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UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A


(RULE 14a-101)

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the


Securities Exchange Act of 1934


(Amendment No. )

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

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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

National Instruments Corporation


(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

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

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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LOGO

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION

Notice of 2018



Proxy Statement
National Instruments Corporation | 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Date and Time:

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

9:00 A.M., local time

Place:

NI’s principal executive offices

11500 North Mopac Expressway, Building C

Austin, Texas 78759

Business:1.   To elect each of Charles J. Roesslein,Duy-Loan T. Le, and Gerhard P. Fettweis to the

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Letter to our Stockholders from
our Board Chair and our Chief Executive Officer and President
March 29, 2021
Dear Fellow Stockholders,
On behalf of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and management team of National Instruments Corporation (the “Company” or “NI”), we are pleased to invite you to attend our virtual 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) on May 11, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time. A notice of the meeting and our 2021 Proxy Statement containing important information about the matters to be voted upon and instructions on how you can vote your shares follow this letter.
This year we are offering a virtual stockholder meeting through which you can view the Annual Meeting, submit questions and vote online. We will also provide a live webcast of the Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NATI2021. A webcast, slides, and audio of the entire Annual Meeting will be available on the Investor Relations page of our Company website within a few days of the meeting and will remain available for one year from the date of the meeting. We hope this will enable those who cannot attend the meeting in person to hear NI’s executives discuss our plans. In addition, we make available at our Investor Relations website a variety of information for investors. Our goal is to maintain the Company Investor Relations page as a portal through which investors can easily find or navigate to pertinent information about us.
Your vote is important to us. Whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Therefore, we urge you to promptly vote and submit your proxy via the internet, by phone, or by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you can vote in person, even if you have previously submitted your proxy.
On behalf of the Board, we would like to express our appreciation for your continued investment in NI. We look forward to greeting as many of you as possible.
Sincerely,


Michael E. McGrath
Board Chair
Eric H. Starkloff
CEO and President

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Notice of 2021 Annual

Meeting of Stockholders
Meeting Information

Date & Time
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
9:00 a.m., CDT

Location
Via live webcast by visiting the following website:
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NATI2021

Record Date
March 15, 2021
How to Vote
Your vote is important! Please vote your shares in person or in one of the following ways:
By Internet
By Phone
By Mail
By Mobile Device
Visit the website listed in your notice of internet availability of proxy materials or your proxy or voting instruction form
Call the toll-free voting number in your voting materials
Mail your completed and signed proxy or voting instruction form
Scan the QR Barcode on your voting materials
Items of Business
1
Elect the director nominees named in our proxy statement for a term of three years.
2
Vote on an advisory resolution to approve executive compensation.
3
2.   To ratify
Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as NI’sthe company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.2021.
4
3.   To consider and approve an advisory(non-binding) proposal concerning our executive compensation program.
4.   To transact such
Consider any other business as may properly comebrought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.meeting.
By Order of our Board of Directors,

R. Eddie Dixon, Jr.
Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President & Secretary
March 29, 2021
Record Date:Only stockholders of record at
Important Notice Regarding the close of business on March 9, 2018, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting.
Voting By Proxy:

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. However, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we hope that you will vote as soon as possible. You may vote on the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail. If you received a paper copy of a proxy card by mail in response to your request for a hard copy of the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting you may also vote by Internet, telephone, or by completing, signingof Stockholders to be Held on May 11, 2021: National Instruments Corporation’s 2021 Proxy Statement and dating your proxy card and mailing it inAnnual Report to Stockholders for the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose, in each case by following the instructionsyear ended December 31, 2020 are available at:

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NATI2021
This Notice and the accompanying Proxy Statement, 2020 Annual Report, and Proxy Card or voting instruction form were first made available to stockholders beginning on the proxy card. Voting over the Internet, by telephone or by written proxy will ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, if you do not attend in person. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please review the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail or the proxy card if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials.

Stockholders attending the Annual Meeting may vote in person even if they have submitted a proxy. However, if you have submitted a proxy and wish to vote at the Annual Meeting, you must notify the inspector of elections of your intention to revoke the proxy you previously submitted and instead vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, trustee, bank or other nominee, please bring a proxy from the broker, trustee, bank or other nominee with you to confirm you are entitled to vote the shares.

Sincerely,

/s/ David G. Hugley

Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary

March 29, 2018

2021. You may vote if you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on March 15, 2021, the record date for notice of and voting at our Annual Meeting.


PROXY STATEMENT

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INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement contains the information that a stockholder should know before voting on the proposals described in the Notice. This introduction highlights certain information contained in this Proxy Statement as well as other relevant information. You should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.
Our Business
Despite the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic, strong demand for system-level offerings in certain focus areas partially offset weakness in some of our broad-based and transportation offerings. We have continued to demonstrate our ability to adapt and respond during a challenging year across our organization. We are confident in the strength of our operating model and remain optimistic about our position to capture long-term growth opportunities as we continue to enhance our offerings in key focus areas. This year was a stress test of our strategy, and it proved resilient. The areas of our business we have focused on strategically showed growth, and although the global economy proved to be a headwind, we continued to see momentum build throughout the year with an all-time record for quarterly revenue in the fourth quarter. In times of uncertainty, the core strengths of NI remain clear — our highly differentiated software position, the diversity of our business, and the innovation of our people.
Our Strategy
Our overarching goal, which we call our core strategic vision, is to be the leader in software-connected automated test and automated measurement systems. This vision provides a framework to help us achieve our financial goals of profitability and revenue growth by:
Delivering value that gives our customers a competitive advantage
Providing a differentiated software-defined platform for automated test and automated measurement systems
Focusing on industry-specific applications that benefit from our platform's disruptive capabilities
Enhancing our system-level offerings to more fully meet customers' enterprise-wide challenges
In pursuing our vision, we have empowered our team to be deliberate about the market opportunities we pursue to fuel growth by targeting the applications where we believe our systems can provide significant value to our customers. We believe our differentiation in the market helps support the success of our customers, employees, community, and stockholders.
Our philosophy of putting the needs of our customers first and elevating the impact of their creativity and innovation is at the heart of how we do business. We utilize our expertise to partner with talented engineers and enterprises around the world to push the limits of innovation. We believe it is a combination of our people, technology and data that make a difference in helping our customers reach speed, scale and efficiency across all phases of the product development cycle.
Business Evolution
Our business has undergone a transformation to improve performance, enhance customers engagements, and align investments to high growth opportunities. To achieve this level of change requires clear focus and strong leadership. We will remain focused on accelerating our strategy for sustainable long-term growth, executing on our business goals, winning in our markets, and delivering increased value to all stakeholders.
Company Culture: Core Values and Corporate Identity
Over the last several years we have undergone organizational redesign and development with a heavy emphasis on change management. Our executive and management teams have endeavored to provide our employees with a clear understanding of why changes are being implemented and how they align to our corporate strategy. We believe the transparency of our strategy has enabled our employees to better understand how their role can make an impact toward achievement of our long-term financial targets.
We place a high degree of emphasis on employee engagement globally and believe that job satisfaction, clear career paths, and the difference our employees can make to our customers and society through engineering
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ambitiously will lead to a high performing global workforce. Our employee engagement scores have increased over the last three years while organizational change was at its highest. Successful retention of our talent is a key measure of our sustainability as an organization and thus a strategic focus for our executive leadership team.
In connection with the organizational changes we have made, we also redefined our purpose and our core values:
Be Bold
Be Kind
Be Connectors
Bold in our decisions and to challenge the status quo; Kind and candid in our interactions while promoting belonging, inclusion and constant respect for all people; and Connectors of people, ideas and technology.
We believe these values represent the strong culture of NI and how we want to be seen both internally at NI and externally with all our stakeholders. These are the values that we assess in both recruiting and retainment.
In 2020, we launched a new corporate identity which builds off our strong history and represents the acceleration of a new era of business for NI. A differentiated brand that now matches our differentiated technology in the market. It is about standing out in the market and stronger positioning of our software differentiation in areas of data analytics, cloud and the use of artificial intelligence to modernize our category. We are focused on disrupting the market, elevating the need for test, and the critical role of engineers. This is captured in our refined purpose to “engineer ambitiously.”
Value for all our Stakeholders
We are focused on creating long-term value for all of our stakeholders. Our ability to sustainably grow and generate profit delivers value to our customers, employees, stockholders, and community. Customers benefit from our continued investment in our technology and the expertise to support their success and technology needs. Employees benefit through the creation of opportunities for personal career growth and development. Stockholders benefit from receiving a solid return on the investment they make in us. Our success benefits our community of developers that build on our technology as well as the communities where we live, work, and give back.

Corporate Impact
We believe businesses of all kinds should be a leading force for good. At NI, we commit to doing our part by connecting people, technology and ideas to drive the positive change we want to see in the world. This is the right thing to do and is vital to our long-term stability. We are part of diverse, interconnected systems — our company, our society and our planet — that must work together to survive and thrive. Keeping these systems healthy is critical to fulfilling the promise of NI’s 100-year plan: to deliver consistent, lasting value for all stakeholders over time.
To this end, we spent 2020 interviewing our stakeholders — including NI stockholders, leaders, employees, suppliers and partners — to inform the development of our 2030 Corporate Impact Strategy launched in February
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2021. The strategic framework for Environmental Social, and Corporate Governance (“ESG”) and Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) outlines our goals and commitments for making a measurable difference over the next decade. It builds upon our deep-rooted culture of giving back. Our 2030 Corporate Impact Strategy priorities include cultivating a diverse, inclusive workforce and engineering talent pipeline; fostering equity and opportunity at NI and in our society; protecting our planet by reducing our environmental footprint; and helping innovators use NI products to address our most pressing social and environmental challenges. Our social responsibility initiatives focus on three pillars including changing the face of engineering, building a more equitable and thriving society, and engineering a healthier planet. Details of our Corporate Impact Strategy can be found on our website at www.ni.com/en-us/about-ni/corporate-impact.html. For the steps that we have taken with respect to governance, please see “Corporate Governance” section in this introduction below.
The oversight, management, and implementation of ESG programs and initiatives are structured to ensure these efforts are truly cross-functional and collaborative and are championed by executive leadership. The Board oversees ESG matters through its governance, audit and compensation committees. The executive leadership team (“ELT”) generally implements these programs through the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) Executive Council, Executive Impact Council, and the management leaders and related working groups noted below.

INVESTOR ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
In recent years we have actively solicited the perspectives of many of our stockholders to help identify focus areas and priorities for the coming year. For example, outreach efforts in the third quarter of 2020 included requesting calls with our top 20 institutional stockholders. The discussions that were held with those who accepted our invitation were directed primarily toward (i) our growth strategy with focus on software, system-level product offerings, services and streamlining the process of doing business with NI; (ii) support of our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) elevation of diversity initiatives; (iv) disclosure of diversity metrics; and (v) our Corporate Impact Strategy discussed above.
Each year the constructive and candid feedback we receive during these investor meetings helps inform our priorities, assess our progress, and enhance our corporate governance practices and disclosures.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
In prior years, we have taken action to enhance our governance practices in response to stockholder feedback. The following are some of the steps that we have taken in order to address issues our stockholders and other members of the investment community have identified as priorities.

We will continue to consider other actions we should take in response to our stockholder feedback and will continue to enhance our stockholder engagement program in order to consistently engage with, listen to, and learn from our stockholders.
Qualifications and Experience of Directors
In considering each of our directors, the Board and the Nomination & Governance Committee has evaluated a potential director’s background, qualifications, attributes and relevant skills. The Board and the Nomination & Governance Committee have considered those nomination criteria described below, as well as the value of the relationships directors have formed while working together on the Board and the deep knowledge of NI they have developed as a result of such service. The Board and the Nomination & Governance Committee also evaluated each of the director’s contributions to the Board and role in the operation of the Board as a whole.
We believe our director nominees bring a well-rounded variety of experiences, qualifications, attributes and relevant skills, and represent a balance of experience with NI and a fresh perspective. The table below summarizes some of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of our directors. This high-level summary is not intended to be an exhaustive list of our directors’ skills or contributions to the Board, but an identification of special expertise or prominence that a particular director may bring to the Board as a whole. Further information on each director, including his or her specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills is set forth in the biographies on pages 5 to 9 of this Proxy Statement.
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Our Directors’ Skills and Diverse Qualifications


In addition, the Nomination & Governance Committee and the Board consider diversity in the characteristics of director candidates, including each candidate’s unique background, with the goal of enhancing the Board’s ability to effectively perform its oversight function.

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Our Board is divided into three classes, with the terms of the Class III directors expiring this year. The Board and the Nomination & Governance Committee has nominated Ms. Gayla J. Delly, Dr. Gerhard P. Fettweis, and Ms. Duy-Loan T. Le for election at the Annual Meeting to serve for a term of three years.
Gayla J. Delly
Independent
Gerhard P. Fettweis
Independent
Duy-Loan T. Le
Independent
Former Chief Executive Officer of
Benchmark Electronics, Inc.
Vodafone Chair Professor at the
Technical University of Dresden
Former Senior Fellow of Texas
Instruments, Inc.
Age: 61
Director Since: 2020
Committees: Audit, Nomination & Governance
Other Public Boards: 2
Age: 58
Director Since: 2016
Committees: Audit, Compensation
Other Public Boards: 0
Age: 58
Director Since: 2002
Committees: Compensation (Chair), Nomination & Governance
Other Public Boards: 3
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11

14

14

14

14

14

15

15

17

17

17

17

19

19

20

21

22

22

22

22

25

26

32

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Effect of Accounting and Tax Treatment on Compensation Decisions

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Role of Executives in Executive Compensation Decisions

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33

36

39

39

40

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

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42

43

44

Proposal Three: Approval of Executive Compensation

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NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION

PROXY STATEMENT

INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING

General

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of National Instruments Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“NI” or the “Company”), has made proxy materials available to you on the Internetinternet or, upon your request, has delivered printed versions of proxy materials to you by mail, in connection with the Board’s solicitation of proxies for use at NI’s 20182021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on May 8, 2018,11, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., local time,AM, Central Daylight Time, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. TheDue to the public health impact of COVID-19 and to support the well-being of our employees and stockholders, please note that the Annual Meeting will be held virtually via live webcast at NI’s principal executive offices at 11500 North Mopac Expressway, Building C, Austin, Texas 78759. NI’s telephone number is(512) 338-9119.

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NATI2021.

Under rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), NI is now furnishing proxy materials to NI’s stockholders on the Internet,internet, rather than mailing printed copies of those materials to each stockholder. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request one. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will instruct you as to how you may access and review the proxy materials on the Internet.internet. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. We anticipate that the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will be mailed to stockholders on or about March 29, 2018.

2021.

NI's corporate offices are located at 11500 North Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas 78759. NI’s general corporate telephone number is (512) 683-0100.
Householding of Annual Meeting Materials

Some brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” notices of Internetinternet availability of proxy materials, proxy statements and annual reports. This means that, unless NI has received instructions to the contrary, only one (1) copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials may have been sent to multiple stockholders living in the same household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and, as applicable, any additional proxy materials to any stockholder who contacts our investor relations department at 11500 North Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas 78759-3504,(512) 683-8092,683-5215, requesting such copies. If stockholders living in the same household are receiving multiple copies of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or the printed versions of such other proxy materials and would like to receive a single copy of these documents in the future, the stockholders should contact their broker, other nominee record holder, or our investor relations department to request mailing of a single copy of any of these documents.

Record Date; Outstanding Shares

Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 201815, 2021 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, 131,203,627131,607,036 shares of NI’s common stock, $0.01 par value, were issued and outstanding.

Voting and Solicitation

Every stockholder of record on the Record Date is entitled, for each share held, to one vote on each proposal that comes before the Annual Meeting. In the election of directors in Proposal One, each stockholder will be entitled to vote for three nominees and the three nominees with the greatest number of votes will be elected. However, pursuant to the terms of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, any nominee for director in an uncontested election who receives a

greater number of “withhold” votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” such election shall promptly tender his or her resignation following certification of the stockholder vote. See “Proposal One: Election of Directors—Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors” for additional information on these guidelines.

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The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meetingshares of NI common stock that are present, in person (electronically) or by proxy, and entitled to vote, will be required to approve Proposals Two and Three.

Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may vote on the Internet,internet, by telephone or, if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials, by completing, signing and mailing the proxy card enclosed therewith in the postage-prepaid envelope provided for that purpose. Voting over the Internet,internet, by telephone or by written proxy will ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, if you do not attend in person.and vote via live webcast. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please review the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail or the proxy card if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials.

The cost of this solicitation will be borne by NI. NI may reimburse expenses incurred by brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares in forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners. Proxies may be solicited by certain of NI’s directors, officers and other employees, without additional compensation, personally, by telephone or by email.

Treatment of Abstentions and BrokerNon-Votes

Abstentions
Abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining (i) either the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business and (ii) for purposes of determining the total number of votes cast with respectoutstanding shares entitled to a proposal (other than the election of directors). Accordingly, abstentions will have no effect on the election of directorsvote and voted, in Proposal One, andperson or by proxy. Thus, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against Proposals Two and Three.

While brokernon-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business, brokernon-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast There is no voting option to abstain with respect to the particular proposal on which the broker has expressly not voted. Thus, brokernon-votes will not affect the outcome of the voting on Proposals One, Two or Three.

Proposal One.

Broker Non-Votes
A broker will vote your shares only if the proposal is a matter on which your broker has discretion to vote (such as the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm in Proposal Two)Three), or if you provide instructions on how to vote by following the instructions provided to you by your broker.

So long as a broker has discretion to vote on at least one item presented at the meeting, broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business. On other proposals for which the broker has expressly not voted, broker non-votes will not be counted: (i) as votes cast with respect to Proposal One, or (ii) for purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares entitled to vote, that are present, in person or by proxy, with respect to Proposal Two. Accordingly, broker nonvotes will have no effect on the outcome of the voting on Proposals One and Two. There should be no broker non-votes with respect to Proposal Three.
Tabulation and Reporting of Voting Results
Final voting results will be tallied by the inspector of election after the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting. NI will publish the final voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days following the Annual Meeting.
Revocability of Proxies

Proxies given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked at any time before they have been used. You may change or revoke your proxy by entering a new vote by Internetinternet or by telephone or by delivering a written notice of revocation to the Secretary of NI or by completing a new proxy card bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy instructions). Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request by notifying the inspector of elections of your intention to revoke your proxy and vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
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DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Stockholders of NI may submit proper proposals for inclusion in NI’s Proxy Statementour proxy statement and for consideration at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 20192022 by submitting their proposals in writing to the Secretary of NI in a timely manner. In order to be considered for inclusion in NI’s proxy materials for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2019,2022, stockholder proposals must be received by the Secretary of NI no later than November 29, 2018,2021 and must otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

In addition,Under NI’s amended bylaws (the “Bylaws”), a stockholder (or a group of not more than 20 stockholders) that has held at least 3% of NI’s outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years, may nominate and include in our proxy materials for our 2022 annual meeting, director nominees constituting up to the greater of 20% of the number of persons serving on the Board or two directors, provided that such nominees do not exceed half of the directors to be elected at an annual meeting and that the requirements set forth in the Bylaws are satisfied. To utilize such “proxy access” nomination process, among other things, the electing stockholder(s) and proposed nominee(s) must comply with the detailed requirements set forth in the Bylaws, including the provision of the proposing stockholder information, various other required information, representations, undertakings, agreements and other requirements as set forth in the Bylaws and as required by law. One such requirement is that the nomination(s) must be received in a timely manner between 120 days and 150 days prior to the anniversary of the date our proxy statement was first sent to stockholders in connection with the last annual meeting, which for our proxy materials for the 2022 annual meeting would be no earlier than October 30, 2021 and no later than November 29, 2021.

The Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure with regard to business to be brought before an annual meeting, including stockholder proposals not included in NI’s Proxy Statement. Forproxy statement. Except as provided above, for director nominations or other business to be properly brought before NI’s 20192022 annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary of NI at NI’s principal executive office no later than January 28, 20192022 and no earlier than December 29, 2018.2021. If the date of NI’s 20192022 annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 calendar days from the first anniversary date of the 2018this Annual Meeting, youra stockholder’s notice of a proposal will be timely if it is received by NI by the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to the 20192022 annual meeting and (ii) the 10th day following the day NI first publicly announces the date of the 20192022 annual meeting.

The proxy grants the proxy holders discretionary authority to vote on any matter raised at the Annual Meeting.an annual meeting of stockholders. If a stockholder fails to comply with the foregoing notice provisions, proxy holders will be allowed to use their discretionary voting authority on such matter should the stockholder proposal come before the 20192022 annual meeting.

The description of certain provisions of the Bylaws above is intended as a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the relevant Bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates. A copy of the full text of the bylawBylaw provisions governing the notice requirements set forth above may be obtained by writing to the Secretary of NI. All notices of proposals and director nominations by stockholders should be sent to National Instruments Corporation, 11500 North Mopac Expressway, Building C, Austin, Texas 78759, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
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PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

General

NI’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with the term of the office of one class expiring each year. The authorized number of directors which constitutes the entire Board of Directors is currently eight,ten, with two directorsthree director seats in Class I, three directorsdirector seats in Class II, and three directorsfour director seats in Class III.

The terms of office of our Class III directors Mr. Charleswill expire at the Annual Meeting and include Ms. Gayla J. Roesslein,Ms. Duy-Loan T. Le, andDelly, Dr. Gerhard P. Fettweis, will expire at the 2018 annual meeting. NI’s Board of Directors has nominatedMs. Duy-Loan T. Le, and Mr. Charles J. Roesslein,Roesslein.
Our Board has nominated Ms. Duy-Loan T. Le, andGayla J. Delly, Dr. Gerhard P. Fettweis, and Ms. Duy-Loan T. Le for election at the Annual Meeting as Class III directors to serve for a term of three years. The Board did not nominate Mr. Roesslein for election at the Annual Meeting in consideration of the retirement policy provisions of NI’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. There was no disagreement or dispute between Mr. Roesslein and NI that led to this decision. Upon completion of Mr. Roesslein’s current term as director, the authorized number of directors on the Board will be reduced to eight members, with three directors in each of Class I and Class III and two directors in Class II.
The terms of office of Class I directors Dr.Mr. James J. TruchardE. Cashman, III, Mr. Liam K. Griffin, and Mr. John M. BerraEric H. Starkloff will expire at the 20192022 annual meeting. Themeeting and the terms of office of Class II directors Mr. Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Mr. Michael E. McGrath and Mr. Alexander M. Davern will expire at the 20202023 annual meeting.

Under the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), a majority of the Board of Directors must be comprised of independent directors. The Board of Directors has determined that each of Mr. Roesslein,Cashman, Ms. Delly, Dr. Fettweis, Mr. Griffin, Ms. Le, Mr. Berra, Mr. McGrath, and Dr. FettweisMr. Roesslein is independent under applicable Nasdaq listing standards and Rule10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Act.

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The

Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes. Each stockholder will be entitled to vote for three nominees and the three nominees receiving the highestgreatest number of affirmative votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, and entitled to vote in the election of directors, shall be elected to the Board of Directors.Board. Votes withheld from any director are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but have no legal effect under Delaware law.quorum. Cumulative voting is not permitted by NI’s Certificate of Incorporation.

Under NI’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, any nominee for director in an uncontested election (i.e., an election where the only nominees are those recommended by the Board) who receives a greater number of “withhold” votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” such election, shall promptly tender his or her resignation following certification of the stockholder vote. In such event, the Nomination and& Governance Committee will promptly consider the tendered resignation and will recommend to the Board whether to accept the tendered resignation or to take some other action, such as rejecting the tendered resignation and addressing the apparent underlying causes of the “withheld”“withhold” votes. In making this recommendation, the Nomination and& Governance Committee will consider all factors deemed relevant by its members including, without limitation, the underlying reasons why stockholders “withheld”withheld votes for election from such director (if ascertainable), the length of service and qualifications of the director whose resignation has been tendered, the director’s contributions to NI, whether by accepting such resignation NI will no longer be in compliance with any applicable law, rule, regulation or governing document, and whether or not accepting the resignation is in the best interests of NI and its stockholders.

The Board will promptly act on the Nomination and& Governance Committee’s recommendation no later than 90 days following its receipt of such recommendation. In considering the Nomination and& Governance Committee’s recommendation, the Board will consider the factors considered by the Nomination and& Governance Committee and such additional information and factors the Board believes to be relevant.

Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for NI’s nominees named below. If any nominee of NI is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who is designated by the present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. It is not currently expected that any nominee will be unable or will decline to serve as a director.

The Board Ofof Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees listed below.

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Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting

The Nomination and& Governance Committee, consisting solely of independent directors as determined under applicable Nasdaq listing standards, recommended the three individuals set forth in the table below for nomination by our full Board of Directors.Board. Based on such recommendation, our Board of Directors nominated such directors for election at the Annual Meeting. The Board has determined that Ms. Gayla J. Delly, Dr. Gerhard P. Fettweis, and Ms. Duy-Loan T. Le are each independent under applicable Nasdaq listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. The following sets forth information concerning the nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting, including information as to each nominee’s age as of the Record Date, current principal occupation and business experience.


