2019.
Despite the material negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations and financial results for the first two quarters of Fiscal 2020, the overall growth in operating and net income and in net sales for Fiscal 2020 resulted in us exceeding our 2020 Bonus Program target goals, leading to a 131.6% annual cash bonus payout for our executive officers as more fully described below.
For more information on our financial results for Fiscal 2020, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021.
Fiscal 2020 Compensation
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The primary objectives of our executive pay program are to:

attract and retain an exceptional executive team needed to outperform our peers and execute our strategy;

drive our short- and long-term growth objectives;

align the interests of our executive team with that of our shareholders; and
 
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promote a performance-orientation within the organization.
To achieve that, our compensation program relies on the following core principles:
Core Principles
Simplicity and Transparency
Base salary, incentive compensation and equity awards should be easy for executives and for our shareholders to understand.
Linked to our Strategy
Our pay design should create a direct bridge to our strategy, and clearly reflect our key short- and long-term business objectives.
Attractive Compensation for Top Talent
Pay quantums and design should be compelling enough to attract the best talent we can to support the successful execution of our strategies.
Pay for Performance
Compensation should be paid only when financial performance levels are achieved that align with the strategic and financial priorities set by the Board.
Appropriate Risk Orientation
The more senior a role, the more the total mix of that role’s compensation should be “at risk.” However, our compensation programs should be designed to not encourage excessive or unnecessary risk-taking.
While the Compensation Committee considers competitive compensation data to generally inform decisions relating to NEO compensation, it does not seek to benchmark NEO compensation to any particular level in the market.
The material components of our executive compensation program and their purposes and key characteristics are summarized in the following chart:
What We Do
What We Don’t Do

Pay-for-Performance: Majority of fiscal year pay is performance-based and not guaranteed
X
No Excise Tax Gross-ups: The Company does not provide any excise tax gross-up payments in connection with a change in control

Annual Compensation Risk Review: Annually assess risk in compensation programs
X
No Tax Gross-ups for Perquisites: The Company does not provide tax gross-ups to NEOs for the limited perquisites we provide

Share Ownership Guidelines: NEOs must comply with share ownership requirements
X
No Hedging or Pledging: NEOs are prohibited from engaging in hedging transactions, pledging Company stock as collateral and similar arrangements with respect to the Company’s securities
 
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Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program
For Fiscal 2020, our executive compensation program consisted of the following elements:
[MISSING IMAGE: tm212453d1-tbl_elements4c.jpg]
We do not have formal policies relating to the allocation of total compensation among the various elements of our compensation program. We generally allocate compensation between short-term and long-term components and between cash and equity in a manner that we believe will maximize executive performance and retention. The variable pay elements (annual cash incentive and long-term incentive equity awards) comprise an increasingly larger proportion of total compensation of our senior executives as position level increases. This is consistent with our belief that these at-risk elements of compensation more closely align management’s interests with our financial performance and with our employees’ interests.
Base Salary.   Base salary is a visible and stable foundation of our compensation program. The base salaries of our NEOs are intended to reflect the position, duties and responsibilities of each executive and the market for base salaries of similarly situated executives at other companies of similar size and in similar industries. On a prospective basis, we will continue to evaluate the mix of base salary, short-term incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation to appropriately align the interests of our NEOs with those of our stockholders. When reviewing each executive’s base salary, the Compensation Committee considers the level of responsibility and complexity of the executive’s role, individual performance in the prior year, and the salaries paid for the same or similar positions in the competitive market. In February 2020, the Compensation Committee and the Board, as applicable, approved salary increases for the NEOs, effective March 6, 2020, as set forth in the table that follows. The Compensation Committee and the Board, as applicable, determined to increase base salaries of the NEOs other than Ms. Laube by approximately 5% to 9% after considering the factors listed above and, determined to increase Ms. Laube’s base salary by approximately 10% after considering the factors listed above and, in connection with her promotion to President in February 2020.
Base salaries for our NEOs as of the end of Fiscal 2019 and for Fiscal 2020 are listed below.
Name
Fiscal 2019
Base Salary
Fiscal 2020
Base Salary
Thomas V. Taylor
$ 950,000 $ 1,000,000
Trevor S. Lang
$ 435,000 $ 460,000
Lisa G. Laube
$ 505,000 $ 555,000
Brian K. Robbins
$ 400,000 $ 420,000
David V. Christopherson
$ 345,000 $ 375,000
Base Salary — Impact of COVID-19.   On March 26, 2020, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the business and operations of the Company, our NEOs agreed to temporarily waive payment of a percentage of their base salaries (other than, with respect to Mr. Taylor, the amount required to pay healthcare premiums) for up to a 90-day period beginning on March 27, 2020 as follows:
 
