SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

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

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  Preliminary Proxy Statement
  Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
  Definitive Proxy Statement
  Definitive Additional Materials
  Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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Not Applicable

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Not Applicable

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LOGOLOGO

July 28, 201722, 2020

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of NetScout Systems, Inc. on Tuesday,Thursday, September 19, 201710, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. local time at NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 (the “Annual(“Annual Meeting”).

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to:

 

 1.

elect twothree Class III directors nominated by our boardBoard of directors;Directors;

 

 2.

approve an amendment and restatement of the NetScout Systems, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan by 4,700,000 shares;

3.

ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018;2021;

 

 3.4.

approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;

and

4.approve, on an advisory basis, the preferred frequency of stockholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers; and

 

 5.

consider any other business properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment.

The accompanying proxy statement describes these matters in more detail.

We are closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19. If it becomes necessary to change the date, time, location, or means of holding the Annual Meeting (including by means of remote communication), we will announce the change in advance and will provide information on how to participate by press release, posted on our website, and filed as additional proxy materials.

It is important that your shares be voted regardless of whether you attend the meeting. Please follow the voting instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that you received. If you received a proxy card or voting instruction form, please complete the proxy card or voting instruction form promptly. If your shares are held in a bank or brokerage account, you may be eligible to vote electronically or by telephone—telephone – please refer to your voting instruction form. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person even if you have previously returned your vote in accordance with the foregoing. We appreciate your cooperation.

Very truly yours,

Anil K. Singhal

Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer


NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

310 Littleton Road

Westford, MA 01886

NOTICE OF THE 20172020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held September 19, 201710, 2020

To the Stockholders of NetScout Systems, Inc.:

The 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of NetScout Systems, Inc. (the “Annual(“Annual Meeting”) will be held on Tuesday,Thursday, September 19, 2017,10, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. local time at NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886, for the following purposes:

 

 1.

To elect twothree Class III directors nominated by our boardBoard of directorsDirectors, each to serve for a three-yearthree year term or until their successors are elected and qualified.qualified;

 

 2.

To approve an amendment and restatement of the NetScout Systems, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan by 4,700,000 shares;

3.

To ratify the selectionappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.2021;

 

 3.4.

To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in our proxy statement, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

rules; and

4.To indicate, on an advisory basis, the preferred frequency of stockholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

 

 5.

To consider any other business properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on July 21, 2017,17, 2020, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournments.

To provide faster access, minimize cost, and reduce waste, weWe are mailing our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or Notice, instead of a paper copy of our proxy statement and our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, or the 20172020 (the “2020 Annual Report.Report”). Stockholders who have requested a paper copy of our proxy materials will continue to receive them by mail. The Notice contains instructions on how to access those documents over the internet and how to request a paper copy of our proxy statement, our 20172020 Annual Report, and a form of proxy card or voting instruction card.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. However, to assure your representation at the meeting, you are urged to complete, sign, date, and return the proxy card mailed or made available to you or to vote over the telephone or the internet as instructed in these materials so that your shares can be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions. If your shares are held in a bank or brokerage account, you may be eligible to vote electronically or by phone—phone; please refer to your Notice. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person even if you have previously returned your vote in accordance with one of the foregoing.foregoing methods.

Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting to be held on September 19, 2017.10, 2020. Our proxy statement and the proxy card, and NetScout’s2020 Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 are all available free of charge as described in the attached materials.at www.edocumentview.com/NTCT.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Anil K. Singhal

Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Westford, Massachusetts

July 28, 201722, 2010


NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

310 Littleton Road

Westford, MA 01886

PROXY STATEMENT

July 28, 201722, 2020

Questions and Answers about these Proxy Materials and Voting

What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

The purpose of the 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of NetScout Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or the Annual Meeting, is to:

 

elect twothree Class III directors nominated by our Board of Directors, or our Board, each to serve for a three-yearthree year term or until their successors are elected and qualified;

 

approve the amendment and restatement of the NetScout Systems, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (“Amended and Restated 2019 Plan”);

ratify the selectionappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018;2021;

 

obtain

approve, on an advisory approval ofbasis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (asnamed executive officers, as defined herein), asand disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, rules;

obtain advisory approval of the preferred frequency of stockholder advisory votes on the compensation ofrules, or our Named Executive Officers, in accordance with SEC rules;Officers; and

 

conduct

consider any other business that properly comesbrought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment.

Why did I receive a notice regarding the availability of proxy materials on the internet?

We intend to mail the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or the Notice, on or about August 1, 2017July 22, 2020 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 17, 2020, or the Record Date, who are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and we will make available the proxy statement and form of proxy to such stockholders on such date. Unless the context suggests otherwise, references in this proxy statement to “NetScout,” the “Company, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to NetScout Systems, Inc. and, where appropriate, its subsidiaries. The matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting are set forth in the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and further described below.

We are providing access to our proxy materials over the internet. Accordingly, we have sent you the Notice because theour Board of Directors, or the Board, of NetScout Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting, including at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. The proxy materials include the proxy statement, form of proxy, and our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017,2020, which contains financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.2020.

You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting on Tuesday,Thursday, September 19, 201710, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. local time at NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886. We are closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19. If it becomes necessary to change the date, time, location, or means of holding the Annual Meeting (including by means of remote communication), we will announce the change in advance and will provide information on how to participate by press release, posted on our website, and filed as additional proxy materials. If the Annual Meeting is held by means of remote communication, stockholders will be afforded the same rights as if the Annual Meeting were held in person, including the ability to vote shares electronically during the meeting and ask questions in accordance with the rules of conduct for the meeting.

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How does the Board recommend that I vote?

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of the three nominees to serve as Class III directors on our Board, each for a three year term; “FOR” the approval of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan; “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018,2021, and “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our Named Executive

named executive officers.

What if another matter is properly brought before the meeting?

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Officers. With regardThe Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to your advisory vote on how frequently the Company should solicit future stockholder votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, the Board recommends that you vote for “ONE year,” but you may vote for one, two, or three years, or abstain from voting.those matters in accordance with their best judgment.

Will I receive any proxy materials by mail?

We may send you a proxy card, along with a second Notice by mail, before the Annual Meeting.

Who can vote?

Stockholders of record as of July 21, 2017, orthe close of business on the Record Date, may vote. As of the Record Date, 89,538,11872,455,152 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on proposals presented at the Annual Meeting.

Can I vote my shares by filling out and returning the Notice?

No. The Notice identifies the items to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, but you cannot vote by marking the Notice and returning it. The Notice provides instructions on how to vote by telephone or through the internet, by requesting and returning a printed proxy card, or by submitting a ballot in person at the Annual Meeting.

What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?

If you receive more than one Notice, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please follow the voting instructions on each of the Notices to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

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

What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Shareowner Services (formerly BNY Mellon Shareowner Services LLC)Inc., you are considered a “stockholder of record” of those shares.

If your shares are held in an account at a bank, broker, or other intermediary, you are not a stockholder of record but instead are a “beneficial owner” or a “street name owner” of shares. In this case, the intermediary would be considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your bank, broker, or other intermediary, which we collectively refer to as your “Broker,” to vote the shares held in your account. Your Broker can vote on certain routine items on your behalf if you have not provided voting instructions. At the Annual Meeting, the director proposal, the “say-on-pay” proposal, and the frequency of “say-on-pay” proposal are non-routine, and we therefore encourage you to provide specific voting instructions to your Broker. “Non-routine” matters are matters that may substantially affect stockholder rights, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, and the election of directors. Under securities rules, your Broker is not permitted to vote for non-routine matters without receiving instructions from you. The only routine matter included in this Proxy Statement is the ratification of our appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.

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How do I vote my shares?

You may either vote “FOR” all the nominees to the Board or you may “WITHHOLD” your vote for any nominee you specify. For each of the other matters to be voted on, you may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the proposal, or “ABSTAIN.”

The procedures for voting are as follows:

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy over the phone, through the internet, or using a proxy card that you may request or that we may elect to deliver at a later time. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy.

 

To vote in person, come to the annual meeting, and we will give you a ballot when you arrive.

 

To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign, and date the proxy card that may be delivered and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you returnwe receive your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.

 

To vote over the telephone, dial toll free 1-800-652-8683 using a touch-tone phone and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the Notice. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern time on September 18, 20179, 2020 to be counted.

 

2To vote through the internet, go to www.envisionreports.com/NTCT to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the Notice. Your internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern time on September 9, 2020 to be counted.


To vote through the internet, go towww.edocumentview.com/NTCT to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the Notice. Your internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern time on September 18, 2017 to be counted.

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

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your Broker, you should have received a Notice containing voting instructions from that organizationyour Broker rather than from us. Simply follow the voting instructions in the Notice to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your Broker.

Internet proxy voting allows you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. Please be aware that you bear costs associated with your internet access.

What happens if I do not vote?

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote by telephone, through the internet, by completing the proxy card that may be delivered to you or in person at the Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker

If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you do not instruct your Broker how to vote your shares, your Broker may still be able to vote your shares in its discretion. In this regard, under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, Brokers that are subject to NYSE rules may use their discretion to vote your “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters considered to be “routine” under NYSE rules, but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Proposals 1, 2 and 4 are considered to be “non-routine” under NYSE rules,

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meaning that your broker may not vote your shares on those proposals in the absence of your voting instructions. However, Proposal 3 is considered to be a “routine” matter under NYSE rules, meaning that if you do not return voting instructions to your broker by its deadline, your shares may be voted by your broker in its discretion on Proposal 3.

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

Our Board named Anil K. Singhal and Jean Bua as attorneys-in-fact in the proxies. If your proxy has been properly executed and returned in time to be counted at the Annual Meeting, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted in accordance with your voting instructions. If you have returned a signed proxy but have not indicated your vote, your proxy will be voted “FOR” the nomineeselection of the three Class III directors nominated by our Board, each to our Board,serve for a three year term, “FOR” the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, “FOR” the ratification of the selectionappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018,2021, and “FOR” the approval, on an advisory approvalbasis, of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, and for “ONE” year as the preferred frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. Our Board knows of no other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting. For other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, the attorneys-in-fact will use their judgment in voting your shares.

May I change or revoke my proxy?

You may revoke your proxy before it is voted at the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may do so by (1) filing a written notice of revocation (dated after the original proxy) with the Secretary of NetScout before the vote at the Annual Meeting, (2) completing a later-dated proxy, including by internet or phone, and delivering it to the Secretary of NetScout before the vote at the Annual Meeting, or (3) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. YouStockholders of record should senddeliver any written notice of revocation to be delivered before the Annual Meeting, to NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, MA 01886, Attention: Secretary. If you hold shares through a Broker, you must contact that Broker directly to revoke any prior voting instructions.

How are votes counted?

Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately count, with respect to the proposal to elect directors, votes “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” and broker non-votes; and, with respect to the other proposals, votes “FOR” or “AGAINST,” abstentions and, if applicable, broker non-votes.

What are “broker non-votes”?

As discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the Broker or nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed by the NYSE to be “non-routine,” the Broker or nominee cannot vote the shares. These unvoted shares are counted as “broker non-votes.”

What is athe quorum determined?requirement?

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to conduct any business at the Annual Meeting.hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy. On the Record Date, there were 89,538,11872,455,152 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.

To determine a quorum, we include votes withheld from any nominee, abstentions, and broker “non-votes.” Broker “non-votes” occur when a beneficial owner does not give instructions to the Broker how to vote on matters deemed “non-routine.” As discussed above, if the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the Broker can still vote the shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Your shares will be counted towardstoward the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy or(or one is submitted on your behalf by your Broker,broker, bank, or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of stock entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, may adjourn the Annual Meeting to another date.place, date or time.

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What vote is required to approve each proposal and how are votes counted?proposal?

Proposal 1: Election of Directors: AtFor the Annual Meeting there are two director nominees. Theelection of directors, the three nominees to serve as Class III directors who receivereceiving the most “FOR” votes from the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors (also known as a “plurality” of the votes cast) will be elected. You mayOnly votes “FOR” will affect the outcome. Withheld votes and broker non-votes will have no effect.

Proposal 2: Amendment and Restatement of the NetScout Systems, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan: The affirmative vote either “FOR”of the nomineeholders of a majority of the shares present or “WITHHOLD” your vote fromrepresented by proxy and voting on this proposal is required to approve the nominee. Votes that are

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withheldAmended and Restated 2019 Plan. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be included incounted towards the vote tally for the election of the director. Brokers do not have authority to vote beneficial owners’ unvoted shares for the election of directors. As a result, any shares not voted by a beneficial owner will be treated as broker non-votes. Such broker non-votestotal and will have no effect on the results of this vote. If the nominee receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” such election, such nominee will submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with our majority vote policy as discussed in more detail in the Majority Vote Policy section of this proxy statement.

Proposal 2:3: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and voting on this proposal is required to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.2021. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted towards the vote total and will have no effect on the results of this vote. Brokers have authorityHowever, this proposal is considered a routine matter, and therefore no broker non-votes are expected to vote beneficial owners’ unvoted shares onexist in connection with this proposal. If a Broker does not exercise this authority, such Broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote. We are not required to obtain the approval of our stockholders to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, if our stockholders do not ratify the selectionappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending March 31, 2018,2021, the Audit Committee of our Board will consider the results of this vote when selecting auditors in the future.

Proposal 3:4: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation: The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented and voting on this proposal is required to approve, theon an advisory vote onbasis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted towards the vote total and will have no effect on the results of this vote. Brokers do not have authority to vote beneficial owners’ unvoted shares on this proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by a beneficial owner will be treated as broker non-votes. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote.

Proposal 4: Advisory Vote on Frequency of Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation: The frequency receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present or represented and voting on this proposal, if any, will be considered the preferred frequency by our stockholders of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers. Abstentions will not be counted towards the vote total and will have no effect on the results of this vote. Brokers do not have authority to vote beneficial owners’ unvoted shares on this proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by a beneficial owner will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote. To the extent there is any significant vote in favor of one frequency over the other options, even if less than a majority of the votes cast, our Board will consider the stockholders’ concerns and evaluate any appropriate next steps.

When are stockholder proposals and director nominations due for next year’s annual meeting?meeting due?

To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing to our principal executive offices at 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886, attention:Attention: Secretary and must be received by us no later than April 3, 2018.March 24, 2021. We suggest that you submit your proposals by registered mail, return receipt requested. Proposals must satisfy the proceduresrequirements set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

If you wish to submit a proposal for next year’s annual meeting that is not to be included in next year’s proxy materials or wish to nominate a director, you must submit such proposal or nomination in writing to our executive offices at 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886, attention:Attention: Secretary, and such proposal or nomination must be received by us no earlier than the close of business of May 22, 201813, 2021 and no later than the close of business of June 21, 201812, 2021 and must satisfy the requirements described below under “Stockholder Recommendations for Nominees as Directors and the Proposal of Other Business.” If the date of next year’s Annual Meeting is advanced by more than 30 days before or delayed by more than 60 days after the anniversary of our

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annual meeting with respect to the year ended March 31, 2017,2020 Annual Meeting, any stockholder recommendation or proposal must be received by us no earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such advanced or delayed annual meeting date and no later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 60th day prior to such advanced or delayed annual meeting date or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which the first public announcement of the meeting date is first made by us. You are also advised to review our by-laws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.

Householding of Annual Meeting Materials

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or set of other Annual Meeting materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

This year, we and a number of brokers with account holders who are NetScout stockholders will be “householding” our proxy materials. A single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from us (if you are a stockholder of record) or your broker (if you are a beneficial owner) that we or they, as applicable, will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or if you currently receive multiple copies and would like to request householding of your communications, please notify us or your broker. To notify us, please call or write us at our principal executive offices, 310 Littleton Road, Westford Massachusetts 01886, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone: (978) 614-4000.

 

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The following table sets forth the currentinformation regarding our continuing directors and the nominees to be electedstanding for election at the Annual Meeting:

 

Nominee or Director’s Name and

Year First Became Director

  Positions with NetScout   Year Term
Will Expire
   Class 

Nominees:

      

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr. (1998)

   Director    20202023*    III 

Christopher Perretta (2014)

   Director    20202023*III

Susan L. Spradley (2018)

Director2023    III 

Continuing Directors:

      

Victor A. DeMarines (2004)Alfred Grasso (2018)

   Director    20182021    I 

Vincent J. Mullarkey (2000)Michael Szabados (2019)

Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer2021I

Vivian Vitale (2019)

   Director    2018I

James A. Lico (2015)

Director20182021    I 

Anil K. Singhal (1984)

   Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer    20192022    II 

John R. Egan (2000)

   Lead Independent Director    20192022    II 

Robert E. Donahue (2013)

   Director    20192022    II 

*Reflects term expiration date if director is re-elected at the Annual Meeting.

The Nominees for Class III Director are Messrs. Hadzima and Perretta and Ms. Spradley

Messrs. Hadzima and Perretta and Ms. Spradley are Class III directors whose current terms of service expire at the Annual Meeting and who are nominees for re-election for terms that wouldwill expire upon the election and qualification of directors at the annual meeting to be held in 2020.2023. Messrs. Hadzima and Perretta were previously elected by the stockholders in September 2017. Ms. Spradley was appointed to the Board in 2018 as a Class III director and stands for election this year. Regarding Ms. Spradley’s appointment, our management and existing directors provided the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee with a slate of potential candidates for consideration, which included Ms. Spradley. After reviewing the potential candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee selected Ms. Spradley from such slate, performed further evaluation of her particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, and then recommended her appointment to the Board.

Continuing Directors

The Board is also composed of three Class I directors, Messrs. DeMarines, Mullarkey,Grasso and Lico,Szabados and Ms. Vitale, whose terms expire at the annual meeting to be held in 2018,2021, and three Class II directors, Messrs. Singhal, Egan, and Donahue, whose terms expire at the annual meeting to be held in 2019.2022.

As of the Record Date, the size of the Board ishas been fixed at eightnine members. NetScout’s by-laws and certificate of incorporation divide the Board into three classes. The members of each class of directors serve for staggered three-year terms.

Proposal and Recommendation

Our Board has nominated and recommended that Messrs. Hadzima and Perretta and Ms. Spradley be re-elected as Class III directors, to hold office until the annual meeting to be held in the year 20202023 or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.

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

6


Vote Required

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at such election. Accordingly, the three nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE

NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.

7


PROPOSAL 2

APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Introduction

The Board approved an amendment and restatement of the NetScout Systems, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (“2019 Plan”) on June 23, 2020, subject to approval by our stockholders. Throughout this proxy statement, we refer to the 2019 Plan, as amended and restated by the Board on June 23, 2020, as the “Amended and Restated 2019 Plan.”

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan contains the following material changes from the 2019 Plan:

Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will not exceed 11,494,651 shares (plus the 2007 Plan Returning Shares (as defined below), as such shares become available from time to time), which is an increase of 4,700,000 shares over the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the 2019 Plan.

The 2019 Plan currently contains a “fungible share counting” structure, whereby the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2019 Plan will be reduced by: (i) one share for each share issued pursuant to a stock option or stock appreciation right with an exercise or strike price that is at least 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant (an “Appreciation Award”) granted under the 2019 Plan; and (ii) 2.76 shares for each share issued pursuant to an equity award that is not an Appreciation Award (a “Full Value Award”) granted under the 2019 Plan. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan retains such fungible share counting structure, except that the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will be reduced by 2.32 shares for each share issued pursuant to an equity award that is a Full Value Award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan on or after September 10, 2020. As part of such fungible share counting structure, the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will be increased by: (i) one share for each share that becomes available again for issuance under the terms of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan subject to an Appreciation Award and (ii) 2.32 shares for each share that becomes available again for issuance under the terms of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan subject to a Full Value Award on or after September 10, 2020.

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan provides that no award granted on or after September 10, 2020 may vest until at least 12 months following the date of grant of such award, except that shares up to 5% of the share reserve of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may be issued pursuant to awards granted on or after September 10, 2020 that do not meet such vesting requirements. The 2019 Plan does not contain such vesting requirements.

Why We Are Asking Our Stockholders to Approve the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan

We are market leaders in highly competitive technology markets. To continue to fortify and extend our leadership, we must continue to attract and retain talented employees at all levels of our Company. Like many other technology companies, equity awards are a critical component of our compensation philosophy and our annual compensation structure. Having the ability to grant equity awards is essential for us to be able to attract, motivate, and retain a talented workforce.

We are seeking stockholder approval of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan to increase the number of shares available for the grant of restricted stock unit awards and other equity awards by 4,700,000 shares, which will enable us to have a competitive equity incentive program to compete for and retain and reward key talent.

Approval of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan by our stockholders will allow us to continue to grant restricted stock unit awards and other equity awards at levels determined appropriate by our Board or

8


Compensation Committee. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will also allow us to further use a broad array of equity incentives in order to secure and retain the services of our employees, and to continue to provide long-term incentives that align the interests of our employees with the interests of our stockholders.

Why You Should Vote for the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan

We Manage Our Equity Award Use Carefully and Our Dilution and Burn Rate Are Reasonable

While we recognize that equity awards may have a dilutive impact on existing stockholders, we believe that we have demonstrated our ability to carefully manage the growth of our equity compensation program. In particular, we believe that our current level of dilution and the pace at which we grant equity awards (referred to as the “burn rate”) is reasonable and in line with those of our peer companies as demonstrated in the tables below. We are committed to effectively monitoring our equity compensation share reserve, including our burn rate, to ensure that we maximize stockholders’ value by granting the appropriate number of equity awards necessary to attract, reward, and retain employees.

The following tables provide certain information regarding our equity incentive program.

As of the
Record Date

Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options

0

Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding full value awards

5,832,615

��

Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2019 Plan(1)

1,946,289

Total number of shares of common stock outstanding

72,455,152

Per-share closing price of common stock as reported on Nasdaq Global Select Market

$

27.07

(1)

As of the Record Date, there were no shares of common stock available for grant under any of our other equity incentive plans.

The following table shows our responsible historical dilution and burn rate percentages.

   Fiscal
Year
2018
   Fiscal
Year
2019
   Fiscal
Year
2020
 

 

Full Dilution(1)

 

  

 

 

 

10.38%

 

 

  

 

 

 

9.26%

 

 

  

 

 

 

13.01%

 

 

 

Gross Burn Rate (as discussed in greater detail below)(2)

 

  

 

 

 

 

2.24%

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2.77%

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2.74%

 

 

 

 

(1)

Full Dilution is calculated as (shares available for grant + shares subject to outstanding equity awards)/(weighted average common stock outstanding + shares available for grant + shares subject to outstanding equity awards).

(2)

Gross Burn Rate is calculated as (shares subject to options granted + shares subject to other equity awards granted)/weighted average common stock outstanding.

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The following table provides detailed information regarding the activity related to (i) the 2019 Plan for fiscal year 2020 on and after September 12, 2019 (which was our only equity incentive plan with shares available for grant during such period), and (ii) the NetScout Systems, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, as well as for fiscal year 2020 prior to September 12, 2019 (which was our only equity incentive plan with shares available for grant during such periods).

   Fiscal Year
2018
  Fiscal Year
2019
  Fiscal Year
2020
 

 

Total number of shares of common stock subject to stock options granted

  

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

0    

 

 

 

Total number of shares of common stock subject to full value awards granted

  

 

 

 

1,962,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,178,339

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,062,110    

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding

  

 

 

 

87,425,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

78,617,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

75,162,000    

 

 

 

Burn Rate

 

  

 

 

 

2.24

 

 

 

 

 

2.77

 

 

 

 

 

2.74%

 

 

The Size of Our Share Reserve Increase Request Is Reasonable

If this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders, then subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, we will have 4,700,000 new shares available for grant after the Annual Meeting, and absent any unforeseen circumstances, we anticipate returning to stockholders for additional shares in 2022.

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan Combines Compensation and Corporate Governance Best Practices

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan retains all provisions from the 2019 Plan that are designed to protect our stockholders’ interests and to reflect corporate governance best practices, and also includes a new provision that requires that awards have a 12-month minimum vesting period, subject to certain exceptions. These provisions include the following:

Repricing is not allowed. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan prohibits the repricing of outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights and the cancellation of any outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights that have an exercise or strike price greater than the then-current fair market value of our common stock in exchange for cash or other awards under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan without prior stockholder approval.

Stockholder approval is required for additional shares. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan does not contain an annual “evergreen” provision. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan authorizes a fixed number of shares, so that stockholder approval is required to issue any additional shares, thereby allowing our stockholders to have direct input on our equity compensation programs.

Fungible share counting structure. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan contains a “fungible share counting” structure, whereby the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will be reduced by: (i) one share for each share issued pursuant to an Appreciation Award; (ii) 2.76 shares for each share issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted prior to September 10, 2020; and (iii) 2.32 shares for each share issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted on or after September 10, 2020. This structure helps to ensure that we are using the share reserve effectively and with regard to the value of each type of equity award.

No liberal share counting of Appreciation Awards. The following shares do not become available again for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan: (i) shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy the exercise or strike price of an Appreciation Award; (ii) shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Appreciation Award; (iii) shares repurchased by us on the open market with the

10


proceeds of the exercise or strike price of an Appreciation Award; and (iv) in the event that a stock appreciation right is settled in shares, the gross number of shares subject to such stock appreciation right.

No discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights. All stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan must have an exercise or strike price equal to or greater than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock option or stock appreciation right is granted.

Limit on non-employee director compensation. The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation paid or granted by us to any individual for service as a non-employee director of our Board with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed $750,000, calculating the value of any equity awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes.

Restrictions on dividends. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan provides that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to any shares of our common stock subject to an equity award before the date such shares have vested, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of the applicable equity award agreement (including any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to us on the date such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by us due to a failure to vest.

Specific disclosure of equity award vesting upon a change in control. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan specifically provides that in the event of a change in control of the Company, if the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding equity awards under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, or substitute similar equity awards for such outstanding equity awards, then with respect to any such equity awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated prior to the change in control, the vesting of such equity awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to any performance-based equity awards, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the greater of (i) the target level of performance or (ii) the actual level of performance measured in accordance with the applicable performance goals as of the date of the change in control).

No liberal change in control definition. The definition of a “change in control” in the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan requires the consummation of an actual transaction in order for the change in control provisions in the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan to be triggered.

Minimum vesting requirements. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan provides that no award granted on or after September 10, 2020 may vest until at least 12 months following the date of grant of such award, except that shares up to 5% of the share reserve of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may be issued pursuant to awards granted on or after September 10, 2020 that do not meet such vesting requirements.

Stockholder Approval

If this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders, the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will become effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting. In the event that our stockholders do not approve this Proposal 2, the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will not become effective and the 2019 Plan will continue in its current form.

Description of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan

The material features of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan are described below. The following description of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by

11


reference to the complete text of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan. Stockholders are urged to read the actual text of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan in its entirety, which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.

Purpose

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan is designed to secure and retain the services of our employees, directors, and consultants, and to provide incentives for such individuals to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its affiliates, while providing a means by which such individuals may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in the value of our common stock. We also believe that such long-term equity awards align the interests of employees with the interests of our stockholders.

Types of Awards

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, and other stock awards.

Shares Available for Awards

Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will not exceed 11,494,651 shares (which is the sum of (i) 1,294,651 shares (the number of unallocated shares that were available for grant under the 2007 Plan as of the effective date of the 2019 Plan), (ii) 5,500,000 additional shares that were reserved as of the effective date of the 2019 Plan, and (iii) 4,700,000 newly requested shares), plus the 2007 Plan Returning Shares (as defined below), as such shares become available from time to time.

The term “2007 Plan Returning Shares” refers to the following shares of our common stock subject to any outstanding award granted under the 2007 Plan: (i) any shares subject to such award that are not issued because such award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to such award that are not issued because such award is settled in cash; (iii) any shares issued pursuant to such award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by us because of a failure to vest; and (iv) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with any such award that is a Full Value Award.

The following shares of our common stock (collectively, the “Amended and Restated 2019 Plan Returning Shares”) will also become available again for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan: (i) any shares subject to an award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan that are not issued because such award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to an award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan that are not issued because such award is settled in cash; (iii) any shares issued pursuant to an award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan that are forfeited back to or repurchased by us because of a failure to vest; and (iv) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with any such award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan that is a Full Value Award.

The following shares of our common stock will not become available again for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan: (i) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy the exercise or strike price of an Appreciation Award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan or the 2007 Plan (including any shares subject to such award that are not delivered because such award is exercised through a reduction of shares subject to such award); (ii) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by us to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Appreciation Award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan or the 2007 Plan; (iii) any shares repurchased by us on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise or strike price of an Appreciation Award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan or the 2007 Plan; and (iv) in the event that a stock appreciation right granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan or the 2007 Plan is settled in shares, the gross number of shares subject to such award.

12


The number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will be reduced by: (i) one share for each share issued pursuant to an Appreciation Award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan; (ii) 2.76 shares for each share issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan prior to September 10, 2020; and (iii) 2.32 shares for each share issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan on or after September 10, 2020.

The number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will be increased by: (i) one share for each 2007 Plan Returning Share or Amended and Restated 2019 Plan Returning Share subject to an Appreciation Award; (ii) 2.76 shares for each 2007 Plan Returning Share or Amended and Restated 2019 Plan Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returns to the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan prior to September 10, 2020; and (iii) 2.32 shares for each 2007 Plan Returning Share or Amended and Restated 2019 Plan Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returns to the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan on or after September 10, 2020.

Eligibility

All of our (including our affiliates’) employees, non-employee directors and consultants are eligible to participate in the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan and may receive all types of awards other than incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan only to our (including our affiliates’) employees.

As of the Record Date, we (including our affiliates) had approximately 2,487 employees, seven non-employee directors and 263 consultants.

Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit

The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation paid or granted by us to any individual for service as a non-employee director of our Board with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed $750,000, calculating the value of any equity awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes.

Administration

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will be administered by our Board, which may in turn delegate authority to administer the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan to a committee. Our Board has delegated concurrent authority to administer the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan to our Compensation Committee, but may, at any time, re-vest in itself some or all of the power delegated to our Compensation Committee. Our Board and Compensation Committee are each considered to be a Plan Administrator for purposes of this Proposal 2.

Subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, the Plan Administrator may determine the recipients, the types of awards to be granted, the number of shares of our common stock subject to awards or the cash value of awards, and the terms and conditions of awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, including the period of their exercisability and vesting. The Plan Administrator also has the authority to provide for accelerated exercisability and vesting of awards. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Plan Administrator also determines the fair market value applicable to awards and the exercise or strike price of stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan.

