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Item 11. Executive Compensation

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Item 11. Executive Compensation

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”)

In this section we provide an explanation and analysis of the material elements of the compensation provided to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and both of our other two executive officers who were serving on June 30, 2022, which was the end of our fiscal year 2022 (collectively referred to as our “named executive officers”).

Our named executive officers and their positions at the end of fiscal year 2022 were:

Charles LiangPresident, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chairman of the Board
David WeigandSenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer
Don CleggSenior Vice President, Worldwide Sales
George KaoSenior Vice President, Operations

Overview of Compensation

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(1)The chart presents the percentage compensation by compensation component received by the three non-CEO named executive officers together (aggregate compensation) as a group, as well as the split between cash and equity compensation for all such persons received in the aggregate as a group. No equivalent chart is presented for CEO compensation because, through all of fiscal year 2022, and continuing for about the next four years, almost all of Mr. Liang’s compensation has been, and is expected to be, based only upon his ability to earn the 2021 CEO Performance Award, as further described below.

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Compensation Philosophy and Objectives—Our Continued Move Toward Performance-Based Compensation Arrangements

Our executive compensation philosophy is to link compensation to corporate performance. Efforts in years before fiscal year 2022 were primarily focused on our CEO, Mr. Charles Liang, and are discussed further below. However, during fiscal year 2022, the Compensation Committee further expanded the linkage of compensation to corporate performance to certain other named executive officers. During the early part of fiscal year 2022, the Compensation Committee reviewed the results of a new compensation study it had requested from its independent compensation consultant, and continued to explore (with Mr. Liang) the appropriate balance for other named executive officers between fixed and regular compensation components (like base salary and regularly refreshed equity grants with time-based vesting) and performance-based equity awards (like performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”)). These efforts culminated in the adoption of a new fiscal year 2022 compensation program for Messrs. Weigand and Clegg in March 2022 (the “FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers”). See “FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers” below for more specific information about the design and operation of this new compensation program.

With respect to our CEO, Mr. Liang, fiscal year 2022 was a year of evaluating and monitoring the initial results of performance-based compensation arrangements made with Mr. Liang in fiscal year 2021. In March 2021, we had changed Mr. Liang’s compensation to be almost completely performance-based. As discussed in more detail below, in March 2021, we converted nearly 100% of Mr. Liang’s compensation to performance-based compensation through the issuance of performance-based options (the “2021 CEO Performance Award”) to purchase 1,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $45.00 per share, which price was 32% higher than the market price of our common stock on the date the award was provided ($34.08). The 2021 CEO Performance Award is comprised of five tranches that vest only if the market price of our common stock reaches various prices (ranging from $45.00 to $120.00 per share) and we achieve certain specified revenue goals, all as described in greater detail below. In connection with the 2021 CEO Performance Award, Mr. Liang’s base salary was reduced to $1.00 per year and Mr. Liang agreed that he would not be eligible for any increase in base salary, or any other cash compensation, until June 30, 2026.

Mr. Liang’s compensation for fiscal year 2022 was based entirely upon the 2021 CEO Performance Award and related agreements. As of the date of this report, one of the five tranches under the 2021 CEO Performance Award (representing 200,000 options granted under such award) has been earned because the first revenue goal of $4.0 billion in annualized revenue was achieved and the first stock price goal of $45.00 was achieved. In addition, while not yet certified by the Compensation Committee as of the date of this report, the second revenue goal of $4.8 billion in annualized revenue has also been achieved based upon the financial results for fiscal year 2022. Mr. Liang received a base salary of $1 during fiscal year 2022.

In summary, since the latter part of fiscal year 2021, through all of fiscal year 2022, and continuing for about the next four years, almost all of Mr. Liang’s compensation has been, and is expected to be, based only upon us achieving the revenue goals described below and the common stock price targets described below. To fully achieve those goals and targets, our revenue must increase to $8 billion over a rolling four-quarter period (from $3.6 billion for the last full fiscal year before the award) and the market price of our common stock must reach $120.00 per share (from $34.08 on the day the award was provided).

Process Overview

The Compensation Committee of the Board discharges the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of all of our executive officers. During fiscal year 2022, the Compensation Committee was principally comprised of two non-employee directors, although for a brief period from April 27, 2022 through May 18, 2022, the Compensation Committee was comprised of three non-employee directors. All of the non-employee directors who served on the Compensation Committee during fiscal year 2022 were independent pursuant to the applicable listing rules of NASDAQ and Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

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The agenda for meetings is determined by the Chair of the Compensation Committee with the assistance of our Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel. Committee meetings are regularly attended by our Chief Financial Officer and our General Counsel. However, during the meetings, neither our Chief Financial Officer nor our General Counsel participates in the consideration of his own performance or compensation, although he may provide an introduction of the topic to be considered to the Compensation Committee. Our Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel support the Compensation Committee in its work by providing information relating to our financial plans and certain personnel-related data. In addition, the Compensation Committee has the authority under its charter to hire, terminate and approve fees for advisors, consultants and agents as it deems necessary to assist in the fulfillment of its responsibilities. As part of making an overall assessment of each named executive officer’s role and performance, and structuring our compensation programs for fiscal year 2022, the Compensation Committee reviewed recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer, as well as publicly available peer group compensation data and data compiled by our independent compensation consultant.

During fiscal year 2022, the Compensation Committee considered various sources of information and comparative data when structuring the compensation awards issued and determining executive compensation levels, including information and compensation data assembled for the Compensation Committee by Radford, an Aon Hewitt company ("Radford"), from a sample of public companies selected by us, with input on the selection of this sample from Radford. The sample selected by us consisted of the following companies(1):

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.NetApp, Inc.
Ciena CorporationNETGEAR, Inc.
Diebold Nixdorf, Inc.Plexus Corp.
Extreme Networks, Inc.Pure Storage, Inc.
F5, Inc.Teradata Corporation
Infinera CorporationTTM Technologies, Inc.
Juniper Networks, Inc.Viasat, Inc.
Lumentum Holdings Inc.Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

(1)For purposes of its consideration of 2022 executive compensation, the Compensation Committee modified the group of companies it had used for 2021 executive compensation determinations by adding Benchmark Electronics, Inc., Lumentum Holdings Inc., Pure Storage, Inc., Teradata Corporation, TTM Technologies, Inc., Viasat, Inc., and Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. These changes were made primarily to emphasize companies that we believe compete against us for executive talent.

Recognizing that over-reliance on external comparisons can be of concern, the Compensation Committee used external comparisons as only one point of reference and was mindful of the value and limitations of comparative data.

Key Fiscal Year 2022 Executive Compensation Decisions and Actions

Key fiscal year 2022 executive compensation decisions and actions included the following:

  • The Compensation Committee had Radford prepare a compensation study that was presented in August 2021 that included information and compensation data from a sample of public companies selected by us, as discussed above. The Compensation Committee utilized the information in the newly prepared compensation study as one point of reference in its consideration of named executive officer compensation in fiscal year 2022.

Before receiving Radford’s information and assistance in fiscal year 2022, the Compensation Committee assessed the independence of Radford in the light of all relevant factors, including additional services and other factors required by the SEC, that could give rise to a potential conflict of interest with respect to Radford. Based on these reviews and assessments, the Compensation Committee did not identify any conflicts of interest raised by the work performed by Radford.

  • As a part of continuing efforts to evolve the approach to executive officer compensation and to further expand the linkage of compensation to corporate performance to other named executive officers, the Compensation Committee adopted the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers in March 2022. In addition to base salary and fixed bonus components, the new program includes a performance-based annual incentive award, most of which is payable in the form of service-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that generally vest over an extended period of four years. The performance-based annual incentive award:

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*Is formula based;

*Utilizes company performance metrics that are individualized based upon the role of the officer; and

*Utilizes company performance metrics tied closely to stockholder value, including percentage appreciation in stock price from the prior fiscal year, percentage increase in worldwide revenue from the prior fiscal year, and percentage increase in worldwide net profit from the prior fiscal year. See “- FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers” below for more information.

  • Based on effective base salaries and the Compensation Committee’s review and certification of actual performance (as described further below) under the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 2022:

*Mr. Weigand received a fixed bonus amount of $94,050 paid in semi-monthly installments starting October 1, 2021, earned a cash payment of $48,973 and earned a grant of $195,892 in RSUs that are expected to be granted on August 29, 2022 and will generally vest in annual installments over four years; and

*Mr. Clegg received a fixed bonus amount of $70,620 paid in semi-monthly installments starting October 1, 2021, earned a cash payment of $166,250, and earned a grant of $166,250 in RSUs that are expected to be granted on August 29, 2022 and will generally vest in annual installments over four years.