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Name
Percentage of Base
Salary Waived
Amount of Fiscal
2020 Base Salary
Waived
Thomas V. Taylor
100% $ 277,459
Trevor S. Lang
50% $ 53,077
Lisa G. Laube
50% $ 64,038
Brian K. Robbins
30% $ 19,385
David V. Christopherson
30% $ 17,308
Base salaries were restored to their pre-reduction levels by June of Fiscal 2020, but our executive officers were not entitled to any make-whole payments with respect to such base salary reductions.
Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses.   Our NEOs are eligible to receive annual cash incentives. We consider annual cash incentive bonuses to be “at-risk” compensation. As “at-risk” compensation, we increase the size of the target incentive, as a percentage of base compensation, proportionate to each NEO’s position and responsibilities. The annual incentives are intended to reward our NEOs for achieving target operating income and sales objective established by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the year.
For Fiscal 2020, under the 2020 Annual Performance Bonus Program (the “2020 Bonus Program”), (i) Mr. Taylor was eligible to receive an annual incentive with a target amount equal to 100% of his full annual base salary, (ii) Ms. Laube was eligible to receive an annual incentive with a target amount equal to 70% of her full annual base salary, (iii) Mr. Lang was eligible to receive an annual incentive with a target amount equal to 65% of his full annual base salary, and (iv) Messrs. Robbins and Christopherson were eligible to receive an annual incentive with a target amount equal to 60% of their respective full annual base salaries.
Under the 2020 Bonus Program, annual incentives for our NEOs were calculated based on achievement of Fiscal 2020 targeted net sales, 20% weighting, and operating income, 80% weighting, as determined by the Compensation Committee, calculated as follows. Based on our achievement of 96.5% of our net sales target and 110.7% of our operating income target, after the adjustments noted below, the NEOs weighted average calculated payout percentage under the 2020 Bonus Program is approximately 131.6%.
Performance Metric
Target
($s in millions)
Actual
($s in millions)
Percentage of
Target (%)
Weighting
(%)
Payout
(%)
Net Sales
$ 2,512.7 $ 2,425.8 96.5% 20% 40.3%
Operating Income*
$ 197.1 $ 218.2 110.7% 80% 154.4%
*
Operating income was adjusted to reflect the impacts for costs related to secondary offerings of our common stock by certain selling stockholders, costs related to the modification of the Company’s debt, costs related to employee taxes for the exercise of stock options, costs related to relocating a distribution center, and certain tariff refunds received. Operating income was also adjusted for extraordinary and non-recurring costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic that our Compensation Committee deemed were not indicative of core operating performance, including the purchase of personal protective equipment for out store employees and payment of wages to furloughed employees.
The following table shows each of our NEOs’ target annual incentive bonuses as a percentage of each NEO’s full annual base salary, and the actual incentive payout for each of our NEOs for Fiscal 2020:
Name
Target Annual
Incentive
Target Annual
Incentive %
Annual Incentive
Payout
Actual Payout
Percentage
Thomas V. Taylor
$ 990,385 100% $ 1,303,143 131.6%
Trevor S. Lang
$ 295,875 65% $ 389,311 131.6%
Lisa G. Laube
$ 381,769 70% $ 502,330 131.6%
Brian K. Robbins
$ 249,692 60% $ 328,544 131.6%
David V. Christopherson
$ 221,539 60% $ 291,499 131.6%
 