The Plan Administrator may also delegate to one or more officers the authority to designate employees who are not officers (within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) to be recipients of certain awards and the number of shares of our common stock subject to such awards. Under any such delegation, the Plan Administrator will specify the total number of shares of our common stock that may be subject to the awards granted by such officer. The officer may not grant an award to himself or herself.

13


Repricing; Cancellation and Re-Grant of Awards

Under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, the Plan Administrator does not have the authority to reprice any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right by reducing the exercise or strike price of the stock option or stock appreciation right or to cancel any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right that has an exercise or strike price greater than the then-current fair market value of our common stock in exchange for cash or other awards without obtaining the approval of our stockholders. Such approval must be obtained within 12 months prior to such an event.

Acceleration upon Death or Disability

Under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable award agreement, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates (referred to in this Proposal 2 as “continuous service”) terminates as a result of the participant’s death or disability, each of the participant’s awards will become fully vested (and exercisable, if applicable) as of the date of such termination, to the extent that such awards are outstanding and unvested as of such date.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan provides that dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited with respect to any shares of our common stock subject to an award, as determined by the Plan Administrator and contained in the applicable award agreement; provided, however, that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to any such shares before the date such shares have vested, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of the applicable award agreement (including any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to us on the date such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by us due to a failure to vest.

Minimum Vesting Requirements

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan provides that no award granted on or after September 10, 2020 may vest until at least 12 months following the date of grant of such award, except that shares up to 5% of the share reserve of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may be issued pursuant to awards granted on or after September 10, 2020 that do not meet such vesting requirements.

Stock Options

Stock options may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan pursuant to stock option agreements. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan permits the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options (“ISOs”) and nonstatutory stock options (“NSOs”).

The exercise price of a stock option granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and, in some cases (see “Limitations on Incentive Stock Options” below), may not be less than 110% of such fair market value.

The term of stock options granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may not exceed seven years from the date of grant and, in some cases (see “Limitations on Incentive Stock Options” below), may not exceed five years from the date of grant. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s continuous service terminates (other than for cause and other than upon the participant’s death or disability), the participant may exercise any vested stock options for up to three months following the participant’s termination of continuous service. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a

14


participant’s continuous service terminates due to the participant’s disability or death (or the participant dies within a specified period, if any, following termination of continuous service), the participant, or his or her beneficiary, as applicable, may exercise any vested stock options for up to 12 months following the participant’s termination due to the participant’s disability or for up to 18 months following the participant’s death. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, if a participant’s continuous service is terminated for cause (as defined in the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan), all stock options held by the participant will terminate upon the participant’s termination of continuous service and the participant will be prohibited from exercising any stock option from and after such termination date. Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s stock option agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, the term of a stock option may be extended if the exercise of the stock option following the participant’s termination of continuous service (other than for cause and other than upon the participant’s death or disability) would be prohibited by applicable securities laws or if the sale of any common stock received upon exercise of the stock option following the participant’s termination of continuous service (other than for cause) would violate our insider trading policy. In no event, however, may a stock option be exercised after its original expiration date.

Acceptable forms of consideration for the purchase of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of a stock option under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will be determined by the Plan Administrator and may include payment: (i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to us; (ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; (iii) by delivery to us of shares of our common stock (either by actual delivery or attestation); (iv) by a net exercise arrangement (for NSOs only); or (v) in other legal consideration approved by the Plan Administrator.

Stock options granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may vest and become exercisable in cumulative increments, as determined by the Plan Administrator at the rate specified in the stock option agreement (subject to the vesting acceleration provision described in “Acceleration upon Death or Disability” above and the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above). Shares covered by different stock options granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may be subject to different vesting schedules as the Plan Administrator may determine.

The Plan Administrator may impose limitations on the transferability of stock options granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan in its discretion. Generally, a participant may not transfer a stock option granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to approval by the Plan Administrator, pursuant to a domestic relations order or an official marital settlement agreement. However, the Plan Administrator may permit transfer of a stock option in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. In addition, subject to approval by the Plan Administrator, a participant may designate a beneficiary who may exercise the stock option following the participant’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no stock option may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.

Limitations on Incentive Stock Options

The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of shares of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. The stock options or portions of stock options that exceed this limit or otherwise fail to qualify as ISOs are treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any affiliate unless the following conditions are satisfied:

the exercise price of the ISO must be at least 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant; and

the term of the ISO must not exceed five years from the date of grant.

15


Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan is 11,000,000 shares.

Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock appreciation rights may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan pursuant to stock appreciation right agreements. Each stock appreciation right is denominated in common stock share equivalents. The strike price of each stock appreciation right will be determined by the Plan Administrator, but will in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The term of stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may not exceed seven years from the date of grant. The Plan Administrator may also impose restrictions or conditions upon the vesting of stock appreciation rights that it deems appropriate (subject to the vesting acceleration provision described in “Acceleration upon Death or Disability” above and the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above). The appreciation distribution payable upon exercise of a stock appreciation right may be paid in shares of our common stock, in cash, in a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the stock appreciation right agreement. Stock appreciation rights will be subject to the same conditions upon termination of continuous service and restrictions on transfer as stock options under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock awards may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan pursuant to restricted stock award agreements. A restricted stock award may be granted in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to us, the participant’s services performed for us or any of our affiliates, or any other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Plan Administrator. Shares of our common stock acquired under a restricted stock award may be subject to forfeiture to or repurchase by us in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Plan Administrator (subject to the vesting acceleration provision described in “Acceleration upon Death or Disability” above and the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above). Rights to acquire shares of our common stock under a restricted stock award may be transferred only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock award agreement; provided, however, that no restricted stock award may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval. Upon a participant’s termination of continuous service for any reason, any shares subject to restricted stock awards held by the participant that have not vested as of such termination date may be forfeited to or repurchased by us.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Restricted stock unit awards may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements. Payment of any purchase price may be made in any form of legal consideration acceptable to the Plan Administrator. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by the delivery of shares of our common stock, in cash, in a combination of cash and stock, or in any other form of consideration determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Restricted stock unit awards may be subject to vesting in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Plan Administrator (subject to the vesting acceleration provision described in “Acceleration upon Death or Disability” above and the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above). Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s restricted stock unit award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s termination of continuous service for any reason.

Other Stock Awards

Other forms of stock awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, our common stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other stock awards under the Amended and Restated 2019

16


Plan. Subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan (including the vesting acceleration provision described in “Acceleration upon Death or Disability” above and the limitations described in “Minimum Vesting Requirements” above), the Plan Administrator will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such other stock awards will be granted, the number of shares of our common stock to be granted and all other terms and conditions of such other stock awards.

Clawback/Recoupment

Awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that we are required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which our securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Plan Administrator may impose other clawback, recovery, or recoupment provisions in a participant’s award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates, including a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares or other cash or property upon the occurrence of cause.

Changes to Capital Structure

In the event of certain capitalization adjustments, the Plan Administrator will appropriately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan; (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs; and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding stock awards.

Change in Control

The following provisions will apply to outstanding awards under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan in the event of a change in control (as defined in the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan and described below) unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the award, in any other written agreement between us or one of our affiliates and the participant, or in our director compensation policy.

In the event of a change in control, any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) may assume or continue any or all outstanding awards under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, or may substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards (including, but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the change in control), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of shares issued pursuant to any outstanding awards under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may be assigned by the Company to the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company). The terms of any such assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Plan Administrator.

In the event of a change in control in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the change in control (the “Current Participants”), the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to any such awards that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions or requirements, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the greater of (i) the target level of performance or (ii) the actual level of performance measured in accordance with the applicable performance goals as of the date of the change in control) to a date prior to the effective time of the change in control (contingent upon the closing or completion of the change in control) as the Plan Administrator will determine (or, if the Plan Administrator does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the change in control), and such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the change in control in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Plan

17


Administrator, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such awards will lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the change in control).

In the event of a change in control in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants other than the Current Participants, such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the change in control in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Plan Administrator; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the change in control.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any outstanding award under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan held by a participant will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a change in control, the Plan Administrator may provide that the participant may not exercise such award but instead will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Plan Administrator, equal in value to the excess, if any, of (i) the value of the property the participant would have received upon the exercise of such award immediately prior to the effective time of the change in control, over (ii) any exercise price payable by the participant in connection with such exercise.

Unless provided otherwise in the participant’s award agreement, in any other written agreement or plan with us or one of our affiliates, or in our director compensation policy, outstanding awards under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will not be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a change in control.

For purposes of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, a “change in control” generally means the consummation of any of the following events: (i) any merger or consolidation after which the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or acquiring entity) less than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving or acquiring entity outstanding immediately after such event; (ii) any sale of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of the Company (other than in a spin-off or similar transaction); or (iii) any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the Plan Administrator; provided, however, that no change in control (or any analogous term) will be deemed to occur upon an announcement or commencement of a tender offer or upon a “potential” takeover or upon stockholder approval of a merger or other transaction, in each case without a requirement that the change in control actually occur.

Plan Amendments and Termination

The Plan Administrator has the authority to amend or terminate the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan at any time. However, except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan or an award agreement, no amendment or termination of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan may materially impair a participant’s rights under his or her outstanding awards without the participant’s consent.

We will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan as required by applicable law and listing requirements. No incentive stock options may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan after July 9, 2029, which is the tenth anniversary of the date the 2019 Plan was originally adopted by our Board.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences to participants and us with respect to participation in the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan. This summary is not intended to be

18


exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any local, state or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside. The information is based upon current federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when those rules change. Because the tax consequences to any participant may depend on his or her particular situation, each participant should consult the participant’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the grant or exercise of an award or the disposition of stock acquired under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan. The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and is not subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Our ability to realize the benefit of any tax deductions described below depends on our generation of taxable income as well as the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of our tax reporting obligations.

Nonstatutory Stock Options

Generally, there is no taxation upon the grant of an NSO if the stock option is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date. Upon exercise, a participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. If the participant is employed by us or one of our affiliates, that income will be subject to withholding taxes. The participant’s tax basis in those shares will be equal to their fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock option, and the participant’s capital gain holding period for those shares will begin on that date.

We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.

Incentive Stock Options

The Amended and Restated 2019 Plan provides for the grant of stock options that are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options,” as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Under the Code, a participant generally is not subject to ordinary income tax upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. If the participant holds a share received upon exercise of an ISO for more than two years from the date the stock option was granted and more than one year from the date the stock option was exercised, which is referred to as the required holding period, the difference, if any, between the amount realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of that share and the participant’s tax basis in that share will be long-term capital gain or loss.

If, however, a participant disposes of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO before the end of the required holding period, which is referred to as a disqualifying disposition, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of the disqualifying disposition equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option over the exercise price. However, if the sales proceeds are less than the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant will not exceed the gain, if any, realized on the sale. If the amount realized on a disqualifying disposition exceeds the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise of the stock option, that excess will be short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on whether the holding period for the share exceeds one year.

For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the amount by which the fair market value of a share of stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO exceeds the exercise price of the stock option generally will be an adjustment included in the participant’s alternative minimum taxable income for the year in which the stock option is exercised. If, however, there is a disqualifying disposition of the share in the year in which the stock option is exercised, there will be no adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes with respect to that share. In computing alternative minimum taxable income, the tax basis of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO is increased by the amount of the adjustment taken into account with respect to that share for alternative minimum tax purposes in the year the stock option is exercised.

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We are not allowed a tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of an ISO or the disposition of a share acquired upon exercise of an ISO after the required holding period. If there is a disqualifying disposition of a share, however, we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant, provided that either the employee includes that amount in income or we timely satisfy our reporting requirements with respect to that amount.

Stock Appreciation Rights

Generally, if a stock appreciation right is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date, the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the stock or cash received upon such exercise.

We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock appreciation right.

Restricted Stock Awards

Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock award will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have the right to sell the stock), the recipient generally will not recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes vested over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days following his or her receipt of the stock award, to recognize ordinary income, as of the date the recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date the award is granted over any amount paid by the recipient for the stock.

The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from a restricted stock award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized either when the stock is received or when the stock becomes vested.

We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the restricted stock award.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock unit award structured to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption to Section 409A of the Code will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is delivered equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. To comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the stock subject to a restricted stock unit award may generally only be delivered upon one of the following events: a fixed calendar date (or dates), separation from service, death, disability or a change in control. If delivery occurs on another date, unless the restricted stock unit award otherwise complies with or qualifies for an exemption to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, in addition to the tax treatment described above, the recipient will owe an additional 20% federal tax and interest on any taxes owed.

The recipient’s basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from a restricted stock unit award will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized when the stock is delivered.

We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the restricted stock unit award.

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Section 162(m) Limitations

Under Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”), compensation paid to any publicly held corporation’s “covered employees” that exceeds $1 million per taxable year for any covered employee is generally non-deductible. Awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan will be subject to the deduction limit under Section 162(m) and will not be eligible to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) pursuant to the transition relief provided by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. For further information regarding the deduction limit under Section 162(m) and such transition relief, see the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Regulatory Requirements – Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation.”

New Plan Benefits under Amended and Restated 2019 Plan

The following table is provided in accordance with SEC rules regarding compensation plans subject to stockholder approval and sets forth certain information regarding benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to certain individuals under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan.

Amended and Restated 2019 Plan

Name and Position

Number of Shares

Anil K. Singhal

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President

(1)

Michael Szabados

Chief Operating Officer

(1)

Jean Bua

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer

(1)

John W. Downing

Executive Vice President, Worldwide Sales Operations

(1)

All current executive officers as a group

(1)

All current directors who are not executive officers as a group

49,000 per fiscal year

(2)

All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group

(1)

(1)Awards

granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan to our executive officers and other employees are discretionary and are not subject to set benefits or amounts under the terms of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan, and our Board and Compensation Committee have not granted any awards under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan subject to stockholder approval of this Proposal 2. Accordingly, the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to our executive officers and other employees under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan are not determinable.

(2)

Awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan to our non-employee directors are discretionary and are not subject to set benefits or amounts under the terms of the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan. However, pursuant to our current compensation arrangements for non-employee directors, each of our current non-employee directors is eligible to receive an annual restricted stock unit award for 7,000 shares. After the Annual Meeting, any such awards will be granted under the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan if this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders. For additional information regarding our current compensation arrangements for non-employee directors, please see the information following the Director Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2020 in “Compensation and Other Information Concerning Directors and Executive Officers” below.

21


Plan Benefits under 2019 Plan

The following table is provided in accordance with SEC rules regarding compensation plans subject to stockholder approval and sets forth, for each of the individuals and various groups indicated, the total number of shares of our common stock subject to awards that have been granted (even if not currently outstanding) under the 2019 Plan since its approval by our stockholders in 2019 through the Record Date.

2019 Plan

Name and Position

Number of Shares

Anil K. Singhal

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President

60,000

Michael Szabados

Chief Operating Officer

35,000

Jean Bua

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer

30,000

John W. Downing

Executive Vice President, Worldwide Sales Operations

30,000

All current executive officers as a group

155,000

All current directors who are not executive officers as a group

49,000

Each nominee for election as a director

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.

7,000

Christopher Perretta

7,000

Susan L. Spradley

7,000

Each associate of any executive officers, current directors or director nominees

Each other person who received or is to receive 5% of awards

All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group

1,931,437

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present or represented and voting on this proposal is required to approve the Amended and Restated 2019 Plan.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE

NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.

APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2019 PLAN.

 

622


PROPOSAL 23

RATIFICATION OF SELECTIONAPPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Board has selectedappointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.2021. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has served as our auditors since 1993. We expect that a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will attend the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if so desired, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from our stockholders. We are incorporated in Delaware, and Delaware law does not require the ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection,appointment, but the Audit Committee will consider the results of this vote when selecting auditors in the future.

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present or represented and voting on this proposal is required to approve the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

 

723


PROPOSAL 34

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We encourage stockholders to review the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, or “CD&A,” included below. The CD&A provides additional details of our executive compensation program, including our compensation philosophy and objectives, the individual elements of our executive compensation program, and details on the administration of our executive compensation program. In addition, we have included the amounts of compensation of our Named Executive Officers for fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020 in the compensation tables below and in the related disclosures contained in this proxy statement.

At our 20112017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our stockholders indicated their preference that the Company solicit a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay“say-on-pay” vote, every year. The Board has adopted a policy to hold annual “say-on-pay”“say-on-pay” votes that is consistent with that preference. Therefore, we are asking stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies, and practices described in this proxy statement. At the 20162019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on September 20, 2016 (the “2016or the 2019 Annual Meeting”),Meeting, our stockholders approved our say-on-pay proposal with 69%94% of the total votes cast voting in favor.

We spent considerable time with our institutional investors and proxy advisory firms in advance of last year’s Annual Meeting to generate support for all proposals with a specific emphasis on the proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock and say-on-pay. The Compensation Committee carefully consideredconsiders the results of the advisory vote on our say-on-pay proposal in the context of its annual review of executive compensation and the on-going work of the Compensation Committee. The level of stockholder support in 2016 was lower compared with the high level of support for our proposals in prior years. As a result of the disappointing outcome of the say-on-pay vote at the 2016 Annual Meeting, the Compensation Committee and the Board have focused significant time and attention on the issues raised by our stockholders.

In particular, the Compensation Committee reviewed specific feedback from our investors and proxy advisory firms on certain compensation practices and related disclosures. Additionally, the Compensation Committee engagedengages the services of an independent compensation consultant and other outside advisors to review and make recommendations regarding various aspects of our compensation program.

During the past year, in conjunction with our investor relations activities, we have discussed our compensation program for our Named Executive Officers, including key financial measurements that have historically been used to determine short-term incentive compensation. Over the course of the months leading up to our proxy filing, we have contacted a significant percentage of the large institutional stockholders who we determined were unlikely to have supported our say-on-pay proposal in 2016 to discuss compensation issues, and we spoke with certain significant institutional stockholders on this topic. As a result of these discussions, our Compensation Committee and Board have instituted a number of changes, as further described below, to our executive compensation program.

As described in this proxy statement, the Compensation Committee weighs the appropriate mix of compensation elements, including the allocation between cash and equity, for each executive officer to help achieve those objectives. The Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis, or CD&A, contained in this proxy statement describes our executive compensation program and the decisions made by the Compensation Committee in detail.

The goal of our executive officer compensation program is to retain and reward highly qualified, talented leaders who create long-term stockholder value. In addition, our program is designed to align management’s interests with those of our stockholders and to motivate senior executives to increase our long-term growth and profitability. While ourOur compensation philosophy has not significantly changed in recent years, our company has changed considerably, growing from just over $450 million in revenue in fiscal year 2015 to more than $1 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2017 and increasing from approximately 1,000 employees to more than 3,000, following the transformative acquisition of the Danaher Communications Business in July 2015. In the immediate months following the closing of the acquisition in July 2015, our Compensation Committee and Board decided, after careful consideration, to focus on the integration of the assets before considering changes to our compensation program.

8


Now, after two years of considerable change and substantial integration efforts following the transformative acquisition, our Compensation Committee has reconsidered our group of peer companies and best practices in the market and taken steps to bring our compensation practices in line with other companies our size. As a result of this review, we have made several changes to our executive compensation program to reflect the current size and complexity of the company, though we have not significantly increased the total cash compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The changes to our compensation program were also enhanced and accelerated by feedback from our stockholders and proxy advisory services.years.

As described more fully in the CD&A, we continue to emphasize pay for performance.pay-for-performance. For example, as in the past, for the fiscal year 2018,ending March 31, 2021, our Named Executive Officers will not be eligible for their fulltargeted annual incentive bonus until afterunless a threshold profitability (non-GAAP(non-GAAP earnings per share, or EPS) target is met. Further, in the next fiscal year, the Compensation Committee, with respect to the Named Executive Officers other than the CEO, and the Board, with respect to the CEO, has determined that one-third of the shares subject to the RSUs granted to our Named Executive Officers will be granted based on the basis of achievement of corporate and individual performance goals in the prior fiscal year. Other points that underscore the continued alignment between stockholders’ interests and executive officer performance include, among other items:

 

No

no guaranteed bonuses;annual incentive bonus;

 

Limits

limits, or caps, on short-term incentives;annual incentive bonus;

 

No

no tax gross ups;gross-ups;

 

Hedging

prohibition of hedging and pledging of company stock is prohibited for our directors, executive officers, and employees;

 

Significant

significant proportion of total compensation in the form of long-term equity awards; and

 

Meaningful

meaningful minimum stock holding requirements.

24


Accordingly, the Board is asking our stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as described in this proxy statement by casting a non-binding advisory vote “FOR” the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paidof the named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the Company’scompensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This “say-on-pay” vote is advisory and, therefore, not binding on us, our Compensation Committee, or our Board. Our Board and compensation committee value the opinions of our stockholders and, to the extent there is any significant vote against the Named Executive Officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and our Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present or represented and voting on this proposal is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables, and narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED.

As an advisory vote,in this proposal is not binding on the Board. Nevertheless, the views expressed by the stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to management and the Board, and, accordingly, the Board and the Compensation Committee intend to consider the results of this vote in making determinations in the future regarding executive compensation arrangements.proxy statement.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE

ADVISORY APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

 

925


PROPOSAL 4

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF SAY-ON-PAY VOTES

The Dodd-Frank Act and Section 14A of the Exchange Act enables the Company’s stockholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote on how frequently the Company should include a “say-on-pay” vote in its proxy materials for future annual stockholder meetings.

Accordingly, the Company is asking stockholders to indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote every year, every other year or every three years. For the reasons described below, the Board recommends that the stockholders select a frequency of a vote every year.

After considering the benefits and consequences of each alternative, the Board recommends that the advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers be submitted to the stockholders every year, as has been our past practice in recent years. The Board has determined that an annual advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation will allow our stockholders to provide timely, direct input on the executive compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in our proxy statement each year pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules. We believe that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation is consistent with the Company’s willingness to engage in ongoing dialogue with our stockholders on corporate governance matters and our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices. Accordingly, we ask that our stockholders vote for “ONE” year as the preferred frequency of the advisory vote on our executive compensation.

While our Board believes that its recommendation is appropriate at this time, stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove that recommendation, but are instead asked to indicate their preference, on an advisory basis, as to whether the non-binding stockholder advisory vote on the approval of our executive officer compensation practices should be held every year, every two years, or every three years. The frequency option that receives votes from the holders of at least a majority of shares present or represented and voting at the Annual Meeting will be considered the preferred frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers by our stockholders. Our Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders in this matter, and, to the extent there is any significant vote in favor of one frequency over the other options, even if fewer than a majority of the votes cast, our Board will consider the stockholders’ concerns and evaluate any appropriate next steps. However, because this vote is advisory and not binding on the Board or the Company in any way, our Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option indicated by our stockholders.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

A VOTE IN FAVOR OF “ONE” YEAR

ON PROPOSAL 4.

10


DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Name

  Age   

Positions

Anil K. Singhal

   6366   Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Michael Szabados

   6568   Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer, and President, Service Assurance BusinessDirector

John W. Downing

   5962   Executive Vice President, Worldwide Sales Operations

Jean Bua

   5962   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer

Victor A. DeMarines

80Director

Robert E. Donahue

   6972   Director

John R. Egan

   5962Lead Independent Director

Alfred Grasso

61   Director

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.

   65Director

James A. Lico

51Director

Vincent J. Mullarkey

6968   Director

Christopher Perretta

   62Director

Susan L. Spradley

59Director

Vivian Vitale

67   Director

Executive Officers

Anil Singhal co-founded the Company in June 1984 and has served as NetScout’s Chief Executive Officer and as a director on NetScout’s Board since inception. In January 2007, Mr. Singhal was appointed Chairman of the Board, and has been serving as NetScout’s President, CEO, and Chairman since that time. In his current role, Mr. Singhal is focused on providing strategic leadership and vision, as well as setting operational priorities for NetScout’s management team. Mr. Singhal’s vision of “traffic-based instrumentation” has guided NetScout’s product direction and focus for the past three decades, helping to shape the evolution for the industry in the process. Under Mr. Singhal’s leadership, NetScout has grown substantially during the past three decades, completing its initial public offering in 1999, and acquiring the Danaher Communications Business in 2015 for $2.3 billion, which, at the time, nearly tripled the size of the Company in terms of revenue, free cash flow, and exceeding $1.1 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2017 and non-GAAP revenue of approximately $1.2 billion.employees. He is credited with numerous innovations in the field of network traffic monitoring and analysis that have helped NetScout gain severalearn numerous industry accolades. During the past decade, Mr. Singhal has also been an instrumental part of a number of strategic acquisitions that have fortified and enhanced NetScout’s technology, customer base, and go-to-market capabilities. Mr. Singhal has earned notable recognition for his entrepreneurial success, including the TiE (The Indus Entrepreneur) Boston Lifetime Achievement in 2013, Enterprise Bank’s 2013 George L. Duncan Award of Excellence and Ernst & Young’s New England Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997. Mr. Singhal holds a BSEE from BITS, Pilani, India and an MS in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Singhal’s experience serving as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer since the Company’s founding, combined with his business expertise, industry-specific knowledge, and technical know-how, qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.

Michael Szabados has served as NetScout’s Chief Operating Officer since April 2007 and Presidentas Vice Chairman of the Service Assurance BusinessNetScout’s Board since 2017. In this role,he was appointed as a director in February 2019. As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Szabados is focused on executing NetScout’s vision and strategy. During his tenure, he has been critical in helping lead NetScout’s key functional areas as NetScout more than doublednearly tripled in size. During his tenure, NetScout successfully completed and integrated six acquisitions before the 2015 $2.3 billion acquisition of the Danaher Communications Business. His career at NetScout began in 1997 when he joined the Company as vice president, marketing,Vice President, Marketing, charged with increasing the Company’s overall visibility and market awareness. His responsibilities expanded in 2001 to encompass product development, manufacturing, and customer support when he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Product Operations. A veteran of the enterprise networking industry, Mr. Szabados held senior leadership roles with companies including UB Networks, SynOptics/Bay Networks and MIPS Corporation following engineering and product management roles at Intel Corporation and later at Apple. Mr. Szabados holds a BSEE from UC Irvine and an MBA from UC Santa Clara.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Szabados’ experience serving as the Company’s Chief Operating

 

1126


Officer and in other functional roles, along with his business experience and industry and technical experience, qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.

Jean Bua has served as NetScout’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer since September 2015 and served as NetScout’s Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer from November 2011 until September 2015. She joined the Company in September 2010 as Vice President, Finance, in conjunction with the Company’s succession planning.Finance. In her current role, Ms. Bua is responsible for accounting, tax, treasury, investor relations, treasury, financial planning and analysis, real estate development, accounting and compliance. Ms. Bua has played a key role in executing on the financial aspects of NetScout’s strategy. During her tenure, NetScout successfully completed and integrated five acquisitions before the 2015 $2.3 billion acquisition of the Danaher Communications Business.Business in 2015. In May 2017, Ms. Bua joined the board of CoreSite Realty Corporation, a publicly tradedpublicly-traded provider of data center and interconnection solutions across the U.S. In November 2018, Ms. Bua also joined the board of AstroNova, Inc., a publicly-traded provider of data visualization technology. Before joining NetScout, Ms. Bua served as Executive Vice President, Finance & Treasurer of American Tower Corporation, where she was a critical contributor to multiple equity and debt financings and numerous acquisitions that helped the company to more than double in revenue and become a leading provider of infrastructure for the wireless telecommunications industry. Prior to American Tower, Ms. Bua spent nine years at Iron Mountain, Inc., concludingin various capacities including as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Worldwide Controller. During her tenure, Iron Mountain successfully consolidated the records management industry, growing from annual revenue of $100 million to over $2 billion through more than 100 acquisitions. Previously, she held senior positions at Duracraft Corp. and Keithley Instruments. She was a management consultant at Ernst & Young and an auditor at KPMG. Ms. Bua earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from Bryant College and her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island.

John W. Downing has served as NetScout’s Executive Vice President, Worldwide Sales Operations since September 2015, and served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales Operations from 2007 until September 2015. In this role, Mr. Downing is responsible for directing NetScout’s sales leadership in both the service provider and enterprise markets. Under Mr. Downing’s direction, NetScout has reported strong revenue growth and built long-term relationships with leading telecommunications service providers, government agencies, and many of the world’s largest corporations. He joined NetScout in 2000 as Vice President, Sales Operations, instituting and refining key go-to-market programs and sales processes that have underpinned the Company’s revenue growth during the past 1619 years. Prior to NetScout, from April 1998 until September 2000, Mr. Downing served as Vice President of Sales at Genrad Corporation, a $300 million manufacturer of electronic testing equipment and production solutions and was Vice President of North American Sales from January 1996 until March 1998. Mr. Downing earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from Tufts University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Suffolk University.

Non-EmployeeDirectors

Victor A. DeMarines has been a NetScout director since June 2004. Mr. DeMarines was the President and Chief Executive Officer of MITRE Corporation, or MITRE, from 1994 until his retirement in 2000. He continued to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the Technology Committee of MITRE until his retirement from the Board in 2010. He continues his relationship as a consultant to MITRE on its Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and cyber activity initiatives. Since February 2013, he has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Verint Systems Inc., or Verint, a publicly held provider of systems to the internet security marketplace. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Verint since 2002 and is also currently a member of its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and its Audit Committee. The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. DeMarines’ experience as Chief Executive Officer of MITRE, together with his service on another public company board provide deep federal government sector and global business experience to the Company and qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.

Robert E. Donahue has been a NetScout director since March 2013. He served on the board of directors of Sycamore Networks, Inc., an intelligent optical networking and multiservice access provider, from July 2007 until October 2014. Mr. Donahue served on the board of directors of Cybersource Corporation, a leading provider of electronic payment and risk management solutions, from November 2007 to August 2010. From

12


August 2004 to November 2007, Mr. Donahue served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Authorize.Net Holdings, Inc. (formerly Lightbridge Inc.), a leading transaction processing company, before it was acquired by Cybersource Corporation in November 2007. Mr. Donahue also served as a member of Authorize.Net’s board of directors from January 2004 until November 2007. The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Donahue’s industry knowledge together withand his service on other public company boards provide deep experience to the Company and qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.