  • Base salaries for the named executive officers other than the CEO were adjusted several times during fiscal year 2022 as a part of a perceived critical need to enhance retention value for key personnel, and were based in part upon:

*Analyses provided in the newly prepared compensation study for fiscal year 2022 that indicated that base salaries for such named executive officers (prior to the increases) were generally below the 25th percentile in the market; and

*Consideration of inflationary market conditions in the second half of fiscal year 2022.

  • Fiscal year 2022 was the first full fiscal year in which the CEO operated under the 2021 CEO Performance Award, and related agreements, which was granted in March 2021. During fiscal year 2022, the Compensation Committee closely monitored the Company’s performance and the CEO’s performance against not only the key metrics of the 2021 CEO Performance Award, but also the objectives of the 2021 CEO Performance Award, for alignment with stockholder value and stockholder interests. During fiscal year 2022, the CEO received a base salary of only $1, no short-term cash bonus awards, and no time-based or performance-based equity awards.

  • The Company’s revenue exceeded $4 billion for the four quarters ended December 31, 2021. The trailing 60 trading day average of closing prices of the Company’s Common Stock reached $45.00 on June 8, 2022. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee has certified that both the revenue condition and the stock price condition for the vesting of the first 200,000 shares subject to the 2021 CEO Performance Award have been met.

  • The Company’s revenue further increased to $5.2 billion for the four quarters ended June 30, 2022. As a result, while not yet certified by the Compensation Committee as of the date of this report, the second revenue goal of $4.8 billion in annualized revenue set forth in the 2021 CEO Performance Award has also been achieved based upon the financial results for fiscal year 2022.

The Compensation Committee will continue to closely monitor the Company’s performance and the CEO’s performance against both the key metrics and objectives of the 2021 CEO Performance Award.

  • Based on Compensation Committee action in October 2021, discretionary bonuses were awarded to Messrs. Weigand, Clegg and Kao in the amounts of $160,000, $150,000 and $40,000, respectively. The primary rationale for the payment of these discretionary one-time bonuses was to recognize the progress in remediating the material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting and to reward Company employees who had contributed to such achievements. See “- Additional discretionary bonus in FY2022” below.

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The Role of the Most Recent Stockholder Say-on-Pay Vote

The Compensation Committee, the entire Board, and our management value the opinions of our stockholders. Feedback received from stockholders has included a desire that a more significant portion of executive compensation be tied to performance based upon the achievement of pre-established goals. For fiscal year 2022, the Compensation Committee took such prior feedback into consideration when it developed, designed, and implemented the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers. In addition, prior to implementing the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee (through management) sought to solicit views of the external compensation consultant on the proposed program, including compensation philosophy embodied therein, potential size, appropriate performance metrics, the time period over which performance awards granted under such program should vest to achieve objectives (such as creating both long-term sustained value for stockholders and retention incentive), and other terms.

Our last annual meeting of stockholders was held on May 18, 2022 (the “Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Meeting”), and we provided our stockholders the annual opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for such meeting. At the meeting, stockholders representing approximately 98% of the stock present and entitled to vote on this “say-on-pay” proposal approved the compensation of our named executive officers. Although the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Meeting was held during the latter part of fiscal year 2022 when significant decisions affecting compensation matters for fiscal year 2022 for the named executives had already been made by the Compensation Committee and the say-on-pay vote was non-binding, the Compensation Committee expects to continue to consider the outcome of that vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

Role of Executive Officers in the Compensation Process

Each year, management provides recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding compensation program design and evaluations of executive and Company performance. In particular, in fiscal year 2022, both our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer provided the Compensation Committee with their views on the merits of a performance-based compensation program for certain named executive officers (other than the CEO), and the design of such program (including components thereof such as base salary, short-term cash incentives, and equity incentives). The Compensation Committee believes the participation of such named executive officers in the process which culminated in the adoption in fiscal year 2022 of the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers, and the willingness of such named executive officers to participate in the program developed, is evidence of the commitment of these named executive officers to our Company and their confidence in our future.

At the end of fiscal year 2022, our Chief Financial Officer provided the Compensation Committee with information about the Company’s performance against the objective metrics set forth in the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers and the Chief Executive Officer provided the Compensation Committee with his evaluation of the subjective performance of such participating named executive officers, which is one of performance metrics contained in the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers. This performance evaluation provided by the CEO included his views as to the impact of individual named executive officers on strategic initiatives and organizational goals, as well as their functional expertise and leadership. The Chief Executive Officer also provided the Compensation Committee with his views of the nature and extent of our performance against expectations.

While the Compensation Committee carefully considers all recommendations made by members of management, ultimate authority for all compensation decisions regarding our named executive officers rests with the Compensation Committee and the Board.

Fiscal Year 2022 CEO Compensation

Overview of Fiscal Year 2022 CEO Compensation

Fiscal year 2022 was the first full fiscal year in which the CEO operated under the 2021 CEO Performance Award, and related agreements. In connection with the grant of the 2021 CEO Performance Award, Mr. Liang receives a de minimis salary of $1 per year and no cash bonuses through June 30, 2026. Mr. Liang must also remain as the Company’s CEO (or such other position with the Company as Mr. Liang and the Board may agree) at the time each goal is met in order for the corresponding tranche to vest. This helps ensure Mr. Liang’s active leadership of the Company over the long term.

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Discussion and Analysis of 2021 CEO Performance Award

On March 2, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted to our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Liang, the 2021 CEO Performance Award, which is a long-term performance-based option award to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that may vest in five equal tranches. Each of the five tranches vests if a specified revenue goal (each, a “Revenue Goal”) and a specified stock price goal (each, a “Stock Price Goal”) is achieved. Revenue Goals must be achieved by June 30, 2026 (the “Revenue Performance Period”) and Stock Price Goals must be achieved by September 30, 2026 (the “Stock Price Performance Period”). The 2021 CEO Performance Award will generally expire on March 2, 2031, and includes, among other terms and conditions, a restriction on the sale of any shares issued upon exercise of the 2021 CEO Performance Award until March 2, 2024, the third anniversary of the date of grant.

The following table sets forth the Revenue Goals which must be achieved by the end of the Revenue Performance Period of June 30, 2026, together with its achievement status as of July 31, 2022:

Revenue Goals**(1)**Absolute Change From Revenue Reported for the Fiscal Year Ended Prior to the Grant of the CEO Performance Award (June 30, 2020)****(2)Achievement Status as of July 31, 2022
$4.0 billion20%Achieved(3)
$4.8 billion44%Achieved(4)
$5.8 billion74%Not yet achieved
$6.8 billion104%Not yet achieved
$8.0 billion140%Not yet achieved

(1)Revenue means the Company’s total revenues, as reported by the Company in its financial statements on Forms 10-Q and 10-K filed with the SEC (but without giving effect to any rounding used in reporting the amounts in Form 10-Q and Form 10-K), for the previous four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company.

(2)Revenue reported in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, was $3,339.3 million.

(3)Revenue reported for the four quarters ended December 31, 2021, was $4.17 billion.

(4)Revenue reported for the four quarters ended June 30, 2022 was $5.20 billion. Achievement of the $4.8 billion revenue goal has not yet been certified by the Compensation Committee.

The following table sets forth the Stock Price Goals which must be achieved by September 30, 2026, together with its achievement status as of July 31, 2022:

Stock Price Goals**(1)**Absolute Change in Stock Price from Grant Date Stock Price**(2)**Absolute Change in Stock Price From $45 Exercise PriceAchievement Status as of July 31, 2022
$4532%0%Achieved(3)
$6076%33%Not yet achieved
$75120%67%Not yet achieved
$95179%111%Not yet achieved
$120252%167%Not yet achieved

(1)Sustained stock price performance is required for each Stock Price Goal to be met, other than in connection with a change in control. For each Stock Price Goal to be met, the sixty-trading day average stock price must equal or exceed the Stock Price Goal.

(2)Utilizes closing stock price on March 2, 2021, of $34.08 per share. The July 29, 2022 closing stock price was $54.01 per share.