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Discretionary Cash Bonuses in Respect of Fiscal 2020.   The annual cash incentive bonus program is the primary short-term cash incentive compensation element of our executive compensation program, and we do not regularly grant bonuses based on subjective performance assessments. However, in certain circumstances, the Compensation Committee may approve discretionary bonuses to recognize extraordinary efforts and successes of employees whose contributions to the Company’s results may not otherwise be recognized. In February 2021, the Compensation Committee approved discretionary cash bonuses for Brian Robbins and David Christopherson in the amount of $40,000 each, in consideration of their respective extraordinary contributions and exceptional service provided to the Company in the Supply Chain and Legal functions in connection with the Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic during Fiscal 2020.
Equity Incentive Awards
2017 Stock Incentive Plan
In connection with our 2017 initial public offering (“IPO”), our Board adopted and our stockholders approved the Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”), pursuant to which we may grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, other stock-based awards and performance-based cash awards to our employees, including the NEOs, which awards are intended to drive and reward performance over an extended period of time to promote creation of long-term value for our stockholders, create strong alignment with the long-term interests of our stockholders, assist in retaining highly qualified executives, and contribute to competitive total rewards.
Fiscal 2020 Equity Awards
We generally grant equity incentive awards to our NEOs every 12 to 18 months, with interim grants for new hires and promotions after the regular grant date. We believe that regular equity-based long-term incentive awards align the interests of our NEOs with our stockholders and focus our NEOs on our long-term growth. In Fiscal 2020, we granted a mix of stock options, service-based vesting restricted share awards, and a special one-time performance- and service-based vesting restricted share awards (the “PRSs”). The Compensation Committee believes that awarding a mix of stock options and restricted share awards achieves a balance in linking NEO long-term compensation to Company performance. Options do not provide any value unless our stock price appreciates and focus and reward our NEOs for increasing our stock price. The value of restricted shares increases or decreases in the same way stockholders’ stock value increases or decreases and restricted shares are generally less dilutive to our stockholders than options. The PRSs focus NEOs on the attainment of specific long-term Company performance objectives.
In Fiscal 2020, in connection with our regular cycle of granting equity incentive awards, we granted stock options and service-based vesting restricted share awards to our NEOs under the 2017 Plan. Options and service-based restricted shares vest in four ratable annual installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date, generally subject to the grantee’s continued employment as of each applicable vesting date. The NEOs have all the rights of stockholders with respect to the restricted stock (including the right to receive dividends on the restricted stock and to vote the shares of restricted stock).
Name
Stock Options
Granted (#)
Restricted Shares
Granted (#)
Thomas V. Taylor
56,500 7,150
Trevor S. Lang
16,265 2,059
Lisa G. Laube
17,978 2,275
Brian K. Robbins
10,342 1,309
David V. Christopherson
10,342 1,309
Also, in Fiscal 2020, in connection with our NEOs entering into amended and restated employment agreements (as discussed below under the heading “Employment Agreements”), we granted the PRSs to our NEOs under the 2017 Plan. The PRSs were designed to, in part, incentivize the NEOs to double Adjusted EBIT over a three-year performance period beginning on December 27, 2019 and ending December 29, 2022 (the “Performance Period”), while maintaining at least a 15% return on invested capital (“ROIC”). In addition, the PRSs were designed such that the Company’s total shareholder return would outperform a peer
 
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group as further defined below. The NEOs have all the rights of stockholders with respect to the PRSs (including the right to receive dividends on the restricted stock and to vote the PRSs).
PRSs vest based on continued employment and, in part, based on achievement of specified performance goals over a designated performance period as follows:

A portion of the PRSs vest based on achievement of Adjusted EBIT and Average Adjusted EBIT ROIC (each as defined below) performance goals over the Performance Period (the “Adjusted EBIT/Average Adjusted EBIT ROIC PRSs”)

A portion of the PRSs vest based on achievement of relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) against a specified peer group as of the end of the Performance Period (the “rTSR PRSs”)

A portion of the PRSs vest based on continued employment (the “Service PRSs”), in each case, subject to the NEO’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date
Adjusted EBIT/Average Adjusted EBIT ROIC PRSs vest based on achieving both a targeted level of Adjusted EBIT as of the end of the Performance Period and a targeted level of Average Adjusted EBIT ROIC for the Performance Period. If one of the goals is not satisfied, then Adjusted EBIT/Average Adjusted EBIT ROIC PRSs will be forfeited. Executives may not earn more than the targeted number of Adjusted EBIT/Average Adjusted EBIT ROIC PRSs for overachievement. The applicable goals are as follows:
Adjusted EBIT
Equal to or greater than $328,800,000*
Average
Adjusted EBIT ROIC
Equal to or greater than 15%
*
Represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.8%, or approximately two times the Company’s Adjusted EBIT for Fiscal 2019. For Fiscal 2020, EBIT was adjusted to reflect the impacts for costs related to secondary offerings of our common stock by certain selling stockholders, costs related to the modification of the Company’s debt, costs related to employee taxes for the exercise of stock options, cost related to relocating a distribution center, and certain tariff refunds received. Fiscal 2020 EBIT was also adjusted for extraordinary and non-recurring costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic that our Compensation Committee deemed were not indicative of core operating performance, including the purchase of personal protective equipment for out store employees and payment of wages to furloughed employees.
“Adjusted EBIT” is a non-GAAP financial measure, and is generally defined as earnings before interest and taxes, adjusted for certain special, unusual or non-recurring items affecting the Company or its financial statements, items related to the disposal of business or discontinued operations, certain items related to acquisitions and the impact of acquisitions, employer taxes tied to stock-based compensation, a portion of the stock-based compensation expense of the PRSs, one-time personnel-related expenses, material litigation charges or gains, goodwill impairment charges, items related to equity and/or debt related transactions, items related to changes in accounting principles or applicable law or regulations, certain other adjustments as determined to be appropriate by the Compensation Committee (which may include adjustments taken into account in calculating Adjusted EBIT as reported by the Company in its earnings releases for the performance period). For “Average Adjusted EBIT ROIC” is generally defined as the three-year average of the Company’s return on invested capital for the Performance Period (calculated as Adjusted EBIT divided by the five-quarter average net working capital and net fixed assets).
The rTSR PRSs vest based on the Company’s TSR as of the end of the Performance Period exceeding the 50th percentile of the rTSR Peer Group, determined without regard to the Company. If the Company’s TSR does not exceed the median TSR of the rTSR Peer Group, then the TSRs will not vest. Executives may not earn above-target payouts in the event of negative absolute TSR. The “rTSR Peer Group” is comprised of the following companies in the specialty retail and household durables industries, with exposure to homebuilding and/or home improvement markets. The Compensation Committee believes that the companies that make up the rTSR Peer Group share investment characteristics that are similar to ours and are subject to similar external market forces and dynamics.
 