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John R. Egan has been a NetScout director since October 2000 and serves as NetScout’s Lead Independent Director. Mr. Egan is a founding managing partner of Egan-Managed Capital, L.P., a Boston-based venture capital fund specializing in New England, information technology, and early-stage investments, which began in the fall of 1996, and is a managing partner of Carruth Associates. From 1992 until 2016, he was a member of the Board of Directors at EMC Corporation, a publicly heldpublicly-held provider of computer storage systems and software, prior to its acquisition by Dell. From 2007 until 2016, Mr. Egan also served as a member of the Board of Directors at VMware,VMWare, a leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure. Since 2011, Mr. Egan has served as a member of the Board of Directors and currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and serves on the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at Progress Software Corp., a publicly traded global software company. Since 2012, Mr. Egan has served as a memberLead Director of the Board of Directors of Verint Systems, Inc., a publicly heldpublicly-held provider of systems to the internet security market, where he is currently the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Egan also servesformerly served on the Board of Trustees at Boston College until 2018 and currently serves as a director for onetwo other privately held company.companies. The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Egan’s extensive understanding and involvement in the information technology industry together with his executive leadership roles and his service on other public company boards provide deep experience to the Company and qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.

Alfred Grasso has been a NetScout director since April 2018. Mr. Grasso is the past President and Chief Executive Officer of the MITRE Corporation, a position he held from 2006 to 2017, and he continues to serve as a Consultant for the company. Mr. Grasso’s experience includes service on the boards of a number of scientifically-driven organizations and non-profit institutions. Mr. Grasso was elected to the Board of Trustees of Riverside Research in 2019. He is a member of the Defense Science Board and a former member of the Army Science Board. He currently serves as the industry co-chair of the National Academy of Science’s Government, University, and Industry Research Roundtable and he is a member of the Virginia Tech Hume Center Advisory Board. Mr. Grasso is a Permanent Director and Executive Committee member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) International’s Board of Directors and served as Chairman from 2012 to 2014 and vice chairman from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Grasso is the former President of the Board of the National GEM Consortium, a non-profit organization that promotes the participation of under-represented groups in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. He has served as a Trustee of the George Mason University Foundation, a member of the Stevens Institute Systems Engineering Research Center Advisory Board, the University of Virginia’s Department of Systems and Information Engineering Advisory Board, Howard University’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences Board of Visitors, and the Northern Virginia Technology Council. The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Grasso’s experience as Chief Executive Officer of the MITRE Corporation provides deep government sector and global business experience to the Company, and his board and leadership experience with numerous other scientific, technical, and other organizations, qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.has been a NetScout director since July 1998. Mr. Hadzima has been a Managing Director of Main Street Partners, LLC, a venture capital investing and technology commercialization company, since April 1998. Since 2000, he has also been President of IPVision, Inc., a Main Street Partners portfolio company that provides intellectual property analysis systems and services. In 2019, Mr. Hadzima co-founded Neurostim Technologies, a company commercializing a low cost neurostimulation patch technology for the treatment of the symptoms of various chronic medical conditions. Mr. Hadzima is also a Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, of counsel at a law firm, and serves as a director on two private company boards. The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Hadzima’s experience with emerging technology companies, his prior legal experience, and his service on other boards provide the Company with valuable business perspective and insight into emerging technologies that may affect the business and strategies of the Company and qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.

James A. Lico was appointed to NetScout’s Board of Directors in July 2015 following the completion of the Company’s acquisition of the communications business of Danaher Corporation. Mr. Lico serves as the founding President and CEO of Fortive Corporation, a diversified industrial growth company specializing in professional instrument and industrial technology, spun out of Danaher Corporation in July 2016. Before that, Mr. Lico has served as Danaher’s executive vice president with responsibility for its Test & Measurement segment and Gilbarco Veeder-Root business since 2005. He joined Danaher in 1996 as Vice President, Operations of Veeder-Root and was subsequently appointed to senior leadership positions within Danaher until his appointment as Executive Vice President. Prior to Danaher, Mr. Lico held increasing responsible positions in manufacturing with both General Motors Corporation and AlliedSignal, Inc. The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Lico’s experience in the technology industry, including his responsibility for the Danaher Communications Business, provides the Company with valuable insight into the Company following the acquisition and qualifies him to serve as a director of the Company. Under the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated October 12, 2014 (“Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, Danaher Corporation (“Danaher”) and certain subsidiaries of the Company and Danaher, the Company agreed to appoint to the Company’s Board one individual designated by Danaher, effective on the closing date of the merger, which was July 14, 2015. Danaher designated, and the Board elected, James A. Lico as a new director. Pursuant

13


to the Merger Agreement, the Board proposed Mr. Lico as a director nominee for election to the Board, and Mr. Lico was so elected, at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

Vincent J. Mullarkey has been a NetScout director since November 2000. From May 2005 to June 2007, he was a member of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Audit Committee of webMethods, Inc., a then publicly held business process integration software company that was acquired by Software AG in June 2007. Mr. Mullarkey was the Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Digital Equipment Corporation from 1994 until his retirement in September 1998. The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Mullarkey’s board and audit committee experience in other public companies coupled with his financial experience in the technology arena provide the Company with essential business and financial expertise and qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.

Christopher Perretta has been a NetScout director since September 2014. Most recently, Mr. Perretta has served as chief information and operations officer at MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation and its U.S. banking

28


subsidiary, MUFG Union Bank, N.A. sincefrom April 2016.2016 to January 2019. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at State Street Corporation from September 2007 until April 2016 and as a member of State Street Corporation’s Management Committee from February 2013 until April 2016. From December 1996 to September 2007, Mr. Perretta served in various roles at General Electric Corporation, including as Chief Information Officer for the North American Consumer Financial Services unit, Chief Technology Officer for General Electric Capital, and, from January 2003 to September 2007, as Chief Information Officer of General Electric Commercial Finance. Mr. Perretta has also served as a member of the board of directors of a privately heldprivately-held technology company and the Advanced Cyber Security Center. The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Perretta’s experience with various Fortune 500 companies and his service on other boards provide the Company with valuable business perspective and insight into global issues that may affect the business and strategies of the Company and qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.

Susan L. Spradley has been a NetScout director since April 2018. Ms. Spradley is a partner in the Tap Growth Group, a position she has held since August 2017, and the Chief Executive Officer of Motion Intelligence, Inc., a private company, which she joined in December 2017. From January 2013 to January 2017, she served in various roles at Viavi Solutions Inc. (formerly JDS Uniphase), most recently as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Product Line Management and Design. Prior to 2013, Ms. Spradley served as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of US Ignite, a White House and National Science Foundation initiative focused on applications for smart city implementation. Ms. Spradley also held senior leadership roles at Nokia Siemens Networks, and Nortel Networks prior to that. Ms. Spradley currently serves on the Board of Directors of Qorvo, Inc. (Nasdaq: QRVO), a provider of innovative RF solutions, and Avaya Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AVYA), a digital communications software, services and devices company, and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of US Ignite. The Nominating and Corporation Governance Committee believes that Ms. Spradley’s executive experience, as well as her experience with technology companies and service on other public company boards, provide valuable insights into issues that affect the Company’s business and qualify her to serve as a director of the Company.

Vivian Vitale has been a NetScout director since February 2019. Ms. Vitale operates a consulting practice assisting organizations in the development of human resources and people management practices, a role she has held since April 2018. From April 2012 until March 2018, she served as Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Veracode, Inc., continuing in her role through Veracode, Inc.’s acquisition by CA Technologies in March 2017. Prior to 2012, Ms. Vitale served as Senior Vice President at Care.com, an on-line provider of support services to families. Ms. Vitale has also held senior leadership roles at RSA Security, Unica Corporation, and IBM prior to that. Ms. Vitale is also a member of the Board of Directors of Progress Software Corporation and is a member of its Compensation Committee. Ms. Vitale currently serves on the Board of Directors of Vera3, an investment firm, and on the Advisory Board of Surprise HR, an early stage company which provides an employee recognition product. Ms. Vitale holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in corporate and political communication from Fairfield University. The Nominating and Corporation Governance Committee believes that Ms. Vitale’s extensive experience and insight in talent management and human resources operations qualifies her to serve as a director of the Company.

There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers and directors.

 

1429


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the Record Date by each Named Executive Officer named in the Summary Compensation Table, each director and nominee for director, all executive officers and directors as a group, all those known by us to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

  Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned(1)
   Percentage of Class
Beneficially Owned
 

Anil K. Singhal(2)

 

   

 

2,595,333

 

 

 

   

 

2.90

 

 

Michael Szabados(3)

 

   

 

59,507

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

Jean Bua(4)

 

   

 

64,406

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

John W. Downing(5)

 

   

 

130,861

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

Victor A. DeMarines(6)

 

   

 

22,473

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

Robert E. Donahue(7)

 

   

 

13,741

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

John R. Egan(8)

 

   

 

77,504

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.(9)

 

   

 

116,562

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

James A. Lico(10)

 

   

 

12,742

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

Vincent J. Mullarkey(11)

 

   

 

42,613

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

Christopher Perretta(12)

 

   

 

9,535

 

 

 

   

 

*

 

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.(13)
55 East 52nd Street
New York, New York 10055

 

   

 

10,250,700

 

 

 

   

 

11.45

 

 

Neuberger Berman Group LLC and affiliates(14)
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104

 

   

 

8,313,166

 

 

 

   

 

9.28

 

 

Brown Capital Management, LLC(15)
1201 N. Calvert Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

 

   

 

7,090,777

 

 

 

   

 

7.92

 

 

The Vanguard Group(16)
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19335

 

   

 

6,822,686

 

 

 

   

 

7.62

 

 

Capital Ventures International and affiliates(17)
Windward 1
Regatta Office Park, West Bay Road
Grand Cayman E9 KY1-1103

 

   

 

5,979,994

 

 

 

   

 

6.68

 

 

All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons)(18)

 

   

 

3,145,277

 

 

 

   

 

3.51

 

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

  Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned(1)
   Percentage of Class
Beneficially Owned
 

 

Anil K. Singhal(2)

 

  

 

 

 

 

2,571,882

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

3.55

 

 

 

Michael Szabados(3)

  

 

 

 

 

69,666

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Jean Bua(4)

 

  

 

 

 

 

83,472

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

John W. Downing(5)

 

  

 

 

 

 

114,744

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Robert E. Donahue(6)

 

  

 

 

 

 

31,977

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

John R. Egan(7)

 

  

 

 

 

 

95,740

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Alfred Grasso(8)

 

  

 

 

 

 

16,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.(9)

 

  

 

 

 

 

127,798

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher Perretta(10)

 

  

 

 

 

 

27,771

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

Susan L. Spradley(11)

 

  

 

 

 

 

16,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Vivian Vitale(12)

  

 

 

 

 

10,970

 

 

 

 

   * 

 

BlackRock, Inc.(13)
55 East 52nd Street
New York, New York 10055

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,568,002

 

 

 

 

   11.83 

 

The Vanguard Group(14)
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19335

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,606,113

 

 

 

 

   9.12 

 

Neuberger Berman Group LLC and affiliates(16)
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,058,983

 

 

 

 

   8.36 

 

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(15)
Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, Texas, 78746

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,019,915

 

 

 

 

   8.31 

 

Capital Ventures International and affiliates(17)
Windward 1
Regatta Office Park, West Bay Road
Grand Cayman E9 KY1-1103

 

  

 

 

 

 

5,979,994

 

 

 

 

   8.25 

 

CIBC Private Wealth Management(18)
3290 Northside Parkway, 7th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30327

 

  

 

 

 

 

4,571,790

 

 

 

 

   6.31 

 

AllianceBernstein L.P.(19)
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105

 

  

 

 

 

 

4,246,606

 

 

 

 

   5.86 

 

Brown Capital Management, LLC(20)
1201 N. Calvert Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

 

  

 

 

 

 

4,176,867

 

 

 

 

   5.76 

 

All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons)(21)

 

  

 

 

 

 

3,166,020

 

 

 

 

   4.36 

30


 

*

Represents less than one percent of class.

(1)

Under applicable SEC rules and regulations, a person is considered to beneficially own our common stock if such person either has the sole or shared power with any other person to either vote or dispose of such common stock. As a result, more than one person may be reported as the beneficial owner of any particular share of our common stock. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Shares of common stock issuable by the Company to a person or entity named below pursuant to restricted stock units which may vest within 60 days of the Record Date are deemed to be beneficially owned and outstanding for purposes of calculating the number of shares and the percentage beneficially owned by that person or entity. However, these shares are not deemed to be beneficially owned and outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage beneficially owned by any other person or entity. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed on the table is c/o NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, MA 01886, and each person has either sole or shared voting or dispositive power over the shares shown below as beneficially owned by such person.

15


(2)

Includes 22,91745,000 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date and 105,400143,390 shares held by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Singhal and his spouse are trustees. As of the Record Date, Mr. Singhal’s spouse did not beneficially own at least five percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock, and therefore the 1,070,0811,074,028 shares held by trusts of which Mr. Singhal’s spouse is deemed the beneficial owner are reported herein by Mr. Singhal. This amount does not include an aggregate of 776,887 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Singhal’s children for which neither Mr. Singhal nor his spouse is a trustee, and 62,53966,134 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Singhal’s nieces and nephews for which neither Mr. Singhal nor his spouse is a trustee.

(3)

Includes 13,75026,250 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(4)

Includes 11,14622,500 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(5)

Includes 11,14622,500 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(6)

Includes 4,7417,000 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(7)

Includes 4,7417,000 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(8)

Includes 4,7417,000 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(9)

Includes 4,7417,000 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(10)

Includes 4,7417,000 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(11)

Includes 4,7417,000 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(12)

Includes 4,7417,000 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

(13)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 17, 2017February 4, 2020 (the “BlackRock 13G”). According to the Blackrock 13G, as of December 31, 2016,2019, BlackRock, Inc. had the sole power to vote 9,892,6508,381,543 shares and sole dispositive power over 10,250,7008,568,002 shares. Various persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the common stock reported on the BlackRock 13G. The BlackRock 13G provides information only as of December 31, 20162019 and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the aforementioned entity may have changed between December 31, 20162019 and the Record Date.

(14)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 201712, 2020 (the “Vanguard 13G”). According to the Vanguard 13G, as of December 31, 2019, The Vanguard Group had sole power to vote 68,723 shares, shared power to vote 11,193 shares, sole dispositive power over 6,534,745 shares and shared dispositive power over 71,368 shares. According to the Vanguard 13G, as of December 31, 2019, The Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company (“VFTC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., was the beneficial owner of 60,175 shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts and Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd. (“VIA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., was the beneficial owner of 19,741 shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of Australian investment offerings. The Vanguard 13G provides information only as of December 31, 2019 and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the aforementioned entity may have changed between December 31, 2019 and the Record Date.

(15)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020 (the “Dimensional 13G”). According to the Dimensional 13G, as of December 31, 2019, Dimensional Fund

31


Advisors LP had the sole power to vote 5,884,774 shares and sole dispositive power over 6,019,915 shares. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager or sub-adviser to certain other commingled funds, group trusts and separate accounts (such investment companies, trusts and accounts, collectively referred to as the “Funds”). In certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP may act as an adviser or sub-adviser to certain Funds. In its role as investment advisor, sub-adviser and/or manager, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP or its subsidiaries (collectively, “Dimensional”) may possess voting and/or investment power over the securities of the Issuer that are owned by the Funds, and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of the Issuer held by the Funds. However, all securities reported in the Dimensional 13G are owned by the Funds. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. In addition, the filing of the Dimensional 13G shall not be construed as an admission that the reporting person or any of its affiliates is the beneficial owner of any securities covered by the Dimensional 13G for any other purposes than Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Dimensional 13G provides information only as of December 31, 2019 and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the aforementioned entity may have changed between December 31, 2019 and the Record Date.
(16)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2020 by Neuberger Berman Group LLC on behalf of itself and on behalf of Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC and Neuberger Berman Equity Funds (the “Neuberger 13G”). According to the Neuberger 13G, as of December 31, 2016,2019, Neuberger Berman Group LLC had the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 8,262,8926,010,208 shares and shared power to dispose of or direct the disposition of 8,313,1666,058,983 shares, Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC had the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 8,262,8926.010,208 shares and shared power to dispose of or direct the disposition of 8,313,1666,058,983 shares, and Neuberger Berman Equity Funds had the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 5,435,7944,242,241 shares and shared power to dispose of or direct the disposition of 5,435,7944,242,241 shares. Neuberger Berman Group LLC and its affiliates may be deemed to be beneficial owners of securities for purposes of Exchange Act Rule 13d-3 because they or certain affiliated persons have shared power to retain, dispose of or vote the securities of unrelated clients. Neuberger Berman Group LLC or its affiliated persons do not, however, have any economic interest in the securities of those clients. The clients have the sole right to receive and the power to direct the receipt of dividends from or proceeds from the sale of such securities. No one client has an interest of more than 5% of the issuer. In addition to the holdings of individual advisory clients, Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC serves as investment manager of Neuberger Berman Group LLC’s various registered mutual funds which hold such shares. The holdings belonging to clients of Neuberger Berman Trust Co N.A., Neuberger Berman Trust Co of Delaware N.A., Neuberger Berman Asia Ltd., Neuberger Berman Breton Hill ULC, NB Alternatives Advisers LLC and Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC are also aggregated to comprise the holdings referenced in the Neuberger 13G.

This amount also includes shares from individual client accounts over which Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC has shared power to dispose but does not have voting power over these shares. The holdings of Neuberger Berman Trust Co N.A., Neuberger Berman Trust Co of Delaware N.A., Neuberger Berman Asia Ltd., Neuberger Berman Breton Hill ULC, NB Alternatives Advisers LLC and Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC, are also aggregated to comprise the holdings referenced in the Neuberger 13G. Neuberger Berman Trust Co N.A., Neuberger Berman Trust Co of Delaware N.A., Neuberger Berman Asia Ltd., Neuberger Berman Breton Hill ULC, NB Alternatives Advisers LLC and Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC and certain affiliated persons may be deemed to beneficially own the securities covered by the Neuberger 13G in their various fiduciary capacities by virtue of the provisions of Exchange Act Rule 13d-3. Neuberger

16


Berman Group LLC, through its subsidiaries Neuberger Berman Fixed Income Holdings LLC, NB Alternatives Holdings LLC and Neuberger Trust Holdings LLC controls Neuberger Berman Trust Co N.A., Neuberger Berman Trust Co of Delaware N.A., Neuberger Berman Asia Ltd., Neuberger Berman Breton Hill ULC, NB Alternatives Advisers LLC and Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC and certain affiliated persons. Each of Neuberger Berman Group LLC, Neuberger Berman

32


Fixed Income Holdings LLC, NB Alternatives Holdings LLC, Neuberger Trust Holdings LLC, Neuberger Berman Trust Co N.A., Neuberger Berman Trust Co of Delaware N.A., Neuberger Berman Asia Ltd., Neuberger Berman Breton Hill ULC, NB Alternatives Advisers LLC and Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC and certain affiliated persons disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities covered by the Neuberger 13G. The Neuberger 13G provides information only as of December 31, 20162019 and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the aforementioned entities may have changed between December 31, 2016 and the Record Date.
(15)This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2016 (the “Brown 13G”). According to the Brown 13G, as of December 31, 2016, Brown Capital Management, LLC had the sole power to vote 4,150,650 shares and sole dispositive power over 7,090,777 shares. The Brown 13G provides information only as of December 31, 2016 and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the aforementioned entity may have changed between December 31, 2016 and the Record Date.
(16)This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2017 (the “Vanguard 13G”). According to the Vanguard 13G, as of December 31, 2016, The Vanguard Group had sole power to vote 106,867 shares, shared power to vote 10,693 shares, sole dispositive power over 6,709,061 shares and shared dispositive power over 113,625 shares. According to the Vanguard 13G, as of December 31, 2016, The Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company (“VFTC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., was the beneficial owner of 102,932 shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts and Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd. (“VIA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., was the beneficial owner of 14,628 shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of Australian investment offerings. The Vanguard 13G provides information only as of December 31, 2016 and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the aforementioned entity may have changed between December 31, 20162019 and the Record Date.
(17)Based

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2016. Capital Ventures International has the sole power to vote 5,337,701 of such shares, shared power to vote 5,979,994 of such shares, sole dispositive power over 5,337,701 of such shares and shared dispositive power over 5,979,994 of such shares. Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc. has shared power to vote 5,979,994 of such shares and shared dispositive power over 5,979,994 of such shares. G1 Execution Services, LLC has the sole power to vote 139 of such shares, shared power to vote 5,979,994 of such shares, sole dispositive power over 139 of such shares and shared dispositive power over 5,979,994 of such shares. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments, LLC has shared power to vote 5,979,994 of such shares and shared dispositive power over 5,979,994 of such shares. Susquehanna Securities has the sole power to vote 642,154 of such shares, shared power to vote 5,979,994 of such shares, sole dispositive power over 642,154 of such shares and shared dispositive power over 5,979,994 of such shares. Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc. is the investment manager to Capital Ventures International and as such may exercise voting and dispositive power over the 5,337,701 shares directly owned by Capital Ventures International. G1 Execution Services, LLC and Susquehanna Securities are affiliated independent broker-dealers which, together with Capital Ventures International, Susquehanna Advisors Group, Inc. and Susquehanna Fundamental Investments, LLC may be deemed a group and therefore deemed to share voting and dispositive power over all such shares, although each has disclaimed beneficial ownership of shares held by the others.

(18)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 3, 2020 (the “CIBC 13G”). According to the CIBC 13G, as of December 31, 2019, CIBC Private Wealth Management had the sole power to vote 4,571,790 shares and sole dispositive power over 4,571,790 shares. The CIBC 13G provides information only as of December 31, 2019 and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the aforementioned entity may have changed between December 31, 2019 and the Record Date.

(19)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 18, 20209 (the “AllianceBernstein 13G”). According to the AllianceBernstein 13G, as of December 31, 2019, AllianceBernstein L.P. had the sole power to vote 3,584,903 shares, sole dispositive power over 4,170,426 shares and shared dispositive power over 76,180 shares. The AllianceBernstein 13G provides information only as of December 31, 2019 and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the aforementioned entity may have changed between December 31, 2019 and the Record Date.

(20)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2020 (the “Brown 13G”). According to the Brown 13G, as of December 31, 2019, Brown Capital Management, LLC had the sole power to vote 2,604,264 shares and sole dispositive power over 4,176,867 shares. The Brown 13G provides information only as of December 31, 2019 and, consequently, the beneficial ownership of the aforementioned entity may have changed between December 31, 2019 and the Record Date.

(21)

Includes an aggregate of 92,146165,250 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of the Record Date.

 

1733


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Leadership Structure

The Board is currently chaired by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Singhal. The Board believes combining the position of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. As one of the co-founders of the Company, Mr. Singhal provides extensive technology vision, industry expertise, and leadership; historical knowledge of the Company, its customers, and solutions; and a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the Company today. Those attributes, together with his combined role, place him in the best position to ensure that the Board and management act with a common purpose to execute the Company’s strategic initiatives and business plans. To reinforce director independence and provide for leadership separate from the Chairman, our Board appointed Mr. Egan as Lead Independent Director.

Director Independence

Our Board has determined that each of Messrs. DeMarines, Donahue, Egan, Grasso, Hadzima Mullarkey and Perretta, Ms. Spradley and Ms. Vitale is independent within the meaning of the director independence standards of The NASDAQNasdaq Stock Market LLC, or NASDAQ,Nasdaq, and the SEC. Furthermore, our Board has determined that each current member of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board, and each director who served as a member of any of the foregoing committees of the Board during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 is independent within the meaning of the Company’s, NASDAQ’s,Nasdaq’s, and the SEC’s independence standards, as applicable.

Executive Sessions of Independent Directors

Our Board holds executive sessions of the independent members of our Board following each regularly scheduled in-person meeting of our Board. The Lead Independent Director, currently Mr. Egan, chairs the executive sessions.

Policies Governing Director Nominations

Director Qualifications

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

 

directors must be individuals of the highest ethical character and integrity and share our values as reflected in our Code of Business Conduct;

 

directors must have reputations, both personal and professional, consistent with our image and reputation;

 

directors must be free of conflicts of interest that would interfere with the proper performance of the responsibilities of a director;

 

directors must have the ability to exercise sound business judgment;

 

directors must be willing and able to devote sufficient time to the affairs of the Company and be diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities of a director and/or committee member, as the case may be;

 

directors must have substantial business or professional experience and expertise and be able to offer meaningful and practical advice and guidance to our management based on that experience and expertise; and

 

34


directors must have a commitment to enhancing stockholder value.

18


The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers numerous other qualities, skills, and characteristics when evaluating director nominees, such as:

 

an understanding of and experience in the network application/performance management solutions market, the market for networking solutions generally, and related accounting, legal, finance, product, sales and/or marketing matters;

 

experience on other public or private company boards, unless a director otherwise provides complementary capabilities or qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules of the SEC;

 

leadership experience with public companies or other major organizations; and

 

diversity of the Board, taking into account the business and professional experience, educational background, reputation, industry expertise across various market segments and technologies relevant to our business, as well as other relevant attributes of the candidates.

Board members are expected to prepare for, attend, and participate in Board meetings and meetings of committees on which they serve. In addition, directors must stay abreast of our business and markets.

Process for Identifying and Evaluating Director Nominees

The Board is responsible for nominating persons for election as directors of the Company. Our Board delegates the initial selection process to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with the expectation that other members of our Board, and of management, will take part in the process as appropriate.

Generally, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies candidates for director nominees in consultation with management, through the use of search firms or other advisers, or through such other methods as our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee deems to be helpful to identify candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to identify and recruit diverse candidates (including women and minority candidates), as part of the search process for new Board members. Once candidates have been identified, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee confirms that the candidates meet all of the minimum qualifications for director nominees established by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may gather information about the candidates through interviews, questionnaires, background checks, or any other means that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee deems to be helpful in the evaluation process. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then meets to discuss and evaluate the qualities and skills of each candidate in light of the criteria set forth above or established by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee from time to time, both on an individual basis and taking into account the overall composition and needs of our Board. Based on the results of the evaluation process, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends candidates for our Board’s approval as director nominees for election to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also recommends candidates for the Board’s appointment to the committees of our Board.

Stockholder Recommendations Forfor Nominees Asas Directors, Director Nominations and the Proposal of Other Business

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider recommendations for candidates for nominees as directors and proposals for business other than director nominationsrecommendations that are properly submitted by stockholders. Any recommendation of a nominee for the Board or any proposal for business other than director nominationsrecommendations by our stockholders with respect to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, or the 20172021 (“2021 Annual Meeting,Meeting”) must be submitted in writing to our principal executive offices at 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886, attention: Secretary, and must be

35


received by us and comply with the requirements set forth in our by-laws.Corporate Governance Guidelines. Stockholders may also nominate directors or submit proposals for business other than director nominations by following the detailed requirements set forth in our by-laws, as the same may be amended from time to time.

19


Any communication with respect to nominees as directors should (i) describe why the candidate meets the Board’s criteria described above; (ii) include the candidate’s and recommender’s names and addresses and provide biographical information about the recommended candidate that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors; (iii) include the proposed nominee’s written consent to serve as a nominee, if nominated, and as a director, if elected; and (iv) contain any additional information otherwise required by Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

Any communication with respect to the proposal of business other than director nominations should include, among other matters required by our by-laws, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any stockholder associated person (as defined in our by-laws), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made.

The requirements for stockholder director nominations and proposals other than director nominations appear in our by-laws. Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with the procedures described above and in our by-laws will be eligible for election by stockholders as directors and only such business brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth above and in our by-laws will be conducted at a meeting of stockholders. We have not received any stockholder recommendations or nominations with respect to our Annual Meeting.

To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing to our principal executive offices at 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886, attention: Secretary, and must be received by us no later than April 3, 2018.March 24, 2021. Proposals must satisfy the procedures set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. If you wish to submit a proposal for the 20182021 Annual Meeting but not have it included in next year’s proxy materials for such meeting or wish to nominate a director, you must submit such proposal or nomination in writing to our principal executive offices at the address noted above, which must be received by us no earlier than the close of business of May 22, 201813, 2021 and no later than the close of business of June 21, 201812, 2021 and must satisfy the requirements described above and in our by-laws. In order to curtail controversy as to the date on which a proposal was received by us, we suggest that you submit your proposals by registered mail, return receipt requested.

Policy Governing Security Holder Communications with the Board of Directors

The Board provides to every stockholder the ability to communicate with the Board as a whole and with individual directors through an established process for security holder communication (as that term is defined by the rules of the SEC) as follows:

For communications directed to the Board as a whole or to a specific member of the Board, stockholders may send such communications to the attention of the Chairman of the Board with respect to general communications or to the attention of the specific director, in each case, by one of the three methods listed below:

By U.S. mail (including courier or other expedited delivery service): NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, MA 01886 Attn: [Chairman of the Board]/[Individual Director], c/o Investor Relations

By facsimile: (978) 614-4004, Attn: [Chairman of the Board]/[Individual Director], c/o Investor Relations

By email: ir@netscout.com

36


We will forward any such stockholder communications to the Chairman of our Board, as a representative of our Board, and/or to the director to whom the communication is addressed.

20


Policy Governing Director Attendance at Annual Meetings of Stockholders

Our policy is that one of the regularly scheduled in-person meetings of our Board will be scheduled on the same day as our annual meeting of stockholders, and all directors are encouraged to attend our annual meeting of stockholders. All of the members of our Board attended the 20162019 Annual Meeting, either in-person or via teleconference.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics as defined by regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, which applies to all of the employees, officers, and directors of the Company and our subsidiaries, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and controller, and persons performing similar functions. A current copy of the Code of Business Conduct is available at the Corporate Governance section of our website athttp://ir.netscout.com/. NetScout intends to disclose amendments to or waivers from provisions of the Code of Business Conduct that apply to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or controller, and persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on our website, available athttp://ir.netscout.com/.

For more corporate governance information, you are invited to visit the Corporate Governance section of our website, available athttp://ir.netscout.com/. Contents of our website are not part of or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

Majority Vote Policy

It is the policy of NetScout that any nominee for election to the Board who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” such election shall submit his or her offer of resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances and recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such offer of resignation. The Board will then act on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation.

 

2137


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

The table below indicates the composition of each of the committees of our Board of Directors:

 

      CompensationAudit
Committee
  Audit Compensation
Committee
  Nomination &
Governance
Committee
  Finance
Committee

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

          

Victor A. DeMarines

LOGOLOGOLOGO

Robert E. Donahue

  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO    LOGO

John R. Egan

  LLOGOLOGO    LOGOLOGO

Alfred Grasso

  LOGO  LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.

    LOGOLOGOLOGO    LOGO

Vincent J. Mullarkey

LOGO
  LOGOLOGO
LOGOLOGO

Christopher Perretta

    LOGOLOGOLOGO

Susan L. Spradley

    LOGOLOGOLOGO  

NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Vivian Vitale

      LOGOLOGO  

James A. Lico

 

INSIDE DIRECTORS

 

      

Anil K. Singhal

 

  LOGOLOGO

Michael Szabados

V        

 

LOGO     Chairperson

  LOGOLOGO     Chairman of the Board
V    Vice Chair of the Board
LOGO     ChairpersonLOGO     Member  LOGOLOGO     Financial Expert LOGO     Chairman of the Board

L     Lead Independent Director

 

Board of Directors

The Board met eight times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.2020, or fiscal year 2020. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) total number of meetings of our Board and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which theysuch director served during fiscal year 2017.2020. The Board has standing Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Finance Committees.