(3)The sixty-trading day average stock price from March 15, 2022 through June 8, 2022 was $45.12.

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(1)Achievement of the $4.8 billion revenue goal has not yet been certified by the Compensation Committee as of the date of this report.

Each of the five tranches vests only when both the applicable Revenue Goal and Stock Price Goal for such tranche are certified by the Compensation Committee as having been met.

A Revenue Goal and a Stock Price Goal that are matched together can be achieved at different points in time and vesting will occur at the later of the achievement certification dates for such Revenue Goal and Stock Price Goal. Subject to any applicable clawback provisions, policies or other forfeiture terms described in the 2021 CEO Performance Award, once a goal is achieved, it is forever deemed achieved for determining the vesting of a tranche.

There is no automatic acceleration of vesting of the 2021 CEO Performance Award upon a future “change in control,” but any tranches that are unvested as of the date of the change in control will vest upon the change in control if the Stock Price Goal related to that tranche is achieved (the Revenue Goals will be disregarded). For purposes of determining whether any Stock Price Goal has been achieved, the stock price shall equal the greater of (1) the most recent closing price per share immediately prior to the effective time of such change in control, or (2) the per share common stock price (plus the per share of common stock value of any other consideration) received by our stockholders in the change in control. To the extent any tranche of the 2021 CEO Performance Award has not vested prior to the change in control and does not vest in connection with the change of control based on attainment of the relevant Stock Price Goal, as described above, such tranche under the 2021 CEO Performance Award will terminate as of the effective date of the change in control.

As stated above, during fiscal year 2022, the Compensation Committee closely monitored the Company’s performance and the CEO’s performance against not only the key metrics of the 2021 CEO Performance Award, but also the objectives of the 2021 CEO Performance Award, for alignment with stockholder value and stockholder interests. The Compensation Committee designed the 2021 CEO Performance Award to be a challenging long-term incentive for future performance, and the Compensation Committee noted in particular that the performance thresholds could take many years to achieve, if they can be achieved at all.

FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers

Overview

On March 26, 2022, after consultations with Mr. Liang, and consideration of input received from the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant, which included the results of an executive compensation study, the Compensation Committee approved an executive compensation program for fiscal year 2022 for two of the Company’s NEOs, Mr. Weigand (the “CFO Compensation Program”), and Mr. Clegg, (the “SVP Sales Compensation Program”).

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The Compensation Committee believes the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers furthers the Company’s executive compensation philosophy to link compensation to corporate and individual performance. The principal compensation elements of the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers are:

  • A base salary in the form of cash and representing fixed compensation to reward individual performance and contributions (“Base Salary”);

  • A fixed bonus component payable in semi-monthly installments in the form of cash and based upon a percentage of Base Salary (the “Fixed Bonus”); and

  • A performance-based annual incentive award (“Performance Incentive Award”) which, for Mr. Weigand, is payable 20% in the form of cash (the “Performance Cash”) and 80% in the form of service-based RSUs (the “Performance RSUs”) and, for Mr. Clegg, is payable 50% in the form of Performance Cash and 50% in the form of Performance RSUs. Performance RSUs will generally vest in equal annual installments over a period of approximately four years.

Base Salary

The following table sets forth Base Salaries for Mr. Weigand and Mr. Clegg at the end of each of fiscal year 2021 and 2022:

Principal Position During Fiscal Year 2022End of Fiscal Year 2021 Base Salary Rate**(1)(2)**End of Fiscal Year 2022 Base Salary Rate**(1)(3)**Base Salary % Change
David WeigandSenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer$380,000$465,15122.4%
Don CleggSenior Vice President, Worldwide Sales$352,000$403,38214.6%

(1)The base salary amounts actually paid to each named executive officer for fiscal year 2021 and 2022 are disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)For fiscal year 2021, for Mr. Weigand, the salary amount disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table is lower than the amount disclosed in the table above because Mr. Weigand only commenced receiving the amount set forth in the table following his appointment in February 2021 as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer.

(3)For fiscal year 2022, salary amounts disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table for each named executive officer are less than the amounts disclosed in the table above because of the adjustments made to Base Salary during fiscal year 2022, which were: for Mr. Weigand, increases to $418,000 effective July 1, 2021, to $434,720 effective March 1, 2022, and to $465,151 effective May 1, 2022; and for Mr. Clegg, increases to $376,640 effective July 1, 2021, to $384,173 effective March 1, 2022, and to $403,382 effective May 1, 2022.

Adjustments to Base Salaries for Mr. Weigand and Mr. Clegg were made several times during fiscal year 2022 after the Compensation Committee considered recommendations from the CEO. Primary factors the Compensation Committee considered in connection with these increases included the following:

  • Analyses provided in the compensation study for fiscal year 2022 that indicated that base salaries for such executive officers were generally below the 25th percentile in the market; and

  • Consideration of inflationary market conditions in the second half of fiscal year 2022.

In addition, while not participating in the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers, Mr. George Kao, another named executive officer, also received several adjustments to his base salary rate during fiscal year 2022 based upon the same factors the Compensation Committee considered for each of Mr. Weigand and Mr. Clegg. During fiscal year 2022, Mr. Kao’s base salary rate increased from $325,728 as of the end of fiscal to 2021 to $345,272 effective July 1, 2021, to $355,630 effective March 1, 2022, and to $373,411 effective May 1, 2022, an aggregate increase of 14.6% during fiscal year 2022.

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Fixed bonus component

Under the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers, Mr. Weigand and Mr. Clegg receive a fixed bonus component payable in semi-monthly installments in the form of cash, which is based upon a percentage of Base Salary (the “Fixed Bonus”). The Compensation Committee included the Fixed Bonus as a part of the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers for their continued achievements and contributions to the Company.

The Fixed Bonus percentage of Base Salary for fiscal year 2022 were 30% for Mr. Weigand and 25% for Mr. Clegg and were payable effective October 1, 2021 (the “Fixed Bonus Effective Date”). The aggregate cash compensation for these two officers, based on their base salaries effective on July 1, 2022, and the Fixed Bonus percentages, was determined to still be less than the market 50th percentile for comparable positions. The following table sets forth the total amount of Fixed Bonus received by such persons for fiscal year 2022:

Principal Position During Fiscal Year 2022Fiscal Year 2022 Fixed Bonus Received**(1)**
David WeigandSenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer$94,050(2)
Don CleggSenior Vice President, Worldwide Sales$70,620

(1)The Fixed Bonus percentages were applied to the Base Salaries of Mr. Weigand and Mr. Clegg that were effective as of July 1, 2021, which were $418,000 and $376,640, respectively.

(2)In addition to the Fixed Bonus amount, Mr. Weigand also received during fiscal year 2022 a $10,000 per month fixed cash bonus for the months of July, August, and September 2021 (aggregating $30,000) under his short-term bonus program that was in place prior to the Fixed Bonus Effective Date (the “Prior Fiscal Year Bonus Program”).

Mr. George Kao, another named executive officer, does not participate in the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers, but during fiscal year 2022 was eligible for the Company’s regular semi-annual bonus payouts available to employees pursuant to which he received $4,980.

Performance Incentive Award

Description of Performance Incentive Award. Under the Performance Incentive Award portion of the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers, participants have the ability to earn Performance Incentive Awards annually, based upon the achievement of certain specified objective metrics (“key performance indicators” or “KPIs”) and the CEO’s subjective evaluation of each participant’s performance during the fiscal year. Any Performance Incentive Awards earned by Mr. Weigand are payable 20% in cash and 80% in Performance RSUs, and any Performance Incentive Awards earned by Mr. Clegg are payable 50% in cash and 50% in Performance RSUs. The cash portion of the award is paid out promptly after the amount of any Performance Incentive Award is determined and approved by the Compensation Committee following the end of the fiscal year, and the Performance RSUs are granted at approximately the same time. The number of Performance RSUs granted to the participants is determined by dividing the value of the Performance RSU portion of the Performance Incentive Award by an average closing price of our stock, as described in more detail below. These Performance RSUs generally vest in equal annual installments over a period of four years from the first day of the new fiscal year, so long as the individual continues to be employed. Performance RSUs are capped at no more than 250,000 RSUs for each of Messrs. Weigand and Clegg for the annual award. In addition:

  • The amount of the earned Performance Incentive Award is determined as a multiple (the “Multiple”) of a base incentive target (calculated as a set percentage of Base Salary) set for each participant (the “Base Incentive Target”).