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Aaron’s, Inc.
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.
KB Home
Leggett & Platt, Incorporated
Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.
Meritage Homes Corporation
RH
The Home Depot, Inc.
TopBuild Corp.
TRI Pointe Group, Inc.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
At Home Group Inc.
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.
La-Z-Boy Incorporated
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.
Toll Brothers, Inc.
Tractor Supply Company
Sleep Number Corporation
In general, the number of PRSs granted to our NEOs in Fiscal 2020 was determined based on the respective NEO’s job responsibilities and expected future contribution to our long-term performance and value creation, and competitive market data. The number of PRSs granted to our NEOs in Fiscal 2020 is shown below.
Vesting Criteria Applicable to PRSs
Name
PRSs Granted
(#)
Adjusted EBIT /
Average Adjusted
EBIT ROIC PRSs
(#)(1)
rTSR PRSs
(#)(2)
Service PRSs
(#)(3)
Thomas V. Taylor
186,445 86,656 56,461 43,328
Trevor S. Lang
55,935 25,997 16,939 12,999
Lisa G. Laube
55,935 25,997 16,939 12,999
Brian K. Robbins
27,969 12,999 8,470 6,500
David V. Christopherson
18,646 8,666 5,647 4,333
(1)
The restrictions with respect to the restricted stock lapse subject to (i) achievement of specified earnings and return-related targets as of the last day of the Performance Period, and (ii) for all NEOs other than Mr. Taylor, continued employment through the fourth anniversary of the grant date, or, for Mr. Taylor, continued employment through the date that the performance targets are measured.
(2)
The restrictions with respect to the restricted stock lapse subject to (i) achievement of specified peer group performance targets as of the end of the Performance Period, and (ii) for all NEOs other than Mr. Taylor, continued employment through the fourth anniversary of the grant date, or, for Mr. Taylor, continued employment through the date that the performance targets are measured.
(3)
The restrictions with respect to the restricted stock lapse subject to continued employment through the date that the performance targets applicable to the performance-based PRSs are measured (Mr. Taylor PRSs) or fourth anniversary of the grant date (all other NEO PRSs).
401(k) Plan and other Benefits.   All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan after six months of service and are eligible to receive matching contributions from us after six months of service. We match employee contributions in cash at a rate of 40% of the first 5% of base compensation that an employee contributes, with graded vesting over a six-year period. In fiscal 2020, the Company also contributed an additional 5% match based on the strength of the Company’s operating results and management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our NEOs are also eligible for our matches, subject to regulatory limits on contributions to 401(k) plans. Messrs. Lang, Robbins and Christopherson and Ms. Laube each participate in the 401(k) plan. In addition to participation in our 401(k) plan, we provide our NEOs with employer paid group term life insurance. In order to maximize productivity and ensure that Mr. Taylor can be immediately available to respond to business priorities, we pay for, or reimburse costs of, certain air travel arising in connection with Mr. Taylor’s regular business-related commuting to our corporate office. These amounts create taxable income to Mr. Taylor, and we do not gross-up or in any way compensate Mr. Taylor for income tax owed in respect of such amounts.
 