LOGO

Charles

Gayla J. Roesslein, 69Delly, 61 - Director since July 2000;March 2020; Former Chief Executive Officer of Austin Tele-Services, LLC.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

Business Experience: Mr. Roesslein was theco-founder and Ms. Delly served as Chief Executive Officer of Austin Tele-Services, LLC, which is inBenchmark Electronics Inc. (“Benchmark”), a company that provides contract manufacturing, design, engineering, test and distribution services to manufacturers of computers, medical devices, telecommunications equipment and industrial control and test instruments from January 2012 to September 2016 and served on the secondary market for telecom and IT assets,board of directors of Benchmark from 2004 until 2016 when his interests were sold. During 2000, Mr. Roesslein served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Prodigy Communications Corporation, an internet service provider. He2011 to September 2016. At Benchmark, she previously served as President ofSBC-CATV, a cable television service provider, from 1999 until 2000, and as President of SBC Technology Resources, the applied research division of SBC Communications Inc., from 1997 until 1999. Prior2006 to 1997, Mr. Roesslein served in executive officer positions with SBC Communications, Inc. and Southwestern Bell. Mr. Roesslein holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master’s degree in Finance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Mr. Roesslein is currently a director of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc., a publicly traded company.

The Board concluded that Mr. Roesslein should be nominated and serve as a director because he brings a wealth of financial and executive experience to the Board including extensive experience in the development of large accounts while serving Southwestern Bell Corporation’s customers. He also has a strong financial background, having served asDecember 2011, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Southwestern Bell Publicationsfrom 2001 to 2006, and as Vice PresidentCorporate Controller and Chief Financial OfficerTreasurer from 1995 to 2001. Ms. Delly is a certified public accountant and was a senior audit manager at KPMG before joining Benchmark. Ms. Delly serves as an independent director of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Mr. RoessleinBroadcom Inc., a public company, and is a member of its Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Since January 2008, Ms. Delly has served as an extensive high level background in the telecom industryindependent director of Flowserve Corporation, a public company, and in telecom technologies. He serves as a member of its Organization and Compensation Committee and its Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee. Ms. Delly served as chair of Flowserve’s audit committee from 2015 to May 2019. Ms. Delly received her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Samford University.

The Board concluded that Ms. Delly should serve as a director because of her leadership experience in senior executive and financial management positions, her international manufacturing experience, her education and experience as an accounting professional, as well as her public company board and committee experience. She currently serves as a member of our Audit Committee and our Nomination & Governance Committee.

Gerhard P. Fettweis, PhD, 58 - Director since March 2016; Vodafone Chair Professor at the Technical University of Dresden.
Business Experience: Since September 1994, Dr. Fettweis has served as the Vodafone Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Dresden, where his research focuses on next generation wireless systems. In connection with that role, he has spun-out twelve startup companies from the university. From August 2015 to February 2016, he served as a visiting professor at the University of California at Berkeley and as a senior researcher at the International Computer Science Institute. Dr. Fettweis is a member of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”). He has received numerous awards recognizing his contributions in the field of electrical engineering. Dr. Fettweis has authored or co-authored two books and is listed as an inventor on over thirty issued patents. Dr. Fettweis received his Dipl.-Ing. in Electrical Engineering in 1986 and his PhD in Electrical Engineering in 1990, each from Aachen University of Technology.
The Board concluded that Dr. Fettweis should serve as a director because of his strong technical background and extensive knowledge in electrical engineering, as well as his experience in science, technology and business. Additionally, he is very involved in the scientific community and has leadership and management experience through his role as the Vodafone Chair Professor at the Technical University of Dresden. He currently serves as a member of our Audit Committee and a member of the Nomination and Governanceour Compensation Committee.

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LOGO


Duy-Loan T. Le, 5558 - Director since September 2002; Former Senior Fellow of Texas Instruments, Inc.

Business Experience:Ms. Le retired in July 2017 from Texas Instruments Inc. (“TI”), one of the leading semiconductor companies in the world. Ms. Le was elected Senior Fellow in 2002 and is the only woman in TI’s history elected to this highest Fellow rank. She has held various leadership positions at TI, including Advanced Technology Ramp Manager for the Embedded Processing Division and worldwide project manager for the Memory Division. While at TI, Ms. Le has led all aspects of execution for advanced technology nodes, including silica technology development, design, assembly and test, productization, qualification, release to market, high volume ramp, and quality and reliability assurance. She has experience opening international offices and developing engineering talent for the TI business. Ms. Le has been awarded 24 patents. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin (“UT Austin”) and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. Ms. Le is currently a directormember of the board of directors of Ballard Power Systems, a publicly traded company; CREE, Inc., a publicly traded company; and Atomera, Inc., a publicly traded company.

The Board concluded that Ms. Le should serve as a director because she has extensive experience managing platform-based product development and is a results-oriented and highly accomplished technology executive with extensive experience in various aspects of semiconductor design and manufacture, including operations, research and development, product launch, customer interfacing, foundry partnership, and supply chain management while at TI. She also managed global R&D centers for TI, and these centers span multiple countries, disciplines, businesses, and organizations across TI. She has over 20 years of process manufacturing experience. These skills and knowledge are relevant for NI’s business. She serves as a memberChair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.

LOGO

Gerhard P. Fettweis, PhD, 56 - Director since March 2016; Vodafone Chair Professor at the Technical University of Dresden.

Business Experience: Since September 1994, Dr. Fettweis has served as the Vodafone Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Dresden, where his research focuses on next generation wireless systems. In connection with that role, he hasspun-out twelve startup companies from the university. From August 2015 to February 2016, he served as a visiting professor at the University of California at Berkeley and as a senior researcher at the International Computer Science Institute. Dr. Fettweis is a member of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”). He has received numerous awards recognizing his contributions in the field of electrical engineering. Dr. Fettweis has authored orco-authored two books and is listed as an inventor on over thirty issued patents. Dr. Fettweis received hisDipl.-Ing. in Electrical Engineering in 1986 and his PhD in Electrical Engineering in 1990, each from Aachen University of Technology.

The Board concluded that Dr. Fettweis should serve as a director because of his strong technical background and extensive knowledge in electrical engineering, as well as his experience in science, technology and business. Additionally, he is very involved in the scientific community and has leadership and management experience through his role as the Vodafone Chair Professor at the Technical University of Dresden. He serves as a member of theour Compensation Committee and a member of theour Nomination and& Governance Committee.

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INCUMBENT DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE


CONTINUE AFTER THE ANNUAL MEETING

The following sets forth information concerning the other directors whose terms of office continue after the Annual Meeting, including information as to each director’s age as of the Record Date, current principal occupation and business experience.



LOGO

James J. Truchard, PhD, 74 - Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1976; Former Chief Executive Officer and President of NI from 1976 to 2016.

Business Experience: Dr. Truchardco-founded NI in 1976 and served as President and Chief Executive Officer from the founding of NI until December 2016. From 1963 to 1976, Dr. Truchard worked at the Acoustical Measurements Division at Applied Research Laboratories (“ARL”) at UT Austin, as Research Scientist and later Division Head. Dr. Truchard received his PhD in Electrical Engineering, his master’s degree in Physics and his bachelor’s degree in Physics, all from UT Austin.

The Board concluded that Dr. Truchard should serve as a director because he is a founder and large stockholder of NI and has pioneered the development of virtual instrumentation software and hardware. Further, the Board recognizes that under Dr. Truchard’s leadership as a Board member and as CEO, he has inspired innovation, growth, and expansion over a period of over 40 years to make NI a highly successful, worldwide enterprise while maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit.

LOGO

John M. Berra, 70 - Director since May 2010; Former Chairman of Emerson Process Management and Former Executive Vice President of Emerson Electric Company.

Business Experience: Prior to retiring in September 2010, beginning in October 2008 Mr. Berra served as Chairman of Emerson Process Management, a global leader in providing solutions to customers in process control, and as Executive Vice President of Emerson Electric Company. From 1997 until 2008, he served as President of Emerson Process Management. Mr. Berra has diversified experience in global business, strategic planning, technology, organizational planning and acquisitions. Mr. Berra joined Emerson’s Rosemount division as a marketing manager in 1976 and, thereafter, continued assuming more prominent roles in the organization until 1997, when he was named President of Emerson’s Fisher-Rosemount division (now Emerson Process Management). Prior to joining Emerson, Mr. Berra was an instrument and electrical engineer with Monsanto Company. Mr. Berra is currently a director of Ryder System, Inc., a publicly traded company, and serves as a member of that company’s compensation committee, and as a member of its finance committee.

The Board concluded that Mr. Berra should serve as a director due to his significant executive level experience at leading corporations Emerson and Monsanto. In particular, as President of Emerson Process Management, he was chief executive of a $6.7 billion dollar global corporation. He has extensive experience growing large accounts and broad based sales and marketing experience concentrated in a number of markets. He also has extensive experience in hardware development of measurement products and control systems and software dealing with PC software and embedded applications. He serves as a member of the Audit Committee, a member of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Nomination and Governance Committee.

LOGO

Jeffrey L. Kodosky, 68 - Director since 1976; Fellow of NI.

Business Experience: Mr. Kodoskyco-founded NI in 1976. He was appointed Vice President of NI in 1978 and served as Vice President, Research and Development from 1980 to 2000. Since 2000, he has held the position of Business and Technology Fellow. Prior to 1976, he was employed at ARL at UT Austin. Mr. Kodosky received his bachelor’s degree in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The Board concluded that Mr. Kodosky should serve as a director since he is a founder of NI, a highly respected mentor in the NI global R&D organization and he continues to chart new directions for NI’s flagship product, LabVIEW. Mr. Kodosky has developed more than 30 patented LabVIEW technologies and his ongoing work has helped NI grow this software into an award-winning industry programming environment that addresses a variety of industries and application areas.

LOGO

Michael E. McGrath, 6871 - Director since May 2014; Former Chief Executive Officer of i2 Technologies and Pittiglio Rabin Todd & McGrath, Business Strategy Consultant.

Business Experience: Mr. McGrath is a highlyan experienced executive, director, entrepreneur and bestselling author dealing with decision makingauthor. His areas of expertise include strategy, product development, decision-making techniques, supply chain, and processes. He is a frequent featured guest on business television segments and his advice has appeared in many publications.autonomous vehicles. He served as a director of i2 Technologies, a public company and supply chain management and software services company,vendor, from September 2004 to May 2008, and as its CEO and President from February 2005 to July 2007. He served on the board of directors of Entrust, Inc., a public company, from February 2007, and as Chairman of the Board starting in November 2008, until the company was sold in July 2009. He served as executive chairman of the board of The Thomas Group, a public company, from February 2008 to March 2012, and as acting CEO for a period of time. The Thomas Group filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2012. He also served on the board of Sensable Technologies from 2000 until 2009 and served on the board of Revolution Analytics from 2014 until 2015. He was a founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Pittiglio Rabin Todd & McGrath, a global management consulting firm, for 28 years, retiring from the firm in July 2004. Mr. McGrath is the author ofAutonomous Vehicles: Opportunities, Strategies, and Disruptions; Product Strategy for High-Technology Companies,Next Generation Product Development,Companies; Business Decisions,Decisions! and other books. Mr. McGrath received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Boston College, and his master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

The Board concluded that Mr. McGrath should serve as a director because he has an extensive background in product development strategy, strategic product marketing, and software services. Having served as CEO of i2 Technologies, a vendor of supply chain management software, he has knowledge of software systems, experience selling into corporate opportunities, and experience developing large accounts. In particular, he has experience with management functions including software marketing and sales force management activities, and software development. He is an experienced consultant and author with knowledge of cloud computing and smartmobile applications, which are relevant for NI’s business. Mr. McGrath currently serves as our Chair of the Lead IndependentBoard as well as a member of our Audit Committee and Chair of our Nomination & Governance Committee.
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James E. Cashman, III, 67 - Director since March 2019; Former Board Chairman of ANSYS, Inc; Former President and Chief Executive Officer of ANSYS, Inc.
Business Experience: Mr. Cashman was Chairman from January 2017 through April 2019 of ANSYS Inc., an engineering simulation software company. Prior to becoming Chairman of ANSYS, Mr. Cashman was the Chief Executive Officer and a director of ANSYS from February 2000 through December 2016. Prior to his general management role with ANSYS, Mr. Cashman served as Senior Vice President of Operations of ANSYS from September 1997 to April 1999. He also served from 1995 to 1997, as Vice President of Marketing and International Operations at PAR Technology Corporation, a computer software and hardware company, and from 1992 to 1994, he was Vice President of Product Development and Marketing at Metaphase Technology, Inc., a product data management company, which was a joint venture of Structural Dynamics Research Corporation and Control Data Systems. From 1976 to 1992, he worked in various sales and technical positions at Structural Dynamics Research Corporation, a computer-aided design company. Mr. Cashman holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Business Administration, both from the University of Cincinnati. Mr. Cashman is a director of Certara, Inc., a publicly traded company, and is a member of its Audit Committee.
The Board concluded that Mr. Cashman should serve as a director because he brings a wealth of experience in the areas of technical, financial, operations and sales management and has been key to the success of numerous computer-aided design, product data management, transaction processing, and computer-aided engineering companies. In each role, Mr. Cashman has focused on the NI Board.developing clarity-of-vision and giving appropriate guidance to provide strong leadership. He serves as a member of theour Audit Committee, a member of the Compensation Committee and a member of theour Nomination and& Governance Committee.



LOGO

Alexander M. Davern, 5154 - Director since January 2017; Former Chief Executive Officer and President of NI.

Business Experience:Mr. Davern joined NI in February 1994 and hasserved as Chief Executive Officer from January 2017 to February 2020. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer sincefrom January 2017.2017 to October 2018. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from October 2010 to December 2016. Mr. Davern also served as NI’s Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, IT and Manufacturing Operations and Treasurer from December 2002 to October 2010; as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from December 1997 to December 2002; as Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from July 1997 to December 1997; and previously as Corporate Controller and International Controller. Prior to joining NI, Mr. Davern worked both in Europe and in the United States for the international accounting firm of Price Waterhouse, LLP. Mr. Davern received his bachelor’s degree in Commerce and a diploma in professional accounting from University College in Dublin, Ireland. Mr. Davern is a director of Cirrus Logic, Inc., a publicly traded company.

company, and is chair of its Audit Committee.

The Board concluded that Mr. Davern should serve as a director because he isof his former role as NI’s Chief Executive Officer and because he has held other executive officer positions with NI for over 1920 years. In these roles, Mr. Davern has gained extensive knowledge of NI’s business, financial and operations matters, and the Board believes that Mr. Davern is well suited to help define and execute NI’s corporate strategy. Mr. Davern also serves as a director for another publicly traded company and has strong expertise in governance matters.

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Liam K. Griffin, 54 - Director since March 2019; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Business Experience: Mr. Griffin is President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (“Skyworks”). Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer and to the board of directors of Skyworks in May 2016, he had served as President of Skyworks since May 2014. Mr. Griffin also served in the following positions at Skyworks: from November 2012 to May 2014, as Executive Vice President and Corporate General Manager, from May 2011 to November 2012, as Executive Vice President, High Performance Analog, and from August 2001 to May 2011, as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He also served from 1995 to 2001 as Vice President of North American Sales and then Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Vectron International, a division of Dover Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Griffin was a Marketing Manager at AT&T Microelectronics, Inc. and a Product and Process Engineer at AT&T Network Systems. Mr. Griffin holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Boston University. He previously served as a director of Vicor Corporation, a publicly traded company, from 2009 to 2019.
The Board concluded that Mr. Griffin should serve as a director because of his breadth of leadership experience and in-depth understanding of the semiconductor industry and its competitive landscape gained through serving in several different executive positions at Skyworks over the past 15 years. His service as a director for Vicor Corporation gives Mr. Griffin added perspective as to the challenges confronting public technology companies. In considering the independence of Mr. Griffin, it was noted that Mr. Griffin is Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of Skyworks and that NI has a commercial relationship with Skyworks and received revenue of approximately $2,005,290 from sales to Skyworks in the ordinary course of business for the year ended December 31, 2020. Given the relative size of the businesses of NI and Skyworks, it was determined that such relationship was not a “material interest” under applicable SEC and Nasdaq regulations. He serves as a member of our Compensation Committee and a member of our Nomination & Governance Committee.


Eric H. Starkloff, 46 - Director since February 2020; President and Chief Executive Officer of NI.
Business Experience: Mr. Starkloff joined NI in July 1997 and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since February 2020. Previously, Mr. Starkloff served as President and Chief Operating Officer from October 2018 to February 2020. He has also served as Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing from February 2014 to October 2018; Senior Vice President of Marketing from April 2013 to January 2014; Vice President of Marketing from November 2010 to March 2013; and Vice President of Product Marketing from October 2008 to October 2010. During his tenure at NI, Mr. Starkloff has also held the positions of Director of Product Marketing; Product Marketing Manager; and Applications Engineer. Mr. Starkloff received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia.
The Board concluded that Mr. Starkloff should serve as a director because he is NI’s President and Chief Executive Officer and has held other positions with NI for over 24 years. In these roles, Mr. Starkloff has gained extensive knowledge of NI’s business, financial and operations matters, and the Board believes that Mr. Starkloff is well suited to help define and execute NI’s corporate strategy.
There is no family relationship between any of our directors, director director nomineenominees or executive officer of NI.officers (which we define as those persons designated by the Board from time to time as officers as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act, and referred to herein as “Executive Officers”).
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP

OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of NI’s common stock as of the Record Date (i) by all persons known to NI, based on statements filed by such persons pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange Act, to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of NI’s common stock, (ii) by each of the executive officers namedNamed Executive Officers as defined and set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under “Executive Compensation,” (iii) by each director and director nominee, and (iv) by all current directors and executive officersExecutive Officers as a group:

Name of Person or Entity

 

  

Number of
Shares (1)

 

  

Approximate
Percentage
Owned (2)

 

 

 

James J. Truchard

11500 North Mopac Expressway

Austin, Texas 78759

 

  

 

 

 

8,067,409

 

  (3) 

 

 

 

 

6.15%

 

 

 

James J. Truchard Marital Trust

3816 Hunterwood Point

Austin, Texas 78746

 

  

 

 

 

10,770,347

 

  (4) 

 

 

 

 

8.21%

 

 

 

Janus Henderson Group PLC

201 Bishopsgate

United Kingdom EC2M 3AE

 

  

 

 

 

11,392,342

 

  (5) 

 

 

 

 

8.68%

 

 

 

The Vanguard Group

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

 

  

 

 

 

9,975,549

 

  (6) 

 

 

 

 

7.60%

 

 

 

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

100 E. Pratt Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

 

  

 

 

 

9,608,560

 

  (7) 

 

 

 

 

7.32%

 

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10055

 

  

 

 

 

8,861,057

 

  (8) 

 

 

 

 

6.75%

 

 

 

Wellington Management Company LLP

280 Congress Street

Boston, MA 02210

 

  

 

 

 

6,652,396

 

  (9) 

 

 

 

 

5.07%

 

 

 

Jeffrey L. Kodosky

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,895,962

 

 

  (10) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.45%

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander M. Davern

 

  

 

 

 

 

182,599

 

 

  (11) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

Karen M. Rapp

 

  

 

 

 

 

5,635

 

 

  (12) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

Eric H. Starkloff

 

  

 

 

 

 

27,186

 

 

  (13) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

Scott A. Rust

 

  

 

 

 

 

24,745

 

 

  (14) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

John C. Roiko

 

  

 

 

 

 

20,277

 

 

  (15) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

Charles J. Roesslein

 

  

 

 

 

 

98,593

 

 

  (16) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

Duy-Loan T. Le

 

  

 

 

 

 

93,807

 

 

  (17) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

John M. Berra

 

  

 

 

 

 

36,977

 

 

  (18) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

Michael E. McGrath

 

  

 

 

 

 

19,681

 

 

  (19) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

Gerhard P. Fettweis

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,421

 

 

  (20) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* %

 

 

 

 

 

All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)

  

 

 

 

10,480,292

 

  (21) 

 

 

 

 

7.98%

 

 

Name of Person or Entity
Number of
Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned(1)
Approximate
Percentage
Owned(2)
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(3)
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
20,869,442
15.86%
BlackRock, Inc.(4)
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
12,661,502
9.62%
The Vanguard Group(5)
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
11,586,378
8.80%
Janus Henderson Group PLC(6)
201 Bishopsgate
United Kingdom EC2M 3AE
9,409,156
7.15%
Eric H. Starkloff(7)
117,593
*%
Karen M. Rapp(8)
44,581
*%
Scott A. Rust(9)
44,023
*%
Jason E. Green(10)
39,556
*%
Carla Pineyro Sublett(11)
688
*%
Alexander M. Davern(12)
278,204
*%
Charles J. Roesslein(13)
114,358
*%
Duy-Loan T. Le(14)
112,129
*%
Michael E. McGrath(15)
35,446
*%
Gerhard P. Fettweis(16)
22,676
*%
James E. Cashman, III(17)
10,622
*%
Liam K. Griffin(18)
10,622
*%
Gayla J. Delly(19)
5,943
*%
All Executive Officers and directors as a group (13 persons)(20)
843,864
*%
*
Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

(1)
Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable.

(2)
For each individual and group included in the table, percentage owned is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group as described above by the sum of the 131,203,627131,607,036 shares of common stock outstanding on March 9, 201815, 2021, and the number of shares of common stock that such person or group had the right to acquire on or within 60 days of March 9, 2018,15, 2021, including time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”).

(3)Includes 7,535,037 shares directly owned by Dr. Truchard, and 532,372 shares held by anon-profit corporation of which Dr. Truchard is president.

(4)The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 24, 2015, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2014. The Schedule 13G states that the James J. Truchard Marital Trust has sole voting power with respect to 10,770,347 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 10,770,347 shares of common stock.

(5)The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017. The Schedule 13G states that Janus Henderson Group PLC and/or its subsidiaries have shared voting power with respect to 11,392,342 shares of common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 11,392,342 shares of common stock.

(6)
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018,16, 2021, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017. The Schedule 13G/A states that The Vanguard Group and/or its subsidiaries have sole voting power with respect to 58,887 shares of common stock, shared voting power with respect to 13,150 shares of common stock, sole dispositive power with respect to 9,912,137 shares of common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 63,412 shares of common stock.

(7)The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2018, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017.2020. The Schedule 13G/A states that T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries have sole voting power with respect to 2,432,4867,386,971 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 9,608,56020,869,442 shares of common stock.

(8)
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(4)
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018,29, 2021, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017.2020. The Schedule 13G/A states that BlackRock, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries have sole voting power with respect to 8,434,81711,710,882 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 8,861,05712,661,502 shares of common stock.

(9)(5)
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G13G/A filed with the SEC on February 8, 2018,10, 2021, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017.2020. The Schedule 13G13G/A states that Wellington ManagementThe Vanguard Group LLP and/or its subsidiaries have shared voting power with respect to 5,970,33983,005 shares of common stock, sole dispositive power with respect to 11,398,983 shares of common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 6,652,396187,395 shares of common stock.

(10)(6)
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2021, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2020. The Schedule 13G/A states that Janus Henderson Group PLC and/or its subsidiaries have shared voting power with respect to 9,409,156 shares of common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 9,409,156 shares of common stock.
(7)
Includes an aggregate of 927,600 shares held in two trusts for the benefit of Mr. Kodosky’s daughters for which Mr. Kodosky is the trustee; includes 84,229 shares held by anon-profit corporation of which Mr. Kodosky is president and his wife, Gail T. Kodosky, is secretary; includes 80,000 shares held by a charitable remainder trust for the benefit of Mr. Kodosky and his wife; includes 7,499 shares held in a charitable remainder trust for the benefit of Mr. Kodosky’s brother of which Mr. Kodosky is the sole trustee with investment power over the securities held therein; includes an aggregate of 55,620 shares held in three trusts fornon-immediate family members of Mr. Kodosky of which Mr. Kodosky is the sole trustee with investment power over the securities held therein; and includes 370,473 shares owned by his wife. Mr. Kodosky disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his wife. Cumulatively, Jeffrey and Gail Kodosky control and/or beneficially own a total of 1,895,962 shares.

(11)Includes 79,58633,775 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Mr. Starkloff.

(12)(8)
Includes 5,00019,554 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Ms. Rapp.

(13)(9)
Includes 16,59219,594 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Mr. Rust.

(14)(10)
Includes 11,52815,698 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Mr. Green.

(15)(11)
Ms. Pineyro Sublett resigned effective February 1, 2021. The number of shares held is as of the date of resignation, and NI is not aware of any changes to such shareholdings since February 1, 2021.
(12)
Includes 3,9133,556 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Mr. Davern.

(16)(13)
Includes 4,1415,644 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Mr. Roesslein.

(17)(14)
Includes 4,1415,644 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Ms. Le.