  • The Base Incentive Target for fiscal year 2022 was set at 10% of Base Salary for each of Messrs. Weigand and Clegg.

  • Each KPI and the CEO’s subjective evaluation of performance contribute to the calculation of the Multiple, which is applied to the Base Incentive Target to determine the total amount of the earned Performance Incentive Award:

◦For Mr. Weigand, the KPIs for fiscal year 2022 were based upon:

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  • Percentage appreciation in Company stock price from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2022, with a 100% increase in the stock price counting as 1.00 towards determination of the final aggregate Multiple; and

  • This KPI is “double weighted” meaning that such percentage increase in stock price is then multiplied by two, and that resulting percentage is then used in the calculation of the aggregate Multiple as described above and illustrated below; and

  • Percentage increase in number of long-term investors in the Company from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2022, with a 100% increase in the number of long-term investors counting as 1.00 towards the determination of the final aggregate Multiple; and

*Such KPI is also “double weighted” meaning that such percentage increase is multiplied by two, and that resulting percentage is then used in the calculation of the aggregate Multiple as described above and illustrated below.

◦For Mr. Weigand, an individual performance evaluation rating (on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0) was also given by the CEO for the fiscal year, with each 1.00 of rating counting as 1.00 towards determination of the final aggregate Multiple.

The various scores arising from these KPI results, and the performance evaluation are then added together to determine the final aggregate Multiple that is applied to the Base Incentive Target to determine the value of the Performance Incentive Award. For these purposes, long-term investors in the Company are defined as either (1) a new long-term investor with at least 100,000 shares (which represents approximately about 0.2% of the total number of shares outstanding) accumulated during fiscal year 2022 or (2) an existing long-term investor who had increased its holdings by at least 50% during fiscal year 2022; provided, however, that index funds, hedge funds, and broker-dealers are excluded from the definition of long-term investors.

◦For Mr. Clegg, the KPIs for fiscal year 2022 are based upon:

  • Percentage appreciation in Company stock price from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2022, with a 100% increase in the stock price counting as 1.00 towards determination of the final aggregate Multiple (and the KPI is not double-weighted, in Mr. Clegg’s case);

  • Percentage increase in worldwide revenue from the prior fiscal year, with a 100% increase in revenue counting as 1.00 towards determination of the final aggregate Multiple; and

*This KPI is “double weighted” meaning that such percentage increase in worldwide revenue is then multiplied by two, and that resulting percentage is then used in the calculation of the aggregate Multiple as described above and illustrated below; and

  • Percentage increase in worldwide net profit from the prior fiscal year, with a 100% increase in worldwide net profit counting as 1.00 towards determination of the final aggregate Multiple; and

*Such KPI is “double weighted” meaning that such percentage increase in worldwide net profit is then multiplied by two, and that resulting percentage is then used in the calculation of the aggregate Multiple as described above and illustrated below.

◦For Mr. Clegg, an individual performance evaluation rating (on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0) was also given by the CEO for the fiscal year, with each 1.00 of rating counting as 1.00 towards determination of the final aggregate Multiple.

The various scores arising from these KPI results, and the performance evaluation are then added together to determine the final aggregate Multiple that is applied to the Base Incentive Target to determine the value of the Performance Incentive Award.

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For each of Mr. Weigand and Mr. Clegg, a decrease in stock price, number of long-term investors, worldwide revenue, and/or worldwide net profit from the prior fiscal year (as may be applicable) results in a multiple of zero for that KPI for purposes of determining the aggregate Multiple. For these purposes, worldwide revenue is defined as our net sales for the fiscal year as reported in our consolidated financial statements and worldwide net profit is defined as our non-GAAP income from operations for the fiscal year as reported in our earnings materials.

Performance Cash is paid in the next payroll cycle following the Compensation Committee’s certification and approval of the calculation of the Performance Incentive Award after the end of the fiscal year.

Performance RSUs are to be granted to the respective participating officer on a grant date within 10 days of the Compensation Committee’s certification and approval of the results of the Performance Incentive Award (the “Grant Date”), but in no event later than August 31, 2022, subject to the recipient remaining employed with, or otherwise continuing to provide services to, the Company through such Grant Date. The number of Performance RSUs earned will be determined by dividing the value of the portion of the Performance Incentive Award earned thereunder allocated to the Performance RSUs portion by the sixty-trading day average closing stock price of the Company’s common stock as of (and including) the date immediately prior to the Grant Date (rounded to the nearest whole RSU, and subject to a maximum cap of 250,000 RSUs for such grant).

Measurement of Fiscal Year 2022 Performance against the Performance Incentive Award. The following sets forth the determination of the Performance Incentive Award based upon fiscal year 2022 performance for Mr. Weigand:

Performance MeasureAchievementWeighting FactorFinal Weighted Score
Stock Price Increase KPI14.7% (or 0.147)2X0.294
Long-Term Investor Increase KPI28.2% (or 0.282)(1)2X0.564
Individual Performance Evaluation5.00(2)1X5.00
Total Multiple5.858
Base Incentive Target$41,800
Final Earned Performance Incentive Award Value$244,865
Performance Cash Payout Value (20%)$48,973
Performance RSUs Payout Value (80%)$195,892
Number of Performance RSUs to be Granted in August 2022(3)3,773

(1)Utilizing the definition of long-term Investor specified above, it was determined the number of Long Term Investors increased from 39 to 50 during fiscal year 2022.

(2)Based upon the CEO’s evaluation. Due to efforts from Mr. Weigand, the Company exceeded the financial targets which had been set for the year.

(3)Estimated based on the average 60-trading day closing stock price as of and including August 25, 2022 of $51.91. The actual number of Performance RSUs granted may differ slightly based on the expected grant date of August 29, 2022.

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The following sets forth the determination of the Performance Incentive Award based upon fiscal year 2022 performance for Mr. Clegg:

Performance MeasureAchievementWeighting FactorFinal Weighted Score
Stock Price Increase KPI14.7% (or 0.147)1X0.147
Worldwide Revenue KPI46.1% (or 0.461)2X0.921
Worldwide Net Profit KPI138.0% (or 1.293)2X2.760
Individual Performance Evaluation5.00(1)1X5.00
Total Multiple8.828
Base Incentive Target$37,664
Final Earned Performance Incentive Award Value$332,499
Performance Cash Payout Value (50%)$166,250
Performance RSUs Payout Value (50%)$166,250
Number of Performance RSUs to be Granted in August 2022(2)3,202

(1)Based upon the CEO’s evaluation. Due to efforts from Mr. Clegg, the Company exceeded the financial targets which had been set for the year.

(2)Estimated based on the average 60-trading day closing stock price as of and including August 25, 2022 of $51.91. The actual number of Performance RSUs granted may differ slightly based on the expected grant date of August 29, 2022.

Other Equity-Based Incentive Compensation

While participants in the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers are eligible to receive performance-based awards under the Performance Incentive Award portion of such program, such persons also continue to be eligible to receive other equity-based incentive compensation, along with our other named executive officers and other persons eligible for awards under the 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan. In continuing to award other equity-based incentive compensation to participants in the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee noted that the compensation study presented in August 2021 indicated that the historical level of equity awards made had low retention power, and that equity vehicles that included a mix of both time-based RSUs and PRSUs should be considered. As a result, the Compensation Committee elected to continue its practice of making regular periodic refresh grants of time-based equity incentives of both RSUs and options to the named executive officers participating in the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers.

For such named executive officers participating in the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee views stock options and other equity-based awards as an important component of the total compensation. We believe that equity-based awards also align the interests of a named executive officer with those of our stockholders. They also provide named executive officers a significant, long-term interest in our success and help retain key named executive officers in a competitive market for executive talent. The 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan authorized the Compensation Committee to grant stock options and other equity-based awards to eligible named executive officers. The number of shares owned by, or subject to equity-based awards held by, each named executive officer is periodically reviewed and additional awards are considered based upon a generalized assessment of past performance, expected future performance and the relative holdings of executive officers. In addition to equity-based awards made in connection with events such as promotions, the Compensation Committee has historically granted refresh equity awards to employees (including executive officers) on a two-year cycle.