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Employment Agreements
We are party to employment agreements with Messrs. Taylor, Lang, Robbins and Christopherson and Ms. Laube. In February 2020, concurrently with the promotion of Ms. Laube to President, we entered into amended and restated employment agreements with each of Mr. Taylor, Ms. Laube, and Messrs. Lang, Robbins and Christopherson (the “A&R Agreements”). The A&R Agreements extend the term of each NEO’s existing employment agreement by three years (Mr. Taylor) or four years (Ms. Laube and Messrs. Lang, Robbins and Christopherson), with automatic one-year extensions (unless either party gives prior written notice of non-renewal). Each A&R Agreement provides for the payment of base salary and certain other benefits. Each of the NEOs is also eligible to earn an annual bonus equal to a percentage of base salary, based on the achievement of performance criteria.
On March 26, 2020, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the business and operations of the Company, each of the NEOs entered into an amendment to their respective A&R Agreements pursuant to which they agreed to temporarily waive payment of a percentage of their base salaries (other than, with respect to Mr. Taylor, the amount required to pay healthcare premiums) for up to a 90-day period beginning on March 27, 2020. Base salaries were restored to their pre-reduction levels by June of Fiscal 2020. For a more detailed description of such salary waivers, see “Base Salary — Impact of COVID-19”.
The NEOs are also eligible to receive severance benefits in the event of certain terminations of employment. For a more detailed description of such benefits, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” The other material terms and conditions of the NEOs’ employment agreements generally remain unchanged.
Restrictive Covenants
Each of the NEOs is subject to certain non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions while employed and for one year after termination of employment (or, in the case of Mr. Taylor, for two years after termination of employment). In addition, each NEO is subject to confidentiality and non-disparagement restrictions.
Determination of Compensation
Role of the Compensation Committee in Executive Compensation
During Fiscal 2020, the Compensation Committee and the Board made all decisions regarding the compensation levels of our executive officers.
It is the Compensation Committee’s responsibility to:

oversee the design of our executive compensation programs, policies and practices;

determine the types and amounts of most compensation for executive officers; and

review and approve the adoption, termination and amendment of, and to administer and, as appropriate, make recommendations to the Board regarding, our cash incentive compensation and equity incentive compensation plans.
In addition, as described in these proxy materials, the Compensation Committee has directly engaged Korn Ferry to assist in its review of compensation for our executive officers.
Starting with Fiscal 2020 the Compensation Committee made recommendations to the Board regarding, and the Board approved, the individual compensation of Mr. Taylor, Mr. Lang, and Ms. Laube.
Role of Executive Officers in Determining Executive Compensation
As described above, during Fiscal 2020, the Compensation Committee and the Board made all decisions regarding the compensation of our executive officers, after considering recommendations by Mr. Taylor (other than with respect to his own compensation).
 
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Our human resources department supported the Compensation Committee’s work, and in some cases acted under delegated authority to administer compensation programs.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
The Compensation Committee has retained Korn Ferry as its consultant to provide advice on executive and director compensation practices. Korn Ferry’s support generally includes analysis related to the competitiveness of our executive and director compensation programs, periodic reviews of our compensation peer group, the presentation of compensation and governance trends to the Compensation Committee, and other mandates as directed by the Compensation Committee.
In Fiscal 2020, we paid Korn Ferry approximately $140,661, which consisted of approximately $120,225 for services related to executive and director compensation and approximately $20,436 for services related to store employee compensation.
The Compensation Committee annually reviews the independence of Korn Ferry as its consultant under applicable SEC and NYSE rules on conflict of interest. Following this review, the Compensation Committee determined that Korn Ferry’s work for us does not raise any conflicts of interest. The Compensation Committee’s evaluation included consideration of all services provided to us, the amount of fees received as a percentage of Korn Ferry’s annual revenue, its policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest, any business or personal relationships between Korn Ferry and the members of the Compensation Committee or executive officers and any ownership of our stock by the advisors providing executive and director compensation services to us.
Peer Group Construction
In making executive compensation determinations for Fiscal 2020, we relied on the significant experience of our directors in establishing compensation across many companies, as well as the input of our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to his own compensation), who has many years of experience in our industry. Our Compensation Committee analyzed market data for executive compensation focusing on retail companies with $1.1 billion to $3.9 billion in annual revenue. For Fiscal 2020, the Compensation Committee also reviewed compensation data from the public filings for the following companies, which our Compensation Committee identified as our peer group for Fiscal 2020. The following group of companies reflect certain changes from the group reviewed in the prior fiscal year to reflect revenue size, growth rates and other characteristics that the Compensation Committee believes provide a more appropriate comparison.
Conn’s, Inc.
Party City Holdco Inc.
La-Z-Boy Incorporated
Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.
Sleep Number Corporation
RH
Carter’s, Inc.
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.
Lululemon Athletica Inc.
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.
Five Below, Inc.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.
At Home Group Inc.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation
Steven Madden, Ltd.
Aaron’s, Inc.
Columbia Sportswear Company
While the Compensation Committee considered this data from time to time to generally inform decisions relating to NEO compensation, it did not seek to benchmark our NEO compensation to any particular level. The Compensation Committee expects to periodically evaluate competitive market data to include the most suitable peer group as well as other market data deemed relevant. The Compensation Committee will review our NEO compensation against an appropriate peer group on a more formal basis and will also consider other relevant market data to ensure that our NEO compensation is competitive and sufficient to recruit and retain our NEOs.
The Compensation Committee expects to periodically review and update this peer group and to utilize Korn Ferry for peer group analysis in determining and developing compensation packages for our NEOs.
 