(18)(15)
Includes 4,1415,644 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Mr. McGrath.

(19)(16)
Includes 4,1415,644 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Dr. Fettweis.

(20)(17)
Includes 4,3375,690 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Mr. Cashman.

(21)(18)
Includes 137,5205,690 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 9, 2018.15, 2021 for Mr. Griffin.
(19)
Includes 5,943 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 15, 2021 for Ms. Delly.
(20)
Includes 138,276 shares subject to RSUs which vest within 60 days of March 15, 2021.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Meetings and Committees

The Board of Directors of NI held a total of six11 meetings during 2017.2020. The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nomination and& Governance Committee.

Each current director

During 2020, all directors attended at least 90%100% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served. NI encourages, but does not require, its boardBoard members to attend NI’s annual meeting of stockholders. In 2017,2020, all of our directors with the exception of Dr. Fettweis andother than Mr. McGrath,Griffin attended NI’sour first virtual annual stockholder meeting.

Board Leadership Structure; Lead Independent Director

The Board of Directors believes that Dr. Truchard is best situated to serve as Chairman because he is aco-founder of NI and a large stockholder of NI and is very familiar with NI’s business and industry, and capable of effectively identifying strategic priorities and leading the discussion and execution of strategy. The Board’s independent directors and management directors have different perspectives and roles in strategic development. NI’s independent directors bring experience, oversight and expertise from outside the company and industry, while the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the other management director bring company-specific experience and expertise. The Board of Directors believes that the current roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer promote strategy development and execution, and facilitate information flow between management and the Board of Directors, which are essential to effective governance. Structure

In JanuarySeptember 2018, the Board appointed Mr. McGrath, an independent member of the Board, as Lead Independent Director.Chair of the Board. In such role, Mr. McGrath is responsible for coordinating the activities of the independent directors,Board, chairing all meetings of independent directors,the Board, developing agendas for such meetings, building a productive relationship between the Board and the CEO,our President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in NI’sof our strategy, risk oversight and succession planning.

The Board believes its current leadership structure best serves the objectives of the Board’s oversight of management, the Board’s ability to carry out its roles and responsibilities on behalf of our stockholders, and our overall corporate governance. The Board also believes that the separation of the Chair and our President and CEO roles allows the President and CEO to focus his time and energy on operating and managing NI, while leveraging the Chair’s experience and perspectives. The Board periodically reviews its leadership structure to determine whether it continues to best serve NI and its stockholders.

Our Board oversees risk management in a number of ways.ways, including the potential impact of COVID-19 on enterprise risk and crises response. The Audit Committee oversees the management of financial and accounting related risks as an integral part of its duties.duties, and in 2020, reviewed the potential impact of COVID-19 on our auditing functions. Similarly, the Compensation Committee considers risk management when setting the compensation policies and programs for NI’sour executive officers and other employees. The full Board of Directorsreceives an annual report with respect to our enterprise risk management process. In addition, the full Board receives reports on various risk related items at each of its regular meetings including risks related to NIour manufacturing operations, cybersecurity, trade compliance, intellectual property, taxes, products, employees, and employees. Thethe overarching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the full Board also receives periodic reports on NI’sour efforts to manage such risks through safety measures, insurance or self-insurance.

Communications to the Board of Directors

Stockholders may communicate with any member or members of the Board of Directors by mail addressed to the Chairman,Chair, any other individual member or members of the Board, to the full Board, or to a particular committee of the Board. In each case, such correspondence should be sent to the following address: 11500 North Mopac Expressway, Building C, Austin, Texas 78759, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Correspondence received that is addressed to the members of the Board of Directors will be reviewed by NI’s General Counselour Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and Secretary or his designee, who will forward such correspondence to the appropriate member or members of the Board of Directors.

Board.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee, which currently consists of directors Charles J. RoessleinDuy-Loan T. Le, John M. Berra, (Chair), James E. Cashman, III, Gayla J. Delly, Gerhard P. Fettweis, and Michael E. McGrath, met five times during 2017.2020. The Audit Committee appoints, compensates, retains and oversees the engagement of NI’sour independent registered public accounting

firm, reviews with such independent registered public accounting firm the plan, scope and results of their examination of NI’sour consolidated financial statements and reviews the independence of such independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee maintains free and open communication with NI’sour independent registered public accounting firm and the internal audit department, overseeing the internal audit function and NI’sour management team. The Audit Committee inquires about any significant risks or exposures and assesses the steps management has taken to minimize such risks to NI, including the adequacy of insurance coverage and the strategy for management of foreign currency risk. The Audit Committee also reviews NI’sour compliance with matters relating to environmental, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, export and SEC regulations. The Audit Committee has established procedures to promote and protect employee reporting of (i) suspected fraud or wrongdoing relating to accounting, auditing or financial reporting matters and (ii) complaints and concerns regarding a violation of the federal securities laws,

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including (A) receiving, retaining and addressing complaints received by NI relating to such matters, (B) enabling employees to submit on a confidential and anonymous basis any concerns regarding such matters;matters, and (C) protecting reporting employees from retaliation. The Board of Directors believes that each member of the Audit Committee is an “independent director” as that term is defined by the Nasdaq listing standards and Rule10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.Act. The Board of Directors has determined that each of Mr. Cashman, Ms. Delly, Mr. McGrath, and Mr. Roesslein is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of SEC rules. The charter of the Audit Committee is available on NI’s website at http:https://www.ni.com/pdf/nati/us/audit_committee_charter.pdf.

investor.ni.com/corporate-governance.

Nomination and& Governance Committee

The Nomination and& Governance Committee, which currently consists of directors John M. Berra, Charles J. Roesslein, Michael E. McGrath (Chair), James E. Cashman, III, Gayla J. Delly, Liam K. Griffin, and Gerhard P. Fettweis,Duy-Loan T. Le, met four times during 2020. The Board believes that each member of whom was deemed to bethe Nomination & Governance Committee is an “independent director” as that term is defined by the Nasdaq listing standards, met four times during 2017.standards. The Nomination and& Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the selection criteria for board members, compensation of outside directors (with advice from Compensia, Inc., a national independent compensation consulting firm (“Compensia”), also engaged by the Compensation Committee), appointment of board committee members and committee chairpersons, and develops board governance principles.
The Nomination and& Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by stockholders provided such recommendations are made in accordance with procedures described in this Proxy Statement under “Deadline for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals.” When considering a potential director candidate, the Nomination and& Governance Committee looks for demonstrated character, judgment, relevant business, functional and industry experience, and a high degree of acumen. The Nomination and& Governance Committee also considers issues of diversity, such as education, gender, professional experience, membership in a minority or underrepresented community, and differences in viewpoints and skills. The Nomination and& Governance Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity; however, the Board of Directors and the Nomination and& Governance Committee believe that it is important that the members of the Board of Directors represent diverse viewpoints. The Nomination and& Governance Committee’s process for identifying and evaluating nominees typically involves a series of internal discussions, review of information concerning candidates and interviews with selected candidates. There are no differences in the manner in which the Nomination and& Governance Committee evaluates nominees for director based on whether the nominee is recommended by a stockholder. NI does not pay any third party
The Nomination & Governance Committee engaged Trewstar Corporate Board Services (“Trewstar”), an executive search firm, to identify or assist the committee in identifying orand evaluating potential nominees. As part of its engagement, Trewstar identified Gayla J. Delly as a potential candidate for director in 2020, and our Nomination & Governance Committee recommended that the Board appoint Ms. Delly as a member of our Board, and Ms. Delly became a member of our Board in March 2020. The charter of the Nomination and& Governance Committee is available on NI’s website at http:https://www.ni.com/pdf/nati/us/n_and_g_charter_final.pdf.

investor.ni.com/corporate-governance.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee, which currently consists of directorsDuy-Loan T. Le John M. Berra, Michael E. McGrath, and(Chair), Gerhard P. Fettweis, Liam K. Griffin, and Charles J. Roesslein, met five times during 2020. The Board believes that each member of whom was deemed to bethe Compensation Committee is an “independent director” as that term is defined by applicable SEC rules and the Nasdaq listing standards and other requirements, met seven times during 2017.standards. The charter of the Compensation Committee is available on NI’sour website at http:https://www.ni.com/pdf/nati/us/comp_charter.pdf.

investor.ni.com/corporate-governance.

Under the terms of its charter, the Compensation Committee establishesrecommends the compensation of NI’s Chief Executive Officer,our CEO to the independent members of the Board for approval, evaluates the performance of NI’s executive officers,our Executive Officers, and establishes the salaries, equity awards, and cash bonus compensation of the executive officers. When establishing the salaries and cash bonus compensation for the executive officers other than the Chiefthese Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer.Officers. The Compensation Committee also periodically examines NI’sour compensation structure to evaluate whether NI iswe are rewarding its officersour Executive Officers and other personnel in a manner consistent with sound industry practices and makes recommendations on such matters to NI’s management and Board of Directors.our Board. The Compensation Committee also has oversight responsibility for NI’sour 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Incentive Plan”), 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Incentive Plan”), NI’s 2010 Incentive Plan (the “2010 Incentive Plan”), NI’s 2005 Incentive Plan (the “2005 Incentive Plan”), and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Board of Directors may by resolution prescribe additional authority and duties to the Compensation Committee.

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The Compensation Committee obtains input from NI’shas engaged Compensia, an independent national consulting firm, to provide guidance to the committee on compensation matters. When establishing the salaries, equity awards, and cash bonus compensation for the Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee also considers the recommendations of our President and CEO, other than for himself. Our Senior Vice President and Chief ExecutivePeople Officer Mr. Davern, when discussing the performance of, and compensation levels for, executives other than himself. The Compensation Committee also works closely with Mr. Davern and NI’s vice president of human resources and others as required in evaluating the financial, accounting, tax and retention implications of NI’s various compensation programs. The vice president of human resources regularly attends the meetings of the Compensation Committee and, at such meetings, provides advice on compensation matters to the Compensation Committee. The vice president of human resources also provides guidance to the Compensation Committee concerning compensation matters as they relate to NI’s executive officers.all Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee works closely with management as required in evaluating the financial, accounting, tax and retention implications of our various compensation programs. Our Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer regularly attends the meetings of the Compensation Committee and provides advice on compensation matters to the Compensation Committee. Neither Mr. Davern, the vice president of human resources,our President and CEO nor any of NI’sthe other executives participatesExecutive Officers participate in deliberations relating to his or her own compensation.

Our Compensation Committee recommends to our Board who approves the salary of our President and CEO.

The Compensation Committee’s charter does not contain a provisioncontains provisions providing for the delegation of its duties to other persons.the committee chair or any subcommittees when appropriate. The Compensation Committee hasCommittee’s charter also permits the delegation of authority to one or more Executive Officers to make equity grants to employees or consultants who are not delegated any of its authority.

directors or Executive Officers.

For a discussion of NI’sthe Compensation Committee’s utilization of compensation consultants, see “Compensation“Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The members of the Compensation Committee are set forth in the “Compensation“Corporate Governance — Compensation Committee” section of this proxy statementProxy Statement and do not include any NI executive officers.Executive Officers or former Executive Officers. During 2017,2020, no NI executive officerExecutive Officer served on the compensation committee (or equivalent), or the board of directors, of another entity whose executive officer(s) served on NI’sour Compensation Committee. During 2017,2020, no NI executive officerExecutive Officer served on the compensation committee (or equivalent) of another entity whose executive officer(s) served as a member of the NI Board of Directors.

our Board.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Transactions with Related Persons

NI had no related party transactions requiring disclosure under applicable SEC rules for the year ended December 31, 20172020 and has no such related party transaction currently proposed.

Policy and Procedures for Review, Approval, or Ratification of Related Party Transactions

Pursuant to its written charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing NI’sour policies relating to the avoidance of conflicts of interests and past or proposed transactions between NI, members of theour Board, of Directors of NI, and management. NI considersWe consider “related person transactions” to mean all transactions involving a “related person,” which under SEC rules means an executive officer,Executive Officer, director or a holder of more than five percent of NI’sour common stock, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons. The Audit Committee determines whether the related person has a material interest in a transaction and may approve, ratify, rescind or take other action with respect to the transaction in its discretion.

In any transaction involving a related person, NI’sour Audit Committee would consider the available material facts and circumstances of the transaction, including: the direct and indirect interests of the related person; the risks, costs and benefits of the transaction to NI; whether any alternative transactions or sources for comparable services or products are available; and, in the event the related person is a director (or immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated), the impact that the transaction will have on such director’s independence.

After considering such facts and circumstances, NI’sour Audit Committee determines whether approval, ratification or rescission of the related person transaction is in NI’sour best interests. NI’sOur Audit Committee believes that all employees and directors should be free from conflicting interests and influences of such nature and importance as would make it difficult to meet their applicable fiduciary duties and loyalty to NI, and reviews all related party transactions against the foregoing standard.

NI’s

Our written policies and procedures for review, approval or ratification of transactions that pose a conflict of interest, including related person transactions, are set forth in itsour Code of Ethics, which contains, among other policies, a conflicts of interest policy for all employees, including NI’s executives,our Executive Officers, and a conflicts of interest policy fornon-employee directors.

Under NI’sour written conflicts of interest policy applicable to all employees, including NI’s executives, every employee isour Executive Officers, our employees are required to reportdisclose to NI’s Presidentour legal department any information regarding the existencerelationship, association, activity, or likely developmentother circumstance or situation that could create a conflict of conflicts of interest involving themselvesinterest. In addition, employees, including our Executive Officers, are required to disclose to our legal department enumerated facts related to certain (1) financial interests held in entities that trade with or others withincompete against NI; (2) outside services provided to persons or entities that trade with or compete against NI; (3) personal and familial relationships with persons that trade with NI in their personal capacity or through their affiliation with an entity; and (4) loans offered by or accepted from persons or entities that trade with or compete against NI. While NI provideswe provide examples of potential conflicts of interest, such as investments in enterprises that do business with NI, compensation for services to any person or firm which does business with NI, or gifts and loans and entertainment from any person or firm having current or prospective dealings with NI, the policy applicable to employees expressly states that the examples provided are illustrative only and that each employee should report

any other circumstance which could be construed to interfere actually or potentially with loyalty to NI. Transactions involving potentialPotential conflicts of interests disclosed pursuant to the conflicts of interest policy for employees are reviewed first by NI’sthe legal department and then resolved with the assistance of legal counsel, as appropriate. Resolutions of these disclosures require the approval of (1) an organizational Vice President, who makeswhere a determinationdisclosure involves a subordinate employee within his or her organization, (2) our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Legal Officer, where a disclosure involves an employee with the title of organizational Vice President (or equivalent) or above, excluding employees designated as to whether there exists any conflict of interestExecutive Officers, or relationship which violates NI’s policies and(3) the appropriate actions to take with respect to such relationship. NI’s General CounselAudit Committee,

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where a disclosure involves an Executive Officer. Our Chief Legal Officer reports disclosures to the Audit Committee where both of the following are true: (a) the disclosure was resolved by NI waiving an actual or potential conflict of interest reports received and acted upon by(b) such resolution required the President. In the event a report was received concerning a potential conflictapproval of the President or a member of the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee would review such matter.

CEO and Chief Legal Officer.

The written conflicts of interest policy applicable to allnon-employee directors is substantially similar to the conflicts of interest policy applicable to NI employees, with the exception that everynon-employee director is required to report potential conflict of interest situations to the Audit Committee, which is responsible for making the determination as to whether there exists any conflict of interest or relationship which violates such policy. If the Audit Committee determines that a conflict of interest exists, thenon-employee director involved will be required to dispose of the conflicting interest to the satisfaction of the Audit Committee.
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BOARD COMPENSATION

Determining Compensation forNon-Employee Directors in 2017

2020

The Board, of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Nomination and& Governance Committee, setsnon-employee directors’ director compensation with the goal of retaining NI’s directorsmembers of our Board and attracting qualified persons to serve as directors.members of our Board. In developing its recommendations, the Nomination and& Governance Committee consults with Compensia, an independent national compensation consulting firm engaged by our Nomination & Governance Committee, to advise on compensation matters. The Nomination & Governance Committee considers director compensation at comparable publicly-tradedpublicly traded companies and aims to structure director compensation in a manner that is transparent and easy for stockholders to understand. In addition, the Nomination and Governance Committee engaged F.W. Cook, an independent
The compensation consultant, to provide an analysis of non-employee director compensation in 2017. See “Executive Compensation—Determining Executive Compensation” for additional information about F.W. Cook.

The compensationmembers ofnon-employee directors the Board for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172020 is set forth in the table below.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION


FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

Name

 

  

Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash

 

   

Stock
Awards
(1)

 

   

Option
Awards

 

   

All Other
Compensation

 

   

Total

 

 

 

James J. Truchard (2)

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

$    —

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

$    —       

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey L. Kodosky (3)

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander M. Davern (4)

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donald M. Carlton (5)

 

  

 

 

 

 

    21,429

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

21,429

 

 

 

 

 

Charles J. Roesslein

 

  

 

 

 

 

80,625

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

    130,061

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

    210,686

 

 

 

 

 

Duy-Loan T. Le

 

  

 

 

 

 

80,625

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

130,061

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

210,686

 

 

 

 

 

John M. Berra

 

  

 

 

 

 

77,500

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

130,061

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

207,561

 

 

 

 

 

Michael E. McGrath

 

  

 

 

 

 

73,125

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

130,061

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

203,186

 

 

 

 

 

Gerhard P. Fettweis

 

  

 

 

 

 

65,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

130,061

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

195,061

 

 

 

 

2020
Name (1)
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
Stock
Awards
(2)
Total
James E. Cashman, III
$75,000
$174,982
$249,982
Gayla J. Delly
59,917
349,964
409,881
Gerhard P. Fettweis
77,500
174,982
252,482
Liam K. Griffin
72,500
174,982
247,482
Duy-Loan T. Le
85,000
174,982
259,982
Michael E. McGrath
185,000
174,982
359,982
Charles J. Roesslein
95,500
174,982
270,482
(1)
AmountsMr. Davern is a Named Executive Officer (as defined below) for 2020 and his compensation as a director is fully reflected in the “Summary Compensation Table” set forth in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.
(2)
The amounts included in the table for stock awards represent the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for 2017 in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC 718”). These dollar amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value for these stockof awards and may not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the directors.made each fiscal year, as computed in accordance with ASC 718. The grant date fair value of each award is expensed monthly based on the estimated vesting period of the corresponding grant, which is 36 months.grant. Grant date fair value is calculated using the closing price of the day immediately preceding the date of grant multiplied by the number of RSUs granted. On April 26, 2017,29, 2020, Mr. Roesslein,Cashman, Ms. Delly, Dr. Fettweis, Ms. Le, Mr. Berra,McGrath, Mr. McGrath,Griffin, and Dr. FettweisMr. Roesslein, were each granted 3,759 RSUs.4,457 RSUs (the “2020 Director Grants”). The grant date fair value of each RSU grant2020 Director Grant was based on the April 25, 201728, 2020 closing price of $34.60$39.26 per share. Theshare and vest on May 1, 2021, which is the one-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date. In connection with Ms. Delly’s initial appointment to the Board, she was granted an additional 4,457 RSUs granted to Mr. Roesslein, Ms. Le, Mr. Berra, Mr. McGrath, and Dr. Fettweison April 29, 2020, which vest over a three-year period with 1/3rd of the RSUs vesting on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date, which is May 1, 2020. This introductory RSU award granted to Ms. Delly had the same grant date fair value as the 2020 Director Grants. As of December 31, 2020, Dr. Fettweis, Ms. Le, Mr. McGrath, and Mr. Roesslein, each year.had 5,644 outstanding and unvested RSUs. As of December 31, 2020, Mr. Cashman and Mr. Griffin each had 6,923 outstanding and unvested RSUs. As of December 31, 2020, Ms. Delly had 8,914 outstanding and unvested RSUs.

(2)Dr. Truchard did not receive any compensation for his service as a director.

(3)As an employee director, Mr. Kodosky does not receive any additional compensation for his service as a director. Mr. Kodosky is a Business and Technology Fellow, but not a named executive officer, as such term is defined under Item 402(a)(3) of RegulationS-K. Pursuant to SEC rules, the compensation that a director receives for services as a Business and Technology Fellow does not need to be reported in the table for Director Compensation.

(4)As an employee director in 2017, Mr. Davern did not receive any additional compensation for his service as a director. His compensation as an NI officer in 2017 is included in the Summary Compensation Table.

(5)On January 20, 2017, Dr. Carlton informed the Board that he would not stand forre-election as a director at the May 9, 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. There was no disagreement or dispute between Dr. Carlton and NI that led to his decision not to stand forre-election. In recognition of his many years of service on the Board, the Board approved the acceleration of the vesting of the 8,869 RSUs held by Dr. Carlton and such RSUs vested in full on May 1, 2017.

Discussion of Director Compensation

In 2017, the

The 2020 annual compensation for NI’sour non-employee directors was comprised of cash compensation in the form of an annual retainer, committee chair retainer, committee membership retainer, independent board chair retainer and equity compensation in the form of RSUs. Each of these components is described below. An NI employee director doesEmployee members of our Board do not receive any additional compensation for his service as a director. Dr. Truchard doesmember of the Board. Accordingly, Mr. Starkloff did not receive any compensation for his service as a director.on the Board in 2020.
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Annual Board/Committee Retainer Fees

Beginning on October 1, 2017,

For 2020, our non-employee directors receivereceived cash compensation payable quarterly, for membership on the board of directorsBoard and committees, as well as for committee chair positions.positions, and the independent Board chair position. Specifically,non-employee directors receive an annual cash retainer of $60,000 per year, plus $10,000 per year for membership on the Audit Committee, $7,500 per year for membership on the Compensation Committee, and $5,000 per year for membership on the Nomination and& Governance Committee. In addition, the chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nomination and& Governance Committee receive an additional $25,000, $20,000 and $15,000 per year, respectively, and the Lead Independent Directorrespectively. The independent Board chair receives an additional $25,000$100,000 per year. year for his service. All cash compensation is paid in quarterly installments.
The Board, in its discretion, may pay an overnight meeting fee or special meeting fee for extended meetings, not to exceed $2,000 per day. An NI employee director doesEmployee members of our Board do not receive any additional compensation for service as a director.

From January 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017,non-employee directors received cash compensation, payable quarterly, for membership on the boardmember of directors and committees, as well as for committee chair positions. Specifically,non-employee directors received an annual cash retainer of $60,000 per year, plus $5,000 per year for membership on the Audit Committee and $2,500 per year for membership on each of the Compensation Committee and the Nomination and Governance Committee. In addition, the chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nomination and Governance Committee received an additional $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 per year, respectively. An NI employee director did not receive any additional compensation for service as a director.

our Board.

Non-Employee Director Reimbursement Practice

Non-employee directors members of our Board are reimbursed for travel and otherout-of-pocket expenses connected to Board service.

service as a member of our Board.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Under NI’s applicable Incentive Plan,non-employee directors

Non-employee members of our Board are eligible to receive RSU grants. Specifically,awards of RSUs under our equity incentive plans. On April 29, 2020, eachnon-employee director receives member of our Board received an annual grant of RSUs equal to $130,000 divided by$175,000 (based on the closing price of NI’sour common stock on the day immediately preceding the date of grant. Under the 2015 Incentive Plan, in 2017,grant) with a one-year vesting schedule. Mr. Roesslein,Cashman, Ms. Delly, Dr. Fettweis, Mr. Griffin, Ms. Le, Mr. Berra, Mr. McGrath, and Dr. FettweisMr. Roesslein were each granted 3,7594,457 RSUs (the “2020 Director Grants”) under our 2015 Incentive Plan. The grant date fair value of each 2020 Director Grant was based on the closing price of our common stock on the day prior to the date of grant on April 28, 2020 of $39.26 per share and vest on May 1, 2021.
In addition, as of April 29, 2020, new non-employee members of our Board were eligible to receive a one-time initial introductory grant of RSUs equal to $175,000 (based on the closing price of our common stock on the day immediately preceding the date of grant) with a three-year vesting schedule. Accordingly, in connection with Ms. Delly’s initial appointment to the Board, on April 29, 2020, she was granted an additional 4,457 RSUs based on NI’sthe closing stock price of $34.60 per shareour common stock on April 25, 2017. The RSUs28, 2020, the day prior to the grant date, of $39.26. This introductory RSU award granted to Mr. Roesslein, Ms. Le, Mr. Berra, Mr. McGrath, and Dr. Fettweis vestDelly vests over a three-year period withone-third of the RSUs vesting on May 1 of each year.
On July 29, 2020, the Nomination & Governance Committee determined to recommend to the full Board that Mr. Davern, who resigned from his position as a strategic advisor and ceased to be an employee as of May 5, 2020, be granted a pro-rated annual non-employee director RSU award of $131,250 (based on the closing price of our common stock on the day immediately preceding the date of grant), which was equal to 3,556 RSUs. These RSUs were granted pursuant to our 2020 Incentive Plan and vest 100% on the one-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date which isof May 1, 2020. The grant date fair value of each year.the Mr. Davern’s RSU grant was based on the July 28, 2020 closing price of $36.91 per share.
In July 2020, after consideration of data and information provided by Compensia, our Nomination & Governance Committee reviewed the equity compensation for the non-employee members of our Board, and determined to terminate the practice of granting a one-time introductory grant of RSUs to new non-employee members of our Board. The Nomination & Governance Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, that, going forward, both incumbent and new non-employee members of the Board will receive only a single annual grant of RSUs equal to $175,000 (based on the 30-day look back of the closing price of our common stock on the day immediately preceding the date of grant) with a one-year vesting schedule.
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth information concerning the persons currently serving as executive officersExecutive Officers of NI, as of the Record Date, including information as to each executive officer’sExecutive Officer’s current age, position with NI, and business experience. Executive Officers of NI serve at the discretion of the Board.