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For fiscal year 2022, which commenced July 1, 2021, in addition to the Performance RSUs discussed above under “- Performance Incentive Award,” the Compensation Committee determined to provide the awards of service-based stock options and RSUs to named executive officers as outlined in the table below.

Type of AwardQuantity (at Target) of AwardRationale for Providing the Award
David Weigand(1)Stock options30,000Special grant
Stock options9,500Refresh grant
RSUs4,280Refresh grant
Don CleggStock options3,630Refresh grant
RSUs1,630Refresh grant
George KaoStock options——
RSUs——

(1)Mr. Weigand received a special stock option award with 2-year vesting.

Stock Options. In general, the Compensation Committee uses stock options to directly align the compensation interests of participating named executive officers with the investment interests of our stockholders. The stock options described above for each of Messrs. Weigand and Clegg were granted on May 5, 2022 with a 10-year term and an exercise price equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date ($53.04). Subject to the continued service of such named executive officers, the stock options vest and become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the shares on May 5, 2023, and then an additional 1/16th of the shares at the end of each successive calendar quarter thereafter (excluding the 30,000 stock options granted to Mr. Weigand). The 30,000 stock options for Mr. Weigand vest and become exercisable at the rate of 12.5% of the shares after one quarter, and 1/8th at the end of each successive calendar quarter thereafter. Such award of 30,000 stock options to Mr. Weigand was made to further incent him as a result of his promotion to Chief Financial Officer in February 2021, at which time no additional equity incentive had been awarded to him. The particular size of the stock option grants to each of these named executive officers was determined based upon the recommendation of Mr. Liang which was reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee.

RSUs. In general, RSUs represent the right to receive a defined number of shares of our common stock subject to the continued employment through the vesting date. The RSUs described above for each of Messrs. Weigand and Clegg were granted on May 5, 2022. Subject to the continued service of such named executive officers, these RSUs vest at the rate of 25% of the total number of units on May 10, 2023, and then an additional 1/16th of the units at the end of each successive calendar quarter thereafter. The particular size of the RSU grants to each of these named executive officers was determined based upon the recommendation of Mr. Liang which was reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee.

Additional Discretionary Bonuses in FY2022

Prior to the adoption of the FY2022 Performance Program for Other Named Executive Officers and in addition to the Prior Fiscal Year Bonus Program for Mr. Weigand, discretionary bonuses were also paid during fiscal year 2022 to each of Messrs. Weigand, Clegg and Kao. As previously discussed in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis in our 2022 definitive proxy statement, the Board had in September 2021 considered that the Company had made adequate progress in remediating certain material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. At that time, the Board in particular considered the impact of accomplishments of Company employees other than Mr. Liang in achieving this adequate progress (the “Remediation Progress”), and approved establishment of a $2 million discretionary bonus program for Company employees to recognize the Remediation Progress achievement completed in fiscal year 2022. The program was designed specifically to reward the Company’s employees who contributed to such Remediation Progress achievements (the “Discretionary Program”). While the Board had delegated to management authority to administer such Discretionary Program, awards thereunder to persons who were executive officers were subject to the review and approval by the Compensation Committee. Based on Compensation Committee action in October 2021, which included the Compensation Committee considering input on awards under the Discretionary Program to executive officers from the external compensation consultant, Messrs. Weigand, Clegg and Kao received discretionary one-time bonuses in the amounts of $160,000, $150,000 and $40,000, respectively, as a result of their contributions to the Remediation Progress.

In addition, each of Messrs. Weigand, Clegg and Kao received an end of calendar year holiday bonus generally available to employees of $1,000.

SMCI | 2022 Form 10-K | 123

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In January 2022, our Board adopted stock ownership guidelines that apply to the Chief Executive Officer and our non-executive directors (the “Guidelines”). Under the Guidelines, the Chief Executive Officer has a target holding of 3x his then-current annual base salary; provided, however, that for so long as the Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Charles Liang, and his then-current annual base salary is less than his annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the grant of his 2021 CEO Performance Award on March 2, 2021 (which annual base salary was $522,236 (the “Pre-grant CEO Salary”)), then for purposes of determination of the Chief Executive Officer’s target holding, his target shall be three times the Pre-grant CEO Salary. Under the Guidelines, non-employee directors have a target holding of 3x the then-current annual Board member retainer (regardless of whether such director actually receives such retainer). For purposes of determining such target holding for non-employee directors, other director cash fees such as fees for Committee member/chair service or excess per meeting fees are not considered as part of then-current annual Board member retainer.

Under the Guidelines, each target is expected to be attained by the later of (1) five years from the effective date of the Guidelines or (2) five years from the effective date of a covered person’s assumption of the applicable role or responsibilities (or applicable designation as a covered person with a specific stock ownership target by the Compensation Committee) subjecting the covered person to the then-applicable stock ownership target. After the applicable five-year period has concluded, the covered person will be required to retain at least 50% of the common stock received (net of applicable withholding taxes) under our equity awards earned by, vested with respect to or exercised by the covered person if the covered person does not comply with his or her stock ownership target. Once a covered person has initially achieved his or her stock ownership target, the covered person will be considered to continue to be in compliance with the Guidelines unless as of the annual measurement the covered person’s common stock ownership drops to less than 85% of the covered person’s stock ownership target (in which case the covered person will have one year to again achieve compliance with the Guidelines).

Annual compliance with the stock ownership target will be measured, for each fiscal year, at the end of such fiscal year. Compliance with the stock ownership targets at any point in time will be based on the average closing price for the common stock for the immediately prior 60 days. For purposes of determining compliance with the stock ownership target, the following holdings by the covered person and his or her immediate family members sharing his or her household will be considered the equivalent of owning the corresponding applicable underlying common stock: (1) outright ownership of common stock; (2) vested common stock held in retirement or deferred compensation accounts; and (3) service-based restricted share, restricted stock unit and/or deferred share awards regarding common stock (whether or not vested).

As of June 30, 2022, each of the covered persons subject to the Guidelines met his or her stock ownership target, except for Ms. Lin who was appointed as a director in April 2022.

Our insider trading policy prohibits any of our directors, executive officers, employees or contractors from engaging in any transactions in publicly-traded options, such as puts and calls, and other derivative securities, including any hedging or similar transaction, with respect to our common stock.

Stock Retention Policy

We have adopted a stock retention policy which requires that our Chief Executive Officer hold a significant portion of the shares of our common stock acquired under our equity incentive plans for at least 36 months. Generally, under the policy, the Chief Executive Officer must retain at least 50% of all “net” shares received (“net” shares means those shares remaining after the sale or withholding of shares in payment of the exercise price, if applicable, and withholding taxes) for at least 36 months following the date on which an equity award is vested, settled or exercised, as applicable. In addition, in connection with the 2021 CEO Performance Award previously granted to our Chief Executive Officer, the Board required a restriction on the sale of any shares issued upon the exercise of the options associated with such award until March 2, 2024, the third anniversary of the grant date. See “Discussion and Analysis of 2021 CEO Performance Award.”

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Recoupment Policy

We established a recoupment policy that is applicable to our named executive officers (the “Recoupment Policy”). Under the Recoupment Policy, if we are required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with the financial reporting requirements under United States securities laws, the Compensation Committee shall be entitled to have the Company recover from any current or former executive officer any excess incentive-based compensation received by such person during the three-year period prior to the date on which we are required to prepare the restatement. This Recoupment Policy applies to both equity-based and cash-based incentive compensation awards. The “excess incentive-based compensation” is the difference between the actual amount that was paid, and the amount that would have been paid under the restated financial results.

Other Benefits

Health and Welfare Benefits. Our named executive officers receive the same health and welfare benefits as are offered to our other employees, including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability insurance coverage, flexible spending account participation and holiday pay. The same contribution amounts, percentages and plan design provisions are applicable to all employees. We offer these health and welfare benefits generally to help provide a competitive compensation package to employees to assist with the attraction, hiring and retention of employees.

Retirement Program. Our named executive officers may participate in the same tax-qualified, employee-funded 401(k) plan that is offered to all our other employees. We do not maintain a supplemental executive retirement plan, nor do we offer any defined benefit retirement plans or other defined contribution plans to our named executive officers. We offer these retirement program benefits generally to help provide a competitive compensation package to employees to assist with the attraction, hiring and retention of employees.

Perquisites. We do not provide perquisites or personal benefits to any of our named executive officers.