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Say-on-Pay Consideration
At our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, we held a stockholder advisory vote on the compensation of our NEOs in Fiscal 2019 (“2020 say-on-pay”). Our stockholders overwhelmingly approved the compensation of our NEOs, with approximately 99.3% of the votes cast in favor of our 2020 say-on-pay resolution. We believe that the outcome of our 2020 say-on-pay vote signals our stockholders’ support of our compensation programs and philosophy, specifically our efforts to retain and motivate our NEOs and to align pay with performance and the long-term interests of our stockholders.
The Compensation Committee reviewed and considered these voting results, among other factors described in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, in evaluating our executive compensation programs and philosophy.
Tax and Accounting Considerations
As a general matter, our Board and the Compensation Committee review and consider the various tax and accounting implications of our existing and proposed compensation programs.
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718 requires us to recognize an expense for the fair value of share-based compensation awards. Grants of equity incentive awards under the 2017 Plan are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 718. The Board and the Compensation Committee consider the accounting implications of significant compensation decisions, especially in connection with decisions that relate to our long-term incentive program. As accounting standards change, we may revise certain programs to appropriately align accounting expenses of our share-based compensation awards with our overall executive compensation philosophy and objectives.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) generally disallows publicly-listed companies a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to certain current and former executive officers (the “covered employees”). Generally, compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to each of the covered current and former executive officers will not be deductible by us. However, the regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code include certain transition rules and grandfathering rules for certain compensation that is not counted toward the deduction limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code. While certain compensation paid or payable to the Company’s covered employees may be eligible to be excluded from the deductibility limitation of Section 162(m) of the Code pursuant to applicable transition and/or grandfathering rules, and while the Compensation Committee considers the impact of Section 162(m) of the Code when designing and implementing our compensation programs, the Compensation Committee will continue to develop compensation programs that use a full range of criteria important to our success, recognizing that compensation paid under such programs may not be deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code. In the exercise of our business judgment, we continue to have the flexibility to award compensation that may not be tax-deductible if we determine that is appropriate.
Hedging and Pledging Policy
We have an insider trading policy, which, among other items, expressly prohibits Covered Persons (defined as our and our subsidiaries’ officers, directors and employees) as well as their immediate families and members of their households, from engaging in transactions of a speculative nature involving our common stock, including, but not limited to, buying or selling puts or calls or other derivative securities based on our common stock. In addition, such persons are prohibited from engaging in short sales of our common stock or entering into hedging or monetization transactions or similar arrangements with respect to our common stock (other than with respect to common stock granted under our employee stock purchase plan).
Stock Ownership Guidelines
To further align the long-term interests of our executives and our stockholders, in connection with our IPO, we adopted stock ownership guidelines applicable to our Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers and non-employee directors. The guidelines require our executives and non-executive directors to maintain the following beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock (measured in market value):
 
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Group
Required ownership
Chief Executive Officer
5 times annual base salary
Executive Vice Presidents / President
3 times annual base salary
Senior Vice Presidents
2 times annual base salary
Non-employee directors
5 times annual cash retainer
Our executives and non-employee directors have until May 2022 or, if later, five years from the effective date of their respective election, appointment or promotion, as the case may be, to satisfy these stock ownership guidelines. For the purposes of these stock ownership guidelines, the annual consulting fee received by Mr. West under his consulting agreement with us will be deemed to be his annual cash retainer. For purposes of determining ownership levels, shares of common stock owned outright, unvested shares of restricted stock and shares underlying vested and certain unvested, in-the-money options to purchase common stock are included. Shares of common stock underlying an award subject to performance-vesting for which the performance criteria have not been satisfied are not included. As of the end of Fiscal 2020, all of our executive officers were in compliance with these guidelines.
Clawback Policy
In order to encourage sound financial reporting and enhance individual accountability, we maintain a clawback policy for our executive officers providing that if our financial statements are restated, we may seek to recover or cancel any cash-based incentive or performance-based equity compensation paid or payable that was awarded as a result of achieving financial performance goals that are not met under the restated financial results.
 