Name of Executive
Officer
Age
Age
Position

Alexander M. Davern

Eric H. Starkloff

51

46
President and Chief Executive Officer and President

Karen M. Rapp

50

53

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Eric H. Starkloff

Jason E. Green

43

48
Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing

Portfolio Business Unit

Scott A. Rust

51

54

Senior Vice President, Global Research & Development

John C. Roiko

Ritu Favre

60

52
Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Accounting Officer

General Manager of Semiconductor and Electronics; Aerospace, Defense, and Government; and Transportation Business Units

See “Election“Proposal One: Election of Directors” for additional information with respect to Mr. Davern.

Starkloff.

Karen M. Rapp joined NI in May 2017 and currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer andOfficer. Prior to February 1, 2021, Ms. Rapp also served as our Treasurer. Prior to joining NI, Ms. Rapp served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development of NXP Semiconductors N.V. (“NXP”), a Dutch global semiconductor manufacturer, after NXP acquired Freescale Semiconductor in December 2015. Prior to NXP's acquisition, Ms. Rapp previously servedworked at Freescale beginning in April 2010 and held several leadership positions at Freescale with increasing responsibility, including serving as Vice President and Chief Information Officer, from April 2013 to December 2015 and as Director of Operations and Finance, Global Sales and Marketing, from April 2010 to April 2013.Director of Finance, Supply Chain and Director of Finance, Continuous Development. Ms. Rapp holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Northern Illinois University and an M.B.A.a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Rapp is currently serves as a director of Plexus Corp., a and Microchip Technology, Incorporated, both publicly traded company.

Eric H. Starkloffcompanies.

Jason E. Greenjoined NI in July 1997September 2015 and currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President, Portfolio Business Unit and previously served as Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Support, Services, and Marketing.Operations from January 2019 to January 2021. He previously served as NI’s Senior Vice President, of MarketingGlobal Sales from April 2013May 2018 to January 2014;December 2018 and as Vice President, of MarketingRegional Sales, Americas from November 2010September 2015 to March 2013;April 2018. Prior to joining NI, Mr. Green worked at Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. from 1995 to 2015 where he served as Vice President of Product Marketing from October 2008 to October 2010; as DirectorAmericas sales and applications and was responsible for many of Product Marketing from August 2004 to September 2008; and as Product Marketing Manager from January 1998 to July 2004.the company’s largest global customers. Mr. Starkloff received hisGreen holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical EngineeringBusiness Administration with a minor in Economics from the University of Virginia.

Florida.

Scott A. Rustjoined NI in 1990 and currently serves as Senior Vice President, Global Research and& Development. He previously served as NI’s Vice President of Research and Development Test Systems from July 2013 to January 2014; as NI’s Vice President of Research and Development in Penang, Malaysia from January 2011 to July 2013; as Vice President of Research and Development of Modular Instruments from October 2008 to December 2010; as Director of Modular Instruments from March 2003 to September 2008; as Software Section Manager from October 2000 to March 2003; as Group Manager from October 1996 to October 2000; as Marketing Manager of Test and Measurement Software from August 1991 to September 1996; and as Applications Engineer from June 1990 to July 1991. Mr. Rust received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University.

John C. Roiko

Ritu Favre joined NI in 1998 and currently serves asJuly 2019. In January 2021, Ms. Favre was promoted to the position of Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Accounting Officer. From JanuaryGeneral Manager of the Semiconductor and Electronics; Aerospace, Defense, and Government; and Transportation Business Units. Prior to May 2017, he served as Interim Chief Financial Officer. He formerly served asher promotion, Ms. Favre was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Financethe Semiconductor Business Unit from October 2008July 2019 to December 2016 and as worldwide Corporate Controller from March 1998 to September 2008.January 2021. Prior to joining NI, Mr. RoikoMs. Favre worked as a product line controllerChief Executive Officer at NEXT Biometrics from February 2017 to July 2019. From May 2014 to October 2016, Ms. Favre served as Senior Vice President and GM of the Biometrics Products Division at Synaptics, Inc. and served in various roles at Motorola and Freescale Semiconductor from June 1988 to May 2014, including Senior Vice President and General Manager for RF from September 2012 to May 2014. Ms. Favre has served on the defense division at Honeywell before movingboard of directors of Valmont Industries since September 2020 and previously served on the board of directors of Cohu, Inc., from January 2019 to Emerson Process Management as the North Americas accounting manager. Mr. Roiko then pursuedstart-up opportunities as the Chief Financial Officer for Columbia Scientific and director of accounting for Arrowsmith Technologies. Mr. RoikoMay 2019. Ms. Favre holds a bachelor’s degreeBS in Finance with a minor in Accounting from St. Cloud State UniversityElectrical Engineering and a master’s degreeMasters in Electrical Engineering from MinnesotaArizona State University.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”provides information regarding the 2020 compensation program for our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and the three executive officers (other than our principal executive officer and principal financial officer) at fiscal year-end who were our most highly-compensated Executive Officers, as well as our former principal executive officer (collectively, our “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”). The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the compensation tables contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. References toProxy Statement. For 2020, our “named executive officers” in this CD&A are to the same persons set forth in the summary compensation table.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Overview of Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

NI’s philosophy towards compensation for its named executive officers reflects the following principles:

Total compensation opportunities should be competitive.    NI believes that its total compensation programs should be competitive so that NI can attract, retain and motivate talented executives.

Total compensation should be related to NI’s performance.    NI believes that a significant portion of its executives’ total compensation should be directly linked to achieving specified financial objectives that NI believes will create stockholder value.

Total compensation should be related to individual performance.    NI believes that executives’ total compensation should reward individual performance achievements and encourage individual contributions to NI’s performance.

Equity awards help executives think like stockholders.    NI believes that executives’ total compensation should have a significant equity component because stock based equity awards help reinforce the executive’s long-term interest in NI’s overall performance and thereby align the interests of the executive with the interests of NI’s stockholders.

NI’s overall amount of equity awards should be related to its revenue growth.    NI believes that its use of equity awards must be sensitive to the dilutive impact that such equity compensation will have on its stockholders. As a result, NI’s overall amount of equity awards for each year is linked to its revenue growth.

The same compensation programs should generally apply to both executive andnon-executive employees whenever possible.    NI values the contributions of all employees and, to the extent practicable, NI designs its compensation programs to apply to all employees. NI seeks to minimize the number of compensation programs that apply only to its executives and disfavors the use of executive perks.

DeterminingNamed Executive Compensation

In establishing NI’s overall program for executive compensation, the Compensation Committee works closelyOfficers were, with NI’s senior management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Human Resources. However, NI’s executives do not participate in any Board or Compensation Committee deliberations relating to their own compensation.

The Compensation Committee engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co. (“F.W. Cook”)current titles, as an independent consultant for 2011 and 2014 compensation purposes. At those times, the Compensation Committee determined to engage an independent consultant every three years. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee again engaged F.W. Cook in 2017 to review NI’s overall executive compensation structure and perform an analysis and assessment of NI’s compensation processes, methodologies and practices to evaluate their effectiveness and alignment with NI’s compensation philosophy and objectives (as outlined above). As part of its analysis, F.W. Cook reviewed compensation trends and developments,

applicable:

compensation levels for a number of companies that were comparable to NI in terms of market capitalization, revenue size and number of employees (including the Radford data used by NI in prior years as described below), NI executive compensation levels and certain disclosure and regulatory requirements.

As a result of its analysis, F.W. Cook concluded that NI’s compensation program was highly effective, enabled NI to attract and retain leadership talent and that the program was comprehensively tailored to NI’s business model, culture and philosophy. The Compensation Committee considered the consultant’s work in establishing executive compensation levels for 2017. In connection with the engagement of F.W. Cook in 2017, the Compensation Committee determined that F.W. Cook met the independence requirements of applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules. As described above, F.W. Cook was engaged by the Compensation Committee in 2011, 2014 and 2017. F.W. Cook was also engaged by the Compensation Committee in connection with the CEO Agreement (as defined below) and to assist with Proxy Statement disclosure analysis for this Proxy Statement and by the Nomination and Governance Committee fornon-employee director compensation analysis in 2017. F.W. Cook has not provided any other services to the Board or Board Committees. F.W. Cook has not provided any services to NI.

As described below, NI utilizes survey information to help determine whether the total compensation package for its executives is competitive with comparable companies. NI exercises judgment in allocating compensation among specific programs in view of its overall compensation philosophy, objectives, business results and risk assessment.

For the past several years, the Compensation Committee has utilized data from Radford Surveys, a leading worldwide provider of survey information regarding executive compensation of technology companies. In setting compensation levels for 2017, the Radford data which was utilized included executive compensation information of public companies in the high technology industry that had annual revenues ranging from $500 million to $999.9 million and from $1 billion to $3 billion. NI believes the information from public companies in such revenue range is appropriate because it affords an adequate sample size of comparable high technology companies and because the average annual revenue of the companies in such range is comparable to NI’s annual revenue. NI compares the compensation of its executive officers with that of the executive officers in the Radford survey as a whole rather than any individual company within such survey.

NI believes that total compensation at or around the 50th percentile of the peer companies provided in the Radford survey is the appropriate starting point for benchmarking the compensation of its executives. Though NI uses such 50th percentile as a reference point, NI does not target a specific percentile in the range of comparative information for each individual executive or for each component of compensation. Instead, NI structures a total compensation package in view of the comparative information and such other factors specific to the individual, including the level of responsibility, prior experience, expectations of future performance and assessment of risk as it relates to employee motivation and employee retention. NI uses information obtained from Radford to test for reasonableness and competitiveness of its compensation package as a whole, but exercises judgment in allocating compensation among executives and within each element of an individual’s total compensation package. Set forth on Exhibit A is each of the companies that are covered by the relevant portion of the Radford information utilized by NI for 2017 compensation purposes. For 2017, the actual total compensation paid to NI’s executive officers was between the 25th percentile and the 50thpercentile of the peer companies in the Radford data.

NI does not have specific policies for allocating between long-term and currently paid out compensation or policies for allocating between cash andnon-cash compensation, and among different forms ofnon-cash compensation. Each NI executive may receive a mix of compensation comprised of base salary, performance-based bonus, equity awards, service-based bonus and discretionary bonuses. The amount of compensation allocated to each element of compensation is determined on acase-by-case basis.

As described in greater detail below under “Analysis of Elements of Executive Compensation,” the Compensation Committee considers both NI performance and individual performance when determining the level of compensation for a number of the elements of executive compensation. For example, in determining the grants of RSUs and any increases in base salary, the Compensation Committee takes into consideration, among other things, the prior individual performance of an executive officer, as well as NI’s performance. Similarly, the Annual Incentive Program (“AIP”) is an “at risk” bonus program designed to induce NI’s executive officers to accomplish a set of goals based upon individual performance and NI’s business goals and reflects NI’s philosophy that total compensation should be related both to individual performance and NI’s performance. Amounts, if any, awarded under the discretionary cash program are determined solely on individual performance. For some of NI’s other elements of executive compensation, such as the annual company cash performance bonus program, NI’s performance as a whole is determinative of the compensation payable to the participants. The Compensation Committee believes that the various elements of executive compensation work together to promote NI’s objective that total compensation should be related both to individual performance and NI’s performance.

At our annual meeting of stockholders in 2017, our stockholders voted for aone-year interval for “management say on pay” review. At such meeting, our stockholders also approved, on an advisory(non-binding) basis and with over 99% of the votes cast in favor of the proposal, the compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee considered the favorable vote results from the 2017 annual meeting (and prior annual meetings) in establishing NI’s compensation program for 2017.

Compensation Terms for Chief Executive Officer

In August 2016, the NI Board appointed Alexander M. Davern asEric H. Starkloff, President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2017. Mr. Davern succeeded Dr. James Truchard, who retired as(our “President and CEO”);

Karen M. Rapp, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;
Jason E. Green, Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President, Portfolio Business Unit;
Scott A. Rust, Senior Vice President, Global Research & Development;
Carla Pineyro Sublett1, former Senior Vice President and General Manager, Portfolio Business Unit and Chief Marketing Officer; and
Alexander M. Davern, former Chief Executive Officer.
Executive Summary
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis outlines the material elements of our 2020 executive compensation program, provides an overview of our executive compensation philosophy, including our principal compensation policies and practices, and describes specific compensation decisions made during 2020 by our Compensation Committee for Executive Officers, including the key factors that the Compensation Committee considered in determining Executive Officers’ compensation.
Chief Executive Officer effectiveTransition During 2020
Effective February 1, 2020, Mr. Starkloff, our former President and Chief Operating Officer, was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer pursuant to an Executive Employment Agreement, dated October 28, 2019 (the “Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement”) and he continues to also serve as President. Mr. Starkloff replaced Mr. Davern as our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Davern continues to serve as a member of our Board. Effective January 31, 2020, Mr. Davern transitioned into a strategic advisory role to provide certain transition and advisory services pursuant to a Transition Agreement, dated October 28, 2019 (the “Davern Transition Agreement”). Pursuant to the Davern Transition Agreement, Mr. Davern’s role as a strategic advisor concluded on May 5, 2020, the date of our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.
Say-on-Pay Vote and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards
At our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, approximately 97% of the votes present and entitled to vote on the advisory vote for Named Executive Officer compensation (also known as the “Say-on-Pay” vote) voted in favor of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. We view the Say-on-Pay vote as an opportunity to receive feedback from our stockholders about our executive compensation program. As set forth in more detail in the Introduction to this Proxy Statement, prior to our annual meetings of stockholders, we reach out to our major stockholders and engage with them on their views and concerns about our policies and practices, including our executive compensation.
Based on feedback we received from our stockholders in prior years, performance based restricted stock unit awards (“PRSUs”) represent 50% of the equity award value awarded to our Named Executive Officers, while the other 50% consist of restricted stock unit awards (“RSUs”). We have received favorable stockholder feedback with respect to granting PRSUs with relative metrics such as total shareholder return (“TSR”). We believe that our use of performance-based long term incentive compensation is important to strengthening the alignment between our Executive Officers’ compensation and creation of stockholder value, while also driving the achievement of our financial and operational goals.
1
Ms. Pineyro Sublett resigned from the company effective February 1, 2021.
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During 2020, the Compensation Committee made no material changes to our executive compensation program. See the Introduction to this Proxy Statement for additional information about our stockholder engagement.
2020 Business Highlights
Our business and financial condition was adversely impacted by the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Where possible, we took steps to minimize the impact across our organization, including steps related to our customers, employees, supply chain, and partner network, and demonstrated our ability to adapt to these challenges.
Revenue: We reported net sales of $1.29 billion, a 5 percent decrease from 2019.
Cash Generation: We generated annual cash flow from operations of $181 million. As of December 31, 2016.2020, we held $320 million in cash and short-term investments.
Capital Deployment: In connection2020, we returned over $185 million to our stockholders through dividends and share repurchases. We also acquired OptimalPlus, Ltd. for $365 million.
Product Portfolio: We continued to sharpen our focus on system-level automated test and automated measurement offerings in key growth areas, including semiconductor, transportation, and aerospace, defense, and government.
2020 Executive Compensation Highlights
In 2020, the Compensation Committee took the following actions with Mr. Davern’s appointment, NI entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Davernrespect to the compensation of our Named Executive Officers:
Established the Executive Incentive Program – In January, adopted the Executive Incentive Program for Executive Officers (the “CEO Agreement”“EIP”). UnderThe EIP replaced the Annual Incentive Program and the Annual Company Performance Bonus Program previously applicable to Executive Officers and serves as our short-term cash incentive plan for our Executive Officers.
Established Named Executive Officer Base Salaries – Approved annual base salary increases for our Named Executive Officers, other than our President and CEO, ranging from 4% to 11%.
Established Named Executive Officer Executive Incentive Program Targets – For our Executive Officers, other than our President and CEO, approved the key company financial and operational performance objectives, pre-established performance levels for each objective, and related payout levels (expressed as a percentage which increases or decreases with company performance) for cash incentive bonus opportunities pursuant to the EIP, and approved target cash incentive bonus opportunities ranging from 65% to 80% of the Named Executive Officer’s 2020 annual base salary, which, if paid at target, would result in an EIP payout for these Named Executive Officers of $260,260 to $460,000. In addition, the Compensation Committee approved transferring Mr. Green from a sales-based incentive compensation plan to the EIP. Our Board, based on the recommendations of the Compensation Committee, approved the same EIP key company financial and operational performance objectives for Mr. Starkloff, our President and CEO. Mr. Starkloff’s target cash incentive bonus opportunity for 2020 is set forth in his Executive Employment Agreement, which was amended on February 3, 2020, to reflect the initial termadoption of the EIP. Our Board approved, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, a target cash incentive bonus opportunity equal to 135% of Mr. Davern’s employmentStarkloff’s 2020 annual base salary, which, if paid at target, would result in an EIP payout of $945,000.
Granted Named Executive Officer Equity Awards – Granted equity awards in the form of 50% RSUs and 50% PRSUs to be settled for shares of our common stock, in amounts ranging from target levels of $750,000 to $1,400,000 for our Named Executive Officers, other than our President and CEO. In addition, the Compensation Committee recommended to the independent members of our Board that an award of 75,000 RSUs and 75,000 PRSUs plus the equivalent of $2,000,000 in restricted stock awards (RSUs and PRSUs) be granted to Mr. Starkloff, upon becoming our CEO.
Revised Executive Incentive Program Payout Levels – In July, as Presidenta result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, reevaluated the design of the EIP to change the payout levels to help ensure we continue to reward our top leaders competitively. Based on guidance from its independent
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compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee revised the EIP to maintain most of the original payout levels but added a 25% and 40% payout level and removed the 175% and 200% payout levels, thereby reducing our Named Executive Officers’ total potential bonus payout at the maximum level from 200% to 150% of their 2020 target bonus amount and adding an opportunity for payout at the lower 25% and 40% payout levels. EIP payouts were based on the revised metrics.
CEO Compensation
Mr. Starkloff’s compensation as Chief Executive Officer extends from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019,was recommended by the Compensation Committee and approved by the termindependent members of his employment continues for successiveone-year periods thereafter (the “Term”). In his rolethe Board in October 2019. The Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement was amended on February 3, 2020 to conform Mr. Starkloff’s bonus structure to the then newly adopted EIP and sets forth Mr. Starkloff’s 2020 compensation as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Davern receives follows:
an annual base salary of $700,000 which will be reviewed annually by$700,000;
a target incentive cash bonus opportunity under the Compensation Committee. During the Term, Mr. Davern participates in NI’s annual incentive program (the “AIP”) and receives an annual cash bonus. His target annual cash incentive is 80%EIP for 2020 equal to 135% of his annual base salary, subjectsalary;
a one-time promotional RSU award for 75,000 shares of our common stock, scheduled to subsequent adjustmentvest in accordance with the AIP. As contemplated by the CEO Agreement, in January 2017, Mr. Davern receivedequal installments annually over a grant of 150,000 RSUs under the 2015 Incentive Plan, which will vestthree-year period commencing on February 1, 2020, subject to his continued employment with NIservice on each such vesting date;
a one-time promotional PRSU award for 75,000 shares (at target) of our common stock based on our TSR performance in relation to the performance of the Russell 2000 index (the “Initial Award”“Index”). For each calendar year during over a three-year performance period commencing on January 1, 2020, subject to his continued service on the Term, vesting date of December 31, 2022; and
the equivalent of $2,000,000 in restricted stock awards, which were granted on April 29, 2020, and were comprised of 25,471 RSUs scheduled to vest in equal installments annually over a three-year period, and 25,471 PRSUs to be earned over a three-year performance period commencing January 1, 2020, based on our TSR performance in relation to the performance of the Index over the same three-year performance period, commencing January 1, 2020, and subject to his continued service on the vesting date of December 31, 2022.
Mr. Daven shall beStarkloff’s compensation is described further in the Summary Compensation Table and related charts below.
Former CEO Transition Agreement
In October 2019, the Compensation Committee and the independent members of our Board also established transition service compensation arrangements for Mr. Davern, our former CEO and current director, for the period of transition from January 31, 2020 to May 5, 2020, the date of our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. During this transition period, Mr. Davern continued to receive his 2019 base salary and benefits but was not eligible to receiveparticipate in any bonus program during 2020. Pursuant to a separation agreement signed in conjunction with his transition, Mr. Davern’s time-based RSUs that were scheduled to vest prior to May 5, 2021 vested and all of Mr. Davern's unvested PRSUs were forfeited as of May 5, 2020. Mr. Davern’s health continuation coverage costs will continue to be paid through May 31, 2021.
Voluntary Base Salary Reductions
In 2020, our President and CEO, in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, voluntarily reduced his base salary by 20%, and our other Named Executive Officers voluntarily reduced their base salaries by 10%. These voluntary reductions were in effect for the period of May 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020. None of these voluntary actions were at the request of the Compensation Committee.
Pay-for-Performance Discussion
Our 2020 executive compensation program consisted of base salary, the EIP in the form of an additional awardannual cash bonus opportunity, and long-term incentive compensation opportunities in the form of upRSUs and PRSUs. The EIP metrics and payouts are closely linked to 50,000stockholder value creation through the achievement of our short-term and long-term financial, operational and strategic objectives.
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The 2020 pay mix for our President and CEO and our other Named Executive Officers was predominantly variable or “at risk.” As the following charts illustrate, the intended target value of his or her equity and cash awards, assuming the value per unit is equal to our common stock price on the grant date, for 2020, was 93% of our President and CEO’s target total direct compensation (defined as the sum of his 2020 base salary and target annual cash bonus opportunities under the EIP, and the intended target value of his equity awards), and 74% of our other Named Executive Officers average target total direct compensation, delivered in the form of variable or “at risk” compensation.