38


Audit Committee

 

   

Current Members

Messrs. MullarkeyDonahue (Chair)

Donahue

Egan

Hadzima

Ms.        Spradley

 

Meetings

NineEight meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 20172020.

 

A copy of the Audit Committee Charter can be found at
http://ir.netscout.com/

 

Audit Committee Designated “Financial Experts”Expert” are Messrs. Mullarkey and Donahueis Mr. Donahue.

 

Responsibilities

 

Discharging the responsibilities of the boardBoard relating to, among other items:

 

•  Reviewing and overseeing the financial reports we provide to the SEC, our stockholders, and general public, and our accounting policies, internal accounting controls, internal control over financial reporting, auditing functions, and financial reporting practices

 

•  Appointing, and ensuring the independence of, our independent auditor and thereby furthering the integrity of our financial reporting

 

•  Establishing and overseeing procedures designed to facilitate the receipt, retention, and handling of complaints regarding disclosure controls and procedures, internal control over financial reporting and accounting, internal accounting control, or auditing matters; and the receipt of confidential, anonymous submissions by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters

 

•  Reviewing and monitoring tourour compliance with itsthe related party transaction approval policy

•  Reviewing and monitoring our compliance programs and related enterprise risk management programs

•  Reviewing and overseeing our internal audit function

 

Independence: Our Board has determined that each current member of our Audit Committee is, and each member of our Audit Committee during fiscal year 2020 was, independent within the meaning of NASDAQ’sNasdaq’s director independence standards and the SEC’s heightened director independence standards for audit committee members.

 

2239


Compensation Committee

 

   

Current Members

Ms. Vitale (Chair)

Messrs. Hadzima (Chair)Donahue

DeMarinesEgan

DonahueGrasso

Perretta

 

Meetings

SevenSix meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 20172020.

 

A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter can be
found at
http://ir.netscout.com/

Ms. Vitale was appointed to the Compensation Committee, including as Chair in September 2019.

 

Responsibilities

 

Discharging the responsibilities of the boardBoard relating to, among other items:

 

•  TheEstablishing the compensation of our executivesexecutive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer

 

•  Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer

 

•  Administering our incentive compensation, stock plans, benefit plans, and human resources activities

 

•  Reviewing with our management and recommending for inclusion in our proxy statements and incorporation by reference in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K the Compensation Disclosure and Analysis

 

•  Reviewing and considering the results of any advisory vote on executive compensation

 

•  Managing compensation policy-policy and practice-related risk

•  Monitoring and providing strategic guidance regarding human capital and talent management

 

Independence: The Board has determined that each current member of our Compensation Committee is, and each member of our Compensation Committee during fiscal year 2020 was, independent within the meaning of NASDAQ’sNasdaq’s director independence standards and is a “non-employee“non-employee director” as defined by applicable SEC rules and regulations.

40


Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

    

Current Members

Messrs. EganHadzima (Chair)

DeMarinesGrasso

Perretta

Mss.     Spradley

Vitale

 

Meetings

Two meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 20172020.

 

A copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter can be found at
http://ir.netscout.com/

 

Ms. Vitale was appointed to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in September 2019.

  

Responsibilities

 

Discharging the responsibilities of the boardBoard relating to, among other items:

 

•  Identifying individuals qualified to become directors

 

•  Recommending to our Board the director nominees for election

 

•  Monitoring compliance with and periodically reviewing our Code of Business Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines

 

•  Monitoring and providing strategic guidance to the Company’s Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)/Corporate Responsibility programs

Independence: The Board has determined that each current member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is, and each member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee during fiscal year 2020 was, independent within the meaning of NASDAQ’sNasdaq’s director independence standards.

23


Finance Committee

 

    

Current Members

Messrs. DeMarinesGrasso (Chair)

Donahue

Egan

Hadzima

Mullarkey

 

Meetings

ThreeTwo meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 20172020.

  

Responsibilities

 

Discharging the responsibilities of the boardBoard relating to, among other items:

 

•  Considering strategic initiatives and other opportunities that may become available to the Company from time to time and such other tasks as the Board may designate from time to time.time

•  Reviewing and overseeing other designated strategic finance matters

 

Independence: The Board has determined that each member of the Finance Committee is independent within the meaning of NASDAQ’sNasdaq’s director independence standards.

41


Report of Audit Committee of the Board of Directors1

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 20172020 with our management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC)(“PwC”), our independent registered public accounting firm. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles and internal control over financial reporting. PwC is responsible for performing an independent audit of the financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)(“PCAOB”) and for expressing opinions on the conformity of the financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The Audit Committee has discussed with PwC the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by PCAOB and has received the written disclosures and the lettersletter from PwC required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee has also discussed with PwC their independence.

Based on its reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 20172020 for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee

Vincent J. Mullarkey, Chairman

Robert E. Donahue, Chair

John R. Egan

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.

Susan L. Spradley

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board administers risk management and oversight through the Board as a whole, as well as through various Board committees that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. The Board seeks to ensure that risk management principles are incorporated in our strategic planning and management processes and

1The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, other than our Annual Report on Form 10-K, where it shall be deemed “furnished,” whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

24


oversees our enterprise risk management program. This comprehensive approach is reflected in the reporting processes by which our management provides timely and comprehensive information to the Board to support the Board’s role in oversight, approval, and decision-making.

The Board monitors the information it receives and requests from management and provides oversight and guidance to our senior management team concerning the assessment and management of risk. The Board approves the Company’s high levelhigh-level goals, strategies, and policies to set the tone and direction for appropriate risk taking within the business. The Board and its committees then emphasize this tone and direction in its oversight of management’s implementation of our goals, strategies, and policies. In addition, the Board has been considering issues and risks raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, including with respect to our operations, financial position, liquidity and personnel management. The Board discusses and reviews relevant risks, helps management identify key risk and business continuity indicators, and determines what, if any, additional actions should be taken to mitigate these risks.

Our senior executives regularly attend meetings of the Board and its committees and provide the Board and its committees with reports regarding our operations, strategies, and objectives, and the risks inherent within them. Board and committee meetings also provide a forum for directors to discuss issues with, request additional

1

The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, other than our Annual Report on Form 10-K, where it shall be deemed “furnished,” whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

42


information from, and provide guidance to, senior management. In addition, our directors have direct access to senior management to discuss any matters of interest, including those related to risk. Those members of management most knowledgeable of the issues regularly attend Board and committee meetings to provide additional insight into items being discussed, including risk exposures.

The Board has delegated oversight for matters involving certain specific areas of risk exposure to its three principal committees. Each committee reports to the Board at regularly scheduled Board meetings, and more frequently if appropriate, with respect to the matters and risks for which the committee provides oversight. Each committee is also authorized and empowered to retain independent advisors as the committee deems appropriate to discharge its responsibilities under such committee’s charter.

The Audit Committee oversees the integrity of our financial statements, reporting process and internal controls, the relationship with our independent registered public accounting firm, including their qualifications, independence and performance, and the Company’s corporate finance matters, including its capital structure. The Audit Committee also provides oversight with respect to our risk management process and litigation and compliance programs, discussing with management our significant financial risk exposures, steps management has taken to monitor, control, and report such exposures, and our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.

The Audit Committee oversees our enterprise risk management program, in which the Company has identified strategic, operational, financial, and legal risks as well as emerging risks, considering the likelihood and magnitude of such risks and other criteria management deems appropriate in consultation with the Audit Committee. Under the program, management identifies and evaluates the effectiveness of risk management and mitigation methods and periodically reports to the Audit Committee and at least annually to the Board to allow the Audit Committee and Board to monitor and manage our ongoing enterprise risk management process.

Our Compensation Committee is responsible primarily for the design and oversight of our executive compensation policies, plans, and practices. A key objective of the Compensation Committee is to ensure that the Company’s overall executive compensation program appropriately links pay to performance and aligns the interests of our executives with our stockholders. The Compensation Committee also monitors the design and administration of our overall incentive compensation programs to ensure that they include appropriate safeguards to avoid encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by Company employees. Elements of our executive compensation program that mitigate excessive risk taking, such as our combination of short and long-term incentives, are described below under “Compensationin the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees risks related to our corporate governance, including Board and director performance, director succession, director education, and our Corporate Governance Guidelines and other governance documents. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also oversees our overall compliance program.

 

2543


COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

CONCERNING DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following summary compensation table sets forth the total compensation paid or accrued for the fiscal year ended March 31, 20172020 to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and each of our two other most highly compensated executive officers during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.2020. The executives listed below may be referred to as our “Named Executive Officers.”

Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 20172020

 

Name and Principal Position

 Fiscal Year Salary($) Restricted
Stock Unit
Awards(1)($)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation($)
 All Other
Compensation(2)($)
 Total($)  Fiscal Year Salary($)(1) Stock
Awards(2)($)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation($)
 All Other
Compensation(3)($)
 Total($) 

Anil K. Singhal

 2017  325,000  1,451,400  520,800  69,204  2,366,404  2020  518,750  1,580,400  633,800  83,359  2,816,309 

Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer, and President

 2016  325,000  1,779,500  781,200  121,861  3,007,561  2019  500,000  1,836,000  333,200  76,334  2,745,534 
 2015  325,000  1,875,500  911,400  80,820  3,192,720   2018  456,250  2,085,000  0  71,747  2,612,997 

Michael Szabados

 2017  275,000  846,650  240,000  17,805  1,379,455  2020  378,750  921,900  327,016  28,531  1,656,197 

Chief Operating Officer, President,

Service Assurance Business

 2016  275,000  1,067,700  360,000  16,052  1,718,752 
 2015  275,000  1,132,652  420,000  17,752  1,845,404 

Chief Operating Officer

 2019  360,000  1,071,000  168,008  25,233  1,624,241 
 2018  338,750  1,216,250  0  21,944  1,576,944 

Jean Bua

 2017  265,008  725,700  168,000  13,050  1,171,758  2020  348,750  790,200  301,014  20,245  1,460,209 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 2016  265,008  1,067,700  252,000  13,933  1,598,641 
 2015  265,008  945,102  319,000  14,944  1,544,054 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Accounting Officer, and Treasurer

  

2019

2018

 

 

  

330,000

313,752

 

 

  

918,000

1,042,500

 

 

  

154,008

0

 

 

  

23,252

14,210

 

 

  

1,425,260

1,370,462

 

 

John W. Downing(3)

 2017  237,500  725,700  215,372  14,249  1,192,821 

John W. Downing(4)

 2020  258,750  790,200  355,433  15,461  1,419,844 

Executive Vice President,
Worldwide Sales Operations

 2016  237,500  1,067,700  320,086  13,214  1,638,500  2019  240,000  918,000  230,447  15,164  1,403,611 
 2015  237,500  945,102  288,692  11,682  1,482,976   2018  239,375  1,042,500  103,687  16,376  1,401,938 

 

(1)

Each NEO’s salary was increased by $25,000 as of July 1, 2019. The data presented in the “Salary” column reflects 3 months at the NEO’s prior salary, and 9 months at the NEO’s new salary. As of July 1, 2019, the NEO’s salaries were as follows: Mr. Singhal - $525,000; Mr. Szabados - $385,000; Ms. Bua - $355,000; and Mr. Downing - $265,000.

(2)

Amounts shown represent the aggregate full grant date fair value of RSUs calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, disregarding adjustments for forfeitures.718. The assumptions used togrant date fair value theseof the RSU awards are set forth in Note 15 towas calculated by multiplying the financial statements included inclosing price of our Annual Reportcommon stock on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2017.Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date of grant by the number of RSUs granted. The fair value shown above may not be indicative of the value realized on the date the options are exercised or the RSUs vest due to variability in the share price of our common stock. When granted, restricted stock units vest over four years and are valued based upon the closing market price of our common stock at the date of grant.

(2)(3)

Includes 401(k) contributions made by the Company on behalf of the Named Executive Officer. See the All Other Compensation Table below for additional information. The present value of Mr. Singhal’s retirement benefits remained the same at $1,237,949 in fiscal year 2020.

(3)(4)

The information presented for Mr. Downing under the “Non-Equity“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column consists of sales commissions and annual incentive bonus awards for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2016,2019 and 2017.2020, and sales commissions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.

Option Awards. We did not make any option grants during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2016,2018, 2019 or 20172020 to any of our Named Executive Officers. Therefore, we have omitted this column.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings. We currently do not provide a non-qualified defined contribution plan or other deferred compensation plan to any of our Named Executive Officers.

 

2644


All Other Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 20172020

 

Name

  Fiscal Year   Car Usage($)   Financial and
Legal
Counseling($)
   401(K)
Match($)
   Other(1)($)   Total($)   Fiscal Year   Car Usage($)   Financial and
Legal
Counseling($)
   401(k)
Match($)
   Other(1)($)   Total($) 

Anil K. Singhal

   2017    20,377    31,298    7,950    9,579    69,204    2020    19,994    36,780    8,588    17,997    83,359 

Michael Szabados

   2017    —      1,000    7,950    8,855    17,805    2020    —      1,000    8,588    18,943    28,531 

Jean Bua

   2017    —      —      7,950    5,100    13,050    2020    —      —      8,813    11,432    20,245 

John W. Downing

   2017    —      —      7,952    6,297    14,249    2020    —      —      8,690    6,771    15,461 

 

(1)

This column reports the total amount of other benefits provided, none of which individually exceeded the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of All Other Compensation for the Named Executive Officer. These other benefits include the value of supplemental life insurance premiums, personal use of sporting event tickets and spousal attendance at Company sponsored events.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 20172020

The following table sets forth grants of plan-based awards to each of our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017:2020:

 

 Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
 Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
 Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)(3)
     Estimated Possible
Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards
   All other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of shares
of stock
or
units(#)(2)
   Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards
($)(3)
 

Name

 Grant
Date
 Grant
Type
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)(1)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
(#)
 Maximum
(#)(2)
   Grant
Date
   Grant
Type
   Threshold
($)
   Target
($)
 Maximum
($)(1)
 

Anil K. Singhal

 6/1/16  RSU      —    60,000   —    1,451,400    7/30/19    RSU         60,000    1,580,400 
 6/1/16  Cash   —    651,000   —          7/9/19    Cash    —      476,000  952,000     

Michael Szabados

 6/1/16  RSU      —    35,000   —    846,650    7/30/19    RSU         35,000    921,900 
 6/1/16  Cash   —    300,000   —       
   7/9/19    Cash    —      240,012  480,024     

Jean Bua

 6/1/16  RSU      —    30,000   —    725,700    7/30/19    RSU         30,000    790,200 
 6/1/16  Cash   —    210,000   —          7/9/19    Cash    —      220,011  440,022     

John W. Downing

 6/1/16  RSU      —    30,000   —    725,700    7/30/19    RSU         30,000    790,200 
 6/1/16  Cash   —    312,500(4)   —          7/9/19    Cash    —      310,000(4)  620,000     

 

(1)

Actual non-equity incentive plan awards are made based on various factors including the Company’s overall performance, as described more fully in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. As described below, the Company has now set prescribed maximum payments, and the possible award could exceed 100% of an individual’s target annual incentive bonus if the Company exceeded its goals and the individual met or exceeded his goals.or her goals, but, in no event will any individual receive more than 200% of his or her target annual incentive bonus.

(2)Actual equity incentive plan awards are made based

The reported RSUs were granted pursuant to the 2007 Plan and vest in four equal annual installments with the first installment vesting on various factors including the Company’s overall performance, as described more fully in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. As described, the Company has not set prescribed maximum awards.July 30, 2020.

(3)

Amounts shown represent the aggregate full grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, disregarding adjustments for forfeitures.718. The assumptions used togrant date fair value theseof the RSU awards are set forth in Note 15 towas calculated by multiplying the financial statements included inclosing price of our Annual Reportcommon stock on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2017.Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date of grant by the number of RSUs granted. The fair value shown above may not be indicative of the value realized on the date the RSUs vest due to variability in the share price of our common stock.

(4)

Represents a target annual incentive bonus of $168,750$166,250 and target commission payment of $143,750.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017,2020, we did not make any “other stock awards” or “other option awards” and have therefore omitted those columns.

 

2745


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year 20172020 End Table

 

      Option Awards   Stock Awards       Stock Awards 

Name

  Grant
Date
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(#)
Exercisable
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(#)
Unexercisable
   Option
Exercise
Price($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested(#)
   Market Value of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested($)
   Grant
Date
   Number of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested(#)(1)
   Market Value of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested($)
 

Anil K. Singhal

   6/1/16    —      —      —      —      60,000    2,277,000    7/30/19    60,000    1,420,200 
   9/22/15    —      —      —      —      37,500    1,423,125    7/25/18    45,000    1,065,150 
   11/13/14    —      —      —      —      25,000    948,750    8/1/17    30,000    710,100 
   8/26/13    —      —      —      —      10,417    395,325    6/1/16    15,000    355,050 

Michael Szabados

   6/1/16    —      —      —      —      35,000    1,328,250    7/30/19    35,000    828,450 
   9/4/15    —      —      —      —      22,500    853,875    7/18/18    26,250    621,338 
   12/11/14    —      —      —      —      100    3,795    8/1/17    17,500    414,225 
   11/13/14    —      —      —      —      15,000    569,250    6/1/16    8,750    207,113 
   8/26/13    —      —      —      —      6,250    237,188 

Jean Bua

   6/1/16    —      —      —      —      30,000    1,138,500    7/30/19    30,000    710,100 
   9/4/15    —      —      —      —      22,500    853,875 
   12/11/14    —      —      —      —      100    3,795    7/18/18    22,500    532,575 
   11/13/14    —      —      —      —      12,500    474,375    8/1/17    15,000    355,050 
   8/26/13    —      —      —      —      3,646    138,366    6/1/16    7,500    177,525 

John W. Downing

   6/1/16    —      —      —      —      30,000    1,138,500    7/30/19    30,000    710,100 
   9/4/15    —      —      —      —      22,500    853,875    7/18/18    22,500    532,575 
   12/11/14    —      —      —      —      100    3,795    8/1/17    15,000    355,050 
   11/13/14    —      —      —      —      12,500    474,375    6/1/16    7,500    177,525 
   8/26/13    —      —      —      —      3,646    138,366 

Unearned Equity Incentive Plan Awards. We do not have any unearned equity incentive plan awards for any of our Named Executive Officers and have therefore omitted the corresponding columns.

(1)

The reported RSUs were granted pursuant to our the 2007 Plan and vest in four equal annual installments with the first installment vesting on the one year anniversary of the grant date, provided that for the RSUs granted in fiscal year 2019, the first installment vested on August 20, 2019.

 

2846


Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 20172020 Table

The following table sets forth option exercises and vested stock awards for each of our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017:2020:

 

  Option Awards   Stock Awards   Stock Awards 

Name

  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise(#)
   Value
Realized
on
Exercise($)(1)
   Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting(#)
   Value
Realized on
Vesting($)(2)
   Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting(#)
   Value
Realized on
Vesting($)(1)
 

Anil K. Singhal

   —      —      10,348    301,644    15,000    367,650 
   —      —      10,417    308,239    15,000    332,700 
   —      —      12,500    376,375    15,000    332,700 
   —      —      12,500    395,000    12,500    270,625 

Michael Szabados

   —      —      6,209    180,992    8,750    214,463 
   —      —      6,250    184,938    8,750    194,075 
   —      —      7,500    225,825    8,750    194,075 
   —      —      7,500    237,000    7,500    162,375 
   —      —      50    1,630 

Jean Bua

   —      —      2,070    60,341    7,500    183,825 
   —      —      3,646    107,885 
   —      —      7,500    225,825    7,500    166,350 
   —      —      6,250    197,500    7,500    166,350 
   —      —      50    1,630    7,500    162,375 

John W. Downing

   —      —      3,622    105,581    7,500    183,825 
   —      —      3,646    107,885    7,500    166,350 
   —      —      7,500    225,825    7,500    166,350 
   —      —      6,250    197,500    7,500    162,375 
   —      —      50    1,630 

 

(1)Value is calculated by multiplying the number of shares times the closing price of a share of our common stock on the exercise date and subtracting from that amount the exercise price multiplied by the number of shares acquired on such exercise date.
(2)

Value is calculated by multiplying the number of shares times the closing price of a share of our common stock on the vesting date.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

The table below sets forth the estimated amount of payments and other benefits each Named Executive Officer would be entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the indicated event, assuming that the event occurred on March 31, 2020. The information is provided relative to the Named Executive Officer’s termination or change of control arrangements as of the Record Date and assumes such arrangements were actually in effect as of March 31, 2020. The values relating to vesting of restricted stock unit awards are based upon a per share fair market value of our common stock of $23.67, the closing price reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on March 31, 2020. Actual payments made at any future date will vary based on various factors including, salary and annual incentive bonus levels, the vesting schedules of the various equity-based awards, and the price of our common stock at the time of termination or change of control. For purposes of the payments associated with a change of control set forth in following table, we have assumed that the respective Named Executive Officer was terminated on March 31, 2020 and that such arrangements were actually in effect as of such date.

47


Please refer to the heading “Post-Termination Compensation” below in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the particular terms of the applicable termination or change or control arrangements reflected in the table below.

Name

  

Termination Event*

  Salary and
Other
Cash
Payments
($)
  Vesting
of
RSUs
($)(4)
   Health
and
Dental
Benefits
($)
 

Anil K. Singhal

  Termination without cause by the Company at any time, or termination by Mr. Singhal for any reason prior to or following a change of control   1,400,000(1)   —      143,000 

Michael Szabados

  Termination without cause or resignation for good reason other than in the context of a change of control   385,000(2)   —      —   
  Termination without cause or resignation for good reason within one year following a change of control   625,009(3)   828,450    —   

Jean Bua

  Termination without cause or resignation for good reason other than in the context of a change of control   355,000(2)   —      —   
  Termination without cause or resignation for good reason within one year following a change of control   574,994(3)   710,100    —   

John W. Downing

  Termination without cause or resignation for good reason other than in the context of a change of control   265,000(2)   —      —   
  Termination without cause or resignation for good reason within one year following a change of control   575,011(3)   710,100    —   

*

All agreements include a clawback provision releasing the Company from its obligation to make additional payments and requiring the relevant executive to repay the Company for amounts paid in the event an investigation by Company reveals the executive engaged in fraudulent, dishonest, or criminal acts. The agreements provide for notice and an opportunity to cure.

(1)

See description of Mr. Singhal’s employment arrangement under “Post-Termination Compensation” for details regarding these potential payments.

(2)

Payments to be made in equal installments over a 12-month period following termination. In the event of death within the 12-month period, payments will be accelerated and made in a lump sum payment to the deceased’s estate within 30 days.

(3)

Represents one year current base salary plus the prorated amount of the officer’s annual incentive bonus target, based on the months elapsed in the year of termination (which may not be less than 50% of such officer’s annual incentive bonus target). This amount to be paid in equal installments over the 12-month period following termination.

(4)

Upon a termination without cause or a resignation for good reason within one year following a change in control, Ms. Bua and Messrs. Szabados and Downing are entitled to acceleration of certain unvested equity- based awards. All of such unvested equity-based awards with respect to such Named Executive Officers are assumed to have accelerated as of March 31,2020. There were no outstanding stock options for the Named Executive Officers on March 31, 2020. For vesting of RSUs, the amount shown in this column represents the fair market value of unvested RSUs based on $23.67, the closing price for our common stock on March 31, 2020.

48


Pay Ratio

Under SEC rules, we are providing information regarding the relationship between the annual total compensation of Mr. Singhal, in his role as Chief Executive Officer, and the annual total compensation of our “median employee.” For our last completed fiscal year, which ended March 31, 2020:

The median of the annual total compensation of all employees (other than Mr. Singhal and including our consolidated subsidiaries) was approximately $151,467.

Mr. Singhal’s annual total compensation, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement, was $2,816,309.

Based on the above, for fiscal year 2020, the ratio of Mr. Singhal’s annual total compensation to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was approximately 18.6 to 1.

This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and based upon our reasonable judgment and assumptions. The SEC rules do not specify a single methodology for identification of the median employee or calculation of the pay ratio, and other companies may use assumptions and methodologies that are different from those used by us in calculating their pay ratio. Accordingly, the pay ratio disclosed by other companies may not be comparable to our pay ratio as disclosed above.

The methodology we used to calculate the pay ratio is described below.

We determined the median of the annual total compensation of our employees as of January 1, 2020 at which time we (including our consolidated subsidiaries) had approximately 2,519 full-time and part-time employees.

We then compared the sum of (i) the annual base salary of each of these employees for fiscal year 2020, plus (ii) the total annual incentive bonus or commission, as applicable, earned by each of these employees for fiscal year 2020 as reflected in our payroll records, plus (iii) the aggregate grant date fair value of equity awards granted to these employees in fiscal year 2020, to determine the median employee. Compensation paid in foreign currency was converted to U.S. dollars using a spot exchange rate.

Once we identified our median employee, we calculated the median employee’s annual total compensation in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, yielding the median annual total compensation disclosed above. With respect to Mr. Singhal’s annual total compensation, we used the amount reported in the “Total” column of our Summary Compensation Table.

Pension Benefits Table for Fiscal Year 20172020

The following table sets forth the payments or other benefits at, following, or in connection with retirement of our Named Executive Officers.

 

Name

  Fiscal
Year
   Number of Years of
Credited
Service(#)
   Present Value of
Accumulated Benefit($)
   Payments During
Last Fiscal Year($)
   Fiscal
Year
   Number of Years of
Credited
Service(#)
   Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit($)
   Payments During
Last Fiscal Year($)
 

Anil K. Singhal

   2017    123 months    1,600,000    —      2020    13.25    1,237,949    —   
   2016    111 months    1,600,000    —      2019    12.25    1,237,949    —   
   2015    99 months    1,600,000    —      2018    11.25    1,600,000    —   

In January of 2007, we entered into an agreement with Mr. Singhal that provides retirement benefits. Total future severance payments are projected at $1,400,000. Mr. Singhal’s retirement benefits also include a projected $200,000

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$143,000 in payments for future health benefits. These benefits are an unfunded obligation.

The present value of Mr. Singhal’s retirement benefits remained the same at $1,237,949 in fiscal year 2020.

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Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 20172020

We do not provide a non-qualified defined contribution plan or other deferred compensation plan to any of our Named Executive Officers and have therefore omitted this table.

Director Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 20172020

 

Name

  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash($)(1)
   Stock Awards($)(2)   All Other
Compensation($)(3)
   Total($) 

Victor A. DeMarines(4)

   73,000    140,002    60,000    273,002 

Robert E. Donahue(5)

   69,500    140,002    50,000    259,502 

John R. Egan(6)

   110,000    140,002    80,000    330,002 

Joseph G. Hadzima(7)

   83,500    140,002    60,000    283,502 

James A. Lico (8)

   48,000    140,002    50,000    238,002 

Vincent J. Mullarkey(9)

   82,000    140,002    60,000    282,002 

Christopher Perretta (10)

   63,000    140,002    50,000    253,002 

Name

  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash($)(1)
   Stock Awards($)(2)   All Other
Compensation($)
   Total($) 

Robert E. Donahue(3)

   106,000    156,730      262,730 

John R. Egan(4)

   131,000    156,730      287,730 

Alfred Grasso(5)

   88,000    156,730      244,730 

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.(6)

   93,000    156,730      249,730 

Christopher Perretta(7)

   76,000    156,730      232,730 

Susan L. Spradley(8)

   81,000    156,730      237,730 

Vivian Vitale(9)

   73,000    156,730      229,730 

 

(1)

Amounts represent the aggregate dollar amount of fiscal year 20172020 fees earned or paid in cash for services as a director, including annual retainer fees and committee fees.

(2)

Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the listed directors but represent the aggregate full grant date fair value of restricted stock unit awards granted to our non-employee directors calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, disregarding adjustments for forfeitures.718. The assumptions usedgrant date fair value of the RSU awards was calculated by multiplying the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date of grant by the number of RSUs granted. The fair value shown above may not be indicative of the value realized on the date the RSUs vest due to value these awards are set forthvariability in Note 15 to the financial statements included inshare price of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2017.common stock.

(3)Amounts represent the cash payment received by the non-employee director prior to October 25, 2016, to help offset the tax incurred by such non-employee director in connection with the vesting during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 of restricted stock units granted to such non-employee director during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Effective as of October 25, 2016, non-employee directors no longer receive cash payments to defray the tax liability associated with the vesting of restricted stock units.
(4)

As of March 31, 2017, Mr. DeMarines held unvested RSUs covering 4,741 shares of our common stock.

(5)As of March 31, 2017,2020, Mr. Donahue held unvested RSUs covering 4,7417,000 shares of our common stock. The RSUs vest in full at the Annual Meeting.

(6)(4)

As of March 31, 2017,2020, Mr. Egan held unvested RSUs covering 4,7417,000 shares of our common stock. The RSUs vest in full at the Annual Meeting.

(5)

As of March 31, 2020, Mr. Grasso held unvested RSUs covering 7,000 shares of our common stock. The RSUs vest in full at the Annual Meeting.

(6)

As of March 31, 2020, Mr. Hadzima held unvested RSUs covering 7,000 shares of our common stock. The RSUs vest in full at the Annual Meeting.

(7)

As of March 31, 2017, Mr. Hadzima, Jr. held unvested RSUs covering 4,741 shares of our common stock.

(8)As of March 31, 2017, Mr. Lico held unvested RSUs covering 4,741 shares of our common stock.
(9)As of March 31, 2017, Mr. Mullarkey held unvested RSUs covering 4,741 shares of our common stock.
(10)As of March 31, 2017,2020, Mr. Perretta held unvested RSUs covering 4,7417,000 shares of our common stock. The RSUs vest in full at the Annual Meeting.

(8)

As of March 31, 2020, Ms. Spradley held unvested RSUs covering 7,000 shares of our common stock. The RSUs vest in full at the Annual Meeting.

(9)

As of March 31, 2020, Ms. Vitale held unvested RSUs covering 7,000 shares of our common stock. The RSUs vest in full at the Annual Meeting.

Non-employee directors are compensated $60,000 annually for their services and do not receive any additional compensation for any regular Board meetings attended. The cash component of annual compensation is paid on a quarterly basis. During fiscal year 2017, to bring our non-employee director compensation structure in line with the market, we used Farient Advisors, a third-party compensation consultant to compare the Company’s non-employee director compensation with the practices of the Company’s peer group. Based on the findings of this analysis, the Board changed the way our non-employee directors are compensated to be more consistent with current market practices. As such, amounts in the table above reflect two quarters of compensation paid pursuant to our prior non-employee director compensation structure, and two quarters of compensation paid pursuant to our new non-employee director compensation structure. See “Role of Compensation Consultants” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section below.