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the above Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on our review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Report.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Norman H. Axelrod (Chairperson)
Kamy Scarlett
Peter Starrett
 
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COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table contains information about the compensation paid to or earned by each of our NEOs during Fiscal 2018, Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2020.
Name and Principal Position
Fiscal
Year
Salary
($)(1)
Bonus
($)(2)
Stock
Awards
($)(3)
Option
awards
($)(3)
Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
($)
All other
compensation
($)(4)
Total($)
Thomas V. Taylor – Chief Executive Officer
2020 762,925 10,412,500 1,237,500 1,303,143 213,447 13,929,515
2019 950,000 1,164,274 308,569 2,422,843
2018 927,885 1,980,000 716,485 98,938 3,723,308
Trevor S. Lang – Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
2020 402,115 3,118,750 356,250 389,311 6,763 4,273,189
2019 435,000 346,525 6,293 787,818
2018 432,558 570,000 217,105 6,187 1,225,850
Lisa G. Laube – President(3)(5)
2020 481,346 3,131,250 393,750 502,330 8,022 4,516,698
2019 505,000 402,287 7,922 915,209
2018 502,116 630,000 252,017 7,808 1,391,941
Brian K. Robbins – Executive Vice
President, Business Development Strategy
2020 396,769 40,000 1,575,500 226,500 328,544 8,472 2,575,785
2019 400,000 294,132 8,372 702,504
2018 392,368 362,400 181,785 8,187 944,740
David V. Christopherson – 
Executive Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel
2020 351,923 40,000 1,075,500 226,500 291,499 6,231 1,991,653
2019 345,000 100,000 1,000,000 232,548 6,131 1,683,679
2018 340,454 692,600 142,203 5,846 1,181,103
(1)
Amounts set forth in the Salary column represent the salary earned in Fiscal 2020, reflecting the reductions to each respective NEO’s base salary for Fiscal 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, as described under “Base Salary — Impact of COVID 19” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
(2)
Amounts set forth in the Bonus Column represent discretionary bonuses for Brian Robbins and David Christopherson granted in consideration of their respective extraordinary contributions and exceptional service provided to the Company in the Supply Chain and Legal functions in connection with the Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic during Fiscal 2020.
(3)
Amounts set forth in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted in Fiscal 2020 computed in accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”). All assumptions made in the valuations are contained and described in footnote 11 to the Company’s financial statements for Fiscal 2020 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021. The amounts shown in the table reflect the total fair value on the date of grant and do not necessarily reflect the actual value, if any, that may be realized by the NEOs.
(4)
Amounts in this column also include (i) 401(k) employer matching contributions of $5,700 for each of Ms. Laube and Messrs. Lang, Robbins and Christopherson; (ii) employer-paid group term life insurance premiums of $1,242, $1,063, $2,772, $531 and $2,322 for Messrs. Taylor, Lang, Robbins and Christopherson and Ms. Laube, respectively; and (iii) employer-incurred costs for Mr. Taylor’s commuting trips in the amount of $212,205.
(5)
Ms. Laube was promoted to President effective February 28, 2020.
 
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table for Fiscal 2020
The following table contains information about each grant of an award made to our NEOs under any incentive plan in Fiscal 2020:
Name
Type of
Award
Grant
Date or
Performance
Period
Estimated Possible
Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
Estimated Possible
Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)
All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)
All
Other
Option
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Restricted
Stock
Awards
and
Option
Awards
($)(5)
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
Thomas V. Taylor
Annual Cash
Incentive
Bonus
2/24/2020 990,385 1,980,769
PRS
2/24/2020 143,117 143,117 43,328(3) 10,000,000
Restricted Stock
2/24/2020 7,150(4) 412,500
Stock Options
2/24/2020 56,500 57.70 1,237,500
Trevor S. Lang
Annual Cash
Incentive
Bonus
2/24/2020 295,875 591,750
PRS
2/24/2020 42,936 42,936 12,999(3) 3,000,000
Restricted Stock
2/24/2020 2,059(4) 118,750
Stock Options
2/24/2020 16,265 57.70 356,250
Lisa G. Laube
Annual Cash
Incentive
Bonus
2/24/2020 381,769 763,539
PRS
2/24/2020 42,936 42,936 12,999(3) 3,000,000
Restricted Stock
2/24/2020 2,275(4) 131,250
Stock Options
2/24/2020 17,978 57.70 393,750
Brian K. Robbins
Annual Cash
Incentive
Bonus
2/24/2020 249,692 499,385
PRS
2/24/2020 21,469 21,469 6,500(3) 1,500,000
Restricted Stock
2/24/2020 1,309(4) 75,500
Stock Options
2/24/2020 10,342 57.70 226,500
David V.
Christopherson
Annual Cash
Incentive
Bonus
2/24/2020 221,539 443,077
PRS
2/24/2020 14,313 14,313 4,333(3) 1,000,000
Restricted Stock
2/24/2020 1,309(4) 75,500
Stock Options
2/24/2020 10,342 57.70 226,500
(1)
Constitutes threshold, target and maximum award opportunities for our NEOs under the 2020 Bonus Program. See “— Fiscal 2020 Compensation — Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program — Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses” for information regarding the criteria applied in determining amounts payable under the awards. The actual amounts paid with respect to these awards are included in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2020.
(2)
Constitutes threshold, target and maximum award opportunities for our NEOs under the performance-based vesting of PRSs. The restrictions with respect to the performance-based vesting PRSs lapse subject to (a) with respect to a portion of the PRSs achievement of specified earnings and return related
 