Further, long-term incentive compensation in the form of either RSUs beginningor PRSUs represented 84% of our President and CEO’s target total direct compensation and 54% of the average target total direct compensation of our other Named Executive Officers.
Executive Compensation Policies and Practices
We endeavor to maintain sound governance standards consistent with our executive compensation policies and practices. The Compensation Committee evaluates our executive compensation program on a regular basis to ensure that it is consistent with our short-term and long-term goals given the dynamic nature of our business and the market in April 2017 (the “Annual Awards”)which we compete for executive talent. The following summarizes our executive compensation and related policies and practices:
What We Do
Maintain an Independent Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee consists solely of independent directors who establish our compensation practices.
Retain an Independent Compensation Advisor. The Compensation Committee has engaged its own compensation consultant to provide information, analysis and other advice on executive compensation independent of management.
Annual Executive Officer Compensation Review. At least once a year, the Compensation Committee conducts a review of our Executive Officer compensation strategy.
Compensation At-Risk. Our executive compensation program is designed so that a significant portion of our Executive Officers’ compensation is “at risk” based on corporate performance, because it is equity-based, to align the interests of our Named Executive Officers and stockholders.
Annual Compensation-Related Risk Assessment. We consider our compensation-related risk profile to ensure that our compensation-related risks do not create inappropriate or excessive risk and are not likely to have a material adverse effect on NI.
Stock Ownership Policy. We have adopted stock ownership guidelines for our Executive Officers and the non-employee members of our Board under which they must accumulate and hold, consistent with the terms of the guidelines, a number of shares of common stock equivalent to a multiple of their annual salary or retainer, as contemplated by the CEO Agreement, he receivedapplicable.
“Double-Trigger” Compensation Arrangements in Connection with a grant of 50,000 RSUs on April 25, 2017.Change in Control for Our President and Chief Executive Officer. In the event Mr. Davern’sof a Change in Control (as defined in the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement) of NI, our President and CEO would not receive compensation
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severance benefits pursuant to his employment agreement unless there is terminated either byboth (i) a Change in Control of NI without Causeand (ii) an involuntary termination of employment or by Mr. Davernresignation for Good Reason (as such terms are(also as defined in the CEOStarkloff Executive Employment Agreement), within the three month period prior to the Change in Control or within 12 months following the Change in Control, frequently referred to as a “double-trigger” compensation arrangement. If a Change in Control would occur, subject to himMr. Starkloff executing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of NI and meeting other requirements in the CEOStarkloff Executive Employment Agreement, Mr. Davern will be entitled toStarkloff would receive his annual base salary for a cash payment (the “Severance Payment”)period of 18 months and a lump sum equal to the sum100% of (i) two times his then-current base salary, (ii) two times his target annual cash incentive for the year of termination, and (iii) an amount equal to the cost of COBRA coverage for 12 months. The Severance Payment is payable over a 24 month period.EIP bonus. In addition, Mr. DavernStarkloff would receive accelerated vesting of the number ofon those outstanding service-based RSUs that would have vested ifhad Mr. Starkloff remained employed by the Company for 12 months following his termination date, subject to any required approval by our Board. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below for a detailed description of Mr. Starkloff’s Change in Control benefits.
What We Do Not Do
No Guaranteed Bonuses. We do not provide guaranteed bonuses to our Named Executive Officers.
No Special Retirement Plans. We do not currently offer, nor do we have plans to offer, defined benefit pension plans or any non-qualified deferred compensation plans or arrangements to our Named Executive Officers other than the plans and arrangements that are available to all employees. Our Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in our Section 401(k) retirement savings plan on the same basis as our other employees.
No Short Selling, Hedging or Derivatives Transactions. We have a policy which prohibits short selling or trading in derivatives of our securities. In addition, those subject to the company quarterly blackout window are prohibited from holding our securities in margin accounts or engaging in hedging or similar transactions with respect to our securities.
No Excise Tax Payments on Future Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements. We do not provide any excise tax reimbursement payments (including “gross-ups”) on payments or benefits contingent upon certain terminations of employment or a change in control of NI.
No Special Welfare or Health Benefits. We do not provide our Named Executive Officers with any welfare or health benefit programs, other than participation in our broad-based employee programs and an annual physical.
No Special Perquisites. We do not provide significant perquisites or other personal benefits to our Named Executive Officers.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our executive compensation philosophy is based on the concept of pay for performance and aligned to the following primary goals:
Our compensation practices are designed to support the interests of our stockholders.
Achieving financial goals and other operational targets are the basis for measuring performance.
Sufficient upside, in the form of the potential to earn more than the target amount, and downside, in the form of risk of not earning the full target amount, is built into our incentive plans to deliver appropriate rewards based on results.
Based on this philosophy, our executive compensation program is guided by the following overarching principles:
Business Driven: Compensation should be aligned to our performance by linking rewards directly to the achievement of specific financial, operational, and strategic objectives that are expected to lead to increased stockholder value and executive retention and engagement.
Performance Differentiated: Compensation should be structured to create an effective link between pay and performance at both the corporate and individual level so that the contributions of our Executive Officers are valued and rewarded.
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Market Competitive: Compensation should be competitive to attract, retain, and motivate Executive Officers needed to achieve our core strategic vision.
Our overall amount of equity awards should be related to our company performance: We believe that our use of equity awards must be sensitive to the dilutive impact that such equity compensation will have on our stockholders.
We also maintain a strong focus on leadership development and retention, and as such, our executive compensation program is designed to ensure that we retain the talent required to execute our business strategy. The compensation actions and decisions for our Named Executive Officers support our talent retention objectives by considering individual contributions to our performance, long-term potential and holding power, and organizational succession plans.
We regularly assess and adjust our executive compensation program, policies, and practices in light of these overarching principles and, in doing so, consider feedback obtained through our stockholder engagement efforts.
Compensation-Setting Process
Role of Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors, is responsible for reviewing and approving the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, other than for our President and CEO. The independent members of our Board review and approve the recommendations of the Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation of our President and CEO. The Compensation Committee’s decisions are subject to any approval of our Board that the Compensation Committee or legal counsel determines to be desirable or is required by applicable law or Nasdaq rules. Specifically, the Compensation Committee oversees our executive compensation plans, administers our equity compensation plans, and reviews and approves the compensation of our Executive Officers. With respect to the compensation of our President and CEO, the Compensation Committee recommends such compensation to the independent directors of the Board, who also separately approve it.
The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board. A copy of the charter is posted on the investor relations section of our website located at https://investor.ni.com/corporate-governance.
As described in greater detail in the next section, the Compensation Committee considers both our performance and individual performance when determining the overall compensation levels for our Named Executive Officers, as well as the individual elements of compensation. For example, our EIP cash incentive program is designed to incent our Executive Officers to achieve identified company key objectives, which are financial and operational metrics, and ensure that our company’s performance impacts the amounts payable to participants. The Compensation Committee believes that the various elements of executive compensation should work together to promote our objective that total compensation be related both to company and individual performance.
Setting Total Direct Compensation
The Compensation Committee (and in the case of our President and CEO, the independent members of our Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee) does not establish a specific target for the total direct compensation opportunity of our Named Executive Officers. In making decisions about the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee (and in the case of our President and CEO, the independent members of our Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee) relies primarily on the general business acumen and experience of its members and subjective consideration of various factors, including the following:
our executive compensation program objectives;
our performance against the financial, operational, and strategic objectives established by the Compensation Committee and our Board;
each individual Executive Officer’s knowledge, skills, experience, qualifications, and tenure relative to other similarly-situated executives at the companies in our compensation peer group and/or selected broad-based compensation surveys;
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the scope of each Executive Officer’s role and responsibilities compared to other similarly-situated executives at the companies in our compensation peer group and/or selected broad-based compensation surveys;
the prior performance of each individual Executive Officer, based on a subjective assessment of his or her contributions to our overall performance, ability to lead his or her business unit or function, and work as part of a team, all of which reflect our core values;
the potential of each individual Executive Officer to contribute to our long-term financial, operational, and strategic objectives;
the business risk presented to us in the event the Executive Officer were to leave our employ;
our President and CEO’s compensation relative to that of our Executive Officers, and compensation parity among our Executive Officers;
general compensation trends and practices in the technology industry;
the compensation practices of comparable companies, including our compensation peer group and the positioning of each Executive Officer’s compensation in a ranking of peer company compensation levels based on an analysis of competitive market data conducted by the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant as well as our in-house compensation experts; and
the recommendations of our President and CEO with respect to the compensation of our Executive Officers (other than his own compensation).
These factors provide the framework for compensation decision-making and final decisions regarding the compensation opportunity for each Executive Officer. No single factor is determinative in setting compensation levels, nor is the impact of any individual factor on the determination of pay levels quantifiable.
The Compensation Committee does not weigh these factors in any predetermined manner, nor does it apply any formulas in developing its compensation decisions. The members of the Compensation Committee consider all of this information in light of their individual experience, knowledge of NI, knowledge of the competitive market, knowledge of each Executive Officer, and business judgment in making these decisions.
Role of Management
In establishing our executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee works closely with our senior management, including our President and CEO and our Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer. In 2020, the Compensation Committee obtained input from our President and CEO when discussing the performance of, and compensation levels for, our Executive Officers (other than himself). The Compensation Committee also worked closely with our President and CEO and our Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer and others, as required, in evaluating the financial, accounting, tax, talent management/succession planning, and retention implications of our executive compensation program and its various elements. Neither our President and CEO nor any of our other Named Executive Officers are present when their own compensation is being discussed by the Compensation Committee.
Role of Compensation Consultant
The Compensation Committee has engaged Compensia as its independent compensation consultant to advise on executive compensation matters. In 2020, at the direction of the Compensation Committee, Compensia conducted various projects, including performing a comprehensive review of our executive compensation program, performing a review of the compensation program for our Board on behalf of the Nomination & Governance Committee, assisting the Compensation Committee in updating our compensation peer group, and assisting in the preparation of the executive compensation disclosure for our 2020 proxy statement. Compensia did not provide any other services for us in 2020.
The Compensation Committee has evaluated its relationship with Compensia to ensure that it believes that such firm is independent from management. This review process included a review of the services that such compensation consultant provided, the quality of those services and the fees associated with the services provided during 2020.
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Based on this review, as well as consideration of the factors affecting independence set forth in the listing standards of Nasdaq and the relevant SEC rules, the Compensation Committee has determined that no conflict of interest was raised by Compensia's work and that Compensia met the independence requirements of such rules.
Competitive Positioning
In making its compensation decisions for 2020, the Compensation Committee reviewed a competitive market analysis based on a compensation peer group, including (1) compensation data collected from publicly available information contained in the SEC filings from 16 selected peer group companies, and (2) data from a customized cut of the Radford Global Technology Survey, which included 14 of the 16 peer companies. Where insufficient data was available for a specific position for our peer group, the Compensation Committee looked at data from the general Radford Global Technology survey focusing on publicly traded technology companies with annual revenues ranging from $1 billion to $3 billion.
Based on the recommendation of its independent compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee adjusted our peer group companies for 2020 and determined to (1) remove MTS Systems from the list of peers because its market capitalization was no longer comparable to NI’s and (2) add Novanta and Viavi Solutions to the list of peers as these companies have comparable revenue and market capitalization to NI’s. The peer group data the Compensation Committee reviewed are as follows:
Company Name
Annual
Revenue
(in millions)
Last Four Quarters
Market
Capitalization
(in millions)
ANSYS
$1,328
$16,636
Cadence Design Systems
2,197
19,556
Cirrus Logic
1,186
2,449
Cognex
810
7,641
Cypress Semiconductor
2,441
8,002
Keysight Technologies
4,147
16,022
MKS Instruments
1,984
4,096
Novanta
625
3,075
OSI Systems
1,161
2,026
PTC
1,262
10,389
Silicon Laboratories
851
4,311
Synopsys
3,231
19,050
Teledyne Technologies
2,951
9,447
Teradyne
2,107
7,867
Trimble
3,168
10,904
Viavi Solutions
1,106
3,042
Financial data per S&P Capital IQ as of 7/11/2019
The Compensation Committee used the specific compensation data described above to assess the reasonableness and competitiveness of the compensation packages as a whole for our Executive Officers but exercised its judgment in allocating compensation among our Executive Officers and among the various elements of each individual Executive Officer’s total compensation package.
The Compensation Committee believes that total compensation at or around the 50th percentile of the competitive market (based on the compensation data evaluated) is the appropriate reference when determining the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. Though the Compensation Committee uses such 50th percentile as a reference point, it does not target a specific percentile in the range of comparative information for each individual Executive
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Officer or for each element of compensation. Instead, the Compensation Committee structures the total compensation package for each Executive Officer after consideration of the comparative market data and the other factors described above in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, under the heading “Compensation-Setting Process” and sub-heading “Setting Total Direct Compensation.”
Elements of Executive Compensation
The principal elements of our executive compensation program for 2020 were as follows:
Base salary;
EIP for cash bonus opportunities; and
Long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity awards.
Base Salary
Base salary represents the fixed portion of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers and is an important element of compensation intended to attract and retain highly-talented individuals. We use base salary to provide each Executive Officer with a competitive level of cash compensation during the year with the expectation that he or she will perform his or her responsibilities to the best of his or her ability and in our best interests.
Generally, we establish the initial base salaries of our Named Executive Officers at the time we hire or promote the individual Named Executive Officer, taking into account his or her position, qualifications, experience, salary expectations, external market data, and the base salaries of our other Executive Officers. Thereafter, the Compensation Committee reviews the base salaries of our Executive Officers annually, with input from our President and CEO (except with respect to his own base salary) and makes adjustments as it determines to be reasonable and necessary to reflect the scope of an Executive Officer’s performance, individual contributions and responsibilities, position in the case of a promotion, and market conditions. The Compensation Committee does not use a specific formula, but instead the committee members exercise their judgment in view of our compensation philosophy and objectives.
In February 2020, the Compensation Committee reviewed the base salaries of our Named Executive Officers, other than Mr. Starkloff or Mr. Davern, remainedtaking into consideration a competitive market analysis prepared by Compensia and the recommendations of our President and CEO, as well as the other factors set forth above and described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, under the heading “Compensation-Setting Process” and sub-heading “Setting Total Direct Compensation.” In connection with his appointment as President and CEO and pursuant to the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement, Mr. Starkloff received an increase in his annual base salary effective February 1, 2020, which was approved by the Compensation Committee and the independent members of our Board in October 2019. Base salary increases that took effect in 2020 for our Named Executive Officers are as follows:
Named Executive Officer (1)
2019 Base
Salary
2020 Base
Salary (4)
Percentage
Adjustment
Eric H. Starkloff (2)
$551,250
$700,000
27%
Karen M. Rapp
413,438
458,916
11%
Scott A. Rust
385,000
400,400
4%
Alexander M. Davern (3)
775,754
775,754
0%
(1)
Mr. Green and Ms. Pineyro Sublett became Named Executive Officers in January 2020 and are therefore excluded from the above table.
(2)
Mr. Starkloff’s base salary was increased to $700,000 upon his appointment as our CEO, effective as of February 1, 2020.
(3)
Mr. Davern ceased to be our CEO effective as of January 31, 2020 and continues to serve on our Board.
(4)
Reflects the annual salary approved by the Compensation Committee and, as applicable, the independent members of our Board. In 2020, Mr. Starkloff, our President and CEO, in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, voluntarily reduced his base salary by 20% and our other Named Executive Officers voluntarily reduced their base salaries by 10%. These voluntary reductions were in effect for the period of May 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020, and are reflected in the “Summary Compensation Table,” below. None of these voluntary actions were at the request of the Compensation Committee.
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The actual base salaries paid to our Named Executive Officers in 2020 are set forth in the “2020 Summary Compensation Table” below.
Executive Incentive Program (“EIP”)
In 2020, the Compensation Committee adopted the EIP to replace our prior cash bonus programs for our Executive Officers, the Annual Incentive Program and the Annual Company Performance Bonus Program. The EIP is intended to promote company performance (and, thereby, increase stockholder value) by providing our Named Executive Officers with the opportunity to earn cash payouts based on their level of attainment of three key pre-established corporate financial and operational objectives. For 2020, these key corporate objectives, which were set during the first quarter of the year, were:
non-GAAP organic revenue growth (excluding any acquisitions or dispositions by NI) (“Revenue Growth”);
non-GAAP operating margin levels based on organic results (“Operating Margin”); and
key employee retention (that is, retention of 95% of high performance/high impact identified employees from a talent review data file at December 31, 2020).
After selecting these key corporate objectives, except as noted below, the Compensation Committee, and in the case of Mr. Starkloff, the independent members of our Board, based on the recommendations of the Compensation Committee, set: (1) the weighting of the key corporate financial and operational objectives for each Executive Officer, (2) the “target” cash incentive bonus opportunity for each Executive Officer, expressed as a percentage of his or her base salary, and (3) the different EIP payout levels based on our actual performance for each key corporate financial and operational objective, expressed as a percentage of payout which increased or decreased with company performance.
For each of Mr. Starkloff, Ms. Rapp, Mr. Rust, and Ms. Pineyro Sublett, the key corporate financial and operational objectives were weighted as follows: 50% of any payout was dependent on achieving pre-established Revenue Growth, 40% of any payout was dependent on achieving pre-established Operating Margin, and 10% of any payout was dependent on achieving our key employee retention figures. For Mr. Green, the key corporate financial and operational objectives were weighted as follows: 60% of any payout was dependent on achieving pre-established Revenue Growth, 30% of any payout was dependent on achieving pre-established Operating Margin, and 10% of any such payout was dependent on achieving our key employee retention figures.
After the end of the year, the payout amount for the actual level of achievement of each key corporate financial and operational objective was determined by the Compensation Committee for each Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee then approved the EIP payout amount for each Executive Officer, other than our President and CEO, and provided a recommendation to the independent members of our Board on the EIP payout amount for our President and CEO for their consideration and approval.
The 2020 EIP payout levels were initially set from 0% to 200% (based on company performance). However, due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business these payout levels were revised in July by the Compensation Committee after consultation with its independent compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee added two lower payout levels of 25% and 40%, while reducing the maximum payout level to 150% (thereby eliminating the payout levels of 175% and 200%). The Compensation Committee determined that these revisions were necessary to ensure that if we were able to achieve meaningful financial and operational results for the year, we would be able to reward our top leaders for their significant efforts to manage the unprecedented disruption to our business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the EIP gave the Compensation Committee the discretion to add or eliminate the range of payout levels as previously described, it did not give either the Compensation Committee, or the independent members of our Board, the discretion to modify the bonus payment amount an Executive Officer would receive upon achieving a particular company performance level for any of the key corporate financial and operational objectives (e.g., 4% Revenue Growth equals 50% payout for meeting this key objective). That is, once an objective was attained for a specific level of company performance, the corresponding payout level was to be made at that specified percentage.
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The weighting and payout level percentages for each of these key corporate financial and operational objectives in 2020, prior to the modification made due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, were as follows:
Objective
Weighting
Payout Level
Payout Levels Removed after
Modification for COVID-19
Impact
—%
50%
75%
100%
125%
150%
175%
200%
Non-GAAP Revenue Growth
50% other than
Mr. Green, which
was 60%
<4.0%
4.0%
5.0%
6.0%
7.0%
8.0%
9.0%
10.0%
Non-GAAP Operating Margin
40%, other than
Mr. Green, which
was 30%
<16.6%
16.6%
17.1%
17.6%
17.8%
18.0%
18.3%
18.5%
Key Employee Retention
10%
<94%
94%
94.5%
95%
95.5%
96%
96.5%
97%
The weighting and payout level percentages for each of these key corporate financial and operational objectives in 2020, as modified due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, were as follows:
Objective
Weighting
Payout Level
 
 
 
Payout Levels Added after Modification
for COVID-19 Impact
 
 
 
 
 
2020
Actual
2020
Objective
Payout
—%
25%
40%
50%
75%
100%
125%
150%
Non-GAAP Revenue Growth
50% other
than
Mr. Green,
which was
60%
<-6.0%
-6.0%
0%
4.0%
5.0%
6.0%
7.0%
8.0%
-6.0%
25%
Non-GAAP Operating Margin
40%, other than
Mr. Green,
which was 30%
<15.0%
15.0%
15.8%
16.6%
17.1%
17.6%
17.8%
��
18.0%
15.8%
40%
Key Employee Retention
10%
94%
94.5%
95%
95.5%
96%
96%
150%
The table above sets forth the 2020 actual results and the 2020 objective payout. For 2020, Company performance corresponded to a payout percentage of 25% for the Revenue Growth objective, 40% for the Operating Margin objective, and 150% for the key employee retention objective.
The actual EIP bonus paid to each of our Named Executive Officers was calculated by multiplying the aggregate weighted 2020 EIP attainment percentage below by the 2020 EIP target amount (which is equal to the Executive Officer’s annual base salary multiplied by the EIP Target Percentage). Company performance for all key objectives, resulted in 2020 weighted EIP attainment percentages of 43.5% for each of Mr. Starkloff, Ms. Rapp, and Mr. Rust, and 42% for Mr. Green. For 2020, the EIP bonus paid to each of our Named Executive Officers is set forth in the table below.
Named Executive Officer
2020 EIP Target
Percentage
2020 EIP Target
Amount
2020 Weighted
Attainment
Percentage
2020
EIP Bonus Paid
Eric H. Starkloff
135%
$945,000
43.5%
$411,075
Karen M. Rapp
80%
367,133
43.5%
159,703
Jason E. Green
80%
460,000
42%
193,200
Scott A. Rust
65%
260,260
43.5%
113,213
Carla Pineyro Sublett (1)
72.5%
312,903
43.5%
Alexander M. Davern (2)
(1)
Ms. Pineyro Sublett resigned effective February 1, 2021, and was not eligible to receive a bonus under the EIP. Ms. Pineyro Sublett’s 2020 EIP target percentage was based on a 65% EIP target percentage for the first half of 2020 and an 80% EIP target percentage for the second half of 2020, due to increased responsibilities and a title change for the latter half of 2020. Ms. Pineyro Sublett’s 2020 EIP Target Amount is the result of the prorated bonus amount and salary amount for the first and second half of 2020.
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(2)
Mr. Davern ceased to be our CEO, effective as of January 31, 2020, and did not participate in the EIP or any other Executive Officer bonus program for 2020.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
We believe that long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity awards is a critical element of our executive compensation program. The equity awards provide strong alignment between the interests of our Executive Officers and our stockholders. The realized value of these equity awards bears a direct relationship to our stock price, and, therefore, these awards are an incentive for our Executive Officers to create value for our stockholders. Equity awards also help us retain qualified Executive Officers in a competitive market.
Long-term incentive compensation opportunities in the form of equity awards are granted pursuant to the applicable equity incentive plan by the Compensation Committee, typically at a meeting of the Compensation Committee held during the first quarter of the year. In 2020, awards granted prior to our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and were granted from the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. The amount and forms of such equity awards are determined by the Compensation Committee after considering an analysis prepared by its independent compensation consultant, the factors described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation-Setting Process” above and the retention power on each Named Executive Officer as determined by his or her current unvested equity holdings. The amounts of the equity awards are also intended to provide competitively-sized awards and resulting target total direct compensation opportunities within a competitive range of the market median relative to our compensation peer group and Radford survey data for similar roles and positions for each of our Executive Officers, taking into consideration business results, total and equity compensation relative to other peer-group executives, experience, and individual performance.
In 2019, in response to feedback received from our stockholders, the Compensation Committee began granting PRSUs representing 50% of the equity award value under our long-term incentive program for our Executive Officers, while the other 50% of the equity award value consisted of RSUs.
The following table shows the target number of shares of our common stock pursuant to PRSU awards granted to each of our Named Executive Officers in 2020:
Named Executive Officer
Target PRSUs
Target Grant Date
Fair Value(1)
Eric H. Starkloff (2)
100,471
$6,067,439
Karen M. Rapp (3)
15,657
976,997
Jason E. Green (3)
11,184
697,882
Scott A. Rust (3)
8,947
558,293
Carla Pineyro Sublett (3)
8,388
523,411
Alexander M. Davern (4)
(1)
The fair values of the PRSUs were estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The determination of fair value of the PRSUs is affected by our stock price and a number of assumptions including the expected volatility, expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate. Our expected volatility at the date of grant was based on the historical volatilities of our common stock and the companies included in the Index over the performance period.
(2)
Mr. Starkloff’s PRSU awards were made pursuant to the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement, dated October 28, 2019, and include a one-time promotional award of 75,000 PRSUs granted on February 1, 2020 with an aggregate grant date fair value of $4,671,750, and an award of 25,471 PRSUs granted on April 29, 2020 with an aggregate grant date fair value of $1,395,689.
(3)
Grant date fair value is based on the grant date of February 19, 2020.
(4)
Mr. Davern ceased to be our CEO, effective as of January 31, 2020, and did not participate in any long-term incentive program for our Executive Officers in 2020.
The 2020 PRSUs were granted on February 1, 2020 and April 29, 2020 for Mr. Starkloff, pursuant to the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement, and on February 19, 2020 for our other Named Executive Officers. At the end of the performance period, the 2020 PRSUs may be earned and eligible for vesting based on our TSR compared to the TSR of the Index over a three-year performance period that commenced on January 1, 2020 and will end on December 31, 2022 (using the average daily closing price of our common stock over a 30-day lookback period in each
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case). A linear calculation is performed between the stated percentiles to determine actual vesting of PRSUs at the end of the performance period. The number of shares of our common stock subject to the awards will be earned from 0% to 200% of the target number of shares based on our TSR compared to the Index as follows:
Payout Level
TSR Percentile Rank Against
the Russell 2000 Index
Payout Percentage of Target
Number of Shares
Maximum
≥80th Percentile
200%
Stretch
65th Percentile
150%
Target
55th Percentile
100%
Threshold
25th Percentile
50%
None
<25th Percentile
0%
The following table shows the number of shares of our common stock pursuant to RSU awards granted to each of our Named Executive Officers in 2020:
Named Executive Officer
RSUs
(number of shares)
Grant
Date Fair Value (1)
Eric H. Starkloff (2)
100,471
$4,347,241
Karen M. Rapp
15,657
700,024
Jason E. Green
11,184
500,037
Scott A. Rust
8,947
400,020
Carla Pineyro Sublett
8,388
375,027
Alexander M. Davern (3)
3,556
131,252
(1)
The fair values of RSUs are estimated using the closing price of our common stock for the day immediately prior to the date of grant.
(2)
Mr. Starkloff’s RSU awards were made pursuant to the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement, dated October 28, 2019, and include a one-time promotional award of 75,000 RSUs granted on February 1, 2020, with a grant date fair value of $3,347,250, calculated by using the closing price of our common stock for the day immediately prior to the date of grant, which was $44.63 per share, and an award of 25,471 RSUs granted on April 29, 2020, with a grant date fair value of $999,991, calculated by using the closing price of our common stock for the day immediately prior to the date of grant, which was $39.26 per share.
(3)
Mr. Davern ceased to be our CEO, effective as of January 31, 2020, and did not participate in the Executive Officer long-term incentive program for 2020. Amounts above include the number of RSUs he received for his service on the Board.
The 2020 RSUs vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period, with the first installment vesting on May 1, 2021, contingent upon the Named Executive Officer remaining continuously employed by us through each applicable vesting date.
The overall long-term incentive equity award value for our President and CEO and our other Named Executive Officers was determined after consideration of multiple factors as described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation–Setting Process” section of this Proxy Statement. Such factors include a competitive market analysis prepared by the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant as well as the current retention incentive for each Named Executive Officer as determined by his or her current unvested equity holdings.
Of note, with respect to the PRSU awards previously granted in 2019 to our Named Executive Officers, these awards are being measured against the Index and their performance period ends on December 31, 2021.
The equity awards granted to our Named Executive Officers in 2020 are set forth in the 2020 “Summary Compensation Table” and the 2020 “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below.
Health and Other Benefits
Our Named Executive Officers are eligible to receive an additional twelve months. If, within 24 monthsannual physical as well as the same employee benefits that are generally available to all our full-time employees, subject to the satisfaction of certain eligibility requirements. These benefits include flexible spending accounts, medical, dental and vision benefits, business travel insurance,
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employee assistance program, basic life insurance benefits, accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and commuter benefits. In structuring these programs, we seek to provide an aggregate level of benefits that are comparable to those provided by similar companies, compliant with applicable laws and affordable to employees.
We maintain a tax-qualified Section 401(k) retirement savings plan (the “Section 401(k) Plan”) that provides eligible employees, including our Named Executive Officers, with an opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis. In 2020, we made matching contributions under the Section 401(k) Plan in an amount equal to 50% of the amount of the participant’s contribution up to 8% of the participant’s eligible compensation, after the employee's first year of service. All participants’ interests in the matching contributions vest immediately from the time of contribution. Pre-tax contributions are allocated to each participant’s individual account and are then invested in selected investment alternatives according to the participants’ directions. The Section 401(k) Plan is intended to qualify under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a tax-qualified retirement plan, contributions to the Section 401(k) Plan and earnings on those contributions are not taxable to the employees until distributed from the Section 401(k) Plan, and all contributions are deductible by us when made. The Section 401(k) Plan does not provide for purchases of NI common stock.
We also maintain an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”). The ESPP is generally intended to qualify as a tax-favored employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Code. The ESPP permits eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock at a 15% discount to the market price. Under this plan, a participant can invest a maximum amount equal to 15% of eligible compensation, provided that such amount cannot exceed $25,000 in any year.
In structuring these benefit programs, we seek to provide an aggregate level of benefits that are comparable to those provided by similar companies.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
We do not view perquisites or other personal benefits as a significant component of our executive compensation program. Accordingly, we do not provide significant perquisites or other personal benefits to our Named Executive Officers. During 2020, none of our Named Executive Officers received perquisites or other personal benefits that were, in the aggregate, $10,000 or more for each individual.
In the future, we may provide perquisites or other personal benefits in limited circumstances. All future practices with respect to perquisites or other personal benefits will be approved and subject to periodic review by the Compensation Committee.
Employment Arrangements and Post-Employment Compensation
In 2020, we had a written employment agreement with our President and CEO and compensation arrangements with certain of our other Named Executive Officers. In 2021 we entered into executive employment agreements with each of Ms. Rapp and Mr. Green. In filling each of our executive positions, we recognized the need to develop competitive compensation packages to attract qualified candidates in a dynamic labor market. At the same time, in formulating these compensation packages, we were sensitive to the need to integrate new Executive Officers into the executive compensation structure that we were seeking to develop, balancing both competitive and internal equity considerations. These arrangements provide for “at will” employment.
On February 1, 2020, Mr. Starkloff, our then President and Chief Operating Officer, became our President and Chief Executive Officer. The terms of Mr. Starkloff’s employment as President and Chief Operating Officer were governed by an offer letter, dated October 23, 2018. On October 28, 2019, in connection with Mr. Starkloff’s appointment as CEO, we entered into the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement, which provided that Mr. Starkloff’s duties and compensation were to be effective February 1, 2020. On February 3, 2020, the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement was amended to reflect the implementation of the Company’s EIP. The terms and conditions of employment of Mr. Starkloff as set forth in the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement contain post-employment compensation arrangements that provide Mr. Starkloff with certain protection in the event of his termination of employment in specified circumstances such as involuntarily termination without Cause or for resignation for Good Reason, including following a Change in Control (as(each as defined in the CEOStarkloff Executive Employment Agreement),. The Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement provides that in the event of a Change in Control, and if Mr. Davern’sStarkloff’s employment is terminated other than for Cause or he resigns for Good Reason within 18 months after the Change in Control, Mr. Starkloff would be entitled to certain severance payments and benefits.
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Mr. Starkloff’s Executive Employment Agreement provides for “double-trigger” payments and benefits which means that payments and benefits will not become payable unless both events occur. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below for a further description.
On January 25, 2019, we entered into an offer letter with Carla Pineyro Sublett (the “Sublett Offer Letter”). Pursuant to the Sublett Offer Letter, in the event that we terminate her employment for any reason other than Cause or her death or Disability, or if she voluntarily resigns her employment for Good Reason (each as defined therein), and subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Sublett Offer Letter, Ms. Pineyro Sublett will receive certain severance payments and benefits including a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of her base salary and on target earnings bonus in effect on the termination date; and health continuation coverage costs until the earliest of (i) the date that is 12 months following her termination date, (ii) the date when she is offered substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment, or (iii) the date upon which she ceases to be eligible for coverage under COBRA or other applicable law or policy governing such coverage.
In 2020, we did not have specific post-employment compensation arrangements in place with any of our other Named Executive Officers. However, the terms of Mr. Rust’s employment (the “Rust Agreement”) provide for acceleration of certain restricted stock unit awards in the event of termination of his service by NI without Cause or termination by Mr. Davernhim for Good Reason (as such terms are(each as defined in the CEORust Agreement), subject to him executing and not revoking. Each of our Named Executive Officers have PRSU awards granted under our 2015 Incentive Plan with special vesting terms upon a release of claimschange in favorcontrol of NI as further described below.
On February 22, 2021, we entered into a written executive employment agreement with each of Karen Rapp and meeting other requirementsJason Green (the “2021 Executive Employment Agreements”). The terms and conditions of employment of Ms. Rapp and Mr. Green as set forth in the CEO Agreement, Mr. Davern shall2021 Executive Employment Agreements contain post-employment compensation arrangements that provide these Executive Officers with certain protection in the event of their termination of employment in specified circumstances such as involuntarily termination without Cause or for resignation for Good Reason, including following a Change in Control (each as defined in the 2021 Executive Employment Agreements). Each of the Executive Officer’s 2021 Executive Employment Agreements provide that in the event of a Change in Control, and if the Executive Officers’ employment is terminated other than for Cause or if the Executive Officer resigns for Good Reason within 12 months after the Change in Control, each of these Executive Officers would be entitled to receive the Severance