For the first two quarters of fiscal year 2017, non-employee director compensation was calculated based on the following compensation structure. Non-employee directors were compensated $36,000 annually for their services and did not receive any additional compensation for any regular Board meeting attended. The lead

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non-employee director received an additional annual retainer of $30,000. Non-employee directors received $10,000 annually for serving on the Audit Committee, $8,000 annually for serving on the Compensation Committee, and $6,000 annually for serving on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, directors who served as chairpersons of a particular committee were also given additional annual compensation of $20,000 for the Audit Committee, $10,000 for the Compensation Committee, $8,000 for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and $6,000 for the Finance Committee. Finance Committee members received $1,000 for each meeting attended in person and $800 for each meeting attended via telephone. Non-employee directors were also reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or of any committee and for attendance at approved director education programs.

Effective as of October 25, 2016, non-employee directors are compensated $60,000 annually for their services and do not receive any additional compensation for any regular Board meeting attended. The lead non-employee director receives an additional annual retainer of $35,000. Non-employee directors will receive $15,000 annually for serving on the Audit Committee, $10,000 annually for serving on the Compensation Committee, $6,000 annually for serving on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and $6,000 annually for serving on the Finance Committee. In addition, directors who are chairpersons of a particular committee are also given additional annual compensation of $15,000 for the Audit Committee, $10,000 for the Compensation Committee, $6,000 for the Nominating and Corporate

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Governance Committee, and $6,000 for the Finance Committee. Non-employee directors are also reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or of any committee and for attendance at approved director education programs.

Under our previous non-employee director compensation structure, non-employee directors were granted annually equity-based awards in the form of restricted stock units and related cash amounts upon vesting to defray the corresponding tax liability.

Effective as of October 25, 2016, non-employeeNon-employee directors are each granted annual equity-based awards in the form of 7,000 restricted stock units in the amount of $140,000.units. These restricted stock unit awards vest 100% on the date of our annual meeting provided that during such year, such director attends at least 75%, collectively, of the meetings of the Board and any committee of the Board of which such director is a member. In the event that the foregoing attendance requirements are not met, then 100% of these restricted stock units will vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant. No other equity awards are given to our non-employee directors. The equity awards madeAmended and Restated 2019 Plan being submitted to our non-employee directors instockholders for approval at the 2020 Annual Meeting does not amend the current provision of that 2019 Plan that provides that the aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation paid or granted, as applicable, by the Company to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any fiscal year 2017 were made pursuant toof the non-employee director compensation structure effective as of October 25, 2016, and as such areCompany will not accompanied by a cash payment to defray the corresponding tax liability. However, as disclosed in the table above, our non-employee directors did receive cash offset payments in fiscal year 2017 to defray the tax liability for the equity awards granted to such directors in fiscal year 2016. Pursuant to our new non-employee director compensation structure, non-employee directors will no longer receive these cash offset payments in the subsequent fiscal year.exceed $750,000.

Stock Plans

Amended and Restated 20072019 Equity Incentive Plan. Our 2007The 2019 Plan was initially adopted by the Board in September 2007on July 9, 2019, and was initially approved by our stockholders at the September 12, 2007 annual meeting2019 Annual Meeting. Following the approval of stockholders. This plan was amendedthe 2019 Plan by the stockholders at our 2019 Annual Meeting, the 2019 Plan became effective, and restated in 2011, to, among other items, increase the number of shares available for issuanceno additional equity awards will be granted under the plan by 8,000,000 shares. The amendment and restatement was approved by our stockholders at the September 7, 2011 annual meeting of stockholders. The 2007 plan was further amended and restated in 2015 to, among other items, increase the number of shares available for issuance under the plan by 8,500,000 shares. The amendment and restatement was approved by our stockholders on September 22, 2015, at the 2015 Annual Meeting.Plan.

The 20072019 Plan allows us to grant restricted stock units, stock, stock options, and other equity interests to our and our subsidiaries’ employees, officers, directors, consultants, and advisors. Under the 20072019 Plan, we may

31


grant options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, options not intended to qualify as incentive stock options, restricted stock, and other stock-based awards. Incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees. The maximum number of shares as to which equity awards may still be granted under the 20072019 Plan as of the Record Date is 8,957,9331,946,289 shares (subject to certain adjustments under the 20072019 Plan), of which no more than 500,000 shares may be granted to any one person in one fiscal year..

The 20072019 Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee. Subject to the provisions of the 20072019 Plan, our Compensation Committee has the authority to select the persons to whom awards are granted and to determine the terms of each award, including the number of shares of common stock subject to the award.

Payment of the exercise price of an award may be made in cash or, if approved by the Compensation Committee, shares of common stock, a combination of cash and stock, a promissory note, or by any other method approved by the Compensation Committee. Unless otherwise permitted by the Compensation Committee, awards are not assignable or transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and, during the participant’s lifetime, may be exercised only by the participant.

The Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend, modify or terminate any award granted or made under the 20072019 Plan, so long as such amendment, modification or termination would not materially and adversely affect the participant. The Compensation Committee may also provide that any option shall become immediately exercisable, in full or in part, or that any restricted stock granted under the 20072019 Plan shall be free of some or all restrictions.

For a summary of the material features of the 2019 Plan Amendment, please see the description of the 2019 Plan Amendment in Proposal 2.

Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. As stated above, we no longer grant awards under our 2007 Plan. Other than restricted stock units, there are no other awards outstanding under the 2007 Plan. The 2007 Plan is also administered by our Compensation Committee. Unless otherwise permitted by the Compensation

51


Committee, awards are not assignable or transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and, during the participant’s lifetime, may be exercised only by the participant.

As of the Record Date, restricted stock units representing 3,155,5295,832,615 shares of common stock were outstanding.outstanding under the 2019 Plan and the 2007 Plan.

The Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend, modify or terminate any award granted or made under the 2007 Plan, so long as such amendment, modification or termination would not materially and adversely affect the participant. The Compensation Committee may also provide that restricted stock granted under the 2007 Plan shall be free of some or all restrictions.

2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the 2011 Purchase Plan, was adopted by the Board in June 2011 and was approved by our stockholders at the September 7, 2011 annual meeting of stockholders. A total of 2,500,0005,500,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2011 Purchase Plan.Plan, including the 3,000,000 share increase approved by our stockholders at the 2018 Annual Meeting. The 2011 Purchase Plan grants eligible employees the opportunity to purchase our common stock through regular payroll deductions.

Under the 2011 Purchase Plan, eligible enrolled employees may, during the offering period, purchase shares of common stock through regular payroll deductions, not to exceed 20% of an individual employee’s compensation during the offering period. The purchase price per share during an offering period is determined by the Board at the beginning of the offering period, but may not be less than 85% of the lesser of (i) the fair market value per share of our common stock on that purchase date or (ii) the fair market value per share of our common stock on the first day of the offering period. However, no employee is eligible to participate in the 2011 Purchase Plan if, immediately after the grant of purchase rights, the employee would own, directly or indirectly, stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of our stock, including any stock which such employee may purchase under all outstanding purchase rights and options. In addition, no employee may purchase more than $25,000 worth of our common stock, valued at the time each purchase right is granted, for each calendar year during which those purchase rights are outstanding.

The Board administers the plan2011 Purchase Plan and retains the power to interpret both the 2011 Purchase Plan and the purchase rights granted thereunder, including eligibility to participate and the particular provisions of each offering of rights. The Board, in its sole discretion, has the power to delegate administration of the 2011 Purchase Plan to a committee composed of one or more members of the Board.

As of the Record Date, 1,096,0902,313,482 shares remain available for purchase under the 2011 Purchase Plan.

 

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The following table sets forth securities authorized for issuance under our stock optionequity incentive plans as of fiscal year ended March 31, 2017:2020:

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan category

  Number of securities
to be issued
upon exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and rights
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and
rights
   Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in column
(a))
   Number of securities
to be issued
upon exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and rights
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and
rights
   Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in column
(a))
 
  (a)   (b)   (c)   (a)   (b)   (c) 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   3,610,301    0.00    8,602,261    4,274,473    0.00    6,967,333 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   —      —      —      —      —      —   

Total

   3,610,301    0.00    8,602,261    4,274,473    0.00    6,967,333 

Stock Ownership Policy

In 2010, the Compensation Committee approved a Stock Ownership Policy for certain of the Company’s executive officers and directors. The Stock Ownership Policy, which the Board amended in 2016, states that within four years of the date the policy became effective, or within four years after becoming an executive officer or director, the executive officers and directors will be subject to the following minimum stock ownership requirements:

 

Title

  

Ownership Guideline(1)

Chief Executive Officer

  4x annual base salary

Chief Operating Officer

  3x annual base salary

Officers who are Executive Vice Presidents

  2x annual base salary

Directors

  4x annual board retainer

 

(1)

The ownership guideline for each participant will be converted into a number of shares on the first day of each fiscal year based on the average closing price of a share of NetScout stock for the previous fiscal year.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for monitoring compliance with the guidelines. As of March 31, 2017,2020 each officer and director had met the requirements of the Stock Ownership Policy. Shares that count toward the ownership target include all shares directly or beneficially owned by the director or executive officer, shares held in trust for the benefit of the director or executive officer, and unvested restricted stock units granted under Company’s plans (restricted stock units will be applied toward the ownership requirements based on the value of restricted stock units after taking into account any required share withholding). The Compensation Committee expects to continue to review and make changes to the policy, as appropriate.

Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging

Our Amended and Restated Insider Trading and Trading Window Policy expressly states that our directors, officers, and employees are prohibited from trading in derivative securities of NetScout at any time. This prohibition includes purchasing any financial instrument or entering into any transaction that is designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of our common stock or other equity securities, including, but not limited to, put options, call options, exchange funds, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and other derivative instruments, as well as through the establishment of a short position in Company securities. In addition, the policy prohibits short sales and pledges of Company securities, as well as the purchase of Company securities on margin.

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401(k) Plan

We maintain a 401(k) plan qualified under Section 401 of the Code. All of our U.S. employees who are at least 18 years of age and work at least 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan. Under the 401(k) plan, a participant may contribute a maximum of 80% of his or her pre-tax salary, commissions, and bonuses through payroll deductions, up to the statutorily prescribed annual limit, which was $18,000 (or $24,000 for individuals at least 50 years of age) for calendar years 2016 and 2017, to the 401(k) plan. During the plan year ended December 31, 2016,2019, we matched 50% of employee contributions up to 6% of compensation.

Employer contributions vest over four years at a rate of 25% per year of service. In addition, at the discretion of our Board, we may, but have not done so to date, make profit-sharing contributions to the 401(k) plan for all eligible employees.

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Employment and Other Agreements

Mr. Singhal assumed the role of Chairman of our Board, effective January 19, 2007. In conjunction with his additional responsibilities, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Singhal, which provides that he will receive an annual base salary of at least $300,000. The employment agreement provides for a three-year term commencing January 19, 2007 with automatic one-year renewals. During the term of this agreement, Mr. Singhal will also be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus award based on Company performance and individual objectives. The employment agreement is terminable at will by either party and provides that if we elect not to renew the agreement for any reason, or if Mr. Singhal’s employment is terminated by us without due cause as defined in the agreement, by Mr. Singhal at any time following the consummation of a sale of the Company, or upon the death or disability of Mr. Singhal, then Mr. Singhal, or his estate, is entitled to receive in a lump sum, a payment equal to the net present value of $16,208 per month for seven years. If Mr. Singhal terminates his employment with us for any reason prior to the consummation of a sale of the Company, he is entitled to such lump sum payment. Mr. Singhal will also receive continued health and dental benefits during such period. Mr. Singhal’s employment agreement was amended in May 2012 to address technical requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

We also entered into amended and restated severance agreements in May 2012, which were amended in January 2015, with our Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Singhal, each of which are described under the heading “Post Termination“Post-Termination Compensation” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis below.Analysis.

Each of these agreements was approved by a majority of our Board and by a majority of the disinterested members of our Board. All future transactions, if any, with our executive officers, directors, and affiliates will be approved in accordance with our related party transaction policy discussed below under “Transactions with Related Persons.”

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

The table below sets forth the estimated amount of payments and other benefits each Named Executive Officer would be entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the indicated event, assuming that the event occurred on March 31, 2017. The information is provided relative to the Named Executive Officer’s termination or change of control arrangements as of the Record Date and assumes such arrangements were actually in effect as of March 31, 2017. The values relating to vesting of stock options and restricted stock unit awards are based upon a per share fair market value of our common stock of $37.95, the closing price reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on March 31, 2017, the last trading day of the year ended March 31, 2017. Actual payments made at any future date will vary based on various factors including, salary and bonus levels, the vesting schedules of the various equity-based awards, and the price of our common stock at the time of termination or change of control. For purposes of the payments associated with a change of control set forth in following table, we have assumed that the respective Named Executive Officer was terminated on March 31, 2017 and that such arrangements were actually in effect as of such date.

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Please refer to the heading “Post Termination Compensation” below in Compensation Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the particular terms of the applicable termination or change or control arrangements reflected in the table below.

Name

 

Termination Event*

 Salary and
Other
Cash
Payments
($)
  Vesting
of
Stock
Options
($)
  Vesting of
RSUs
($)(4)
  Health
and
Dental
Benefits
($)
 

Anil K. Singhal

 Termination without cause by the Company at any time, or termination by Mr. Singhal for any reason prior to or following a change of control  1,400,000(1)   —     —     200,000 

Michael Szabados

 Termination without cause or resignation for good reason other than in the context of a change of control  275,000(2)   —     —     —   
 Termination without cause or resignation for good reason within one year following a change of control  575,000(3)   —     1,140,398   —   

Jean Bua

 Termination without cause or resignation for good reason other than in the context of a change of control  265,008(2)   —     —     —   
 Termination without cause or resignation for good reason within one year following a change of control  475,008(3)   —     946,701   —   

John W. Downing

 Termination without cause or resignation for good reason other than in the context of a change of control  237,500(2)   —     —     —   
 Termination without cause or resignation for good reason within one year following a change of control  550,000(3)   —     946,701   —   

*All agreements include a clawback provision releasing the Company from its obligation to make additional payments and requiring the relevant executive to repay the Company for amounts paid in the event an investigation by Company reveals the executive engaged in fraudulent, dishonest, or criminal acts. The agreements provide for notice and an opportunity to cure.
(1)See description of Mr. Singhal’s employment arrangement under “Post-Termination Compensation” for details regarding these potential payments.
(2)Payments to be made in equal installments over a 12 month period following termination. In the event of death within the 12 month period, payments will be accelerated and made in a lump sum payment to the deceased’s estate within 30 days.
(3)Represents one year current base salary plus the prorated amount of the officer’s maximum annual target bonus, based on the months elapsed in the year of termination (which may not be less than 50% of such officer’s maximum annual target bonus). This amount to be paid in equal installments over the 12 month period following termination.
(4)Upon a termination without cause or a resignation for good reason within one year following a change in control, Ms. Bua and Messrs. Szabados and Downing are entitled to acceleration of certain unvested equity-based awards. All of such unvested equity-based awards with respect to such Named Executive Officers are assumed to have accelerated as of March 31, 2017, the last trading day of the year ended March 31, 2017. There were no outstanding stock options for the Named Executive Officers on March 31, 2017. For vesting of RSUs, the amount shown in this column represents the fair market value of unvested RSUs based on $37.95, the closing price for our common stock on March 31, 2017, the last trading day of the year ended March 31, 2017.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Business Context

We are an industry leader with over 35 years of experience in providing service assurance and security solutions that are used by customers worldwide to assure and secure their digital business services against disruption. Service providers and enterprises, including local, state and federal government agencies, rely on our solutions to achieve the visibility necessary to optimize network performance, ensure the delivery of high-quality, mission-critical applications and services, gain timely insight into the end user experience and protect the network from attack. With our offerings, customers can quickly, efficiently and effectively identify and resolve issues that result in downtime, interruptions to services, poor service quality, or compromised security, thereby driving compelling returns on their investments in their network and broader technology initiatives. Some of the more significant technology trends and catalysts for our business include the evolution of customers’ digital transformation initiatives, the rapidly evolving security threat landscape, business intelligence and analytics advancements, and the 5G evolution in both the service provider and enterprise verticals.

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Our revenue in fiscal year 2020 was approximately $892 million, which was lower than our revenue in fiscal year 2019 of approximately $910 million, but approximately the same as our revenue in fiscal year 2019 when excluding the handheld network test (HNT) tools business that we divested during fiscal year 2019. Our employee base decreased during fiscal year 2020 to approximately 2,500 employees, as we continued to manage costs and headcount prudently.

Over the last few years, we have navigated challenging market conditions, particularly in our service provider customer vertical, while completing major integration initiatives, advancing key product development programs, implementing important go-to-market activities, and reducing overall operating costs, all without compromising our ability to address the near and longer-term needs of our customers worldwide.

During fiscal year 2020, we continued to make substantial operational and strategic progress toward enhancing our market leadership by strengthening our technology and increasing our product and service offerings, which we believe sets the stage for future revenue growth, continued profit margin expansion, and earnings per share gains, and allow us to continue to generate robust free cash flow. We continued our transition to software-centric offerings and away from traditional appliance-based instrumentation, particularly in our service assurance business, and we funded key development, support, and sales programs. We remained focused on controlling our cost structure through headcount management and cost controls. In addition, the divestiture of our HNT tools business in fiscal year 2019 contributed to reduced operating costs.

During the last quarter of fiscal year 2020, we, like many other companies, were forced to address and respond to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The pandemic, and the containment and mitigation measures associated with it, have led to adverse impacts on the U.S. and global economies. To protect our employees, contractors, suppliers and our local communities, and to limit the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations, we enacted our business continuity plans and directed our employees to work remotely, with limited exceptions for site-essential personnel (with protective measures and protocols in place). While COVID-19 did not have a material adverse effect on our reported results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, it did impact the timing of some transactions. We have commenced the process of having our employees return to work on-site in phases in accordance with prevailing health and science guidance, and in a manner that seeks to protect our employees, contractors, customers, suppliers, and local communities, as well as in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines, and in accordance with foreign governmental guidance in the countries in which we operate.

Executive Summary – Executive Compensation Objectives

We use our compensation program to achieve the following objectives:

provide compensation opportunities that attract, motivate, and retain the best talent possible to serve our customers and achieve our strategic objectives;

align management’s interests with our success by linking compensation and performance, with such performance measures based on the attainment of both our corporate goals and individual goals, and by including long-term equity incentives;

increase our revenue, increase our profitability and, accordingly, increase stockholder value;

foster an environment of teamwork and shared success among executives and the entire NetScout workforce; and

reward effective management of financial and operational risk.

Executive Summary—Fiscal Year 2020 Executive Compensation Highlights

Our compensation programs are structured to provide strong pay-for-performance alignment. While we faced pressure on revenues as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our business operations and the operations of

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our customers, suppliers, and partners during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, we nevertheless achieved many of our strategic objectives during fiscal year 2020, and we delivered non-GAAP EPS that exceeded our target by approximately 10%. In recognition of the Company’s strong overall performance in delivering solid earnings per share growth and its continued operational and strategic progress, particularly in the face of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Compensation Committee determined that the Company-wide bonus pool should be funded at 140% of the target bonus opportunity. The Compensation Committee further determined, for our Named Executive Officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, and the Board determined, for our Chief Executive Officer, that each Named Executive Officer would be eligible for an annual incentive bonus payout of up to 137% of his or her target annual incentive bonus opportunity, in accordance with our pay-for-performance philosophy.

Consistent with our pay-for-performance philosophy and as more fully described below, for fiscal year 2020, we:

increased base salaries in July 2019 for each of our Named Executive Officers by $25,000 over their base salaries for fiscal year 2019, representing the first increase in the base salary of any Named Executive Officer since fiscal year 2018, and bringing the salaries of our Named Executive Officers closer to, although still below, the 25th percentile of the peer group market data;

maintained target annual incentive bonus opportunities at the same level as in fiscal year 2019 for each of our Named Executive Officers;

approved RSU awards with grant date fair values that were 14% lower than the grant date fair values of RSU awards made in fiscal year 2019, in accordance with our long-term equity compensation objectives and consistent with our pay-for-performance philosophy; and

approved annual incentive bonus payouts between 133% and 137% of target for our Named Executive Officers after assessing our performance for fiscal year 2020, as further described below.

Executive Compensation Overview

The goal of our executive officer compensation program is to retain and reward highly qualified, talented leaders who create long-term stockholder value. In addition, our program is designed to align management’s interests with those of our stockholders and to motivate senior executives to increase our long-term growth and profitability. While our compensation philosophy has not significantly changed in recent years, our company has changed considerably, growing from just over $450 million in revenue in fiscal year 2015 to more than $1 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2017 and increasing from approximately 1,000 employees to more than 3,000, following the transformative acquisition of the Danaher Communications Business in July 2015. In the immediate months following the closing of the acquisition in July 2015, our Compensation Committee and Board decided, after careful consideration, to focus on the integration of the assets before considering changes to our compensation program.

Now, after two years of considerable change and substantial integration efforts following the transformative acquisition, our Compensation Committee has reconsidered our group of peer companies and best practices in the market and taken steps to bring our compensation practices in line with other companies our size. As a result of this review, we have made several changes to our executive compensation program to reflect the current size and complexity of the company, though we have not significantly increased the total cash compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The changes to our compensation program were also enhanced and accelerated by feedback from our stockholders and proxy advisory services.

Along these lines, weWe continue to emphasize pay for performance.pay-for-performance. For example, as in the past, for fiscal year 2018,2021, our Named Executive Officers will not be eligible for their fulltarget annual incentive bonus until afterunless a threshold profitability (non-GAAP(non-GAAP EPS) target is met.met (except for Mr. Downing, our EVP Worldwide Sales, with respect to the portion of his short-term cash incentive compensation that consists of sales commissions). Further, in the next fiscal year, the Compensation Committee, and the Board with respect to the CEO, haspreviously determined that one-third of the shares subject to the RSUs granted to our Named Executive Officers willwould be granted based on the basis of achievement of corporate and individual performance goals in the prior fiscal year. Please see “GAAP vs. non-GAAPNon-GAAP Measures” in this Compensation Discussion and AnalysisAppendix B for further information regarding our use of non-GAAP financial measures and where to find a reconciliation between the non-GAAP measures and GAAP results.

Other pointsAs further described below, as a result of our financial performance in which we exceeded our earnings per share target, but fell slightly short of our revenue target (by approximately 1%), in an unprecedented global economic environment that underscorewas severely impacted by the continued alignmentCOVID-19 pandemic, each of our Named Executive Officers received between stockholders’ interests133% and executive officer137% of his or her total annual incentive bonus target for fiscal year 2020. The actual payout percentage for each Named Executive Officer was determined based on the Compensation Committee’s judgment after considering the attainment and importance of such Named Executive Officer’s performance include, among other items:

No guaranteed bonuses;

Limits on short-term incentives;

No tax gross ups;

Hedging and pledging of company stock is prohibited for our directors, executive officers and employees;

Significant proportion of total compensation in the form of long-term equity awards; and

Meaningful stock holding requirements.
objectives.

 

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During the course of the most recent compensation review cycle, we made the following changes to align more closely with our company’s current size and complexity, our peer group and market practices, and comments from our investors and other advisors summarized below and described more fully in the following pages:

✓     Short-Term Incentive Limits

Imposed a cap on our short-term incentive opportunities

✓     Enhanced Disclosure

Clarified disclosure of our approach to the short-term incentive awards to Named Executive Officers

✓     Long-Term Incentive

Reviewed and considered opportunities for a performance-based long-term equity component as part of our executive compensation program; committed that one-third of the shares subject to individual Named Executive Officer annual grant amount guidelines will be granted on the basis of achievement of corporate and individual performance goals in the prior fiscal year

✓     Peer Group

Reviewed and made significant changes to our peer group

Executive Compensation Highlights

>       During fiscal years 2016 and 2017, none of our Named Executive Officers were granted base salary increases or target bonus percentage increases, despite a substantial increase in responsibility and more than doubling revenue from 2015.

>       As further described below, as a result of our financial performance and each Named Executive Officer’s individual leadership, one Named Executive Officer received 60% and our remaining Named Executive Officers received 80% of his or her total eligible bonus for fiscal year 2017.

>       While the base salaries for our Named Executive Officers remained the same for fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2017, the short-term incentive payments for each of our Named Executive Officers was lower in fiscal year 2017 as compared with fiscal years 2016 and 2015, in accordance with our pay for performance philosophy.

Business Context

We are an industry leader for real-time operational intelligence and performance analytics that are used to addressAt the business assurance needs2019 Annual Meeting, our stockholders approved our say-on-pay proposal with 94% of customers worldwide, spanning service assurance, cybersecurity and business intelligence. Customers relythe total votes cast voting in favor. The Compensation Committee carefully considers the results of the advisory vote on our products to optimize network performance, ensuresay-on-pay proposal in the deliverycontext of high-quality, mission-critical applicationsits annual review of executive compensation and services, provide timely insight into the end user experienceon-going work of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee and protect the network from attack. PoweredBoard focus significant time and attention on the issues raised by our proprietary Adaptive Service Intelligence (ASI) technology,stockholders. In particular, the Compensation Committee reviews specific feedback when and if it is received from our solutions are used in many of the most demanding service provider, enterpriseinvestors and government networks around the globe to continuously monitor our customers’ service delivery environment in order to identify performance issuesproxy advisory firms on certain compensation practices and to provide insight into network-based security threats. As a result, both enterprise and service provider customers can quickly, efficiently and effectively resolve issues that cause business disruptions or adversely impact the user experience. We manufacture and market these products for integrated hardware and software solutions and are also well positioned to help customers deploy our software in commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and in virtualized form factors. Regardless of the platform, customers use our solutions to help drive return on investment on their network and broader information technology (IT) initiatives while reducing the tangible risks associated with downtime, poor service quality and compromised security.

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We have been a technology innovator for three-plus decades since our founding in 1984. Our solutions change how organizations manage and optimize the delivery of business applications and services, assure user experience across global internet protocol (IP) networks and help protect networks from unwanted security threats. Through both internal development and acquisitions, we have continually enhanced and expanded our product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of customers worldwide. Our software analytics, powered by our ASI technology, capture and transform terabytes of network traffic data in real time into high value, actionable information that enables customers to optimize network performance, manage applications, enhance security and gain insight into the end user experience.

Our mission is to enable enterprise and service providers to realize maximum benefit with minimal risk from technology advances, like IP convergence, network function virtualization (NFV), software defined networking (SDN), virtualization, cloud, mobility, bring your own device (BYOD), web and the evolving Internet by managing the inherent complexity in a cost-effective manner.related disclosures.

Corporate Performance HighlightsOverview

DuringDespite the pastwidespread economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our fiscal year 2020 financial performance delivered solid diluted earnings per share growth, even as our organic revenues remained relatively flat from the prior fiscal year. Although we continueddid experience some order delays in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 related to expandthe pandemic, we were able to effectively control costs and minimize the impact of the pandemic on our operations, as we implemented our business globally, execute on our strategy and achieve many of our goals as demonstrated by our financial performance and ongoing technology leadership. We completed the Danaher Communications Business acquisition in July 2015,continuity plans, which was a transformative transaction that enabled us to accelerateensure the safety of our strategic progress. Duringemployees as we effectively operated with most of our employees working remotely.

We continued our transition to software-centric offerings and away from traditional appliance-based instrumentation, particularly in our service assurance business. Overall, our “software only” product line grew approximately 35%, which helped us improve our operating margin and EPS and generate strong cash flow. We delivered these results while continuing to fund key development, support, and sales programs. In addition, we were able to return approximately $175 million to our stockholders during fiscal year 2017, we continued to navigate2020 through challenging market conditions, which have primarily affected the timing and magnitude of orders with service provider customers. Despite the difficult selling environment, we have shown material financial improvement as summarized below, including as to revenue, operating income and free cash flow, among other measurements when compared to the twelve months ended March 31, 2016. Please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 for additional information about our corporate performance.share repurchase program.

More specifically, for fiscal year 2017:2020:

 

Total Revenue

 

•  Total revenue (GAAP) was $1.162 billion and non-GAAP total revenue was $1.2 billion$891.8 million in fiscal year 2020 versus total revenue (GAAP) of $955.4$909.9 million and non-GAAP total revenue of $1.025 billion in fiscal year 2016.2019. Fiscal year 2020 non-GAAP total revenue was $892.0 million versus $911.5 million in fiscal year 2019. Note that non-GAAP revenue for fiscal year 2019 included $18 million from the divested HNT tools business.

 

Product Revenue

 

•  Product revenue (GAAP) in fiscal year 20172020 was $735.5$438.3 million, compared with $633.4$467.2 million in fiscal year 2016.2019.

 

•  Non-GAAP product revenue in fiscal year 20172020 was $753.8$438.3 million versus $651.0$467.7 million in fiscal year 2016.2019. Non-GAAP product revenue for the HNT tools business for fiscal year 2019 was $13.4 million.

 

Service Revenue

 

•  Service revenue (GAAP) was $426.6 million versus $322.0$453.5 million in fiscal year 2016.2020 versus $442.6 million fiscal year 2019.

 

•  Non-GAAP service revenue in fiscal year 2020 was $446.1$453.7 million, compared with $373.6$443.8 million in fiscal year 2016.2019. The HNT tools business non-GAAP service revenue in fiscal year 2019 was $4.6 million.

 

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Operating Income and EBITDA

 

•  Operating incomeIncome from operations (GAAP) was $62.1 million versus ain fiscal year 2016 operating2020 was $17.6 million, compared with a loss from operations (GAAP) of $25.6 million.$71.6 million in fiscal year 2019. The fiscal year 2019 loss from operations included approximately $45 million in charges associated with the sale of the HNT tools business.

 

•  Non-GAAP operating income from operations for fiscal year 20172020 was $275.4$163.3 million with a non-GAAP operating margin of 23.0%18.3%, compared with non-GAAP income from operations in fiscal year 2016 non-GAAP operating income2019 of $246.8$161.6 million and a non-GAAP operating margin of 24.1%17.7%.