Employment Arrangements, Severance and Change of Control Benefits. We have not entered into employment agreements with any of our named executive officers. Each of Messrs. Clegg, Kao and Weigand currently has a signed offer letter which provides for at-will employment. Each such offer letter provides for an initial base salary rate, an initial stock option grant and rights to participate in our employee benefit plans as described above. We do not have any written employment arrangements with Mr. Liang. Other than as described in the following sentence, we do not have any arrangements with any of our named executive officers that provide for any severance or other benefits in the event of termination or change of control of our Company. See also “- Fiscal Year 2022 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.” The 2021 CEO Performance Award has certain provisions related to the treatment of such award in the event of a change of control of our Company. See “Discussion and Analysis of 2021 CEO Performance Award.”

Tax and Accounting Considerations. In our review and establishment of named executive officer compensation programs and payments, we consider, but do not place substantial emphasis on, the anticipated accounting and tax treatment of our compensation programs to us and our named executive officers. Among other factors that receive greater consideration are the net costs to us and our ability to effectively administer executive compensation in the short and long-term interests of stockholders.

Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), generally limits a Company’s ability to deduct for tax purposes compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid in any single tax year to certain executive officers (and, beginning in 2018, certain former executive officers). We expect to continue to design and maintain executive compensation arrangements that we believe will attract and retain the executive talent that we need to compete successfully, even if in certain cases such compensation is not deductible for federal income tax purposes. In addition, there can be no assurance that compensation intended to satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) will in fact be deductible.

We account for equity compensation paid to our employees in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Stock-Compensation (“ASC Topic 718”), which requires us to estimate and record expenses for each award of equity compensation over the service period of the award.

We intend that our plans, arrangements and agreements will be structured and administered in a manner that complies with (or is exempt from) the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Participation in, and compensation paid under, our

SMCI | 2022 Form 10-K | 125

plans, arrangements and agreements may, in certain instances, result in the deferral of compensation that is subject to the requirements of Section 409A. If our plans, arrangements and agreements as administered fail to meet certain requirements under or exemptions from Section 409A, compensation earned thereunder may be subject to immediate taxation and tax penalties.

Summary

The Compensation Committee believes that our compensation philosophy and programs are designed to foster a performance-oriented culture that aligns our named executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee also believes that the compensation of our named executive officers is both appropriate and responsive to the goal of building stockholder value.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) with our management. Based on this review and these discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in this Annual Report.

This report has been furnished by the Compensation Committee.

Sherman Tuan, Chair

Tally Liu

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Fiscal Year 2022 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the reportable compensation for our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended 2022, 2021 and 2020, as applicable.

FISCAL YEAR 2022 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal PositionYearSalary ($)****(1)Bonus ($)****(2)Stock Awards ($)****(3)Option Awards ($)****(4)Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)****(5)All Other Compensation ($)Total ($)
Charles Liang20221—————1
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board2021421,7853,360—11,616,0006,057,526(6)—18,098,671
2020423,346———875,635—1,298,981
David Weigand2022442,601285,050353,4041,074,00548,973—2,204,033
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer2021367,70943,360109,188113,280——633,537
2020300,347222,107——78,970—601,424
Don Clegg2022398,470221,620183,65398,700166,250—1,068,693
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales2021362,1409,990102,515106,200——580,845
2020348,459108,970——290,581—748,010
George Kao2022364,40945,980————410,389
Senior Vice President, Operations2021333,8586,27357,68860,213——458,032
2020324,8074,52468,85115,288152,333—565,803

(1)Amounts disclosed under "Salary" for fiscal year 2022 include leave pay earned by the named executive officers.

(2)Amounts disclosed under “Bonus” for fiscal year 2022 reflect, as applicable, fixed amount bonuses, special bonuses, profit sharing amounts, holiday bonuses and/or our sales bonus program, all as further described above in the CD&A.

(3)Amounts disclosed for fiscal year 2022 represent the grant date fair values of RSU awards granted during fiscal year 2022 calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718 and are based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. Amounts also include the fair values of the RSU portion of Messrs. Weigand and Clegg’s Performance Incentive Award provided for fiscal year 2022, based on probable outcome, as of March 2022. The RSU portion of each award was capped at 250,000 RSUs. The actual number of RSUs earned by Messrs. Weigand and Clegg for their Performance Incentive Awards are expected to be granted in early fiscal year 2023, as disclosed in CD&A above.

(4)The amounts disclosed for fiscal year 2022 represent the grant date fair values of the stock option awards calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718, using the Black Scholes option pricing model. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data", and Part II, Item 8, Note 13 “Stock-based Compensation and Stockholders’ Equity”, to our consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2022 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(5)Amounts disclosed for fiscal year 2022 represent payouts of the cash portion of Messrs. Weigand and Clegg’s Performance Incentive Awards, as further described above in CD&A.

(6)As discussed in prior year proxy statements and Annual Reports, in March 2020, Mr. Liang received a special performance-based cash incentive award opportunity. Mr. Liang’s award, for a cash incentive opportunity of up to $8,076,701 (the “Maximum Value”), was specifically linked to Company stock price performance. The applicable stock price performance conditions for the award were achieved during fiscal year 2021 and, as a result, 50% of the Maximum Value (or $4,038,351) was paid to Mr. Liang in fiscal year 2021. However, the Board had discretion to reduce the payout value of the remaining portion of the award under certain circumstances. In September 2021, the Board exercised this discretion and reduced the payout for the remaining portion of the award to 25% of the Maximum Value (or $2,019,175), for a total award payout for 2021 of $6,057,526.

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Fiscal Year 2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table provides information concerning all plan-based awards granted during fiscal year 2022 to each of our named executive officers, which grants were made under the Super Micro Computer, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.

FISCAL YEAR 2022 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan AwardsEstimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan AwardsAll 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 ($/Sh)Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)****(1)
NameGrant DateThreshold ($)Target ($)Maximum ($)Threshold (#)Target (#)Maximum (#)
Charles Liang———————————
David Weigand5/5/2022———————30,00053.04815,700
5/5/2022———————9,50053.04258,305
5/5/2022——————4,280——227,011
3/26/20228,360(2)————————
3/26/2022———(2)(2)250,000———126,393
Don Clegg5/5/2022———————3,63053.0498,700
5/5/2022——————1,630——86,455
3/26/202218,832(2)————————
3/26/2022———(2)(2)250,000———97,198
George Kao———————————

(1)Amounts disclosed in this column represent the fair value of the RSU and stock option awards as of the date of grant or award opportunity computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures.

(2)As further described in CD&A, each of Messrs. Weigand and Clegg received a Performance Incentive Award for fiscal year 2022 payable for Mr. Weigand 20% in cash and 80% in Performance RSUs, and payable for Mr. Clegg 50% in cash and 50% in Performance RSUs, which Performance RSUs will vest over four years from July 1, 2022. Based on the design of the Performance Incentive Award, there was essentially no target or maximum cash amount to be earned, and essentially no target number of Performance RSUs to be earned, but the threshold amount of the award was equal to $41,800 for Mr. Weigand and $37,664 for Mr. Clegg, and the award was capped at a payout of no more than 250,000 RSUs. The cash portions earned by Messrs. Weigand and Clegg are reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Fiscal Year 2022 Summary Compensation Table, and the fair values of the RSU portions disclosed in this table, based on probable outcome, as of March 2022 are included in the “Stock Awards” column of the Fiscal Year 2022 Summary Compensation Table. The actual Performance RSUs earned by Messrs. Weigand and Clegg for their Performance Incentive Awards are expected to be granted in early fiscal year 2023, as disclosed in CD&A above.