Payment incertain severance payments and benefits. The 2021 Executive Employment Agreements provide for “double-trigger” payments and benefits which means that payments and benefits will not become payable unless both events occur. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below for a lump sum and the accelerated vestingfurther description.

For detailed descriptions of the number of RSUs granted as partemployment arrangements we maintained with our Named Executive Officers for 2020 and an analysis of the Initial Award2021 Executive Employment Agreements as well as an estimate of the potential payments and the Annual Awardsbenefits payable under these arrangements, see “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below.
We believe that would have vested if Mr. Davern remained employed for an additional 12 months.

The foregoing compensation termsthese protections were necessary to induce these individuals to accept and the CEO Agreement were approved by theretain their positions. We also believe that these arrangements help maintain their continued focus and dedication to their assigned duties to maximize stockholder value. Our Compensation Committee upon the advice of legal counsel and F.W. Cook, in accordance(and with the powers delegatedrespect to the Compensation Committee by the Board. The NIMr. Starkloff, our Board considered the recommendation of the Compensation Committee andand) reviewed the proposed terms of the CEO Agreementthese arrangements and deemed it to be in the best interests of NI and its stockholders to approve the terms of such agreement.

Compensation Terms for New Chief Financial Officer

On March 21, 2017, the NI Board appointed Karen M. Rapp as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective May 9, 2017. In connection with her appointment, NI entered into an offer letter with Ms. Rapp dated March 22, 2017 (the “Offer Letter”arrangements.

We do not use excise tax payments (or “gross-ups”). Under the Offer Letter, Ms. Rapp will receive an annual base salary of $375,000. Ms. Rapp is eligible relating to participatea change in NI’s AIP and receive an annual cash incentive bonus. The initial target annual cash incentive will be 40% of her base salary. Ms. Rapp received a signing bonus in the amount of $40,000. If Ms. Rapp voluntarily terminates her employment or is terminated for “cause” (as defined in the Offer Letter) within two years from the start of her employment, she is required to repay the amount of her signing bonus to NI. The Compensation Committee approved a grant of 20,000 RSUs to Ms. Rapp under the 2015 Incentive Plan. The RSUs will vest 25% annually, and if NI terminates Ms. Rapp without “cause” (as defined in the Offer Letter) during the first two years of her employment, the vesting will accelerate and the RSUs will become fully vested. The award shall be subject to the terms of the 2015 Incentive Plan and the related individual award agreement and is conditional upon Ms. Rapp’s continued employment with NI through the designated award date.

The foregoing compensation terms and the Offer Letter were approved by the Compensation Committee, upon the advice of legal counsel and F.W. Cook, in accordance with the powers delegated to the Compensation Committee by the Board. The NI Board considered the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and reviewed the proposed terms of the Offer Letter and deemed it to be in the best interestscontrol of NI and its stockholdershave no such obligations in place with respect to approve the terms of such Offer Letter.

Elements of Executive Compensation

The components of NI’s executive compensation for 2017 were as follows:

Base salary;

Annual company cash performance bonus program;

AIP for executives;

Discretionary cash bonus program;

RSU grants; and

Service award cash bonus program.

A significant number of NI’s employees participate in the compensation programs enumerated above with the exception of the AIP for executives.

NI’s executive andnon-executive employees who meet the relevant eligibility requirements may also participate in the following programs:

Employee stock purchase plan. This plan is generally intended to qualify as atax-favored employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”). The

ESPP permits eligible employees to purchase NI stock at a 15% discount to the market price. Under this plan, a participant can invest a maximum amount equal to 15% of eligible compensation, provided that such amount cannot exceed $25,000 in any year.

Atax-qualified, employee-funded 401(k) plan. During 2017, NI made matching contributions under the plan in an amount equal to 50% of the amount of the employee’s contribution up to 8% of the employee’s eligible compensation. The plan does not permit the purchase of shares of NI common stock.

Health and welfare benefits. Under this plan, the cost to NI is dependent on the level of benefits coverage an employee elects.

NI seeks to reward shorter-term performance through base salary, its annual bonus programs and its discretionary bonus program. Longer-term performance is incentivized through RSU grants and the service award program.

Analysis of Elements of Executive Compensation

Base Salary

NI’s goal is to provide its executives with competitive base salaries. NI uses independent survey information to help evaluate the reasonableness and competitiveness of its base salaries. NI determines base salary for each executive based on the level of job responsibilities, consideration of the prior performance of the executive and the company, the executive’s experience and tenure, consideration of the expected future contributions of the executive, the business risk presented to NI in the event the executive were to leave the employ of the company, and general compensation trends and practices in the technology industry, including pay levels and programs provided by comparable companies. In setting base salaries, NI does not utilize any particular formula but instead exercises judgment in view of its overall compensation philosophy and objectives. Individual base salaries are reviewed annually. After consideration of the factors described above, the base salaries of our named executive officers were reviewed in February 2018 and adjusted from 3.5% to 5.0% withNamed Executive Officers.

In addition, our CEO receiving an adjustment of 3.6%.

The overall NI employee base received a weighted average salary increase of 4.4%. The weighted average percentage increase was determined by taking the aggregate percentage increase in the base salaries of all employees as a group.

Annual Company Cash Performance Bonus Program

NI maintains a cash performance bonus program under which substantially all regular full-time and part-time employees, including executives, participate (the “Annual Performance Bonus Program”). To receive a payout under the plan, NI must achievepre-determined goals for revenue growth and profitability. These goals were 20% year-over-year organic revenue growth and 18%non-GAAP operating profit as a percent of revenue. The same goals apply to all participants in the plan including executive andnon-executive employees. The amount of the payments made under the Annual Performance Bonus Program is based on a bonus payment percentage multiplied by the eligible earnings of each participant. Eligible earnings include base salary, overtime pay and commissions but exclude bonuses, equity awards, relocation payments and previous cash performance bonus payments. The bonus payment percentage for executives, officers and fellows was determined by multiplying 25% by two variables: NI’s actual organic revenue growth percentage divided by the targeted level of revenue growth of 20%; and NI’s actualnon-GAAP operating profit as a percentage of revenue (limited by a cap) divided by the targetnon-GAAP operating profit of 18%. The bonus payments percentage for

regular full-time and part-time employees was determined in the same manner except that the “multiplier” was 10% not 25%. Expressed as a formula, the bonus calculation for executives follows:

Calendar Year Organic
Revenue Growth
XCalendar Year Non-GAAP
Operating Profit% (not to
exceed 20% for payout
purposes)
X25%    =    Bonus Percentage
20%18%

For fiscal 2017, in accordance with the foregoing formula, NI’s named executives received individual payments under the Annual Performance Bonus Program in the range of approximately $13,046 to $37,800. Amounts under the Annual Performance Bonus Program are customarily made in two payments, one in the fourth quarter and the other upon completion of the annual financial statement audit in the first quarter of the following year.

Annual Incentive Program

NI maintains an AIP under which only officers and fellows participate. Under this program, payments are made to executive officers based upon the achievement of individual performance criteria and NI business goals. Program participants are designated by NI’s President and approved by the Compensation Committee. The participants under the AIP and the AIP goals are determined annually.

The AIP is intended to increase stockholder value and promote NI’s success by providing incentive and reward for the accomplishment of key objectives by NI executives.

In January 2017, the Compensation Committee approved amendments to the AIP tocompensation plans provide for the participationacceleration of NI’s president (Mr. Davern) in the AIP, remove the specific bonus target percentages for participants from the plan,vesting of outstanding and make certain other changes. The incentive bonuses under the AIP are defined as a percentage of a participant’s salary as determined by the Compensation Committee based upon attainment of objectives approved in accordance with the AIP. For 2017, the target bonus under the AIP for each of Mr. Davern, Mr. Starkloff, Ms. Rapp, Mr. Rust and Mr. Roiko was 80%, 50%, 40%, 40% and 20% of his or her base salary, respectively. Under the terms of the AIP, the actual bonus amount to be paid to AIP participants can be more or less than the target bonus based on the nature of the objectives, the performance of the participant relative to such objectives and the discretion of the Compensation Committee. For the purposes of the AIP, the base salary amount to be used is set by the Compensation Committee at the time the goals are approved. Payments are made based on whether the individual executive has achieved his or her specified objectives for the year. Each executive typically has three to five objectives that are targeted to reward achievements in the executive’s functional area or NI business goals. The objectives for NI’s executive officers are presented by NI’s President for approval by the Compensation Committee, except the objectives for the President which are to be set by the Compensation Committee. The amount of the bonus for an executive officer which is allocated to each specific objective is approved each year by the Compensation Committee.

With respect to NI’s executive officers, following the end of NI’s fiscal year, the Compensation Committee met to determine whether the objectives of each executive officer were attained and then approved or disapproved the payment of the annual incentive amounts based upon the achievement of such objectives and the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to pay all or a portion of an amount to an AIP participant even if such participant did not meet a particular objective if the Compensation Committee believes that such payment is appropriate to achieve the objectives of the program. However, no discretion was applied by the Committee to the payment of AIP bonuses to named executive officers for achievement of AIP objectives for 2017.

For fiscal 2017, NI made cash bonus payments to named executives under the AIP that ranged from approximately $36,180 to $392,000 per executive.

Under the AIP, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to make payments of any cash incentive bonus in the fourth quarter of the calendar year based upon projected achievement levels (“Estimated Payment”) rather than waiting until the following calendar year. The payment of an Estimated Payment is subject to reconciliation after NI’s books have been closed and audited. If the Estimated Payment is less than the final amount due to the AIP participant, an additional payment equal to the amount of the shortfall is made to such participant. If the Estimated Payment is more than the final amount due to the AIP participant, such participant shall remit to NI the amount of the overpayment. For fiscal 2017, no such Estimated Payment was made.

The tables below set forth the performance criteria, potential awards and actual awards under the AIP as well as the weightings assigned to the objectives for 2017 for each of the named executives:

2017 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM GOALS AND AWARDS

FOR THE NAMED EXECUTIVES

Alexander Davern, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

2017 Officer Bonus Goals (1)  

% Goal

Weighting

 Goal Value (2)   2017 Actual
Payout
 

 

  1)    Achieve revenue growth goal

 

  

 

    40%

 

 

 

$

 

 

224,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

112,000

 

 

 

 

 

  2)    Achieve operating margin goal

 

  

 

    40%

 

 

 

$

 

 

224,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

224,000

 

 

 

 

 

  3)    Achieve employee retention goal

 

  

 

    20%

 

 

 

$

 

 

112,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

56,000

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

  

 

      100%  

 

 

 

$

 

 

    560,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

    392,000

 

 

 

 

(1)NI is not disclosing the specific target levels with respect to performance goals because such information represents confidential trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information, the disclosure of which would cause NI competitive harm. The performance goals were set to be moderately difficult, or stretch goals, but not unachievable.

(2)The goals in items 1), 2), and 3) above contained incremental payout thresholds and an increased payout if actual results attained exceed the targeted 100%. In such instance, the maximum amount payable to Mr. Davern would have been $840,000.

Karen M. Rapp, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

2017 Officer Bonus Goals (1)  

% Goal

Weighting

 Goal Value (2)   2017 Actual
Payout
 

 

  1)    Achieve revenue growth goal

 

  

 

  35%

 

 

 

$

 

 

35,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

17,500

 

 

 

 

 

  2)    Achieve operating margin goal

 

  

 

  35%

 

 

 

$

 

 

35,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

35,000

 

 

 

 

 

  3)    Achieve employee retention goal

 

  

 

  10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

  4)    Ensure corporate expenses are within budget

 

  

 

  10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

 

  5)    Ensure functional expenses are within budget

 

  

 

  10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

  

 

100%

 

 

 

$

 

 

    100,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

    67,500

 

 

 

 

(1)NI is not disclosing the specific target levels with respect to performance goals because such information represents confidential trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information, the disclosure of which would cause NI competitive harm. The performance goals were set to be moderately difficult, or stretch goals, but not unachievable.

(2)The goals in items 1), 2) and 3) above contained incremental payout thresholds and an increased payout if actual results attained exceed the targeted 100%. In such event, the maximum amount payable to Ms. Rapp would have been $140,000.

Eric Starkloff, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing

 

 

2017 Officer Bonus Goals (1)  

% Goal

Weighting

 Goal Value (2)   2017 Actual
Payout
 

 

1)    Achieve revenue growth goal

 

  

 

     40%

 

 

 

$

 

 

80,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

40,000

 

 

 

 

 

2)    Achieve operating margin goal

 

  

 

     40%

 

 

 

$

 

 

80,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

80,000

 

 

 

 

 

3)    Achieve employee retention goal

 

  

 

     10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

 

4)    Ensure functional expenses are within budget

 

  

 

     10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

  

 

     100%  

 

 

 

$

 

 

    200,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

    150,000

 

 

 

 

(1)NI is not disclosing the specific target levels with respect to performance goals because such information represents confidential trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information, the disclosure of which would cause NI competitive harm. The performance goals were set to be moderately difficult, or stretch goals, but not unachievable.

(2)The goals in items 1), 2), and 3) above contained incremental payout thresholds and an increased payout if actual results attained exceed the targeted 100%. In such instance, the maximum amount payable to Mr. Starkloff would have been $292,000.

Scott Rust, Senior Vice President, Global Research & Development

 

 

2017 Officer Bonus Goals (1)  

% Goal

Weighting

 Goal Value (2)   2017 Actual
Payout
 

 

1)    Achieve revenue growth goal

 

  

 

     40%

 

 

 

$

 

 

56,800

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

28,400

 

 

 

 

 

2)    Achieve operating margin goal

 

  

 

     40%

 

 

 

$

 

 

56,800

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

56,800

 

 

 

 

 

3)    Achieve employee retention goal

 

  

 

     10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

14,200

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

7,100

 

 

 

 

 

4)    Ensure functional expenses are within budget

 

  

 

     10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

14,200

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

14,200

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

  

 

     100%  

 

 

 

$

 

 

    142,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

    106,500

 

 

 

 

(1)NI is not disclosing the specific target levels with respect to performance goals because such information represents confidential trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information, the disclosure of which would cause NI competitive harm. The performance goals were set to be moderately difficult, or stretch goals, but not unachievable.

(2)The goals in items 1), 2) and 3) above contained incremental payout thresholds and an increased payout if actual results attained exceed the targeted 100%. In such event, the maximum amount payable to Mr. Rust would have been $205,900.

John C. Roiko, Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

2017 Officer Bonus Goals (1)  

% Goal

Weighting

 Goal Value (2)   2017 Actual
Payout
 

 

1)    Achieve revenue growth goal

 

  

 

     35%

 

 

 

$

 

 

18,760

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

9,380

 

 

 

 

 

2)    Achieve operating margin goal

 

  

 

     35%

 

 

 

$

 

 

18,760

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

18,760

 

 

 

 

 

3)    Achieve employee retention goal

 

  

 

     10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

5,360

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

2,680

 

 

 

 

 

4)    Ensure corporate expenses are within budget

 

  

 

     10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

5,360

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

5,360

 

 

 

 

 

5)    Ensure functional expenses are within budget

 

  

 

     10%

 

 

 

$

 

 

5,360

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

  

 

     100%  

 

 

 

$

 

 

    53,600

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

    36,180

 

 

 

 

(1)NI is not disclosing the specific target levels with respect to performance goals because such information represents confidential trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information, the disclosure of which would cause NI competitive harm. The performance goals were set to be moderately difficult, or stretch goals, but not unachievable.

(2)The goals in items 1), 2) and 3) above contained incremental payout thresholds and an increased payout if actual results attained exceed the targeted 100%. In such event, the maximum amount payable to Mr. Roiko would have been $75,040.

In assessing performance against the objectives for each named executive participating in the AIP, the Compensation Committee considered the actual results for 2017 against the specific deliverables associated with each objective, the extent to which the objective was a significant stretch goal for the organization, and whether significant unforeseen obstacles or favorable circumstances altered the expected difficulty in achieving the desired results. Based on the foregoing factors, the Compensation Committee approved a cash payment for each named executive. As set forth under the column heading “2017 Actual Payout,” the actual payouts to NI’s named executive officers ranged from 47% to 52% of the maximum amount they were eligible to receive under the AIP in 2017.

Discretionary Cash Bonus Program

NI maintains a discretionary cash performance bonus program under which all employees, including executives, are eligible to receiveunvested equity awards in recognition of performance or a special achievement that is not covered by NI’s other compensation programs. Awards under this program vary based oncertain circumstances. Specifically, the nature of the recognition event. The amount of the award for executives is determined by NI’s President and the amount of the award fornon-executive employees is determined by the departmental supervisors. The average award under this program in 2017 was approximately $1,302. During 2017, none of the named executives received an award under this program.

Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) Awards

Determining the Overall Level of Equity Compensation Awards.    NI uses equity compensation to incentivize key employees. In 2017, approximately 41% of all U.S. based regular, full-time professional employees received equity based compensation. NI’s use of stock based equity compensation for its employees is driven by NI’s goal of aligning the long-term interests of its employees with its overall performance and the interests of its stockholders. NI’s equity compensation program is also driven by NI’s desire to be sensitive to the dilutive impact that such equity compensation will have on its stockholders.

Allocation of Equity Compensation Awards.    In 2017, NI granted a total of 1,187,125 RSUs to all employees, which represented 0.91% of NI’s shares outstanding at December 31, 2017. Of such amount, a total of 150,000 RSUs were granted to Mr. Davern on January 2017 and 119,000 RSUs were granted to NI’s named executives in April 2017, representing approximately 22% of all RSUs granted in 2017.

In January 2017, the Compensation Committee determined to use a four year annual vesting period for future RSU awards. Upon Mr. Davern’s appointment as CEO and President in January 2017, he received 150,000 RSUs with a three year annual vesting period as provided under the terms of the CEO Agreement. Prior to January 2017, RSUs granted to executives vested over a period of ten years, subject to acceleration based on NI’s performance. Expressed as a formula, the acceleration amount for these RSU grants to executives is as follows:

Calendar Year
Organic
Revenue Growth
X

Calendar Year
Non-GAAP
Operating Profit%

(not to exceed 18%
for payout purposes)

X

Shares

Granted

=Shares Accelerated
40%18%10

Expressed as a formula, the acceleration amount for RSU grants to executives under the 2015 Incentive Plan is as follows:

Calendar Year
Organic
Revenue Growth
X

Calendar Year
Non-GAAP
Operating Profit%

(not to exceed 18%
for payout purposes)

X

Shares

Granted

=Shares Accelerated
20%18%10

A set formula for allocating RSUs to the executives as a group or to any particular executive is not utilized. Instead, the Compensation Committee exercises its judgment and discretion and considers, among other things, the role and responsibility of the executive, competitive factors, labor market dynamics, the relative importance of retaining each executive, the amount of stock based equity compensation already held by the executive, thenon-equity compensation received by the executive and the total number of RSUs to be granted to all participants during the year. The Compensation Committee reviews general compensation trends and practices in the technology industry, including pay levels and programs provided by comparable companies as represented in the Radford survey.