 

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Net Income and Net Income Per Share

 

•  Net incomeloss (GAAP) in fiscal year 2020 was $33.3$2.8 million, or $0.36a loss of $0.04 per share (diluted), compared with a net loss (GAAP) of $28.4$73.3 million, or $(0.35)a loss of $0.93 per share (diluted) forin fiscal year 2016. 2019. The fiscal year 2019 net loss included approximately $45 million in charges associated with the sale of the HNT tools business. Non-GAAP net income forin fiscal year 20172020 was $178.5$119.1 million, or $1.92 per share (diluted), compared with $157.4 million, or $1.91$1.57 per share (diluted) forversus non-GAAP net income in fiscal year 2016.

Free Cash Flow

•    We generated free cash flow2019 of $195.7$109.2 million, which reflects cash from operating activities of $227.8 million less capital expenditures of $32.1 million. This is significantly improved over fiscal year 2016 free cash flow of $64.9 million, which reflects cash from operating activities of $95.3 million less capital expenditures of $30.4 million.or $1.38 per share (diluted).

 

Stock Repurchase

 

•  During fiscal year 2017,2020, we continued our share repurchase program and repurchased a total of 3,148,4267,116,159 shares of our common stock at an average price of $25.41$24.59 per share, totaling approximately $80.0$175.0 million in the aggregate.

 

Please see “GAAP vs. non-GAAP Measures”our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 for additional information about our corporate performance.

Despite the challenges we faced during fiscal year 2020, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in this Compensation Discussionthe later part of our fiscal year, our revenue performance was relatively flat compared with our revenue performance during fiscal year 2019, excluding revenues from our divested HNT tools business in fiscal year 2019, and Analysiswe generated solid earnings per share growth compared to the prior year. We have positioned ourselves to move forward as a company that can meet the increasing demands of our customers for further information regarding our use of non-GAAP financial measures and where to find a reconciliation between the non-GAAP measures and GAAP results.

Fiscal year 2017 also marked the following technical, operational and strategic milestones that helped fortify our market and technology leadership positions for our service assurance and security solutions servingto assure and secure the service provider and enterprise sectors as well as for our DDoS and advanced threat cybersecurity offerings:

A wide range of integration activities spanning sales, marketing, manufacturing,critical networks and infrastructure that connect people and support systems progressed on schedule;

Substantial progress on integrating key productsbusinesses around the globe. We are committed to helping our customers advance their digital transformation, security and technologies acquired from the Danaher Communications Business5G initiatives with NetScout’s core technology, which was highlighted by the September 2016 introductiona broader set of the InfiniStreamNG real-time information platform. This new product cycle was completedsolutions that we expect to further expand in early fiscal year 2018 with the introduction of multiple new products that further elevate the Company’s value proposition to both enterprise and service provider customers;

Continued enhancement of nGeniusONE and the various other legacy products spanning both instrumentation and analytics from the acquired product lines; and

Implementation of a range of go-to-market initiatives including activities aimed at expanding our presence in key international markets, strengthening our global indirect sales and distribution capabilities, and building the NetScout brand.

2016 Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At the 2016 Annual Meeting, stockholders approved our say-on-pay proposal with 69% of the total votes cast voting in favor. Consistent with the preference of our stockholders and the practices of the majority of publicly traded companies, our policy is to hold annual say-on-pay votes, and the Board has recommended an annual say-on-pay vote in this year’s proposal for stockholder consideration.

We spent considerable time with our institutional investors and proxy advisory firms in advance of last year’s Annual Meeting to generate support for all proposals with a specific emphasis on the proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock and say-on-pay. The Compensation Committee carefully considered the results of the advisory vote on our say-on-pay proposal in the context of its annual review of executive compensation and the on-going work of the Compensation Committee. The level of stockholder support in 2016 was lower compared with the high level of support for our proposals in prior years. As a result of the disappointing outcome of the say-on-pay vote at last year’s Annual Meeting, the Compensation Committee and the Board have focused significant time and attention on the issues raised by our stockholders.

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In particular, the Compensation Committee reviewed specific feedback from our investors and proxy advisory firms on certain compensation practices and related disclosures. Additionally, the Compensation Committee engaged the services of an independent compensation consultant and other outside advisors to review and make recommendations regarding various aspects of our compensation program.

During the past year, in conjunction with our investor relations activities, we have discussed our compensation program for our Named Executive Officers, including key financial measurements that have historically been used to determine short-term incentive compensation. Over the course of the months leading up to our proxy filing, we have contacted a significant percentage of the large institutional stockholders who we determined were unlikely to have supported our say-on-pay proposal in 2016, to discuss compensation issues, and we spoke with certain significant institutional stockholders on this topic. As a result of these discussions, our Compensation Committee and Board have instituted a number of changes to our executive compensation program.

While the Compensation Committee concluded that our compensation program continues to provide a competitive pay-for-performance package that effectively provides incentives to our Named Executive Officers and other executives to maximize stockholder value and encourages retention of talented Named Executive Officers, the Committee has taken the following steps to improve the program following the 2016 Annual Meeting:

Stakeholder EngagementEngaged with stockholders and proxy advisory services to review and discuss our compensation program, concerns raised during the 2016 proxy season and potential changes to our overall compensation program
Short-Term Incentive CompensationImposed a 200% cap on short-term incentive opportunities and clarified and enhanced disclosure of our approach to short-term incentive determination
Long-Term Incentive CompensationReviewed and considered options for performance-based equity opportunities within the mix of elements of our compensation package; committed that one-third of the shares subject to individual Named Executive Officer annual grant amount guidelines will be granted on the basis of achievement of corporate and individual performance goals
Peer GroupReviewed and updated peer group to reflect the increased size and complexity of the company

The Committee will continue to consider the outcome of our say-on-pay votes and our stockholder views when making future compensation decisions for our Named Executive Officers.2021.

Compensation Governance Highlights

 

     What We Do       What We Don’t Do  
 Design executive compensation program to align pay with performance    No excessive change in control or severance payments
 Maintain executive stock ownership guidelines    No tax gross-ups
 Maintain appropriate stock trading policies    No hedging and pledging permitted for officers and directors as part of Insider Trading Policy
 Mitigate inappropriate risk taking    No guaranteed annual incentive bonuses

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GAAP vs. non-GAAP Measures

We supplement the United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) financial measures we report in quarterly and annual earnings announcements, investor presentations and other investor communications by reporting the following non-GAAP measures: non-GAAP total revenue, non-GAAP product revenue, non-GAAP service revenue, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP earnings before interest and other expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from operations, non-GAAP EBIDTA from operations margin, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP net income per share (diluted). Non-GAAP revenue (total, product and service) eliminates the GAAP effects of acquisitions by adding back revenue related to deferred revenue revaluation, as well as revenue impacted by the amortization of acquired intangible assets. Non-GAAP gross profit includes the foregoing adjustments and also removes expenses related to the amortization of acquired intangible assets, stock-based compensation, certain expenses relating to acquisitions including inventory fair value adjustments, depreciation costs, compensation for post-combination services and business development and integration costs. Non-GAAP income from operations includes the foregoing adjustments and also removes restructuring charges. Non-GAAP operating margin is calculated based on the non-GAAP financial metrics discussed above. Non-GAAP EBITDA from operations includes the aforementioned items related to non-GAAP income from operations and also removes non-acquisition-related depreciation expense. Non-GAAP net income includes the foregoing adjustments and also removes expenses related to share-based compensation and certain expenses relating to acquisitions including: compensation for post-combination services, business development charges, and depreciation expense, net of related income tax effects. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share also excludes these expenses as well as the related impact of all these adjustments on the provision for income taxes.

These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with GAAP, should not be considered an alternative for measures prepared in accordance with GAAP (revenue, gross profit, operating profit, net income (loss) and diluted net income (loss) per share), and may have limitations in that they do not reflect all our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures. The presentation of non-GAAP information is not meant to be considered superior to, in isolation from, or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the reader’s overall understanding of our current financial performance and our prospects for the future by providing a higher degree of transparency for certain financial measures and providing a level of disclosure that helps investors understand how we plan and measure our business. We believe that providing these non-GAAP measures affords investors a view of our operating results that may be more easily compared to our peer companies and also enables investors to consider our operating results on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis during and following the integration period of our acquisitions. Presenting the GAAP measures on their own may not be indicative of our core operating results. Furthermore, management believes that the presentation of non-GAAP measures when shown in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures provide useful information to management and investors regarding present and future business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations.

Management regularly uses supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, plan, manage, and evaluate its business and to make operating decisions. Throughout this Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, reference to revenue and EPS targets will be deemed to refer to non-GAAP measures only, as the corresponding GAAP measures were not relevant to the compensation decisions discussed below.

For more information on our presentation and calculation of the non-GAAP measures referred to herein, please see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.

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Executive Compensation Objectives

We use our compensation program to achieve the following objectives:

 

provide compensation opportunities that attract, motivate, and retain the best talent possible to serve our customers and achieve our strategic objectives;

 

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align management’s interests with our success, by linking compensation and performance, based on the attainment of both our corporate goals and individual goals and by including long-term equity incentives;

 

increase our revenue, increase our profitability, and accordingly increase stockholder value;

 

foster an environment of teamwork and shared success among executives and the entire NetScout workforce; and

 

reward effective management of financial and operational risk.

Compensation Philosophy

The Compensation Committee reviews our compensation program, including elements of compensation, the mix of long-term versus short-term compensation and the mix of cash versus equity compensation, over the course of several meetings each year to evaluate whether the program supports our long-term goals. The Compensation Committee considers our past financial performance and future goals, individual performance and experience, and overall compensation levels when making compensation decisions. In addition, the Compensation Committee uses the following principles to guide its decisions regarding Named Executive Officer compensation.

 

Pay for PerformancePay-for-performance  

Total compensation should reflect a “pay for performance”“pay-for-performance” philosophy in which a substantial portion of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation should be tied to the achievement of performance objectives of both the company and the individual. Cash compensation includes short-termannual incentive bonus awards, which are dependent in part upon achievement of Company-wide profitability targets.targets (non-GAAP EPS). In connection with annual incentive bonus awards, Named Executive Officers also have individual goals that require each of them to meet the same revenue target. Past performance by each Named Executive Officer is considered in determining the size of annual grants of long-term incentive equity awards and inawards. In fiscal year 20182020, and as set out in last year’s proxy statement and discussed further under “Equity Awards” below, the Compensation Committee has determined that one-third of the shares subject toof the RSUs granted to our Named Executive Officers willwould be granted based on the achievement of corporate and individual performance goals.

 

 

  
Alignment with Stockholders’ Interests  

Total compensation levels should include a component that reflects our overall performance through the use of equity-based awards in order to align Named Executive Officer and stockholder interests.

 

 

  
Internal Parity  

To the extent practicable, and based on individual performance and position, base salaries and short-term and long-term incentive targets for similarly-situated Named Executive Officers within the company should be comparable to avoid divisiveness and encourage teamwork, collaboration, and a cooperative working environment.

 

 

  
External Competitiveness  

Named Executive Officers’ total compensation should be competitive with peer companies so that we can attract and retain high performing key executive talent. To achieve this goal, within market ranges, our Compensation Committee periodically reviews the compensation practices of other companies in our peer group, as discussed below in the “Use of Third Party Data/Peer Group” section below.

 

 

 

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Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program

Compensation for our Named Executive Officers currently consists of three principal elements that are designed to achieve our compensation objectives and reward performance in a simple and straightforward manner: base salaries, annual performance-based cash bonuses,incentive bonus awards, and long-term equity awards. The purpose and key characteristics of each of these elements are summarized below.

 

 

Base Salary

 

  

Purpose

 

 

Key Characteristics

 

•  Provides a fixed level of compensation for performing the essential day-to-day elements of the job

 

•  Reflects each executive officer’sNamed Executive Officer’s qualifications, experience, and responsibilities compared to executives at similar companies

 

•  Gives executives a degree of certainty in light of having a majority of their compensation at risk

 

•  Established near the beginning of each fiscal year and generally set between the 25th percentile and the median offered to similarly-situated executives in our peer group, consistent with our compensation philosophy of pay for performance

•       Compensation Committee determines base salary levels for Named Executive Officers other than our CEO, and makes recommendations to the Board in the case of our CEO

 

•  For executive officersNamed Executive Officers other than our CEO, typically determined after considering the evaluations and recommendations made by our CEO, who applies his own judgment in making recommendations after reviewing our performance, the performance of each executive officerNamed Executive Officer against corporate and individual goals, the executive’s career with the Company, the amounts of current and long-term compensation, market data from our peer group and special circumstances such as strategic alliances or acquisitions

 

•  While we do not target a specific percentile for base salaries relative to our peer group, fiscal year 2020 base salaries for all of our Named Executive Officers were increased by $25,000, which was the first increase in base salary for any Named Executive Officer since fiscal year 2018

 

Annual Short-Term Cash Incentive (Bonus)Bonus Awards (Cash)

 

  

Purpose

 

 

Key Characteristics

 

  

•  Provides an incentive to executives to achieve both financial operating goals and individual performance goals that are designed to help accomplish our strategic plan, which may include financial and non-financial objectives

 

•  Target amounts generally established shortly after the start of each fiscal year, and, consistent with our pay for performancepay-for-performance approach is intended to be at

•  In no event will any Named Executive Officer receive more than 200% of his or slightly above the median percentage offered to similarly-situated executives in our peer group for fiscal year 2017, which, upon achievement, makes total compensation comparable to the median compensation paid to executives at similar companiesher annual incentive bonus target

 

•  Corporate performance goals generally consist of Board-approved profitabilityrevenue and non-GAAP EPS targets

 

 

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Purpose

 

 

Key Characteristics

 

  

•  Executive officers are eligible for full bonusesannual incentive bonus awards only after NetScout meets or exceeds a Company-widethreshold profitability target(non-GAAP EPS), except for Mr. Downing, our EVP Worldwide Sales, whosewith respect to the portion of his short-term cash incentive compensation that consists of both sales commissions and bonus components

 

•  If NetScout meets or exceeds the threshold non-GAAP EPS target, as described further below, executive officer bonusesofficers’ annual incentive bonus awards are then determined based on attainment of individual goals, contribution to the Company-wide goals, including revenue, and satisfaction of other criteria as may be determined by the Compensation Committee such as teamwork, ethical behavior, and adherence to our corporate values and policies

 

•  Paid annually shortly after the end of the fiscal year to which they relate

 

 

Long-Term Equity Incentives

 

  

Purpose

 

 

Key Characteristics

 

•  Motivates executive officers to achieve our business objectives and manage risk by tying compensation to the performance of our common stock over the long term, which aligns the interests of management and stockholders

 

•  Motivates our executive officers to remain with the Company by mitigating swings in incentives during periods when market volatility affects our stock price

 

•  Attracts highly qualified individuals who can contribute to our success

 

•  Restricted stock unit awards generally vesting over four years; the ultimate value realized varies with our success as measured by our common stock price

 

•  Generally granted to executive officers at their appointment and then annually, depending upon performance

 

•  Determined based on each executive’s past performance and internal guidelines, vesting schedules of previously granted equity awards, and the current stock price

•       The Compensation Committee also reviews, with the use of tally sheets, previous equity grants to executive officers and considers

the level of outstanding awards as a factor in its determinations

 

•  To further our long termlong-term incentive goals, in 2010 the Compensation Committee approvedwe have a Stock Ownership Policy for certain executive officers and directors, as described in this proxy statement under “Stock Ownership Policy”

 

•  In fiscal year 2018, the Compensation Committee has determined that one-thirdOne-third of the shares subject to the RSUs granted to our Named Executive Officers will beare granted based on the achievement of corporate and individual performance goals for the prior fiscal year

 

 

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Other Compensation

 

  

Purpose

 

 

Key Characteristics

 

  

•  Provides benefits that promote employee health and welfare, which assists in attracting and retaining our executive officers

 

•  Provides benefits that are common and appropriate for similarly-situated executives of public companies, including health insurance and our 401(k) Planplan

 

•  Executive officers are also eligible for life insurance policies that provide for three times cash compensation (salary and bonus)annual incentive bonus target) up to a $1.5 million cap with evidence of insurability, which differs from the two times salary and bonus and $750,000 cap available to non-sales employees and two times salary and commission and $750,000 cap available to sales employees.cap. Mr. Singhal is entitled to other benefits discussed below

 

Executive Compensation Review and Process

General

The Compensation Committee meets at least four times annually to coincide with regularly scheduled Board meetings and usually holds several additional meetings during the year. The Compensation Committee met sevensix times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.2020. Each year, the Compensation Committee reviews compensation objectives and practices in connection with the annual review and approval of executive officer compensation. The Compensation Committee exercises discretion and has ultimate authority with respect to executive compensation matters, except in the case of the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, which is approved by the full Board after receiving a recommendation from the Compensation Committee.

Role of Senior Management

The Compensation Committee views the compensation determination process as an important opportunity to engage in strategic discussions with the Chief Executive Officer on the appropriate factors and criteria that should be focused on for the attainment of long-term stockholder value. Our Chief Executive Officer often participates in discussions and deliberations regarding the compensation of our executive officers, and he provides recommendations with respect to such executives. The other executives do not play a role in determining their compensation, other than in discussing their performance with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer, who makes his own recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer for the Chief Executive Officer’s consideration. The Chief Operating Officer has no role in determining his own compensation, other than providing the Chief Executive Officer with an assessment of his own performance. Our Chief Executive Officer is not present and does not participate in discussions or deliberations regarding his own compensation, performance, or objectives, whether at Compensation Committee or Board meetings.

Role of Compensation Consultants

In 2016,fiscal year 2020, our Compensation Committee engaged Farient Advisors,Pay Governance, an independent compensation consulting firm, to assist with peer group analysis and to collect compensation information pertaining to executive officer and director compensation matters. The Compensation Committee has determined that Farient AdvisorsPay Governance is free from conflicts of interest. The Compensation Committee continued to work with Farient Advisors throughout fiscal year 2017.

 

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The Compensation Committee may continue to work with compensation consultants during fiscal year 2018 to analyze and consider modifications to our compensation practices.

Use of Third Party Data/Peer Group Data

The Compensation Committee determines and periodically reevaluates our peer group based on the following criteria: revenue, market capitalization, net income, number of employees, and similar industry/related technology. Additional factors that have been considered in the past when selecting peer group companies have included revenue growth over one and three years and total stockholder return over one and three years.

The Compensation Committee considers peer group data as one of several factors when examining and making decisions about officer compensation. The Compensation Committee believes the data areis helpful but considers such information as part of a range of factors in determining appropriate compensation levels. Generally, the data are used to ensurecompare the compensation of our named executive officers with that we are paying compensation that is reasonably aligned withinof the officers of our peer group companies. The comparison is not intended to determine compensation in any formulaic way. The Compensation Committee looks to the peer data to ensure that we are paying compensation that is reasonably aligned within our peer group companies.

Evaluation of Executive Performance

The Compensation Committee reviews annually, over a series of meetings, the performance and compensation of each of our executive officers. The Compensation Committee takes into account our financial performance and future expectations, individual performance and experience, and overall compensation levels. The Compensation Committee has not typically assigned specific weights, formulas, or rankings to these factors, but instead makes a determination based on consideration of all of these factors as well as the progress made with respect to our long-term goals and strategies, except that, with respect to individual goals, weights are assigned to each Named Executive Officer’s individual goals which are considered generally as part of the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of performance. Further, the Compensation Committee does place greater emphasis on the achievement of our overall corporate financial targets in making its determinations and considers those financial targets as shared objectives for all executives.

For those individual goals that are capable of direct measurement, the Compensation Committee considers the percentage of goal achievement taking into account developments during the year, including both internal and external factors affecting the Company. For goals that are qualitative in nature or do not lend themselves to direct financial or numerical measurement, the Compensation Committee relies primarily on its judgment, knowledge of the business, and information obtained through interactions with management throughout the year, recognizing that the degree of achievement of qualitative criteria can still be assessed.

Establishing Performance Goals

The corporate level performance goals and the individual performance goals are normally set shortly after the beginning of each fiscal year. Discussions of next year’s goals typically begin during the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year, in conjunction with management’s development of proposed strategic and operating plans and budget for the next fiscal year. The Compensation Committee endeavors to establishestablishes goals for executive officers consistent with NetScout’s strategic plan, financial goals, and operating budget for the year. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee generally has the expectation that achievement will be challenging but achievable.

With respect to specific corporate goals, the Compensation Committee establishes a threshold goal, which is typically a profitability (non-GAAP(non-GAAP EPS) target, which we must achieve before full company-wide bonus accruals are made for the fiscal year. The company typically focuses its profitability target on our publicly communicated EPSpublicly-communicated earnings per share guidance for the fiscal year. In the event ofthat revenue performance falls below guidance, the total company-wide bonus pool will be reduced, to zero if necessary, in order to strive to meet thenon-GAAP EPS guidance. In the event of over performance with respect to profitability, either due to higher revenue, changes in product mix, decisions to reduce investment in certain areas, or unanticipated one-time events such as tax refunds, the additional funds will be sharedallocated between the company-wide bonus pool and stockholders in the form of increases to EPS.

 

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In addition, the Chief Executive Officer works with each executive officerNamed Executive Officer to establish individual annual performance goals and then presents proposed goals for each executive officerNamed Executive Officer to the Compensation Committee for review and evaluation. The Compensation Committee or the Board provides advice and comments on the individual executive goals and approves the final goals. Individual executive performance goals except those tied to specific measurements are generally not established or scored in as rigid a manner as the overall corporate level performance goals. The Compensation Committee believes that the Chief Executive Officer is inshould initially evaluate and report to the best position to evaluateCompensation Committee the day to dayday-to-day performance of the executives who report to him, andhim. As such, the Compensation Committee believes that deference toconsiders the advice of the Chief Executive Officer’sOfficer in making its own evaluation and assessment of such executives and his related recommendations is generally appropriate.executives.

The Compensation Committee makes a determination of each executive’s compensation based on consideration of all of these factors as well as the progress made with respect to our long-term goals and strategies.

Fiscal 2017Year 2020 Compensation Decisions

Peer Group

Prior toAs one of the beginning of fiscal year 2017, ourconsiderations in its deliberations on compensation matters, the Compensation Committee in consultation with our independent compensation consultant, reviewed the company’s industry and ourreviews competitive market data for executive compensation strategy and philosophy, and developed appropriate screening criteria for selection oflevels from a new peer group of companies. Following the transformative acquisition of the Danaher Communications Business in July 2015,While the Compensation Committee concludedbelieves it is in the best interests of our stockholders to ensure that our executive compensation is competitive with that of other companies of similar size and complexity, the Compensation Committee does not use peer group data to set compensation levels at specific percentiles.

Peer companies are identified based on comparability to NetScout across a range of factors including revenue, market capitalization, net income, number of employees, and similar industry/related technology. Additional factors that have been considered in the past when selecting peer group companies have included revenue growth over one and three years and total stockholder return over one and three years. In selecting the peer group, for compensation purposes should change significantly to reflect the company’s new size, complexity, organizational structure and business model. Following the acquisition, the Company almost tripled in size and significantly expanded its markets and products. As a result, only two companies from the prior peer group used in fiscal year 2016 remain as peer companies for fiscal year 2017 (Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. and Ixia). The Compensation Committee will continue to evaluate the peer group to reflect changes in the industry, including removing companies from the peer group that have been acquired or otherwise cease to be publicly traded companies.

For comparison, the prior Fiscal Year 2016 peer group consisted of a group of smaller peer companies and larger peer companies, reflecting the intermediate size of the Company before the Danaher transaction:

Small Peer Group

Large Peer Group

Accelrys, Inc.

CommVault Systems, Inc.

Broadsoft, Inc.

Ixia

Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc.

MicroStrategy, Inc.

Interactive Intelligence Group, Inc.

Pegasystems, Inc.

SolarWinds, Inc.

Riverbed Technology, Inc.

Sonus Networks, Inc.

TIBCO Software, Inc.

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.

Tyler Technologies, Inc.

The new peer group below for fiscal year 2017 was selected based on criteria including similar companies that reflect NetScout’s business, model and revenue size following the Danaher transaction. The compensation consultant analyzed, and the Compensation Committee reviewed, potential peergenerally targets companies on the basis of industry, size, specific business model and a number of business-related criteria. The totalwith revenues of each peer group company generally fits within a range ofranging from approximately .40 to 2.5 times that of NetScout,NetScout. The companies included in our peer group for fiscal year 2020 were the same as in fiscal year 2019 except for the following changes. For fiscal year 2020, our peer group was revised to exclude CA Technologies, which was acquired, and Citrix Systems, Inc., ServiceNow, Inc., and Ciena Corporation, based on revenue size considerations. In addition, the peer group has medianfor fiscal year 2020 was revised to include NETGEAR Inc., FireEye, Inc. and Commvault Systems, Inc., based on their comparability in terms of revenue, of approximately $1.2 billion. The peer screening criteria incorporated a focus on not only our increased sizemarket capitalization, and complexity, but also good corporate governance practices.

47


Fiscal Year 2017 Peer Grouptechnology focus.

 

Akamai Technologies, Inc.

  National InstrumentsInfinera CorporationSynchronoss Technologies, Inc.

Brocade CommunicationsCommvault Systems, Inc.

  PTC Inc.

CA Technologies

National Instruments Corp.
  Rackspace Inc.

Ciena Corporation

ServiceNow, Inc.

CitrixVerint Systems Inc.

Splunk Inc.

EarthLink Holdings Corp.

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.

Extreme Networks Inc.

  Verint Systems IncNETGEAR, Inc.VeriSign, Inc.

F5 Networks, Inc.

  VeriSign,PTC Inc.

Infinera Corporation

  ViaSat Inc.

IxiaFireEye, Inc.

Splunk Inc.  Viavi Solutions Inc.

AsFor fiscal year 2021, our peer group has been revised to exclude Akamai Technologies, Inc. based on revenue size considerations, and to include Box, Inc., Tenable Holdings, Inc., Forescout Technologies, Inc., and Rapid7, Inc., based on their comparability in terms of revenue, market capitalization, employees, and technology focus.

Base Salaries and Annual Incentive Bonus Target Percentages

Previously, for fiscal year 2019, the caseCompensation Committee, with respect to the Named Executive Officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, and the Board, with respect to the Chief Executive Officer, determined that base salaries and bonus targets should remain unchanged from fiscal year 2018. In addition, the Compensation Committee determined that, with respect to each Named Executive Officer’s annual incentive bonus award, in prior years,no event would any Named Executive Officer receive more than 200% of his or her annual

64


incentive bonus target. For fiscal year 2020, the Compensation Committee reviewed for fiscal year 2017 theCompany and individual Named Executive Officer performance, as well as peer group datamarket data. In consideration of these factors, the Committee approved for each Named Executive Officer other than the Chief Executive Officer, and third-party survey data regarding executive compensation. The information confirmedthe Board approved for the Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2019, a $25,000 increase to the base salary of each Named Executive Officer, while the dollar value of each Named Executive Officer’s target annual incentive bonus remained the same. In approving the adjustments, the Committee and the Board considered that overall compensation for NetScout’s executive officers at full plan achievement was generally at or just below median as compared with that paid to executive officers at similar companies, with an emphasis on target bonus opportunities that if realized result in competitive compensation but if not would result in compensation below market median.

Survey Data

In determining executive compensation for fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee also referred to blended survey information for high-tech companies headquartered in the United States with revenue of approximately $1.5 billion and an organizational structure similar to NetScout’s.

Base Salaries and Target Bonus Percentages

As discussed above, noneeach of our Named Executive Officers were granted base salarywas positioned below the 25th percentile of the peer group market data both prior to and after taking the increases or target bonus percentage increases for fiscal year 2017.into account.

Executive Officer

  FY2019
Base
Salary
   FY2019
Bonus
Target
   FY2019
Sum of
Base
Salary
plus
Target
Bonus
   FY2020
Base
Salary
   FY2020
Bonus
Target
   FY2020 Sum
of Base
Salary plus
Target
Bonus
   Annual
Total
Cash
Target
Increase
%
 

Anil K. Singhal

  

$

500,000

 

  

$

476,000

 

  

$

976,000

 

  

$

525,000

 

  

$

476,000

 

  

$

1,001,000

 

  

 

2.6

Michael Szabados

  

$

360,000

 

  

$

240,012

 

  

$

600,012

 

  

$

385,000

 

  

$

240,012

 

  

$

625,012

 

  

 

4.2

Jean Bua

  

$

330,000

 

  

$

220,011

 

  

$

550,011

 

  

$

355,000

 

  

$

220,011

 

  

$

575,011

 

  

 

4.5

John W. Downing*

  

$

240,000

 

  

$

310,000

 

  

$

550,000

 

  

$

265,000

 

  

$

310,000

 

  

$

575,000

 

  

 

4.5

*

The information presented for Mr. Downing under each of the “FY2019 Bonus Target” and “FY2020 Bonus Target” columns includes an annual incentive bonus target amount and a commission target amount.

Corporate Performance Goals and Achievement

For fiscal year 2017,2020, the Compensation Committee established an annual threshold non-GAAP EPS target equal to the mid-pointof $1.98our guidance range of between $1.40 to $1.45 per share. The Company’s non-GAAP revenue target for executive compensation purposes in fiscal year 2020 was equal to the mid-point of our guidance range, which was between $895 million to $915 million. In addition, the Compensation Committee established a target for new business bookings against which to evaluate the commission portion of Mr. Downing’s annual incentive bonus target. For the fiscal year 2017 short-term2020 annual incentive bonus award, as in prior years, the thresholdnon-GAAP EPS target must first be achieved in order for a 100%any annual incentive bonus to be paid for fiscal year 2017.2020 (except for Mr. Downing, with respect to the portion of his short-term cash incentive compensation that consists of sales commissions). The Company’s share repurchase activity was reviewed and considered by the Committee in assessing whether the fiscal year 2020 non-GAAP EPS targets were met. For fiscal year 2017, we did not meet2020, the Company exceeded the threshold non-GAAP EPS target by approximately 10%, which wasled to funding the midpointCompany-wide bonus pool at 140% of the guidance rangetarget bonus opportunity. The Company missed the non-GAAP revenue target by approximately 1%, but, in light of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in recognition of the target previously established byCompany’s strong overall performance in delivering solid earnings per share growth, the Compensation Committee, and Board. The Company achieved actual non-GAAP EPS of $1.92 per share, within guidance but at the lower end offor our guidance range. We approached, but did not meet, the non-GAAP revenue target of $1.225 billion previously set for Named Executive Officers byother than the Compensation CommitteeChief Executive Officer, and the Board, with actual annual non-GAAP revenue achievement of $1.2 billion. As a result, the company-wide bonus pool was funded at the 84.5% level. The Compensation Committeefor our Chief Executive Officer, determined that the bonus poolpayout for each Named Executive Officers however, wouldshould be 80%.between 133% and 137% of his or her target, in accordance with our pay-for-performance philosophy. The actual payout percentage for each Named Executive Officer was determined based on the Compensation Committee’s judgment after considering the attainment and importance of such Named Executive Officer’s performance objectives.