Grants made in fiscal year 2022 are described more fully in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Annual Report. More information concerning the terms of the employment arrangements, if applicable, in effect with our named executive officers during fiscal year 2022 is provided under the "Employment Arrangements, Severance and Change of Control Benefits" under the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2022 Fiscal Year-End

The following table provides information concerning the outstanding equity-based awards as of June 30, 2022, held by our named executive officers.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2022 FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE

Option AwardsStock Awards
NameNumber of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) ExercisableNumber of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) UnexercisableEquity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)Option Exercise Price ($)Option Expiration DateNumber of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)****(1)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)****(13)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)****(13)
Charles Liang231,260——20.701/21/2023————
166,750——35.071/19/2025————
130,000——26.958/2/2027————
——1,000,000(2)45.003/2/2031————
David Weigand16,072——22.107/31/2028————
3,928——22.107/31/2028————
7373,378(3)—30.338/4/2030————
3,263262(3)—30.338/4/2030————
—5,127(4)—53.045/5/2032————
—4,373(4)—53.045/5/2032————
—30,000(5)—53.045/5/2032————
—————1,800(6)72,630——
—————4,280(7)172,698——
Don Clegg6,000——26.758/4/2024————
4,000——20.548/3/2026————
14,679——22.107/31/2028————
5,321——22.107/31/2028————
7373,551(3)—30.338/4/2030————
3,013199(3)—30.338/4/2030————
—3,083(4)—53.045/5/2032————
—547(4)—53.045/5/2032————
—————1,690(6)68,192——
—————1,630(7)65,771——
George Kao14,840——26.958/2/2027————
5,160——26.958/2/2027————
2,229743(8)—13.0010/30/2028————
2,968——13.0010/30/2028————
1,364196(9)—20.373/27/2030————
2,0283,382(10)—23.7410/27/2030————
—————424(11)17,108——
—————1,520(12)61,332——

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(1)Represents the closing stock price per share of our common stock as of June 30, 2022 ($40.35) multiplied by the number of shares underlying RSUs that had not vested as of June 30, 2022.

(2)These stock options are performance-based and shall vest and become exercisable depending upon the degree of satisfaction of both the Stock Price Goals and Revenue Goals discussed above in CD&A. The Stock Price Goals must be achieved on or prior to September 30, 2026, and the Revenue Goals must be achieved on or prior to June 30, 2026. The options may vest in tranches of 200,000 shares each only when coordinating Stock Price Goals and Revenue Goals, respectively, of $45.00 sixty-trading-day-average stock price and $4.0 billion in four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter revenue, $60.00 sixty-trading-day-average stock price and $4.8 billion four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter revenue, $75.00 sixty-trading-day-average stock price and $5.8 billion four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter revenue, $95.00 sixty-trading-day-average stock price and $6.8 billion four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter revenue, and $120.00 sixty-trading-day-average stock price and $8.0 billion four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter revenue, are achieved. The smallest amount of these stock options (threshold) that can be earned based on performance is vested stock options for 200,000 shares for achieving a Stock Price Goal of $45.00 sixty-trading-day-average stock price and a Revenue Goal of $4.0 billion in four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter revenue (and the Compensation Committee certified the vesting of the first 200,000 shares based upon achievement of the $45 Stock Price Goal on August 2, 2022, and $4.0 billion Revenue Goal on March 26, 2022). However, even with these achievements if the Company’s stock price remained at $45.00 per share, based on the $45.00 exercise price for these stock options, there would be no appreciation value in those stock options for Mr. Liang. For more information about the operation of this award, see “Discussion and Analysis of 2021 CEO Performance Award” above.

(3)These incentive and nonqualified stock options vested at the rate of 25% on May 1, 2021 and vested (or generally will vest) at a rate of 1/16th per quarter thereafter, such that the granted options will be fully vested on May 1, 2024.

(4)These incentive and nonqualified stock options vest at the rate of 25% on May 5, 2023, and 1/16th per quarter thereafter, such that the shares will be fully vested on May 5, 2026.

(5)These nonqualified stock options vest at the rate of 12.5% on August 5, 2022, and 1/8th per quarter thereafter, such that the shares will be fully vested on May 5, 2024.

(6)These RSUs vested at the rate of 25% on May 10, 2021, and vested (or generally will vest) at a rate of 1/16th per quarter thereafter, such that the RSUs will be fully vested on May 10, 2024.

(7)These RSUs vested at the rate of 25% on May 10, 2023, and vested (or generally will vest) at a rate of 1/16th per quarter thereafter, such that the RSUs will be fully vested on May 10, 2026.

(8)These incentive and nonqualified stock options vested at the rate of 25% on October 30, 2019, and vested (or generally will vest) at a rate of 1/16th per quarter thereafter, such that the granted options will be fully vested on October 30, 2022.

(9)These nonqualified stock options vested at the rate of 56% on March 27, 2021 and vested (or generally will vest) at a rate of 6% per quarter thereafter, such that the granted options will be fully vested on December 27, 2022.

(10)These incentive stock options vested at the rate of 25% on October 27, 2021, and generally will vest at a rate of 1/16th per quarter thereafter, such that the granted options will be fully vested on October 27, 2024.

(11)These RSUs vested at the rate of 63% on May 10, 2021, and vested (or generally will vest) at a rate of 6% per quarter thereafter, such that the RSUs will be fully vested on November 10, 2022.

(12)These RSUs vested at the rate of 25% on November 10, 2021, and generally will vest at a rate of 1/16th per quarter thereafter, such that the RSUs will be fully vested on November 10, 2024.

(13)As further described in CD&A, as of the end of fiscal year 2022, each of Messrs. Weigand and Clegg participated in a Performance Incentive Award for fiscal year 2022 payable for Mr. Weigand 20% in cash and 80% in Performance RSUs, and payable for Mr. Clegg 50% in cash and 50% in Performance RSUs, which Performance RSUs will vest over four years from July 1, 2022. Based on the design of the Performance Incentive Award, there was essentially no target number of Performance RSUs to be earned, but the award was capped at a payout of no more than 250,000 RSUs. The actual Performance RSUs earned by Messrs. Weigand and Clegg for their Performance Incentive Awards are expected to be granted in early fiscal year 2023, as disclosed in CD&A above, and will appear in this table in subsequent years.

Fiscal Year 2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth the dollar amounts realized by each of our named executive officers pursuant to the exercise or vesting of equity-based awards during fiscal year 2022.

FISCAL YEAR 2022 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

Option AwardsStock Awards
NameNumber of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)Value Realized on Exercise ($)****(1)Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)Value Realized on Vesting ($)****(2)
Charles Liang————
David Weigand——3,400147,097
Don Clegg6,800244,6072,345101,384
George Kao——1,75476,487

(1)The value disclosed in this column is based on the difference between the price of our common stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price.

(2)The values disclosed in this column are based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of vesting, multiplied by the gross number of shares vested.

Fiscal Year 2022 Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

We do not provide any nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements or pension plans. As such, the Pension Benefits disclosure and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation disclosure for fiscal year 2022 are omitted from this Annual Report.

SMCI | 2022 Form 10-K | 130

Fiscal Year 2022 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

Other than as set forth below or described elsewhere in this Item 11, “Executive Compensation,” we do not currently, and did not during fiscal year 2022 have, any arrangements with any of our named executive officers that provide for any additional or enhanced severance or other compensation or benefits in the event of termination or change of control of our Company.

Other than with respect to the 2021 CEO Performance Award, the Company’s stock option agreements generally provide for three months of exercise of vested options after termination of service, one year of exercise after disability, and one year of exercise after death. The 2021 CEO Performance Award has certain provisions related to the treatment of such award in the event of a change of control of our Company. See “Discussion and Analysis of 2021 CEO Performance Award.” None of the tranches under the 2021 CEO Performance Award would have been earned thereunder for a change in control occurring on June 30, 2022 (based on the closing stock price of $40.35 on such date, plus an assumption that any aggregate consideration per share in a hypothetical change of control occurring on such date would have been less than $45), and therefore there is no change in control value attributed to the award for a hypothetical change of control situation.

Fiscal Year 2022 Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio

For fiscal year 2022, the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Liang, our Chief Executive Officer (“2022 CEO Compensation”), to the median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees and those of our consolidated subsidiaries other than Mr. Liang (“2022 Median Annual Compensation”), was 0.10 (or one-tenth) to 1. For purposes of this pay ratio disclosure, 2022 CEO Compensation was determined to be $8,124 which represents the total compensation reported for Mr. Liang under the “Fiscal Year 2022 Summary Compensation Table,” plus the Company’s contribution to certain non-discriminatory group health and welfare benefits provided to Mr. Liang. The 2022 Median Annual Compensation for the identified median employee was determined to be $80,413, also including the Company’s contribution to the same non-discriminatory group health and welfare benefits provided to the median employee. Please see the CD&A above for more information about Mr. Liang’s compensation arrangements in place for fiscal year 2022, which included participation in the 2021 CEO Performance Award.

Due to our permitted use of reasonable estimates and assumptions in preparing this pay ratio disclosure, the disclosure may involve a degree of imprecision, and thus this pay ratio disclosure is a reasonable estimate.