Timing of Equity Awards.    The Compensation Committee typically grants RSUs to executives and current employees once per year. Such grants are made at a meeting of the Compensation Committee held in the second quarter of the year. RSU grants to new employees were issued four times in 2017 at Compensation Committee meetings. NI does not have any program, plan or practice to time RSU grants in coordination with the release of materialnon-public information. NI does not time, nor does NI plan to time, the release of materialnon-public information for the purposes of affecting the value of executive compensation.

Executive Equity Ownership.    NI encourages its executives to hold a significant equity interest in NI. The Board adopted a Stock Ownership Policy effective December 31, 2017 to further align the interests of the Company’s executive officers andnon-employee directors with the interests of its stockholders and to promote NI’s commitment to corporate governance. Under the Stock Ownership Policy, NI’s CEO is required to hold shares of NI common stock with a value equal to at least three times his or her annual base salary and NI’s other executive officers are required to hold shares of NI common stock with a value equal to at least two times his or her annual base salary.Non-employee directors are required to hold shares of NI common stock with a value equal to at least three times the amount of the annual retainer paid to such directors for service on the Board. All persons subject to the policy are required to achieve the applicable level of ownership within five years. NI does not permit executives ornon-employee directors to sell short its securities. NI prohibits executives andnon-employee directors from holding NI securities in a margin account and prohibits the purchase or sale of exchange traded options on its stock by executives and non-employee directors.

Type of Equity Awards.    In May 2015, the NI stockholders approved the 2015 Incentive Plan. The NI Board of Directors had approved the 2015 Incentive Plan in January 2015, subject to stockholder approval. The 2015 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of restricted stock and RSUs. Those eligible for awards under the 2015 Incentive Plan include NI employees, directors and consultants and employees and consultants of any parent or subsidiary of NI.

Service Award Program

NI maintains a service award bonus program under which all employees, including executives, are eligible to receive awards based on the number of years of continued employment with NI. Under this program, upon achieving a five-year period of continuous employment with NI, an employee receives a cash award, as well asnon-monetary awards such as a plaque. Awards under this program have

historically been in the range of $100 to $1,000 in cash per award, with employees receiving $100 in cash at their 5thanniversary of service with NI and $1,000 in cash at their 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th anniversaries of service with NI.

During 2017, one of the named executives, Mr. Starkloff, received an award of $1,000 under this program for having reached 20 years of employment with NI.

Performance Based Compensation and Financial Restatement

To date, NI has not experienced a financial restatement and has not implemented a policy regarding retroactive adjustments to any cash or equity based incentive compensation paid to its executives and other employees where such payments were predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that would subsequently be the subject of a restatement.

Change of Control Considerations

See “Compensation Terms for New Chief Executive Officer” for a discussion of the terms of Mr. Davern’s employment including severance payments and change of control payments. Other than Mr. Davern, none of NI’s executives have employment agreements, severance payment arrangements or payment arrangements that would be triggered by a merger or other change of control of NI.

The 2005 Incentive Plan and the 2010 Incentive Plan provide that in the event of a change of control of NI, all outstanding and unvested RSUsrestricted stock unit awards held by executive andnon-executiveour employees, shallincluding our Named Executive Officers, will immediately vest in full. UnderFurther, under the 2015 Incentive Plan and the 2020 Incentive Plan, in the event of a change in control of NI, all outstanding and unvested equity awards will be treated as determined by the plan administrator, including that each award be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation; provided, however, that, in the event the successor corporation does not assume or substitute for the awards, the restriction period of any award of restricted stock or RSUs shallrestricted stock unit award will immediately be accelerated and the restrictions shall expire. will expire, and, with respect to awards with performance-based vesting, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. The number of PRSUs so determined will be scheduled to vest in equal monthly installments following the change of control over the remainder of the original performance period.

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Following any such assumption or substitution of such awards, if the employment of an employee is terminated without Cause (as defined in the 2015 Incentive Plan or 2020 Incentive Plan) within twenty four (24)24 months following the change in control of NI, then the vesting of such employee’s awardsaward will immediately accelerate and the RSUsrestricted stock, RSU and PRSU awards will immediately become fully vested.

EffectOther Compensation Policies
Equity Award Grant Policy
We do not have any program, plan or practice to time the grant of equity awards in coordination with the release of material non-public information. In addition, we do not time, nor do we plan to time, the release of material non-public information for the purposes of affecting the value of our executive compensation.
Stock Ownership Policy
We encourage our Executive Officers and members of our Board to hold a significant equity interest in NI. To that end, our Board initially adopted a Stock Ownership Policy, effective December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Policy”) to further align the interests of our Executive Officers and the non-employee members of our Board with the interests of our stockholders and to promote our commitment to good corporate governance. On October 23, 2019, our Board determined to increase the stock ownership thresholds of our CEO and non-employee members of our Board and adopted a new Stock Ownership Policy, effective December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Policy”). The guidelines established under our stock ownership policies are intended to take into account an individual’s needs for portfolio diversification, while maintaining an ownership interest at levels sufficient to assure our stockholders of leadership’s commitment to long-term value creation.
Our 2017 Policy requires that:
our CEO hold shares of NI common stock having a value equal to at least three times his annual base salary;
our other Executive Officers hold shares of NI common stock having a value equal to at least two times his or her annual base salary; and
the non-employee members of our Board hold shares of NI common stock having a value equal to at least three times the amount of the annual retainer paid to such director for his or her service on our Board.
Our 2019 Policy requires that:
our CEO hold shares of NI common stock having a value equal to at least six times his annual base salary;
our other Executive Officers hold shares of NI common stock having a value equal to at least two times his or her annual base salary; and
the non-employee members of our Board hold shares of NI common stock having a value equal to at least six times the amount of the annual retainer paid to such director for his or her service on our Board.
Each of our stock ownership policies require that our President and CEO, our Executive Officers, and the non-employee members of our Board achieve the applicable levels of ownership within five years after the later of (i) the effective date of the applicable policy, or (ii) the date of his or her appointment. The 2017 Policy continues to apply for those Executive Officers and non-employee members of our Board who were subject to the 2017 Policy as of December 31, 2019, and such Executive Officers and non-employee members of our Board will continue to be required to achieve the applicable level of ownership set forth in the 2017 Policy in addition to the 2019 Policy. Stock ownership which qualifies under either the 2017 Policy or 2019 Policy will also qualify in determining stock ownership for the other policy.
Compensation Clawback Policy
Currently, we have not implemented a policy regarding retroactive adjustments to any cash or equity-based incentive compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers or other employees where the payments were predicated upon the achievement of financial results that were subsequently the subject of a financial restatement. We intend to adopt a clawback policy once the SEC adopts final rules implementing the requirement of Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
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Derivative Trading, Short Sales, Margin Accounts and Hedging
Our Insider Trading Policy applies to all directors, officers, employees, consultants, contractors, agents or other service providers of NI. Pursuant to our Insider Trading Policy, we do not permit short sales of our securities, or trading in publicly-traded options, such as puts and calls, and other derivative securities with respect to our securities (other than stock options, restricted stock units and other compensatory awards issued by us) or purchasing financial instruments, or otherwise engaging in transactions, that hedge or offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of equity securities either granted by NI as part of compensation, or held, directly or indirectly by an individual.
In addition, we prohibit those persons subject to our quarterly blackout periods from holding our securities in a margin account or pledging our securities as collateral for any loan or as part of any other pledging transaction. Persons subject to our quarterly blackout periods include our executive leadership team and their direct reports, certain members of the accounting and finance departments identified by their respective executive leadership team member as having specialized knowledge, certain members of the sales department identified by their respective executive leadership team member as having specialized knowledge, all members of the legal department, persons who receive or have access to certain reports or systems, or otherwise have access to companywide monthly, quarterly, or annual financial results, and any additional employee otherwise notified in writing by the legal department.
Tax and Accounting and Tax Treatment onConsiderations
In designing our executive compensation program, the Compensation Decisions

In the review and establishment of NI’s compensation programs, NICommittee considers the anticipated accountingtax and taxaccounting implications to NI and its executives.our Executive Officers. While NIthe Compensation Committee considers the applicable tax and accounting and tax treatment of the elements of our executive compensation program, these factors alone are not dispositive and NI also considers the cash andnon-cash impactin its decision making.

Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the programsCode imposes a limit on the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of any remuneration in excess of $1 million paid to our CEO, Chief Financial Officer, and whether a program is consistent with NI’s overall compensation philosophy and objectives.

Prior to being amended byeach of the next three most highly-compensated executive officers of the company. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the exemption for the chief financial officer and for “performance-based compensation” beginning January 1, 2018. As a result, subject to certain limited exceptions arrangements that qualify as written binding contracts that were in Decembereffect on November 2, 2017 Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”) imposed a limitand which have not been subsequently materially modified, we expect that compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers in excess of $1 million ongenerally will not be deductible. While the amount of compensation that NI may deduct in any one year with respect to certain of its named executive officers, unless certain criteria are satisfied. Performance-based compensation, as definedCompensation Committee has taken steps in the Code, was fully deductible if the programs were approved by stockholders and met other requirements. In 2017, none of NI’s named executive officers whose compensation is subjectpast to preserve tax deductibility under Section 162(m), other than Mr. Davern, receivedit has retained and will continue to retain authority to approve compensation in excessarrangements that may not be fully tax deductible by reason of the Section 162(m) limit.

Role of Executives in Executive.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Decisions

In 2017, the Compensation Committee obtained input from NI’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Davern, when discussing the performance of, and compensation levels for executives other than himself.

The Compensation Committee takes accounting considerations into account in designing compensation plans and arrangements for our Executive Officers and other employees including FASB ASC Topic 718, the standard which governs the accounting treatment of certain stock-based compensation. Among other things, ASC Topic 718 requires us to record a compensation expense in our income statement for all equity awards granted to our Executive Officers and other employees. This compensation expense is based on the grant date “fair value” of the equity award and, in most cases, will be recognized ratably over the award’s requisite service period (which, generally, will correspond to the award’s vesting schedule). This compensation expense is also worked closely with Mr. Davernreported in the Summary Compensation Table, even though recipients may never realize any value from their equity awards.
The fair values of PRSUs are estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The determination of fair value of the PRSU is affected by our stock price and with NI’s Global Vice

Presidenta number of Human Resourcesassumptions including the expected volatility, expected dividend yield and others, as required,the risk-free interest rate. Our expected volatility at the date of grant was based on the historical volatilities of our common stock and the companies included in evaluating the financial, accounting, tax and retention implications of its various compensation programs. Neither Mr. Davern nor any of NI’s other executives participated in deliberations relating to his or her own compensation.

Index over the performance period.

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT*

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Compensation Committee Report*
The Compensation Committee of NI has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by RegulationS-K Item 402(b) (the “CD&A”) with management and based upon such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the CD&ACompensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

Respectfully Submitted,

Duy-Loan T. Le,

John M. Berra

Michael E. McGrath

Chair

Dr. Gerhard P. Fettweis

*

Liam K. Griffin
Charles J. Roesslein
*
The foregoing Report of the Compensation Committee is not to be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically request that such information be treated as soliciting material or we specifically incorporate it by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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2020 Summary Compensation Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other NI filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that NI specifically incorporates this Compensation Committee Report by express reference therein.

Table

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table shows the total compensation earned by NI’s named executive officersour Named Executive Officers during the years ended December 31, 2017,2020, December 31, 2016,2019, and December 31, 2015:

Name and
Principal Position

 

 

Year

 

  

Salary

 

  

Bonus
(1)

 

  

Stock
Awards
(2)

 

  

Option
Awards

 

  

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(3)

 

  

All Other
Compensation
(4)

 

  

Total

 

 

Alexander M. Davern*

Chief Executive Officer and President

  

2017

2016

2015

 

 

 

 $

 

700,000

550,000

550,000

 

 

 

 $

 


 

 

 

 $

 

  6,364,500

699,750

808,000

 

 

 

  

$  —   

—   

—   

 

 

 

  

$  429,800   

173,360   

  125,087   

 

 

 

  

$  11,208   

28,560   

8,268   

 

 

 

 $

 

7,505,508

1,451,670

1,491,335

 

 

 

Karen M. Rapp

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

  2017     241,587      861,000   —      80,546        40,318        1,223,450 

Eric H. Starkloff

Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing

  

2017

2016

2015

 

 

 

  

400,000

356,250

331,250

 

 

 

  

1,000

 

 

 

  

855,750

699,750

808,000

 

 

 

  

—   

—   

—   

 

 

 

  

171,804   

149,878   

119,902   

 

 

 

  

36,195   

8,268   

8,268   

 

 

 

  

1,464,749

1,214,146

1,267,420

 

 

 

Scott A. Rust

Senior Vice President, Global Research and Development

  

2017

2016

2015

 

 

 

  

355,000

336,250

307,250

 

 

 

  


1,000

 

 

 

  

684,600

419,850

484,800

 

 

 

  

—   

—   

—   

 

 

 

  

125,670   

67,270   

27,377   

 

 

 

  

32,799   

8,268   

8,268   

 

 

 

  

1,198,069

831,638

828,695

 

 

 

John C. Roiko

Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer

  2017   268,000   

 
  136,920   —      50,652      59,226      514,798 

2018:
Name and
Principal Position
Year
Salary
Bonus
(1)
Stock
Awards
(2)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(3)
All Other
Compensation
(4)
Total
Eric H. Starkloff (5),(6)
President and CEO
2020
$629,271
$
$10,414,680
$411,075
$10,608
$11,465,634
2019
551,250
1,737,863
106,116
50,645
2,445,874
2018
437,500
2,156,673
228,813
19,343
2,842,329
Karen M. Rapp
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
2020
439,795
1,677,021
159,703
8,093
2,284,612
2019
413,438
1,359,557
77,520
10,448
1,860,964
2018
393,750
983,600
176,006
5,002
1,558,358
Jason E. Green*
EVP & GM, Portfolio BU
and Chief Revenue
Officer
2020
551,042
100,284
1,197,918
193,200
10,110
2,052,554
Scott A. Rust
Senior Vice President,
Global Product
Research and
Development
2020
383,717
1,000
958,313
113,213
11,760
1,468,003
2019
385,000
886,650
42,350
11,160
1,325,160
2018
370,620
801,880
165,668
10,588
1,348,756
Carla Pineyro Sublett *
Senior Vice President
and General Manager,
Portfolio Business Unit
and Chief Marketing
Officer
2020
412,479
150,000
898,439
100,000
8,860
1,569,778
Alexander M. Davern ** (7),(8),(9)
Former Chief Executive
Officer
2020
306,767
131,252
23,749
461,768
2019
775,754
1,000
7,474,792
213,332
23,096
8,487,974
2018
725,004
2,213,100
599,584
11,208
3,548,896
*
Mr. Green and Ms. Pineyro Sublett became Named Executive Officers in January 2020.
**
Mr. Davern was promotedceased to be our CEO, effective as of January 31, 2020, and President in January 2017. He servedcontinues to serve on our Board. For 2020, Mr. Davern’s compensation set forth above includes any amounts he received for his service as Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from October 2010 to December 2016.a director.

(1)
These amounts reflect cash paymentsIn 2020, Mr. Green received a service award of $284 and a $100,000 transition payment as the Compensation Committee approved transferring Mr. Green from a sales-based incentive compensation plan to the EIP. This payment was intended to compensate Mr. Green for the short-term negative impact on his compensation caused by his being transferred to the EIP. In 2020, Mr. Rust received a service award of $1,000. All employees, including executives, are eligible under NI’s discretionary cash bonus program and service award program. See “Compensation Discussionprogram pursuant to which employees may receive awards based on the number of years of continued employment with NI. Awards under the service award program have historically been in the range of $100 to $1,000 per award, with employees receiving $100 in cash at their 5th anniversary of service with NI and Analysis” for$1,000 in cash at their 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th anniversaries of service with NI. In 2020, Ms. Pineyro Sublett received $150,000 as a descriptionsigning bonus pursuant to the Sublett Offer Letter. In 2019, Mr. Davern received a service award of these programs.$1,000.

(2)
The amounts included in the table for stock awards isrepresent the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the applicableaggregate grant date fair value of awards made each fiscal year, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718. These dollar amounts reflect NI’s accounting expense for these stock awards and may not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named executives. The dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes is the aggregate grant date fair value whichfor time-based RSUs is expensed monthlymeasured in accordance with FASB ASC 718 and based on the estimated vesting periodclosing price of NI’s common stock preceding the date of grant. The grant date fair value for PRSUs is calculated using a Monte-Carlo model for each award on the date of grant, as determined under FASB ASC 718, based on the probable outcome of the corresponding grant.performance condition as of the grant date. The estimated vesting periodfair value for each award may differ based on the applicable data, assumptions, and estimates used in the model. Our expected volatility at the date of grantsgrant was based on the historical volatilities of RSUs to named executive officers ranges from 48 months to 95 months.our common stock and the companies included in the Index over the performance period. Although the assumed probable outcome as of the grant date was achievement at the target level, the terms of the awards for

(3)
These
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PRSUs also provide for achievement of up to 200% of the target amount (the “maximum”). See Note 9 below for additional information regarding Mr. Davern's equity awards for 2019.
(3)
Other than for Ms. Pineyro Sublett, these amounts reflect the sum of the amounts earned by named executives under NI’sNamed Executives Officers pursuant to the EIP for 2020, and for 2019 and 2018, these amounts reflect the sum of the amounts earned by Named Executives Officers pursuant to our previous cash bonus programs, the Annual Company Performance Bonus Program and AIPthe Annual Incentive Program. In 2020, Ms. Pineyro Sublett was not eligible to receive a bonus under the EIP; however, Ms. Pineyro Sublett received a $100,000 performance bonus, which was the maximum amount attainable for 2017, 2016 and 2015, as shownachieving a predetermined target related to revenue results of our portfolio business unit. Ms. Pineyro Sublett’s goal for that business unit was set in proportion to the table below.company-level goal for revenue. The revenue goal for the business unit was designed to be challenging to meet at targeted performance, with the maximum amount attainable only under circumstances indicating extraordinary performance.

Named Executive Officer

 

  

Year

 

   

Annual
Performance
Bonus
Program

 

   

AIP

 

   

Long Term
Incentive
Program

 

   

Sales
Commission
Bonus
Program

 

   

Total

 

 

 

Alexander M. Davern

 

  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

37,800

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

392,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

$  —     

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

429,800

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

173,360

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

173,360

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

125,087

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

125,087

 

 

 

 

 

Karen M. Rapp

 

  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

13,046

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

67,500

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

80,546

 

 

 

 

 

Eric H. Starkloff

 

  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

21,804

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

171,804

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

101,540

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

48,338

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  149,878

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

72,908

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

46,994

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

119,902

 

 

 

 

 

Scott A. Rust

 

  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

19,170

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  106,500

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

125,670

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

67,270

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

67,270

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

27,377

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

27,377

 

 

 

 

 

John C. Roiko

  

 

 

 

2017

 

 

  

 

 

 

14,472

 

 

  

 

 

 

36,180

 

 

  

 

 

 

—     

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

50,652

 

 

(4)
RepresentsThese amounts represent NI contributions to the Section 401(k) Plan on behalf of the named executives,Named Executive Officers, the full dollar value of premiums paid by NI for term life insurance on behalf of the named executivesNamed Executive Officers for 2017, 20162020, 2019, and 2015,2018, and certain other payments in the amounts shown below:

Named Executive Officer

 

  

Year

 

   

NI

 

Contributions
to 401(k)
Plan

 

   

Term Life
Insurance
Premium Paid
by NI for
Benefit of the
Insured

 

   

Other (5)

 

   

Total

 

 

 

Alexander M. Davern

 

  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

$  10,800  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

$  408       

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

11,208

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,950  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

318       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  20,292

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

28,560

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,950  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  318       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,268

 

 

 

 

 

Karen M. Rapp

 

  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

318       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

40,000

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  40,318

 

 

 

 

 

Eric H. Starkloff

 

  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,748  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

408       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

27,039

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

37,195

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,950  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

318       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,268

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,950  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

318       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,268

 

 

 

 

 

Scott A. Rust

 

  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,640  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

408       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

23,751

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

32,799

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,950  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

318       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,268

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

7,950  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

318       

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,268

 

 

 

 

 

John C. Roiko

  

 

 

 

2017

 

 

  

 

 

 

8,818  

 

 

  

 

 

 

408       

 

 

  

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

  

 

 

 

59,226

 

 

Other than the foregoing, for 2015, 2016 and 2017, NI did not provide its named executives with any form of compensation that would be reportable under Item 402(c)(2)(ix) of RegulationS-K. NI does not pay or accrue cash dividends on unvested RSUs.

Named Executive Officer
Year
NI
Contributions
to 401(k)
Plan
Term Life
Insurance
Premium Paid
by NI for
Benefit of the
Insured
Other *
Total
Eric H. Starkloff
2020
$8,748
$360
$1,500
$10,608
2019
8,748
360
41,537
50,645
2018
8,748
408
10,187
19,343
Karen M. Rapp
2020
7,733
360
8,093
2019
10,088
360
10,448
2018
4,594
408
5,002
Jason E. Green
2020
9,750
360
10,110
Scott A. Rust
2020
11,400
360
11,760
2019
10,800
360
11,160
2018
10,180
408
10,588
Carla Pineyro Sublett
2020
8,500
360
8,860
Alexander M. Davern
2020
10,701
360
12,688
23,749
2019
10,800
360
11,936
23,096
2018
10,800
408
11,208
(5)*
For 2017,2020, the dollar amounts listed reflect amounts paid by NI in connection with Mr. Starkloff and Mr. Rust’s participation in an incentive award trip paid by NI, a signing bonus paid to Ms. Rapp upon her employment as Chief Financial Officer and a bonus paid to Mr. Roiko as Interim Chief Financial Officer. For 2016, the dollar amount reflects“Other” reflect fees and expenses paid related to contributions by NI to Mr. Starkloff’s health spending account and for Mr. Davern it includes payments for health insurance pursuant to his Separation Agreement. For 2019, the dollar amounts listed in “Other” reflect fees and expenses paid related to the negotiation of Mr. Davern’s executive employment agreement.Davern's Transition Agreement and Mr. Starkloff's Executive Employment Agreement and amounts paid in connection with Mr. Starkloff’s participation in an incentive award trip. For 2018, the dollar amounts listed in “Other” reflect amounts paid in connection with Mr. Starkloff’s participation in an incentive award trip. Other than the foregoing, for 2020, 2019, and 2018, NI did not provide its Named Executive Officers with any form of compensation that would be reportable under Item 402(c)(2)(ix) of Regulation S-K. NI does not pay or accrue cash dividends on unvested RSUs.
(5)
For Mr. Starkloff, pursuant to the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement, Mr. Starkloff was appointed as our CEO, effective February 1, 2020, and continues to serve as our President. Mr. Starkloff's base salary increased to $700,000 at that time. In October 2018, Mr. Starkloff was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer and received a base salary increase at that time. Mr. Starkloff’s base salary shown for 2020 and 2018 above is pro-rated based upon the number of days during the year the respective base salary increase was in effect.
(6)
For Mr. Starkloff, the amount reflected in the “Stock Awards” column above for 2020 includes a one-time promotional grant of 75,000 PRSUs and 75,000 RSUs, granted pursuant to the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement, upon Mr. Starkloff becoming our CEO.
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(7)
For Mr. Davern, the amount reflected in the “Salary” column above for 2020 reflects $267,536 from Mr. Davern’s service as our Chief Executive Officer and service in his strategic advisory role until May 5, 2020, and $39,231 of such amount reflects fees earned or paid for service as director during 2020.
(8)
For Mr. Davern in 2020, the amount of $131,252 in the “Stock Awards” column relates to stock awards granted for service as a member of our Board during 2020.
(9)
The disclosed number in the “Stock Awards” column for 2019 for Mr. Davern reflects a calculation made pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718, which requires disclosure of the combined value of Mr. Davern's Original Grant Value (defined below) and the incremental fair value of the unvested RSUs described below. Mr. Davern, our Chief Executive Officer during 2019 and the first month of 2020, was granted 53,000 RSUs and 53,000 PRSUs in February 2019 with an aggregate grant date fair value of $5,340,969 (“Original Grant Value”). On October 29, 2019, we announced that Mr. Davern would remain as CEO until January 31, 2020, and then transition from his service as CEO into a strategic advisory role until May 5, 2020. Pursuant to Mr. Davern’s Transition Agreement, all of Mr. Davern’s PRSUs were forfeited and Mr. Davern received upon signing of his Separation Agreement in May 2020, accelerated vesting of all outstanding equity awards subject solely to service-based vesting that would have vested from October 29, 2019 through May 5, 2021. All of Mr. Davern’s unvested RSUs subject to outstanding equity awards other than those subject to such accelerated vesting were forfeited as of his termination date pursuant to the Transition Agreement. The amount included in the table for Mr. Davern’s stock awards in 2019 reflects the incremental fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, associated with the acceleration of such RSUs of $2,133,823, plus the Original Grant Value. Such amount does not deduct a value for RSUs or PRSUs forfeited by Mr. Davern upon signing of the Separation Agreement. The total aggregate grant date fair value of the forfeited RSUs and PRSUs is $5,161,310. Had the total aggregate fair value of the forfeited RSUs and PRSUs been deducted, the amount included in the table for stock awards would have been $2,313,482.
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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