Individual Performance Goals and Achievement

The following lists the fiscal year 20172020 individual performance goals for each of our Named Executive Officers. Except as provided below, the Compensation Committee determined the goals were largely achieved for each Named Executive Officer, and the Board determined wasthe goals were largely achieved for our Chief Executive Officer, with the understanding that all Named Executive Officers also shared the corporate-wide financial goals.

For all Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee also considered the ongoing development and execution of our long-term growth strategy, and ongoing leadership throughout the acquisition and integration process.

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48


Anil Singhal, (CEO)CEO

 

Completed

Goal: Achieve the mid-point of non-GAAP revenue guidance of $895 million to $915 million and achieve the mid-point of non-GAAP EPS guidance of $1.40 to $1.45 per share.

Outcome: Non-GAAP EPS threshold achieved. Non-GAAP revenue target missed by approximately 1%.

Goal: Develop/elevate strategic go-to-market partnerships with the top market leaders in IT infrastructure.

Outcome: Achieved the initial phasedevelopment and implementation of integrating Adaptive Service Intelligence™go-to market partnerships with Tektronix Communications’ and Arbor Networks’ go-forward product platforms.

relevant IT infrastructure market leaders.

 

Educated our investors about

Goal: Develop and present to the Board our cyber security strategy in the first quarter.

Outcome: Partially achieved. Cyber security strategy was significantly changed from the Company’s alignmentstrategy developed during fiscal year 2019 based on market input.

Goal: Launch a company-wide leadership development program.

Outcome: Achieved the launch of the leadership development program, with key IT technology trends, including cloud and big data.

Progress toward company-wide gross margin improvementthe pilot group of a specified percentage.

Developed and deployed a combined go-to-market strategy betweenemployees having completed at least 75% of the service assurance and cyber assurance business.
program by the end of fiscal year 2020.

Michael Szabados (COO)

 

Completed business process

Goal: Achieve the mid-point of non-GAAP revenue guidance of $895 million to $915 million and achieve the mid-point of non-GAAP EPS guidance of $1.40 to $1.45 per share.

Outcome: Non-GAAP EPS threshold achieved. Non-GAAP revenue target missed by approximately 1%.

Goal: Grow the company’s brand recognition and reputation as a leader is both service assurance and cyber security.

Outcome: Largely achieved through successful print and system integration within the service assurance business units by the first quarter of fiscal year 2017.

Identified and retained key talentdigital campaigns as measured by turnover below a specified percentage.
surveys of readership.

 

Increased market visibility and brand recognition in the Enterprise Service Assurance segment as measured by a specified percentage increase in our Share

Goal: Continue to develop and elevate our selling and marketing partnerships with leading cloud companies.

Outcome: Achieved through implementation of Voice by the endstrategic partnerships with four leading cloud companies.

Goal: Follow up the successful integration of our IT infrastructure and substantially consolidate ERP systems.

Outcome: Partially achieved with plan to complete ERP system consolidation during fiscal year 2017.

2021.

John Downing (EVP Worldwide Sales)

 

Goal: Achieve the mid-point of non-GAAP revenue guidance of $895 million to $915 million and achieve the mid-point of non-GAAP EPS guidance of $1.40 to $1.45 per share.

Outcome: Non-GAAP EPS threshold achieved. Non-GAAP revenue target missed by approximately 1%.

Goal: Drive a specified amount of new business bookings above current levels, leveraging the integration of the sales force and expanded product lines.

Outcome: Partially achieved a pre-established bookings target amount innew business sales goal, as the service assurance market segmentCOVID-19 pandemic impacted sales during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Goal: Complete integration of legacy sales teams.

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Outcome: Achieved the integration of the legacy sales teams, resulting in pre-establishedincreased morale and productivity.

Goal: Continue the transition from hardware to software revenue.

Outcome: Achieved the enablement of our continued transition from hardware to software revenue target.

Ensured expense targets were met within 3%as measured by increasing the percentage of budget.

Established a go-to-market approach to leverage synergies between cyberhigher margin commercial off-the-shelf hardware platform and service assurance.
virtualization revenue.

Jean Bua (EVP and CFO)

 

Led the finance team’s efforts to spearhead the second phase of the Tektronics Communications integration, which focuses on the long term design of the workflows as well as identified and implemented improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy for fiscal year 2017.

Goal: Achieve the mid-point of non-GAAP revenue guidance of $895 million to $915 million and achieve the mid-point of non-GAAP EPS guidance of $1.40 to $1.45 per share.

Outcome: Non-GAAP EPS threshold achieved. Non-GAAP revenue target missed by approximately 1%.

 

Continued

Goal: Implement a tax restructuring plan.

Outcome: Completed tax restructuring and tax-efficiently repatriated cash.

Goal: Develop operational roles and responsibilities in support of the integration of business units.

Outcome: Achieved through oversight of design and implementation phaseexecution of support of customer fulfillment, control of prioritization of transactions and accurate reporting on progress of bookings and anticipated revenue.

Goal: Support the newly established business units.

Outcome: Achieved through designing the global capital efficiency strategies, and presented the planfinancial organization to respond to the Board inneeds of newly established business units and centralizing financial planning and analysis to scale for the third quarter of fiscal year 2017.

new organization.

Analyzed and proposed a global real estate strategy and obtained approval from our Chief Executive Officer by the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2017.

Annual Incentive Bonus Payout Amounts

In determining the annual incentive bonus target amounts for executive officers, the Compensation Committee considered our financial performance and each officer’s non-financial individual leadership, contributions toward completion of the Danaher Communications Business acquisition integration efforts, ongoing development and execution of our strategy, non-financial individual goal achievement, experience, and responsibility. The Compensation Committee considered that the Company fell slightly below its non-GAAP revenue targets, which was an individual goal for each Named Executive Officer despite exceeding its non-GAAP EPS target, recognizing the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had meton fourth quarter revenues.

While the lower endCompany-wide bonus pool was set at 140% of the guidance range on target bonus opportunity, in light of the fact that non-GAAP EPS and non-GAAP revenue targets and had achieved results consistent with Wall Street consensus,fell slightly below the targeted amount, the Compensation Committee determined that Ms. Bua should receive 137% of her annual incentive bonus target, and that it was important to maintain competitive compensation practices to retain talented employeesMessrs. Szabados and officers.Downing should each receive 136% of their annual incentive bonus targets. The Compensation Committee also noted that the Named Executive Officers had performed well against their individual goals.

The Compensation Committee determined, that each Named Executive Officer (andand recommended to the Board, inwhich approved the case ofrecommendation, that Mr. Singhal)Singhal should receive 80%133% of his or her total eligibleannual incentive bonus with exception of

49


Mr. Downing, who should receive 60% of his total eligible bonus.target. The total bonus amounts for all Named Executive Officers are provided in the Summary Compensation Table. In the case of Mr. Downing, the information presented in the “Non-Equity“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column consistsalso includes bothhis sales commissions and bonus.commissions.

Equity Awards

DuringBeginning with grants made for fiscal year 20172019, the Compensation Committee approved restricted stock unit grantsand the Board sought to enhance our long-term equity program’s alignment with stockholders’ interest by adding a performance-based component to a significant portion of the long-term equity incentives for Named Executive Officers. As part of this alignment, the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to the CEO) approved an increase in

67


the individual Named Executive Officer grant amount guidelines by 50%. This change recognized the Company’s dramatic growth in revenue, employees, and complexity in recent years. The Compensation Committee also determined that for the equity grants for our Named Executive Officers, includingone-third (as measured by number of RSUs to be granted) of the Chiefequity awards granted to our Named Executive Officer,Officers will be awarded as a result of prior year performance against corporate and individual performance goals as also set out in an amount equal to 155,000 shares in the aggregate. All grants were made pursuant to the 2007 Planlast year’s proxy statement. These performance awards will be time-based and vest 25% on the first anniversary of the date of grant, with the balance vesting in equal increments annually over the following three years.

The fiscal year 2017 equity Such awards to the executive officers including the Chief Executive Officer were determinedwill be granted based on numerous factorscorporate and individual performance, including existing levelswhether the Company achieves a pre-established non-GAAP EPS profitability target each year with respect to that year’s grant. If the Company fails to achieve the target, this performance-related portion of stock ownership, previous equity grants, vesting schedules, current stock price, overall compensation mix, and effectiveness of different elements of compensation in achieving our compensation goals.

The Committee also referred to internal guidelinesthat year’s RSU award will be appropriately reduced for equity grants to officers.each Named Executive Officer. The guidelines, developed with a review of peer company practices, survey data, and the Committee’s own assessment of reasonable grant amounts, are considered as just one part of the mix of information used to determine equity awards. Note that the Compensation Committee and the Board will also consider the achievement of individual goals to determine whether this portion of the equity grant will be made changes for the next fiscal year as described below under “Fiscal Year 2018 Compensation Decisions.”

Based on the factors described above, the fiscal year 2017 equity awards for eachto individual Named Executive Officer, including Mr. Singhal, resulted in RSUs equal to the following shares of our common stock pursuant to our 2007 Plan.Officers.

Name

RSU Grant
(shares)

Anil Singhal

60,000

Michael Szabados

35,000

Jean Bua

30,000

John W. Downing

30,000

The Compensation Committee believes that the foregoing annual grants wereare appropriate in furtherance of our philosophy that total executive compensation should be more heavily weighted toward long-term incentive compensation to ensure that the interests of our executives are aligned with those of our stockholders. In addition, the Compensation Committee felt it was important to ensure that Ms. Bua and Messrs. Singhal, Szabados and Downing have a significant ongoing equity stake in NetScoutthe Company so that each has appropriate incentives and has long-term interests that are aligned with those of our stockholders. Finally, the Compensation Committee and Board believe that incorporating an equity component based on performance is responsive to feedback received from our stakeholders during our engagement process. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider over the course of the year the appropriate structure for long-term equity incentives that will continue the Company’s ongoing practice of, and commitment to, rewarding long-term performance, and how to implement such long-term compensation.

The fiscal year 2020 equity awards for each Named Executive Officer, including Mr. Singhal, resulted in RSUs equal to the following number of shares of our common stock pursuant to our 2007 Plan. The grant date fair value of these grants during fiscal year 2020 was 14% lower than the grant date fair value of the grants in fiscal year 2019 as a result of the Compensation Committee’s assessment of fiscal year 2019 performance when determining the size of the fiscal year 2020 grants.

Name

RSU Grant
(shares)

Anil Singhal

60,000

Michael Szabados

35,000

Jean Bua

30,000

John W. Downing

30,000

Other Benefits

NetScout also maintains various broad-based employee benefit plans. Executive officers participate in these plans on the same terms as eligible, non-executive employees, subject to legal limits on the amounts that may be contributed or paid to executive officers under these plans. One exception to this broad-based eligibility is that executive officers at the vice president level and above are eligible for life insurance policies that provide for three times cash compensation (salary and bonus)annual incentive bonus target) up to a $1.5 million cap with evidence of insurability, which differs from the two times salary and annual incentive bonus target and $750,000 cap available to non-sales employees and two times salary and commission and $750,000 cap available to sales employees.

 

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We also offer a 401(k) plan that allows all U.S. employees to invest in a wide array of funds on a pre-tax basis. The 401(k) plan allows U.S. employees to put asidecontribute the lesser of 80% of their eligible compensation or $18,000$19,500 (or $24,000$25,000 for individuals at least 50 years of age) for calendar year 2016.2020. NetScout matches 50% of each employee’s contribution up to 6% of such employee’s annual salary. The matching amount vests 25% per year over four years. After four years of service, the employee match is 100% vested. Employees in the U.S. are eligible to participate on the 401(k) plan on date of hire.

Under his current employment agreement, Mr. Singhal is entitled to the following benefits: disability insurance of no less than 100% of base salary, paid vacation, group life insurance not to exceed $1.5 million, and NetScout’s generally available medical, dental, and vision plans as well as any other benefits generally available to senior executives of NetScout. In addition, NetScout will reimburse Mr. Singhal for tax and estate planning and for leasing and maintaining a car. For 2017,fiscal year 2020, for the Chief Executive Officer, the information presented in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table is largely composed of tax and estate planning expenses during the fiscal year.

Fiscal Year 2018 Compensation Decisions

Base Salaryyear and a car lease.

The Compensation Committee believes that these types of benefits are highly effective in retaining qualified executive officers because they provide the executive officers with longer-term security and protection for the Board determinedfuture. The Company believes that annual base salaries overproviding these benefits is a relatively inexpensive way to enhance the most recent two fiscal years were belowcompetitiveness of the 25th percentile in comparison with companies inexecutives’ compensation packages and furthers the new peer group. For fiscal year 2018,Company’s goal of retaining and rewarding highly qualified executives. The Company generally believes that all the perquisites have greater value to the executives than the cost to the Company to provide them, thus providing a return on the cost of providing such benefits.

Fiscal Year 2021 Compensation Decisions

In light of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Committee, with respect to the Named Executive Officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, and the Board, with respect to the Chief Executive Officer, determined thatdid not recommend any changes to the base salaries for fiscal 2018 would be increased in accordance with market practice and the companies in our peer group. However, the Compensation Committee and the Board determined that total cash compensation should not be significantly increased, and so the short-termannual incentive target as a percentage of each individual’s base salary was reduced. Following these changes, the total cash compensationbonus targets for our Named Executive OfficersOfficers.

As the COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving, it is not possible, with reasonable accuracy, to estimate the impact of the pandemic on future financial performance, and thus, we have deferred providing fiscal year 2021 guidance until there is greater visibility on the duration, magnitude, and effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic. As in the form of base salary and short-term incentive at target is between 25th percentile and median of companies in our new peer group.

Executive Officer

  FY 2017
Base
Salary
   FY 2017
Bonus
Target
   FY 2017
Sum of
Base Salary
plus Target
Bonus
   FY 2018
Base Salary
   FY 2018
Bonus
Target
   FY 2018 Base
Sum of Salary
plus Target
Bonus
 

Anil Singhal

  $325,000   $651,000   $976,000   $500,000   $476,000   $976,000 

Michael Szabados

  $275,000   $300,000   $575,000   $360,000   $240,000   $600,000 

Jean Bua

  $265,000   $210,000   $475,000   $330,000   $220,000   $550,000 

John Downing*

  $238,000   $312,500   $548,000   $240,000   $310,000   $550,000 

*Inpast, the case of Mr. Downing, FY 2017 Bonus Target and FY 2018 Bonus Target is inclusive of a bonus target amount and a commission target amount.

Fiscal 2018 Target Bonus Amount

For fiscal year 2018, the Compensation Committee, with respect to the2021 compensation of our Named Executive Officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, and the Board, with respectwill be tied in part to the Chief Executive Officer, approved individual fiscal year 2018 target bonusesattainment of non-GAAP EPS and non-GAAP revenue targets. The specific metrics are not being disclosed given that were adjustedwe have not provided public financial guidance as described above when compared to fiscal year 2017 target bonuses.discussed above.

The company-wide bonus pool for fiscal year 20182021 will be fully accrued after the non-GAAP EPS target approved by the Committee is achieved. Named Executive Officers will not receive a fulltheir annual incentive bonus target unless the corporate profitability (non-GAAP EPS) target has been achieved. The company focuses its EPS target on our publicly communicated EPS guidance for the fiscal

51


year. In the event of revenue performance below guidance,the low end of the target range approved by the Committee, the bonus pool will be reduced to meet the non-GAAPEPS guidance.target range approved by the Committee. In the event of over performance with respect to profitability, either due to higher revenue, changes in product mix, decisions to reduce investment in certain areas, or unanticipated one-time events such as tax refunds, the additional funds will be sharedallocated between the company-wide bonus pool and shareholdersstockholders in the form of increases tonon-GAAP EPS. In no event will any Named Executive Officer receive more than 200% of his or her target bonus.

For fiscal year 2018, the Company’s non-GAAP EPS target for executive compensation purposes is $2.08 per share, which equals the mid-point of our qualitatively-described non-GAAP EPS guidance and the non-GAAP revenue target is $1.2 billion, which equals the mid-point of our non-GAAP qualitative revenue guidance. The Compensation Committee and the Board will take into account any increase to our guidance as a result of any purchases under our share repurchase program.annual incentive bonus target.

Following consideration of the company-wide performance targets approved by the Committee, the Named Executive Officers’ annual incentive bonus amountstarget will be based upon the attainment of the individual goals discussed below:

Anil Singhal (CEO)

 

Achieve a pre-establishednon-GAAP revenue target.and non-GAAP EPS within the target range.

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Oversee an effective, rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic that maintains the Company’s strategic growth initiatives.

 

Achieve effective collaboration between NetScout’s security

Develop a succession plan that identifies readiness and service assurance businesses in product, go-to-market, operations,gaps, and messaging.

Continueextend the Company’s leadership development program to drive key strategic initiatives to accelerate growth in both the enterprise and service provider segments including the integration of service assurance and security, customer penetration and “new logos”.additional employees.

Michael Szabados (COO)

 

Deliver

Achieve non-GAAP revenue and non-GAAP EPS within the target range.

Build on the Company’s brand as “Guardians of the Connected World” through modern marketing channels to yield a pre-determined increase in brand recognition, as measured by perception studies.

Operationalize the product milestones needed for our specified strategic initiatives.

Deliver a comprehensive enterprise risk management/business continuity planplanning and presentnew product introduction process in order to the Board at the October regular meeting.

Work with Salesdocument and Finance to complete implementation of common organizationtrain all product, engineering, and business processes for Support, Service & Delivery, Order Entry, Fulfilment, and associated back office operations for the Service Assurance Business Unit.marketing managers.

John Downing (EVP Worldwide Sales)

 

Achieve pre-established new bookingsnon-GAAP revenue and renewal targets, as specifiednon-GAAP EPS within the target range.

Implement focused overlays to sales structure to build expertise in the fiscal year 2018 Board plan, insales organization with respect to the service assurance market segment, resulting in a pre-established revenue target while ensuring that sales expenses are within plan target and sales retention is better than industry standards.Company’s strategic growth initiatives.

 

Drive messaging and sales initiatives

Achieve a pre-determined amount of pipeline growth to deliver the company’s expanded capabilities to adjacent audiences (e.g. cybersecurity operations, data center and cloud architects)position for higher growth targets in order to expand the customer base.fiscal year 2022.

Jean Bua (EVP and CFO)

 

Reevaluate

Achieve non-GAAP revenue and amendnon-GAAP EPS within the financial policies associated with leverage, usetarget range.

Develop statutory reporting and tax strategy alternatives to support the integration of capital, minimum cash, tax profile andproduct technologies between business units.

Review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s capital structure in conjunction with the two year anniversary of the Danaher Communications Business acquisition.

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Designprograms and implement the new revenue recognition standard beginning with fiscal year 2019. Developdevelop appropriate capital structure forecasts and execute the approach to explaining the transition’s effectresponses to the stockholders and analyst community.

pandemic.

Guide the internal audit function to execute the fiscal year 2018 internal audit plan with quarterly presentations to the Audit Committee.

Certain specific revenue, strategic initiatives and bookings and renewalsbooking targets are not disclosed because it would be competitively harmful to do so. We will disclose certain of the specific metrics at the end of the performance period when doing so would not be competitively harmful.

Equity Awards

Following a review of the Company’s compensation program after the transformative Danaher Communications Business acquisition, as well as stockholder and proxy advisor feedback obtained through our stakeholder engagement process, the Compensation Committee has reviewed and made changes to the long-term equity component for our Named Executive Officers. Recognizing the increase in responsibilities of the Named Executive Officers following the increased size and complexity of the Company, as it has grown from just over $450 million in revenue in fiscal year 2015 to $1.2 billion in revenue in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 and in response to comments from those investors and proxy advisors in connection with last year’s say-on-pay proposal, the Compensation Committee, and the Board, sought to enhance the long-term equity program’s alignment with stockholders’ interest by adding a performance-based component to a significant portion of the long-term equity incentives for named executive officers.

Under the revised guidelines beginning with grants to be made for fiscal year 2019, the Compensation Committee (and the Board with respect to the CEO) has approved an increase in the individual Named Executive Officer grant amount guidelines by 50%. This change recognizes that the Company grew and almost tripled in total revenue following the acquisition. The Compensation Committee has also determined that for the equity grant for our Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 2019 and beyond, one-third (as measured by number of RSUs to be granted) of the equity awards granted to our Named Executive Officers will be awarded as a result of prior year performance against corporate and individual performance goals. These awards, if any, will also be time-based and vest 25% on the first anniversary of the date of grant, with the balance vesting in equal increments annually over the following three years. Such awards will be granted based on corporate and individual performance, including whether the Company achieves a pre-established non-GAAP EPS profitability target each year with respect to that year’s grant. If the Company fails to achieve the target, this performance-related portion of that year’s RSU award will be appropriately reduced for each Named Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee and the Board will also consider the achievement of individual goals to determine whether this portion of the equity grant will be made to individual Named Executive Officers.

The Compensation Committee believes that the annual grants are appropriate in furtherance of our philosophy that total executive compensation should be more heavily weighted toward long-term incentive compensation to ensure that the interests of our executives are aligned with those of our stockholders. In addition, the Compensation Committee felt it was important to ensure that Ms. Bua and Messrs. Singhal, Szabados and Downing have a significant ongoing equity stake in the Company so that each has appropriate incentives and has long-term interests that are aligned with those of our stockholders. Finally, the Compensation Committee and Board believe that incorporating thean equity component based on performance aspect to determining the size of a portion of each grant is responsive to feedback received from our stakeholders during our engagement process.

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The fiscal year 2018 equity awards for each Named Executive Officer, including Mr. Singhal, resulted in RSUs equal to the following shares of our common stock pursuant to our 2007 Plan.

Name

RSU Grant
(shares)

Anil Singhal

60,000

Michael Szabados

35,000

Jean Bua

30,000

John W. Downing

30,000

Post-Termination Compensation

Mr. Singhal’s 2007 employment agreement provides that if any of the following three events occur (1) NetScout terminates Mr. Singhal’s employment for any reason other than due cause (as defined in the

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agreement), (2) Mr. Singhal terminates his employment for any reason at any time following the consummation of a sale of NetScout, or (3) upon the death or disability of Mr. Singhal, then Mr. Singhal, or his estate, is entitled to receive in a lump sum, a payment equal to the net present value of $16,208 per month for a period of seven years. If Mr. Singhal terminates his employment with NetScout for any reason prior to the consummation of a sale of NetScout, he is entitled to such lump sum payment for the period for which his severance benefits have vested (not to exceed seven years).years. Mr. Singhal will also receive continued health and dental benefits during such period. Mr. Singhal’s severance benefits, including health and dental benefits, are fully vested, and we have projected its future payments for this unfunded obligation at approximately $1.6$1.5 million in the aggregate. Mr. Singhal’s employment agreement was amended in May 2012 to update certain provisions with respect to the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, but such amendment did not affect any of the provisions described above.

In May 2012, NetScout entered into amended and restated severance agreements with its Named Executive Officers, other than its Chief Executive Officer. These agreements are intended to help NetScout retain key executives and to reinforce the continued attention and dedication of management in event of a change of control and to provide protection so that such executives can act in the best interests of NetScout without distraction. For each of the Named Executive Officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer, the amended and restated severance agreements provide certain payments in the event that such officer is terminated without cause (as defined in the applicable agreement) or resigns for good reason (as defined in the applicable agreement) at any time prior to a change in control of NetScout (as defined in the applicable agreement) or within one year thereafter. In such event, such officer will receive 12 months of his or her then current salary, and, if such termination occurs after a change of control, such officer will also receive a prorated amount of his maximumor her annual incentive bonus target, bonus, based on the months elapsed in such year that in any event will not be less than 50% of his or her maximum annual incentive bonus target bonus and accelerated vesting of any outstanding unvested equity awards under the 2007 Plan and the 2019 Plan, or any successorsuccessors thereto, that would have vested or become exercisable within one year of such termination. In January 2015, the Board approved amendments to such severance agreements to clarify that the acquisition of the Danaher Communications Business would not constitute a change of control of NetScout (as defined in the applicable agreement).

With respect to the severance agreement with Mr. Downing, if such termination occurs after a change of control, such payments will also include accrued but unpaid sales commissions plus a prorated amount of his maximum target sales commissions (without double counting for previously paid commissions) that in any event will not be less than 50% of his maximum target sales commissions.

Each of the amended and restated severance agreements listed above contain a one year initial term with one year automatic renewal terms unless NetScout or the respective executive officer elects not to renew the agreement.

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The agreements also contain forfeiture provisions requiring repayment of severance amounts if it is ultimately determined that the executive officer committed certain prohibited conduct while employed by NetScout or materially breached any of the officer’s agreements with NetScout.

Regulatory Requirements

Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code NetScout cannot deduct,(“Section 162(m)”), compensation paid to any publicly held corporation’s “covered employees” that exceeds $1 million per taxable year for federal income tax purposes,any covered employee is generally non-deductible.

Prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Section 162(m) provided a performance-based compensation exception, pursuant to which the deduction limit under Section 162(m) did not apply to any compensation that qualified as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m). Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) was repealed with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, except that certain transition relief is provided for compensation paid pursuant to a written binding contract which was in effect on November 2, 2017 and which is not modified in any material respect on or after such date.

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Compensation paid to each of the Company’s “covered employees” in excess of $1,000,000 paid$1 million per taxable year generally will not be deductible unless it qualifies for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) pursuant to the transition relief described above. Because of certain executive officers. This deduction limit does not applyambiguities and uncertainties as to compensation that constitutes “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaningapplication and interpretation of Section 162(m), as well as other factors beyond the control of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. While our Compensation Committee, recognizesno assurance can be given that any compensation paid by the potential benefit to NetScout’s financial performance ofCompany will be eligible for such transition relief and be deductible by the full deductibility of compensation, ourCompany in the future. Although the Compensation Committee believes that compensating ourwill continue to consider tax implications as one factor in determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee also looks at other factors in making its decisions and retains the flexibility to provide compensation for the Company’s named executive officers in waysa manner consistent with the goals of the Company’s executive compensation program and the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, which may include providing for compensation that best promote NetScout’s corporate objectives areis not deductible by the more critical objective than fitting constraints imposedCompany due to the deduction limit under Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee also retains the flexibility to modify compensation that was initially intended to be exempt from the deduction limit under Section 162(m) if it determines that such modifications are consistent with the Company’s business needs.

Other Key Regulations Affecting Compensation Plans

Post-termination compensation is designed to minimize the effect of additional taxes imposed by Section 409A of the Code.

Management of Risk

Following review and discussion, the Compensation Committee believes that any risks arising from our compensation policies and practices for our employees will not have a material adverse effect on NetScout. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that the mix and design of the elements of executive compensation do not encourage management to assume excessive risks. The considerations which led the Compensation Committee to this conclusion include the following:

 

We provide executives with a reasonable base salary. We believe these base salary levels mitigate risk-taking behavior by providing reasonable predictability in the level of income earned by each executive and alleviating pressure on executives to focus exclusively on stock price performance to the detriment of other important business metrics.

 

We use a mixture of compensation elements that is intended to discourage short-term risk taking. Further, the executive team overall has a long tenure and significant experience, enabling it to deal with business cycles.

 

Short term

Short-term incentives in the form of annual performanceincentive bonus payouts are generally established at 100% of the target amount, unless the Compensation Committee or the Board determines that extraordinary performance warrants a higher payout, a process that the Compensation Committee believes mitigates the likelihood that our executives will take excessive risks.

 

Equity incentive awards are generally granted annually and generally vest over four years, so executives have a significant amount of unvested awards that could decrease significantly in value if our business is not managed for the long-term. As noted, there are Stock Holding Guidelines designed to reinforce that long-term view.

 

We have a robust system of internal controls and a comprehensive compliance program, which includes extensive training of all employees, which we believe promotes a culture of ethical behavior and compliance, as well as an appropriate attitude toward risk-taking. The Compensation Committee retains discretion to adjust compensation based on adherence to our values and compliance with programs, among other things.

 

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Report of Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors2

The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement and discussed such section with management. Based on its review and discussions and its ongoing involvement with executive compensation matters, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the CD&A portion of this proxy statement be included in NetScout’s proxy statement and incorporated into NetScout’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.2020. This report is provided by the following independent directors, who comprise the Compensation Committee:

Joseph G. Hadzima,Vivian Vitale, Chair

Victor A. DeMarines

Robert E. Donahue

John R. Egan

Alfred Grasso

Christopher Perretta

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of Ms. Vitale or Messrs. Hadzima, DeMarines, Donahue, Egan, Grasso, or Perretta was, during the past fiscal year, an officer or employee of NetScout or any of our subsidiaries, was formerly an officer of NetScout or any of our subsidiaries, or had any relationship with us requiring disclosure herein. During the past fiscal year, 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 another entity, of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee;

 

a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; or

 

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 another entity, one of whose executive officers served as one of our directors.

Transactions with Related Persons

We have a written policy with respect to “Related Persons Transactions.” Except as specifically provided below, all “Related Person Transactions” require approval or ratification by either our Audit Committee (provided that the transaction involves terms comparable to terms that could be obtained in an arms-length dealing with unrelated third parties), the majority of disinterested members of our Board, or, in the case of transactions that involve compensation, our Compensation Committee or our Board. Like other Company policies, our Policy with respect to Related Person Transactions is managed on a day to day basis by our management team, including our General Counsel, and to the extent necessary, related matters are discussed with our Board (or a committee thereof) or our outside counsel.

For NetScout, a “Related Person Transaction” is broadly defined as any transaction between NetScout and any Related Person (as defined below), including any transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. A Related Party Transaction will require disclosure to our Audit Committee but will not require Audit Committee approval if (i) such transaction is available to all of our employees generally, (ii) if such transaction, when aggregated with any other similar transactions with such person during such fiscal year, involves less than $5,000 or (iii) such transaction is an ordinary course, commercial transaction with an entity in which a Related Person serves as an officer or director and such transaction is the result of arms-length negotiation not involving such Related Person.

 

2 

The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is furnished to, but not deemed “filed” with, the SEC and is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the the Securities Act or Exchange Act, other than the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, where it shall be deemed to be “furnished,” whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

 

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commercial transaction with an entity in which a Related Person serves as an officer or director and such transaction is the result of arms-length negotiation not involving such Related Person.

A “Related Person” means:

 

 i.

a director or executive officer of NetScout, as well as any nominee for director proposed to be elected at the next annual meeting of stockholders;

 

 ii.

a stockholder owning in excess of five percent of NetScout (or its controlled affiliates);

 

 iii.

an immediate family member of the persons listed in i and ii above (“immediate family” as defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); or

 

 iv.

an entity which someone listed in i, ii, or iii above has more than a 10% ownership interest or control of such entity.