To identify the median employee, we examined our total employee population as of June 30, 2021 (the “Determination Date”). We included all 2,367 U.S. full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees of the Company and our consolidated subsidiaries. We also included all 1,665 full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees of the Company and our consolidated subsidiaries in The Netherlands and Taiwan. We excluded independent contractors and “leased” workers. We also excluded all our employees in European countries, which together represented approximately 1% of our total employees worldwide (4,155 individuals), which countries consisted of France (8 individuals), Germany (13 individuals), Italy (5 individuals), Spain (1 individual) and United Kingdom (15 individuals). We also excluded all our employees in China (46 individuals), Japan (30 individuals), and South Korea (5 individuals), which together represented an additional approximately 2% of our total employees worldwide. Our analysis identified 4,032 individuals who were not excluded.

To determine the median of the annual total compensation of all of such employees, other than Mr. Liang, we generally reviewed compensation for the period beginning on July 1, 2020, and ending on the Determination Date. We totaled, for each included employee other than Mr. Liang, base earnings (salary, hourly wages and overtime, as applicable) and cash bonuses paid during the measurement period, plus the Company’s contribution to group health and welfare benefits. We did not use any statistical sampling or cost-of-living adjustments for those purposes. A portion of our employee workforce (full-time and part-time) worked for less than the full fiscal year (due to mid-measurement period start dates, disability status or similar factors, etc.). In determining the median employee, we generally annualized the total compensation for such individuals other than temporary or seasonal employees (but avoided creating full-time equivalencies) based on reasonable assumptions and estimates relating to our employee compensation program.

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In calculating our Chief Executive Officer pay ratio for fiscal year 2022, we did not go through a renewal of the process (described above) of identifying a median employee as was conducted for fiscal year 2021. This is because we believe that there has been no change in our employee population or employee compensation arrangements during fiscal year 2022 that would result in a significant change to our Chief Executive Officer pay ratio disclosure. However, due to a change in the circumstances of the median employee that was identified as of the Determination Date (the “Original Median Employee”), as such Original Median Employee departed from the Company during the course of fiscal year 2022, it was no longer appropriate to use the Original Median Employee for these pay ratio purposes. As a result, for fiscal year 2022, we used another employee whose compensation was substantially similar to the Original Median Employee based on the compensation measures discussed above used to select the Original Median Employee.

Compensation Program Risk Assessment

We have assessed our compensation programs for fiscal year 2022 and have concluded that risks arising from our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. We concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not encourage excessive or inappropriate risk-taking. We believe our programs are appropriately designed to encourage our employees to make decisions that result in positive short-term and long-term results for our business and our stockholders.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

2022 Director Compensation

Under our director compensation policy, we reimburse non-employee directors for reasonable expenses in connection with attendance at Board and committee meetings. Charles Liang and Sara Liu, who are employees and also serve as directors, do not receive any additional compensation from us specifically for their service as directors.

For their service during fiscal year 2022, our non-employee directors received an annual retainer of $60,000, payable quarterly in cash. In addition, the Chairperson of our Audit Committee received an additional annual retainer of $30,000 and the Chairperson of each of our Compensation Committee and our Governance Committee received an additional annual retainer of $20,000 and $15,000, respectively, in each case payable quarterly in cash. Each director serving in a non-chairperson capacity on our Audit Committee received an additional annual retainer of $15,000, each director serving in a non-chairperson capacity on our Compensation Committee received an additional annual retainer of $10,000 and each director serving in a non-chairperson capacity on our Governance Committee received an additional annual retainer of $7,500, in each case payable quarterly in cash. Finally, non-employee directors were entitled to $2,000 per meeting for each meeting attended in excess of (1) the regular meetings of the Board and (2) up to 10 additional meetings beyond such regular meetings, provided that notice of the meeting was properly given, a quorum was present, and the meeting was recorded (“Excess Meetings”). During fiscal year 2022, each of Messrs. Chan, Fairfax and Liu attended six Excess Meetings. Each of Ms. Lin, Ms. Tseng and Mr. Tuan did not attend any Excess Meetings during fiscal year 2022.

Our director compensation policy also provides for annual RSU grants to the non-employee directors with a value equal to $220,000, with the ultimate number of RSUs granted based on our closing stock price on the date of grant. For fiscal year 2022, we made such grants for non-employee director service under the Super Micro Computer, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan on August 3, 2021, to such persons serving on such date, which grants had a vesting date of June 30, 2022. Ms. Saria Tseng, a non-employee director, was a recipient of such grants and served during fiscal year 2022 until the expiration of her term of office at our annual general meeting of stockholders on May 18, 2022. Prior to the end of her service, the Compensation Committee exercised discretion to accelerate the vesting date of the awards granted to her to May 18, 2022. Awards granted to the other non-employee directors vested on June 30, 2022.

Ms. Judy Lin was appointed as a non-employee director on April 1, 2022. In connection with her appointment, Ms. Lin received during fiscal year 2022 a pro-rated portion of the annual non-employee director retainer and, on April 1, 2022, an RSU grant with a value equal to a pro-rated portion of $220,000 with a vesting date of June 30, 2022.

The following table shows for fiscal year 2022 certain information with respect to the compensation of all of our non-employee directors who served in such capacities during fiscal year 2022:

SMCI | 2022 Form 10-K | 132

FISCAL YEAR 2022 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

NameFees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)****(3)Stock Awards ($)****(4)(5)All Other Compensation ($)****(6)Total ($)
Daniel Fairfax87,000219,969180307,149
Judy Lin(1)16,87554,83218071,887
Saria Tseng(2)68,345245,985180314,510
Sherman Tuan87,500219,969180307,649
Shiu Leung (Fred) Chan88,750219,969180308,899
Tally Liu103,786219,969180323,935

(1)Ms. Judy Lin was appointed to the Board in April 2022.

(2)Ms. Saria Tseng served as a director until May 18, 2022.

(3)This column consists of annual director fees, non-employee committee chairman fees, and other committee member fees, in each case earned for fiscal year 2022.

(4)The dollar amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair values of the RSU awards granted during fiscal year 2022 calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of the grant date fair value amounts are included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data", and Item II, Part 8, Note 13, “Stock-based Compensation and Stockholders’ Equity” to our consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2022 included in the Annual Report. Each grant of 5,807 RSUs to each of the directors other than Ms. Lin had a grant date fair value of $37.88 per share, and Ms. Lin’s grant of 1,446 RSUs had a grant date fair value of $37.92 per share.

(5)The value disclosed in this row under the “Stock Awards” column also reflects, for Ms. Tseng, the modification fair value of $42.36 per share for the acceleration of the vesting date of her fiscal year 2022 RSU grant from June 30, 2022, to May 18, 2022. This acceleration was approved because Ms. Tseng was a recipient of such grants and served during fiscal year 2022 until the expiration of her term of office at our annual general meeting of stockholders on May 18, 2022.

(6)Value of Company Christmas gift.

The table below sets forth the aggregate number of shares underlying stock and option awards held by our non-employee directors as of June 30, 2022.

NameStock AwardsOption Awards
Daniel Fairfax——
Judy Lin——
Saria Tseng—27,000
Sherman Tuan—5,000
Shiu Leung (Fred) Chan——
Tally Liu——

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of the Compensation Committee is a current or former officer or employee of our Company or had any relationship with our Company requiring disclosure, except for Saria Tseng, who serves as Vice President of Strategic Corporate Development, General Counsel and Secretary of MPS, with which we have engaged in certain transactions. See “Part III. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence-Transactions with Monolithic Power Systems.” Ms. Tseng served during fiscal year 2022 until the expiration of her term of office at our annual general meeting of stockholders on May 18, 2022, and she ceased being a director and member of the Compensation Committee on such date. In addition, during fiscal year 2022, none of our executive officers served as a member of the compensation committee of the board of directors of any other entity that has one or more executive officers who served on our Compensation Committee of the Board. Mr. Sherman Tuan served on the Compensation Committee during all of fiscal year 2022, Ms. Saria Tseng served on the Compensation Committee during a portion of fiscal year 2022 until May 18, 2022, and Mr. Tally Liu served on the Compensation Committee during a portion of fiscal year 2022 with his appointment commencing on April 27, 2022.

SMCI | 2022 Form 10-K | 133

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