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targets as well as peer-group performance targets, in each case, as of the last day of a three-year performance period, and (b) with respect to a portion of the performance-based vesting PRSs, continued employment through the date the performance targets are measured (Mr. Taylor) or through the fourth anniversary of the grant date (other NEOs). See “— Fiscal 2020 Compensation — Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program — Fiscal 2020 Equity Awards”
(3)
Constitutes the time-based vesting portion of the PRSs granted to our NEOs. The restrictions with respect to the time-based vesting portion of the PRSs lapse subject to continued employment through the date the performance targets are measured (Mr. Taylor) or through the fourth anniversary of the grant date (other NEOs).
(4)
Constitutes time-vested restricted stock awards granted to our NEOs. See “— Fiscal 2020 Compensation — Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program — Fiscal 2020 Equity Awards”.
(5)
Pursuant to the SEC rules, stock options and restricted stock awards are valued in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. All assumptions made in the valuations are contained and described in footnote 11 to the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. The amounts shown in the table reflect the total fair value on the date of grant and do not necessarily reflect the actual value, if any, that may be realized by the NEOs.
 
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2020
The following table contains information about outstanding equity awards as of the last day of Fiscal 2020 for each of our NEOs:
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Name
Grant
Date
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Option
Exercise
Price
($/Sh)
Option
Expiration
Date
Number
of shares
or units
of stock
that
have not
yet vested
(#)
Market
value
of shares
or units
of stock
that
have not
yet vested
($)
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number Of
Unearned
Shares,
Units Or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market Or
Payout
Value Of
Unearned
Shares,
Units Or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)
Thomas V. Taylor (1) 12/13/2012 300,000 4.85 12/13/2022
9/30/2016 214,717 53,680 9.99 9/30/2026
4/26/2017 44,923 179,695 21.00 4/26/2027
11/2/2018 67,650 67,651 31.98 11/2/2028
2/24/2020 56,500 57.70 2/24/2030
2/24/2020 7,150 663,878
2/24/2020 43,328 4,023,005 143,117 13,288,413
Trevor S. Lang(2) 9/30/2016 17,968 16,992 9.99 9/30/2026
4/26/2017 12,804 44,812 21.00 4/26/2027
11/2/2018 19,475 19,476 31.98 11/2/2028
2/24/2020 16,265 57.70 2/24/2030
2/24/2020 2,059 191,178
2/24/2020 12,999 1,206,957 42,936 3,986,608
Lisa G. Laube(3) 2/23/2012 62,033 2.85 2/23/2022
2/23/2012 13,093 4.33 2/23/2022
9/30/2016 57,176 18,795 9.99 9/30/2026
4/26/2017 21,225 49,529 21.00 4/26/2027
11/2/2018 21,525 21,526 31.98 11/2/2028
2/24/2020 17,978 57.70 2/24/2030
2/24/2020 2,275 211,234
2/24/2020 12,999 1,206,957 42,936 3,986,608
Brian K. Robbins(4) 9/30/2016 10,813 9.99 9/30/2026
4/26/2017 16,281 21.00 4/26/2027
11/2/2018 12,383 31.98 11/2/2028
2/24/2020 10,342 57.70 2/24/2030
2/24/2020 1,309 121,541
2/24/2020 6,500 603,525 21,469 1,993,397
David V. Christopherson(5) 9/30/2016 7,853 9.99 9/30/2026
4/26/2017 11,860 21.00 4/26/2027
3/2/2018 9,693 44.21 3/2/2028
11/2/2018 12,383 31.98 11/2/2028
5/16/2019 24,207 2,247,620
2/24/2020 10,342 57.70 2/24/2030