Our Board has determined that our Audit Committee is generally best suited to review and approve Related Person Transactions. If Audit Committee approval is not practicable (because, for example, it involves terms that are not comparable to terms that could be obtained from an arms-length dealing with an unrelated third parties or because of logistical difficulties), or if a transaction involves compensation, such approval may be obtained as provided above. Such Related Person Transactions may be presented for approval or preliminarily entered into by our management subject to ratification by the applicable committee or our Board, provided that if ratification does not occur, our management is obliged to take all reasonable efforts to cancel or annul such transaction.

In determining whether or not to approve a Related Person Transaction, the applicable committee or our Board will also consider whether such transaction would affect the status of a member of our Board as an “independent director” as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission,SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, any exchange upon which our securities are traded, or any governmental or regulatory body exercising authority over us. If the result of any such Related Person Transaction is that a majority of our Board would no longer be deemed to be “independent directors” then such transaction will not be approved. Other than as described in the following three paragraphs or under “Employment and Other Agreements” and “Post Termination Compensation” above, and as disclosed below, the Company is not party to any Related Person Transactions with respect to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.

In connection with our acquisition of the communications business of Danaher Corporation (“Danaher”) on July 14, 2015, we entered into or assumed obligations under various ancillary agreements with Danaher, including a Commercial Lease Agreement2020, and Transition Services Agreement. Under the Commercial Lease Agreement, in addition to paying all costs and expenses relating to the premises, weno such transactions are obligated to pay Tektronix, Inc., which, at the time of the acquisition was a subsidiary of Danaher, base rent during the first two lease years of $984,000 per annum and during the third lease year, $3,000,000 per annum. The Transition Services Agreement provides for payment for services on a schedule-by-schedule basis, and the terms and costs of such services vary. Mr. Lico is the founding President and CEO of Fortive Corporation, which was spun out of Danaher in July 2016. In connection with this spin out, the Transition Services Agreement was amended to, among other things, assign Danaher’s rights, duties, obligations and liabilities under the Transition Services Agreement to Fluke Corporation, a subsidiary of Fortive Corporation. Further, as a result of the spin out, Tektronix, Inc. is a subsidiary of Fortive Corporation.

currently contemplated.

 

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DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCEREPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers, and holders of more than 10% of our common stock, or collectively, Reporting Persons, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all such filings. Based on our review of the copies of such filings received by us with respect to the fiscal year ended March 31, 20172020 and written representations from certain Reporting Persons, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were complied with on a timely basis during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.2020, except that one report with respect to RSUs that vested on August 1, 2019, but which were not delivered until August 6, 2019 for each of Messrs. Singhal, Szabados, and Downing and Ms. Bua was filed after the applicable due date due to an administrative error.

AUDITORS FEES AND SERVICES

The following sets forth the aggregate fees billed to us by our independent registered public accounting firm during the fiscal years ended March 31, 20172020 and 2016:March 31, 2019:

Audit Fees

Fees for audit services were approximately $2,334,140$2,525,012 and $2,909,982$2,305,800 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 20172020 and 2016,March 31, 2019, respectively, including fees associated with the integrated audit of the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, the reviews of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and statutory audits required of our foreign subsidiaries.

Audit-Related Fees

Fees for audit-related services were approximately $0$386,350 and $247,285$171,550 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 20172020 and 2016,March 31, 2019, respectively, including fees associated with services related to review of accounting for significant transactions.

Tax Fees

Total fees for tax services were approximately $88,270$117,861 and $94,972$108,261 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 20172020 and 2016,March 31, 2019, respectively, consisting of tax compliance and preparation fees and other domestic and international tax advisory services.

All Other Fees

Total all other fees were approximately $3,656$2,700 and $2,756 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 20172020 and March 31, 2016,2019, respectively, consisting of fees related to accounting due diligence, trainingresearch and research services.compliance tools.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services

Our Audit Committee has implemented procedures under our Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services, or the Pre-Approval Policy, to ensure that all audit and permitted non-audit services provided to us are pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Specifically, the Audit Committee pre-approves the use of our independent registered public accounting firm for specific audit and non-audit services within approved monetary limits. All of the services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during fiscal year 2020 were pre-approved in accordance with this policy. If a proposed service has not been pre-approved pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policy, then it must be specifically pre-approved by our Audit Committee before it may be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. Any pre-approved

75


services exceeding the pre-approved monetary limits require specific approval by our Audit Committee. All of the audit-related, tax, and all other services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in fiscal years 20172020 and 20162019 were approved by

58


the Audit Committee by means of specific pre-approvals or pursuant to the procedures contained in the Pre-Approval Policy. All non-audit services provided in fiscal years 20172020 and 20162019 were reviewed with our Audit Committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by our independent registered public accounting firm was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions.

 

5976


EXPENSES AND SOLICITATIONHOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

WeThe SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other Annual Meeting materials addressed to those stockholders.

A number of brokers with account holders who are stockholders will bearbe “householding” the costCompany’s proxy materials. A single Notice of solicitationInternet Availability of proxies,Proxy Materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from us (if you are a stockholder of record) or from your broker (if you are a beneficial owner) that we or they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and inwould prefer to receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or if you currently receive multiple copies and would like to request “householding” of your communications, please notify your broker or the Company. Direct your written or oral request to the Company to our principal executive offices, 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone: (979) 614-4000. In addition, we will promptly deliver, upon written or oral request to soliciting stockholders by mail through our regular employees, we may request banks, brokers, andthe address or telephone number above, a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or other custodians, nominees, and fiduciariesAnnual Meeting materials, as applicable, to solicit their customers who have our stock registered ina stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the names of a nominee, and, if so, will reimburse such banks, brokers, and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs. Solicitation by our officers and employees may also be made of some stockholders in person or by mail, telephone, or telegraph following the original solicitation. We may retain a proxy solicitation firm to assist in the solicitation of proxies. We will bear all reasonable solicitation fees and expenses if such a proxy solicitation firm is retained.documents was delivered.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

Our proxy statement, the proxy card, and our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 20172020 are all available free of charge upon written request to: Investor Relations, 310 Littleton Road, Westford Massachusetts 01886.

 

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APPENDIX A

LOGOAMENDEDAND RESTATED NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

ADOPTEDBYTHE BOARDOF DIRECTORS: JULY 9, 2019

APPROVEDBYTHE STOCKHOLDERS: SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

AMENDEDAND RESTATEDBYTHE BOARDOF DIRECTORS: JUNE 23, 2020

APPROVEDBYTHE STOCKHOLDERS: SEPTEMBER     , 2020

 

1.
Using a

black inkGENERAL.pen, mark your votes with anXas shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

(a)Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plan. The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the NetScout Systems, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”). Following the Effective Date, no additional awards may be granted under the Prior Plan. Any unallocated shares remaining available for grant under the Prior Plan as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the Effective Date (the “Prior Plans Available Reserve”) will cease to be available under the Prior Plan at such time and will be added to the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)) and be then immediately available for grant and issuance pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan. From and after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the Effective Date, all outstanding awards granted under the Prior Plan (each, a “Prior Plan Award”) will remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan; provided, however, that the following shares of Common Stock subject to any outstanding Prior Plan Award (collectively, the “Prior Plans Returning Shares”) will immediately be added to the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)) as and when such shares become the Prior Plan’s Returning Shares and will become available for grant and issuance pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan: (i) any shares subject to such award that are not issued because such award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to such award that are not issued because such award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; (iii) any shares issued pursuant to such award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares; and (iv) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with any such award that is a Full Value Award granted under the Prior Plan. All Awards granted on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the Effective Date will be subject to the terms of this Plan.

(b)Eligible Award Recipients. Subject to Section 4, Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards.

(c)Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options; (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options; (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights; (iv) Restricted Stock Awards; (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards; and (vi) Other Stock Awards.

(d)Purpose. The Plan, through the granting of Awards, is intended to help the Company and any Affiliate secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate, and provide a means by which such persons may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.

2.

ADMINISTRATION.

(a)Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

(b)Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i)    To determine (A) who will be granted Awards, (B) when and how each Award will be granted, (C) what type of Award will be granted, (D) the provisions of each Award (which need not be identical),

A-1


including when a Participant will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Award, (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, an Award, and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to an Award.

(ii)    To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.

(iii)    To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.

(iv)    To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which an Award may be exercised or vest (or at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued in settlement thereof).

(v)    To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award without his or her written consent.

(vi)    To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or to make the Plan or Awards granted under the Plan compliant with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or exempt from or compliant with the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. However, if required by applicable law or listing requirements, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, or (E) materially expands the types of Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award without his or her written consent.

(vii)    To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of (A) Section 422 of the Code regarding incentive stock options or (B) Rule 16b-3.

(viii)    To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more outstanding Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in the Plan (including this Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement, no amendment of an outstanding Award will materially impair a Participant’s rights under such Award without his or her written consent.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan to the contrary, unless prohibited by applicable law, the Board may amend the terms of any outstanding Award or the Plan, or may suspend or terminate the Plan, without the affected Participant’s consent, (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award or the Plan into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code or (D) to comply with other applicable laws or listing requirements.

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(ix)    Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Awards.

(x)    To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

(c)    Delegation to Committee.

(i)General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). The Committee may, at any time, abolish the subcommittee and/or revest in the Committee any powers delegated to the subcommittee. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

(ii)Rule 16b-3 Compliance. The Committee may consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors in accordance with Rule 16b-3.

(d)Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following: (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Awards; and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant an Award to himself or herself. Any such Awards will be granted on the form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation of authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock pursuant to Section 13(v)(iii).

(e)Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

(f)Cancellation and Re-Grant of Awards. Neither the Board nor any Committee will have the authority to (i) reduce the exercise or strike price of any outstanding Option or SAR or (ii) cancel any outstanding Option or SAR that has an exercise or strike price (per share) greater than the then-current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in exchange for cash or other Awards under the Plan, unless the stockholders of the Company have approved such an action within 12 months prior to such an event.

(g)Acceleration upon Death or Disability. Unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death or Disability, each of the Participant’s Awards will become fully vested (and exercisable, if applicable) as of the date of such termination, to the extent that such Awards are outstanding and unvested as of the date of such termination.

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(h)Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that (i) no dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to any such shares before the date such shares have vested under the terms of such Award Agreement, (ii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to such shares under the terms of such Award Agreement (including, but not limited to, any vesting conditions), and (iii) any dividends or dividend equivalents that are credited with respect to any such shares will be forfeited to the Company on the date, if any, such shares are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to a failure to meet any vesting conditions under the terms of such Award Agreement.

(i)Minimum Vesting Requirements. No Award granted on or after September 10, 2020 may vest (or, if applicable, be exercisable) until at least 12 months following the date of grant of the Award; provided, however, that shares of Common Stock up to 5% of the Share Reserve (as defined in Section 3(a)(i)) may be issued pursuant to Awards granted on or after September 10, 2020 that do not meet such vesting (and, if applicable, exercisability) requirements.

3.

SHARES SUBJECTTOTHE PLAN.

(a)    Share Reserve.

(i)    Subject to Section 3(a)(iii) and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards from and after the Effective Date will not exceed (A) 11,494,651 shares (which number is the sum of (i) the number of shares (1,294,651) subject to the Prior Plan’s Available Reserve, (ii) an additional 5,500,000 shares that were approved at the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and (iii) an additional 4,700,000 shares that were approved at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders), plus (B) the Prior Plan’s Returning Shares, if any, which become available for issuance under this Plan from time to time (such aggregate number of shares described in (A) and (B), the “Share Reserve”).

(ii)    Subject to Section 3(b), the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan will be reduced by: (A) one share for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Appreciation Award granted under the Plan; (B) 2.76 shares for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Plan prior to September 10, 2020; and (C) 2.32 shares for each share of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Full Value Award granted under the Plan on or after September 10, 2020.

(iii)    Subject to Section 3(b), the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan will be increased by: (A) one share for each Prior Plan’s Returning Share or 2019 Plan Returning Share (as defined in Section 3(b)(i)) subject to an Appreciation Award; (B) 2.76 shares for each Prior Plan’s Returning Share or 2019 Plan Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returns to the Plan prior to September 10, 2020; and (C) 2.32 shares for each Prior Plan’s Returning Share or 2019 Plan Returning Share subject to a Full Value Award that returns to the Plan on or after September 10, 2020.

(iv)    For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Awards except as provided in Section 7(a). Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) or, if applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.

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(b)    Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.

(i)Shares Available for Subsequent Issuance.The following shares of Common Stock (collectively, the “2019 PlanReturning Shares”) will become available again for issuance under the Plan: (A) any shares subject to an Award that are not issued because such Award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Award having been issued; (B) any shares subject to an Award that are not issued because such Award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; (C) any shares issued pursuant to an Award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares; and (D) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with any Full Value Award granted under the Plan.

(ii)Shares Not Available for Subsequent Issuance. The following shares of Common Stock will not become available again for issuance under the Plan: (A) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy the exercise or strike price of any Appreciation Award granted under the Plan or Prior Plan (including any shares subject to such award that are not delivered because such award is exercised through a reduction of shares subject to such award (i.e., “net exercised”)); (B) any shares that are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with any Appreciation Award granted under the Plan or Prior Plan; (C) any shares repurchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise or strike price of any Appreciation Award granted under the Plan or Prior Plan; and (D) in the event that a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan or a stock appreciation right granted under the Prior Plan is settled in shares of Common Stock, the gross number of shares of Common Stock subject to such award.

(c)Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be 11,000,000 shares.

(d)Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation (including Awards and any other equity-based awards) paid or granted, as applicable, by the Company to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed $750,000, calculating the value of any equity-based awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes.

(e)Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

4.

ELIGIBILITY.

(a)Eligibility for Specific Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless (i) the stock underlying such Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction) or (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Awards are otherwise exempt from or alternatively comply with Section 409A of the Code.

(b)Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price (per share) of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant of such Option and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

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5.

PROVISIONS RELATINGTO OPTIONSAND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

Each Option or SAR Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The terms and conditions of separate Option or SAR Agreements need not be identical; provided, however, that each Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(a)Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of seven years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.

(b)Exercise or Strike Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price (per share) of each Option or SAR will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price (per share) less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Award is granted if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of, or substitution for, another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Change in Control and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

(c)Payment of Exercise Price for Options. The exercise price of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by one or more of the methods of payment set forth below that are specified in the Option Agreement. The Board has the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or that otherwise restrict the ability to utilize certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment.

(i)    By cash (including electronic funds transfers), check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

(ii)    Pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

(iii)    By delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;

(iv)    If an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or

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(v)    In any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Award Agreement.

(d)Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.

(e)Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the restrictions set forth in this Section 5(e) on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, no Option or SAR may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.

(i)Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (and pursuant to Sections 5(e)(ii) and 5(e)(iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. Subject to the foregoing paragraph, the Board may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.

(ii)Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.421-1(b)(2). If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

(iii)Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.

(f)Vesting. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to Sections 2(g) and 2(i) and any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

(g)Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s

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Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is three months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after such termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time period, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

(h)Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate,if the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

(i)Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after such termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time period, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

(j)Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) a Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (for a reason other than death), then the Participant’s Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance, or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Award Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR (as applicable) is not exercised within the applicable time period, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

(k)Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s

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Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Participant’s Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the time of such termination of Continuous Service.

(l)Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Change in Control, or (iii) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement, in another written agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company’s or Affiliate’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Award Agreements.

6.

PROVISIONSOF AWARDS OTHERTHAN OPTIONSAND SARS.

(a)Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse, or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i)Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash (including electronic funds transfers), check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

(ii)Vesting. Subject to Sections 2(g) and 2(i), shares of Common Stock awarded under a Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to or repurchase by the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

(iii)Termination of Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of such termination under the terms of the Participant’s Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

(iv)Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under a Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan or a Restricted Stock Award Agreement to the contrary, no Restricted Stock Award may be transferred to any financial institution without prior stockholder approval.

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(b)Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. The terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i)Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

(ii)Vesting. Subject to Sections 2(g) and 2(i), at the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

(iii)Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

(iv)Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award.

(v)Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, any portion of the Participant’s Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested as of the date of such termination will be forfeited upon such termination.

(c)Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise or strike price (per share) less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Awards granted under Section 5 and this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan (including, but not limited to, Sections 2(g), 2(h) and 2(i)), the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.

7.

COVENANTSOFTHE COMPANY.

(a)Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Awards.

(b)Securities Law Compliance. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan the authority required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is

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obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

(c)No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising an Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.

8.    MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.

(b)Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.

(c)Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

(d)No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

(e)Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company or any Affiliate is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.

(f)Incentive Stock Option Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first

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time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

(g)Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Award and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

(h)Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state, local or foreign tax withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Award; (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.

(i)Electronic Voting InstructionsDelivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).

Available 24 hours(j)Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company or an Affiliate. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

(k)Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the

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extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount under such Award that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months and one day 7 daysfollowing the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment may be made in a week!manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six-month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.

Instead(l)Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of mailing your proxy, youany national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including, but not limited to, a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or an Affiliate.

9.

ADJUSTMENTSUPON CHANGESIN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.

(a)Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a); (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c); and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Awards. The Board will make such adjustments and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

(b)Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Awards (other than Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase may be reacquired or repurchased by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Award is providing Continuous Service.

(c)Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, the provisions of this Section 9(c) will apply to each outstanding Award unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Award, in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, or in any director compensation policy of the Company.

(i)Awards May Be Assumed. In the event of a Change in Control, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may assume or continue any or all outstanding Awards or may substitute similar stock awards for any or all outstanding Awards (including, but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Change in Control), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to any outstanding Awards may be assigned by the Company to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company). For clarity, in the event of

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a Change in Control, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may choose to assume or continue only a portion of an outstanding Award, to substitute a similar stock award for only a portion of an outstanding Award, or to assume or continue, or substitute similar stock awards for, the outstanding Awards held by some, but not all, Participants. The terms of any such assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Board.

(ii)Awards Held by Current Participants. In the event of a Change in Control in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding Awards, or substitute similar stock awards for outstanding Awards, then with respect to any such Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Change in Control (referred to as the “Current Participants”), the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such Awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to any such Awards that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions or requirements, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the greater of (x) the target level of performance or (y) the actual level of performance measured in accordance with the applicable performance goals as of the date of the Change in Control) to a date prior to the effective time of the Change in Control (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Change in Control) as the Board will determine (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the Change in Control), and such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Change in Control in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Board, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Change in Control).

(iii)Awards Held by Participants other than Current Participants. In the event of a Change in Control in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding Awards, or substitute similar stock awards for outstanding Awards, then with respect to any such Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants other than Current Participants, such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Change in Control in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Board; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Change in Control.

(iv)Payment for Awards in Lieu of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any outstanding Award held by a Participant will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Change in Control, the Board may provide that the Participant may not exercise such Award but instead will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board, equal in value to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of such Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Change in Control, over (B) any exercise price payable by the Participant in connection with such exercise. For clarity, such payment may be zero if the value of such property is equal to or less than the exercise price. Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.

(d)No Additional Acceleration upon or after Change in Control. Unless provided otherwise in the Award Agreement for an Award, in any other written agreement or plan between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, or in any director compensation policy of the Company, an Award will not be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control.

(e)Parachute Payments. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if any payment or benefit the Participant would receive pursuant to a Change in Control from the Company or otherwise (“Payment”) would

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(i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” will be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in the Participant’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction will occur in the following order: (A) reduction of cash payments; (B) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (C) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (D) reduction of other benefits paid to the Participant. Within any such category of payments and benefits (that is, (A), (B), (C) or (D)), a reduction will occur first with respect to amounts that are not “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and then with respect to amounts that are. In the event that acceleration of compensation from a Participant’s equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be canceled, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, in the reverse order of the date of grant. The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control will perform the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Participant and the Company within 15 calendar days after the date on which the Participant’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Participant or the Company) or such other time as reasonably requested by the Participant or the Company. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Participant and the Company.

10.

TERMINATIONOR SUSPENSIONOFTHE PLAN.

(a)Termination or Suspension. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Option may be granted afterthe tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the Adoption Date or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

(b)No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not materially impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant or as otherwise permitted in the Plan (including Section 2(b)(viii)) or an Award Agreement.

11.

EFFECTIVE DATEOF PLAN.

This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.

12.

CHOICEOF LAW.

The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

13.

DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

(a)    “Adoption Date” means July 9, 2019, which is the date the Plan was adopted by the Board.

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(b)    “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

(c)    “Appreciation Award” means (i) a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under the Prior Plan or (ii) an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, in each case with respect to which the exercise or strike price (per share) is at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the stock option or stock appreciation right, or Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, on the date of grant.

(d)    “Award” means an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award or any Other Stock Award.

(e)    “Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award.

(f)    “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(g)    “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Award after the Adoption Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

(h)    “Causewill have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of one or more of the following: (i) the Participant’s theft, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any Company or Affiliate documents or records; (ii) the Participant’s material failure to abide by the code of conduct or other policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct) of the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) the Participant’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of the Company or an Affiliate (including, without limitation, the Participant’s improper use or disclosure of confidential or proprietary information of the Company or an Affiliate); (iv) any intentional act by the Participant which has a material detrimental effect on the reputation or business of the Company or an Affiliate; (v) the Participant’s repeated failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from the Company or an Affiliate, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (vi) any material breach by the Participant of any employment or service agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement; or (vii) the Participant’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or moral turpitude, or which impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties. The determination that a termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by the Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or the Participant for any other purpose.

(i)    “Change in Control” means the consummation of any of the following events:

(i)    any merger or consolidation after which the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities

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of the surviving or acquiring entity) less than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting methods outlined belowsecurities of the Company or such surviving or acquiring entity outstanding immediately after such event;

(ii)    any sale of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of the Company (other than in a spin-off or similar transaction); or

(iii)    any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that no Change in Control (or any analogous term) will be deemed to occur upon an announcement or commencement of a tender offer or upon a “potential” takeover or upon stockholder approval of a merger or other transaction, in each case without a requirement that the Change in Control actually occur.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that (1) if no definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply; and (2) no Change in Control (or any analogous term) will be deemed to occur with respect to Awards subject to such an individual written agreement without a requirement that the Change in Control (or any analogous term) actually occur.

If required for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event will an event be deemed a Change in Control if such event is not also a “change in the ownership of” the Company, a “change in the effective control of” the Company or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company, each as determined under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder). The Board may, in its sole discretion and without a Participant’s consent, amend the definition of “Change in Control” to conform to the definition of a “change in control event” under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

(j)    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

(k)    “Committee” means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

(l)    “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

(m)    “Company” means NetScout Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(n)    “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.

(o)    “Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of

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the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, thatif the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s or Affiliate’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

(p)    “Director” means a member of the Board.

(q)    “Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

(r)    “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held in 2019, provided that this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at such meeting.

(s)    “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

(t)    “Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

(u)    “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(v)    “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:

(i)    Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, then the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.

(ii)    Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be the closing sales price for such stock on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

(iii)    In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.

(w)    “Full Value Award” means (i) an award granted under the Prior Plan or (ii) an Award, in each case that is not an Appreciation Award.

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(x)    “Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 that is intended to be, and that qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(y)    “Non-Employee Directormeans a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation S-K”)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K, or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

(z)    “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(aa)    “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(bb)    “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

(cc)    “Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Option evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(dd)    “Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c).

(ee)    “Other Stock Award Agreementmeans a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(ff)    “Own,” orOwnedA person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” or to have “Owned” securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote your proxy.or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.(gg)    “Participant” means a person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.

Proxies submitted(hh)    “Plan” means this NetScout Systems, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

(ii)    “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

(jj)    “Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(kk)    “Restricted Stock Unit Awardmeans a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

A-19


(ll)    “Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreementmeans a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(mm)    “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

(nn)    “Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(oo)    “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(pp)    “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SARmeans a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

(qq)    “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” or “SAR Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(rr)    “Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the InternetCompany, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or telephoneother entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.

(ss)    “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

A-20


APPENDIX B

GAAP vs. Non-GAAP Measures

We supplement the United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) financial measures we report in quarterly and annual earnings announcements, investor presentations and other investor communications by reporting the following non-GAAP measures: non-GAAP total revenue, non-GAAP product revenue, non-GAAP service revenue, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP earnings before interest and other expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from operations, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP net income per share (diluted). Non-GAAP revenue (total, product and service) eliminates the GAAP effects of acquisitions by adding back revenue related to deferred revenue revaluation, as well as revenue impacted by the amortization of acquired intangible assets. Non-GAAP gross profit includes the aforementioned revenue adjustments and also removes expenses related to the amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based compensation, certain expenses relating to acquisitions including depreciation costs, compensation for post-combination services and business development and integration costs and adds back transitional service agreement income. Non-GAAP income from operations includes the aforementioned adjustments and also removes restructuring charges, intangible asset impairment charges, loss on divestiture and costs related to new accounting standard implementation. Non-GAAP EBITDA from operations includes the aforementioned items related to non-GAAP income from operations and also removes non-acquisition-related depreciation expense. Non-GAAP net income includes the foregoing adjustments related to non-GAAP income from operations, net of related income tax effects in addition to the provisional one-time impacts of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while removing transitional service agreement income and changes in contingent consideration. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share also excludes these expenses as well as the related impact of all these adjustments on the provision for income taxes.

These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with GAAP, should not be considered an alternative for measures prepared in accordance with GAAP (revenue, gross profit, operating profit, net income (loss) and diluted net income (loss) per share), and may have limitations in that they do not reflect all our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures. The presentation of non-GAAP information is not meant to be considered superior to, in isolation from, or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the reader’s overall understanding of our current financial performance and our prospects for the future by providing a higher degree of transparency for certain financial measures and providing a level of disclosure that helps investors understand how we plan and measure our business. We believe that providing these non-GAAP measures affords investors a view of our operating results that may be more easily compared with our peer companies and also enables investors to consider our operating results on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis during and following the integration period of our acquisitions. Presenting the GAAP measures on their own may not be indicative of our core operating results. Furthermore, management believes that the presentation of non-GAAP measures when shown in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures provide useful information to management and investors regarding present and future business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations.

B-1


C123456789 Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card.MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) Votes submitted electronically must be received by 11:59 p.m.P.M., ET on September 18, 2017.

Vote by Internet

•  Go towww.investorvote.com/NTCT

•  Or scan the QR code with your smartphone

•  Follow the steps outlined on the secure website

Vote by telephone

9, 2020 at Online Go to www.envisionreports.com/NTCT or scan the QR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories &and Canada onSave paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/NTCT Using a touch tone telephone

Followblack ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the instructions provided by the recorded message

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qdesignated areas. 2020 Annual Meeting Proxy Card 1234 5678 9012 345 IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNETOR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION,VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q

 AProposals — THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3, AND “1 YEAR” FOR PROPOSAL 4 SET FORTH BELOW.

1.

To elect two Class III directors nominated by our Board to the Board of Directors to serve until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

+

ForWithholdForWithhold
      01 - Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.02 - Christopher Perretta

   

For

 

 

Against

 

 

Abstain

 

   

For

 

 

Against

 

 

Abstain

 

2. To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.     3. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules.   
  

1 Year

 

 

2 Years

 

 

3 Years

 

 

Abstain

 

     
4. To determine, on an advisory basis, the preferred frequency of stockholder advisory votes (every year - 1 Year, every other year - 2 Years, or once every three years - 3 Years) on the compensation of our named executive officers, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules.      Note: Your proxy holder will also vote on any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting.

Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

( A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4 set forth below. 1. Election of Directors: To elect three class III directors nominated by our Board of Directors, each to serve for a three year term or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. For Withhold 01—Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr. For Withhold 02—Christopher Perretta For Withhold 03—Susan L. Spradley 2. To approve an amendment and restatement of the NetScout For Against Abstain 3. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as For Against Abstain Systems, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as described in Proposal 2 in the proxy statement. NetScout’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. 4. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of NetScout’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules. Note: Your proxy holder will also vote on any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting. B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. Please sign exactly as your namename(s) appears hereon. IfJoint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or guardian,custodian, please give your full title as such. If stock is held jointly, each owner should sign.title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please read reverse side before signing.) PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATEprint date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. C1234567890 J N T 1UPX 470506 MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

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

Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

        /        /

IF


VOTING BY MAIL, YOUMUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD.

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02NCRE


Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the

Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Proxy Statement and the 2017 Annual

Report to Stockholders are available at: www.edocumentview.com/NTCT

q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNETOR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION,SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q

LOGO+

NetScout Systems, Inc. + Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appointsSeptember 10, 2020 Anil K. Singhal and Jean Bua, and eachor any of them, proxies,each with fullthe power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote allthe shares of common stock of NetScout Systems, Inc. (the “Company”)the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned is entitled to votewould possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of StockholdersShareholders of the CompanyNetScout Systems, Inc. to be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at NetScout Systems Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts, and10, 2020 or at any adjournments thereof, upon matters set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement dated July 28, 2017, a copy of which has been receivedpostponement or adjournment thereof. Shares represented by this proxy will be voted by the undersigned.

(Continuedstockholder. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR the election of the Board of Directors and FOR items 2, 3 and 4. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Items to be marked, dated and signed,voted appear on the otherreverse side)

 C 

Non-Voting Items

Change of Address— Please print new address below.Comments C Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below.
IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOUMUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD.+


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Using ablack inkpen, mark your votes with anXas shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

LOGO

q  PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  q

LOGO

  A  

Proposals — THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3, AND “1 YEAR” FOR PROPOSAL 4 SET FORTH BELOW.

1. 

To elect two Class III directors nominated by our Board to the Board of Directors to serve until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.+

For

Withhold

For

Withhold

       01 - Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr.    02 - Christopher Perretta

        

For

 

  

Against

 

  

Abstain

 

        

For

 

  

Against

 

  

Abstain

 

2. 

 To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.          

3. 

 To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules.      
     

1 Year

 

  

2 Years

 

  

3 Years

 

  

Abstain

 

               

4. 

 To determine, on an advisory basis, the preferred frequency of stockholder advisory votes (every year - 1 Year, every other year - 2 Years, or once every three years - 3 Years) on the compensation of our named executive officers, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules.           Note: Your proxy holder will also vote on any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting.

BAuthorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

(Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon. If signing as attorney, executor, trustee or guardian, please give your full title as such. If stock is held jointly, each owner should sign. Please read reverse side before signing.) PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

        /        /

LOGO

02NCSD


Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the

Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Proxy Statement and the 2017 Annual

Report to Stockholders are available at: www.edocumentview.com/NTCT

q  PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.   q

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Proxy — NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints Anil K. Singhal and Jean Bua, and each of them, proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of common stock of NetScout Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at NetScout Systems Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts, and at any adjournments thereof, upon matters set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement dated July 28, 2017, a copy of which has been received by the undersigned.

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)