TABLE

FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of

Stock or
Units (5)

Aggregate
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock
Awards

Name

Grant
Date (1)

Threshold
(2)

Target (3)

Maximum (4)

  Alexander M. Davern

  Annual Incentive Program

  Annual Performance Bonus Program

  2015 Incentive Plan

  2015 Incentive Plan


1/24/17

4/25/17





$

392,000

37,800


$

840,000


$


150,000

50,000


$


4,653,000

1,711,500


  Karen M. Rapp

  Annual Incentive Program

  Annual Performance Bonus Program

  2015 Incentive Plan

7/25/17





67,500

13,046



140,000




20,000




861,000


  Eric H. Starkloff

  Annual Incentive Program

  Annual Performance Bonus Program

  2015 Incentive Plan

4/25/17





150,000

21,804



292,000




25,000




855,750


  Scott A. Rust

  Annual Incentive Program

  Annual Performance Bonus Program

  2015 Incentive Plan

4/25/17





106,500

19,170



205,900




20,000




684,600


  John C. Roiko

  Annual Incentive Program

  Annual Performance Bonus Program

  2015 Incentive Plan

4/25/17





36,180

14,472



75,040




4,000




136,920


2020
Name
Grant
Date (1)
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (3)
Aggregate
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock
Awards
Threshold (2)
Target
Maximum
Threshold
Target
Maximum
Eric H. Starkloff
Executive Incentive Program (EIP)
$259,875
$945,000
$1,417,500
$
$
$
$
2015 Incentive Plan - Promotional RSUs
2/01/2020
75,000
3,347,250
2015 Incentive Plan - Promotional PRSUs
2/01/2020
37,500
75,000
150,000
4,671,750
2015 Incentive Plan - RSUs
4/29/2020
25,471
999,991
2015 Incentive Plan - PRSUs
4/29/2020
12,736
25,471
50,942
1,395,689
Karen M. Rapp
Executive Incentive Program (EIP)
100,962
367,133
550,699
2015 Incentive Plan - RSUs
2/19/2020
15,657
700,024
2015 Incentive Plan - PRSUs
2/19/2020
7,829
15,657
31,314
976,997
Jason E. Green
Executive Incentive Program (EIP)
126,500
460,000
690,000
2015 Incentive Plan - RSUs
2/19/2020
11,184
500,037
2015 Incentive Plan - PRSUs
2/19/2020
5,592
11,184
22,368
697,882
Scott A. Rust
Executive Incentive Program (EIP)
71,572
260,260
390,390
2015 Incentive Plan - RSUs
2/19/2020
8,947
400,020
2015 Incentive Plan - PRSUs
2/19/2020
4,474
8,947
17,894
558,293
Carla Pineyro Sublett
Executive Incentive Program (EIP)
86,048
312,903
469,354
2015 Incentive Plan - RSUs
2/19/2020
8,388
375,027
2015 Incentive Plan - PRSUs
2/19/2020
4,194
8,388
16,776
523,411
Alexander M. Davern (4)
Executive Incentive Program (EIP)
2020 Incentive Plan - Director RSU Grant
3,556
131,252
(1)
In accordance with Item 402(d)(2)(ii) of RegulationS-K, only grant dates for equity-based awards are reported in this table.

(2)
The AIP,Compensation Committee set an original threshold amount of 50% at a 4% Revenue Growth, 50% at a 16.6% Operating Margin, and 50% for key employee retention for the Annual Performance Bonus ProgramEIP. However, the Compensation Committee modified this threshold amount mid-year due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, after consultation with its independent compensation consultant, and Sales Commission Bonus Program did not setrevised the threshold amount to 25% at a -6% Revenue Growth and 15% Operating Margin, while continuing the 50% threshold amount.amount for key employee retention, resulting in a 27.5% threshold as a percent of target for the EIP. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for a more detailed description of these programs.the EIP and modifications related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business.

(3)The AIP and the Annual Performance Bonus Program do not set target amounts. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for a further description of these programs. In accordance with Instruction 2 to Item 402(d) of RegulationS-K, the amounts included under the “Target” column represent the amounts earned in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 by the named executive under the AIP and the Annual Performance Bonus Program, as applicable.

(4)The Annual Performance Bonus Program does not set maximum amounts. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for a further description of this program. The amounts set forth in the table above represent the maximum amounts that were achievable under the AIP for 2017.

(5)
For 2017,2020, the executiveNamed Executive Officer RSU grantsawards had four yearthree-year annual vesting except for Mr. Davern’s January 2017 grant, which vests annually over three years with a vesting commencement date of December 15, 2017. The RSU grants to the executives, other than Mr. Davern’s January 2017 grant, have a vesting commencement date of May 1, 2017.2020.
(4)
Mr. Davern ceased to be our CEO, effective as of January 31, 2020, and did not participate in any Executive Officer long-term incentive program for 2020. Mr. Davern received a grant of 3,556 RSUs on July 29, 2020, which vest over a one-year period with a vesting commencement date of May 1, 2020, for his service as a member of our Board.
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Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table Discussion

The level of salary, bonus, and bonusnon-equity incentive plan compensation in proportion to total compensation ranged from approximately 15%9.1% to 75%42.2% for each of the named executivesNamed Executive Officers in 2017.

2020.

See “Compensation Terms for Chief Executive Officer” for a discussion of theThe terms of Mr. Davern’sStarkloff’s employment includinginclude severance payments and payments that may be triggered by a change in control of controlNI. The terms of Ms. Pineyro Sublett’s offer letter include severance payments. NoneDuring 2020, none of NI’s other employees hashad employment agreements, severance payment arrangements or other payment arrangements that would be triggered by a merger or other change ofin control of NI. However, the 2010 Incentive Plan andterms of Mr. Rust’s employment provide for the 2005 Incentive Plan provide thatacceleration of certain restricted stock unit awards in the event of a change of control of NI, all unvested RSUs held by executiveshis termination under certain circumstances. On February 22, 2021, Ms. Rapp andnon-executive employees shall immediately vest in full. Additionally, NI Mr. Green entered into an RSU Vesting Acceleration Agreementexecutive employment agreements with each of Eric H. Starkloff and Scott S. Rust on February 26, 2016 (collectively the “Acceleration Agreements”). Under the Acceleration Agreements, in the event Mr. StarkloffNI which provide for severance payment arrangements that would be triggered by a merger or Mr. Rust’s employment is terminated without Cause or he resigns for Good Reason (each as defined in their respective Acceleration Agreement), subject to him executing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of NI and meeting other requirements in the Acceleration Agreement, all of Mr. Starkloff’s or Mr. Rust’s then outstanding and unvested RSUs granted under an NI equity plan shall immediately vest.

Under the 2015 Incentive Plan, in the event of a change in control of NI, awards will be treated as determined by the administrator, including that each award be assumedNI. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or substituted by the successor corporation; provided that, in the event the successor corporation does not assume or substitute awards, the restriction periodChange of any award of restricted stock or RSUs shall immediately be accelerated and the restrictions shall expire. Following any such assumption or substitution of awards, if an employee is terminated without Cause (as defined in the 2015 Incentive Plan) within twenty four (24) months following the change in control, then the vestingControl” for a more detailed discussion of such employee’s awards will accelerate and the RSUs will immediately become fully vested.

arrangements.

NI has not repriced or made any material modifications to any equity-based awards to its executive officers.

Named Executive Officers.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 20172020 YEAR-END

   

Stock Awards

 

 
Named Executive Officer

 

  

Number of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested (1)

 

   

Market Value

of Shares or

Units That

Have Not

Vested (2)

 

 

 

 

  Alexander M. Davern

  

 

 

 

 

 

234,041

 

 

 

  

 

 

$

 

 

9,743,127

 

 

 

 

 

  Karen M. Rapp

  

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

832,600

 

 

 

 

 

  Eric H. Starkloff

  

 

 

 

 

 

88,596

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

3,688,251

 

 

 

 

 

  Scott A. Rust

  

 

 

 

 

 

57,733

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

2,403,425

 

 

 

 

 

  John C. Roiko

  

 

 

 

 

 

17,404

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

724,529

 

 

 

TABLE
Named Executive Officer
Stock Awards
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested (#) (1)
Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested ($) (2)
Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards;
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested (#) (3)
Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested ($) (4)
Eric H. Starkloff
162,917
$7,158,573
117,096
$5,145,198
Karen M. Rapp
39,327
1,728,028
28,663
1,259,452
Jason E. Green
47,509
2,087,545
11,184
491,425
Scott A. Rust
47,232
2,075,374
17,429
765,830
Carla Pineyro Sublett
30,888
1,357,219
8,388
368,569
Alexander M. Davern
3,556
156,251
(1)

These RSU awardsReflects RSUs granted. RSUs were madegranted under the 2005 Incentive Plan, 2010 Incentive Plan, and 2015 Incentive Plan. RSU awards madePlan and 2020 Incentive Plan for Mr. Davern. RSUs granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan, 2010 Incentive Plan and 2015 Incentive Plan prior to April 2016 vest as to 1/10th of the RSUs on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to acceleration of vesting in the event that NI achieves certain financial performance goals. The maximum amount of vesting acceleration is an additional 10% of the award per year. For grants made pursuant to the 2005 Incentive Plan and the 2010 Incentive Plan, the number of RSUs that can have vesting acceleration each year is determined based upon the extent to which NI attainswe attain a 40% year over year revenue growthRevenue Growth and 18%non-GAAP operating profit as a percentpercentage of revenue. Specifically, if NI achieveswe achieve a 40% year over year revenue growthRevenue Growth and a 18%non-GAAP operating profit as a percentpercentage of revenue, then 10% of the total number of RSUs subject to the award shallwill accelerate. For grants made pursuant to the 2015 Incentive Plan prior to April 2016, the number of RSUs that can have vesting acceleration each year is determined based upon the extent to which NI attainswe attain 20% year over year revenue growthRevenue Growth and 18%non-GAAP operating profit as a percentpercentage of revenue. Specifically, if NI achieveswe achieve a 20% year over year revenue growthyear-over-year Revenue Growth and

a 18%non-GAAP operating profit as a percentpercentage of revenue, then 10% of the total number of RSUs subject to the award shall accelerate.accelerates. The earliest an award eligible for acceleration may fully vest is in five years. RSU awards madeRSUs granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan, 2010 Incentive Plan and 2015 Incentive Plan prior to April 2016 have a vestvesting term of ten years. RSU awards made underRSUs granted pursuant to the 2015 Incentive Plan infrom April 2016 and thereafterto April 2018 vest as to 25% of the RSUs on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date. TheIn October 2018, Mr. Starkloff received a 25,000 RSU award that vested 100% on May 1, 2020. In 2019, RSUs for Named Executive Officers at that time were granted under the 2015 Incentive Plan and vest as to 1/3rd of the RSUs on each anniversary of the vesting commencement datesdate. For Mr. Green and Ms. Pineyro Sublett RSUs granted in 2019 were granted under the 2015 Incentive Plan and vest as to 1/4th of the RSUs on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date. For RSUs granted in 2020, other than Mr. Davern’s grant for his service on the Board, these awards are set forth inwere granted pursuant to the table below.2015 Equity Incentive Plan and vest as to 1/3rd of the RSUs on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date. Upon becoming a non-employee member of our Board, Mr. Davern’s RSUs were granted

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under our 2020 Incentive Plan and vest 100% on the one-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date. These RSUs are subject to the continued service of the Named Executive Officer on each such vesting date. The vesting commencement dates for these awards are set forth in the table below.
Named Executive Officer

Number of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested

Grant Date

Vesting


Commencement


Date

  Alexander M. Davern

Eric H. Starkloff

50,000       

100,000       

22,500       

20,000       

10,309       

8,776       

11,730       

8,295       

2,431       

25,471

4/25/2017  

1/24/2017  

4/26/2016  

4/21/2015  

4/22/2014  

4/23/2013  

4/18/2012  

4/20/2011  

4/22/2009  

29/2020

5/1/2020

5/1/2017       

12/15/2017       

5/1/2016       

5/1/2015       

5/1/2014       

5/1/2013       

5/1/2012       

5/1/2011       

5/1/2009       

75,000
2/1/2020
2/1/2020
11,083
1/22/2019
5/1/2019
10,870
4/25/2018
5/1/2018
6,250
4/25/2017
5/1/2017
13,795
4/26/2016
5/1/2016
11,897
4/21/2015
5/1/2015
5,488
4/22/2014
5/1/2014
1,957
4/23/2013
5/1/2013
1,088
4/18/2012
5/1/2012
58
4/20/2011
5/1/2011
Karen M. Rapp

20,000       

15,657

2/19/2020

7/25/2017  

5/1/2020

5/1/2017       

  Eric H. Starkloff

8,670

25,000       

22,500       

20,000       

10,309       

4,388       

3,519       

2,489       

391       

1/22/2019

4/25/2017  

4/26/2016  

4/21/2015  

4/22/2014  

4/23/2013  

4/18/2012  

4/20/2011  

4/22/2009  

5/1/2019

5/1/2017       

5/1/2016       

5/1/2015       

5/1/2014       

5/1/2013       

5/1/2012       

5/1/2011       

5/1/2009       

10,000
4/25/2018
5/1/2018
5,000
7/25/2017
5/1/2017
Jason E. Green
11,184
2/19/2020
5/1/2020
6,888
2/20/2019
5/1/2019
4,348
4/25/2018
5/1/2018
2,500
4/25/2017
5/1/2017
22,589
9/17/2015
5/1/2015
Scott A. Rust

20,000       

13,500       

12,000       

3,436       

2,633       

3,284       

2,489       

391       

8,947

2/19/2020

4/25/2017  

4/26/2016  

4/21/2015  

4/22/2014  

4/23/2013  

4/18/2012  

4/20/2011  

4/22/2009  

5/1/2020

5/1/2017       

5/1/2016       

5/1/2015       

5/1/2014       

5/1/2013       

5/1/2012       

5/1/2011       

5/1/2009       

  John C. Roiko

5,654

4,000       

3,600       

3,200       

1,405       

2,816       

1,992       

391       

1/22/2019

5/1/2019
8,152
4/25/2018
5/1/2018
5,000
4/25/2017

5/1/2017
8,276
4/26/2016

5/1/2016
7,139
4/21/2015

5/1/2015
1,816
4/22/2014
5/1/2014
1,175
4/23/2013

5/1/2013
1,015
4/18/2012

5/1/2012
58
4/20/2011

4/22/2009  

5/1/2017       

5/1/2016       

5/1/2015       

5/1/2013       

5/1/2012       

5/1/2011

Carla Pineyro Sublett
8,388
2/19/2020
5/1/2009       

2020

15,000
4/23/2020
5/1/2019
7,500
2/20/2019
5/1/2019
Alexander M. Davern*
3,556
7/29/2020
5/1/2020

*
Mr. Davern’s award was granted for his service as a member of our Board.
(2)
Amounts shown are valued atCalculated by multiplying the number of shares of RSUs by $43.94, the closing market price of NI’s Common Stockour common stock on December 31, 20172020.
(3)
Reflects PRSUs granted at target. PRSUs were granted under the 2015 Incentive Plan. For 2020 and 2019, our Named Executive Officers received the number of $41.63 per share.PRSU awards set forth below. Outstanding PRSU awards may be earned and eligible for vesting in a single installment following the end of the applicable three-year performance period from the beginning of the performance period starting on January 1. The PRSUs are reported at the target level because we are required by SEC rules to compare our performance through 2020 under the PRSU grant against the threshold, target and maximum performance levels for the grant and report the applicable potential share number. If the performance is between levels, we are required to report the potential payout at the next highest level. For example, if performance through the previous year exceeded target, even by only a modest amount, and even if it is unlikely that we will achieve the results that would dictate the payment of the maximum amount, we are required by SEC rules to report the maximum potential payouts. For the first year of the 2020-2022 performance period and the first two years of the 2019-2021 performance period, we tracked between the
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threshold and target levels of performance against the PRSU performance goals on a combined basis and have accordingly reported the PRSUs at the target award levels.
Named Executive Officer
Target Number of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not Vested
Grant Date
Performance Period
Commencement
Date
Eric H. Starkloff
25,471
4/29/2020
1/1/2020
75,000
2/1/2020
1/1/2020
16,625
1/22/2019
1/1/2019
Karen M. Rapp
15,657
2/19/2020
1/1/2020
13,006
1/22/2019
1/1/2019
Jason E. Green
11,184
2/19/2020
1/1/2020
Scott A. Rust
8,947
2/19/2020
1/1/2020
8,482
1/22/2019
1/1/2019
Carla Pineyro Sublett
8,388
2/19/2020
1/1/2020
(4)
Calculated by multiplying the number of shares of PRSUs by $43.94, the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2020.
STOCK VESTED


FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

   Stock Awards 
Named Executive Officer  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
   Value
Realized on
Vesting
 

 

  Alexander M. Davern (1)

 

  

 

 

 

 

17,410     

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

607,783

 

 

 

 

 

  Alexander M. Davern (2)

 

  

 

 

 

 

50,000     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2,076,500

 

 

 

 

 

  Karen M. Rapp

 

  

 

 

 

 

—     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Eric H. Starkloff (1)

 

  

 

 

 

 

9,681     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

337,964

 

 

 

 

 

  Scott A. Rust (1)

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,267     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

218,781

 

 

 

 

 

  John C. Roiko (1)

 

  

 

 

 

 

3,171     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

110,700

 

 

 

 

2020 TABLE
Stock Awards
Named Executive Officer
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
Value
Realized on
Vesting
Eric H. Starkloff
50,977
$1,958,536 (1)
Karen M. Rapp
14,336
550,789 (1)
Jason E. Green
11,970
459,887 (1)
Scott A. Rust
17,304
664,820 (1)
Carla Pineyro Sublett
7,500
288,150 (1)
Alexander M. Davern
54,417
2,090,701 (1)
52,108
1,919,659 (2)
(1)
Calculated by using the NIclosing price of our common stock closing price for the day immediately preceding the vesting date of May 1, 2017,2020, which was $34.91$38.42 per share.

(2)
Calculated by using the NIclosing price of our common stock closing price for the day immediately preceding the vesting date of December 15, 2017,May 13, 2020, which was $41.53$36.84 per share.

Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

NI does not have any pension plans,non-qualified defined contribution plans ornon-qualified deferred compensation plans.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change ofin Control

See “Compensation Terms for Chief Executive Officer” for a discussion of the terms

Our employment arrangements with each of Mr. Davern’s employment includingStarkloff and Ms. Pineyro Sublett, summarized below, include severance payments and change of control payments. None of NI’sor other executives has employment agreements, severance payment arrangements or payment arrangements that would be triggered by a termination of employment, merger or other change ofin control of NI. However, NI isIn addition, on February 22, 2021, we signed executive employment agreements with Ms. Rapp and Mr. Green which include severance or other payment arrangements that would be triggered by a party to an Accelerationtermination of employment, merger or other change in control of NI.
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Arrangements with Mr. Starkloff:
On October 28, 2019, we entered into the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement with eachMr. Starkloff, pursuant to which Mr. Starkloff was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2020. On February 3, 2020, the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement was amended to reflect the implementation of the Company’s EIP. Pursuant to the amendment, in lieu of Mr. Starkloff and Mr. Rust. In each case, the Acceleration Agreement provides for the immediate vesting of all of the executive’s then outstanding RSUsStarkloff’s participation in the Company’s prior bonus programs, Mr. Starkloff’s 2020 annual EIP target incentive bonus opportunity was 135% of his base salary.
In the event the executive’sMr. Starkloff’s employment is terminated either by us without Cause or heMr. Starkloff resigns for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the AccelerationStarkloff Executive Employment Agreement), subject to him executing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of NI and meeting other requirements in the AccelerationStarkloff Executive Employment Agreement, Mr. Starkloff will be entitled to receive (the “Starkloff Employment Agreement Severance Payment”):
(i)
continuing severance pay at a rate equal to 100% of his base salary, as then in effect (less applicable withholding), for a period of 18 months from the date of such termination, paid in accordance with NI’s normal payroll practices;
(ii)
to the extent not already earned and accrued, a lump sum equivalent to 100% of his EIP bonus as in effect at the time of the applicable termination or resignation, less applicable withholding, which amount shall be paid at such time annual bonuses are paid to our other senior executives (for avoidance of doubt in no case would Mr. Starkloff be entitled to more than one EIP bonus payment);
(iii)
accelerated vesting of Mr. Starkloff’s outstanding RSUs that would have vested had he remained employed by NI for 12 months following the termination date, and subject to any required approval by the Board; and
(iv)
provided he timely elects healthcare continuation coverage under COBRA, reimbursement of Mr. Starkloff for, or direct payment of, his COBRA premiums (at the coverage level in effect immediately prior to his termination) until the earlier of 18 months following the termination date or the date Mr. Starkloff becomes covered under similar plans. If NI determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot provide the foregoing benefit related to COBRA premiums without potentially violating or being subject to an excise tax under applicable law, we will instead provide a taxable monthly payment of an equivalent amount, which will be made regardless of whether Mr. Starkloff elects COBRA, and continue until the earlier of 18 months following termination or the date Mr. Starkloff becomes covered under similar plans.
If the employment of Mr. Starkloff had been terminated on December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement, the Starkloff Employment Agreement Severance Payment would have been $4,605,991 (including the value of accelerated RSUs based upon the closing market price of NI’s common stock at December 31, 2020, which was $43.94 per share (the “Applicable Price”).
Notwithstanding any contrary provision, if a termination of employment described in the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement occurs within the period beginning three months prior to a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Starkloff Executive Employment Agreement, as amended) and ending 12 months following a Change in Control, then Mr. Starkloff will be entitled to receive the same severance described in the preceding paragraphs except the severance amount set forth in (i) above will be paid in a lump-sum on the 60th day following the termination date.
For avoidance of doubt, Mr. Starkloff’s equity awards will remain subject to the Change in Control vesting or other treatment as provided for pursuant to the terms of NI’s equity plan and his equity award agreements, as applicable, notwithstanding his eligibility to receive vesting acceleration set forth in (iii) above.
If a Change in Control had occurred as of December 31, 2020, in connection with a termination that resulted in acceleration under the terms of our equity incentive plans and equity award agreements of all unvested equity awards outstanding as of such date, instead of the value of the equity awards included in the termination benefits above, the value of equity awards at the Applicable Price included with such termination benefits would be $12,303,771.
Arrangements with Ms. Pineyro Sublett: On January 25, 2019, we entered into the Sublett Offer Letter with Ms. Pineyro Sublett (the “Sublett Offer Letter”). Pursuant to the Sublett Offer Letter, in the event that we terminated her employment for any reason other than Cause (defined therein) or her death or Disability (defined therein), or if she voluntarily resigned her employment for Good Reason (defined therein), and subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Sublett Offer Letter, Ms. Pineyro Sublett would receive the following severance benefits (the “Sublett
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Severance Benefits”): (i) a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of her base salary and on target earnings bonus in effect on the termination date; and (ii) payment of monthly premiums for continued medical, dental and vision insurance coverage under COBRA (if she timely elects COBRA coverage) or a taxable monthly payment of an equivalent amount in the event providing such payment would violate any applicable law or result in an excise tax to us, in either case, until the earliest of (i) the date that is 12 months following her termination date, (ii) the date when she is offered substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment, or (iii) the date upon which she ceases to be eligible for coverage under COBRA or other applicable law or policy governing such coverage.
If the employment of Ms. Pineyro Sublett had been terminated on December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Sublett Offer Letter, the Sublett Severance Benefits would have been $760,476. If a Change in Control had occurred as of December 31, 2020, in connection with a termination that resulted in acceleration under the terms of our equity incentive plans and equity award agreements of all unvested equity awards outstanding as of such date, instead of the value of the equity awards included in the termination benefits above, the value of equity awards at the Applicable Price included with such termination benefits would be $1,725,787.
Arrangements with Ms. Rapp: On February 22, 2021, we entered into a written executive employment agreement with Ms. Rapp (the “Rapp Executive Employment Agreement”). In the event of involuntary termination of Ms. Rapp’s employment by us without Cause or resignation for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Rapp Executive Employment Agreement), subject to her executing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of NI and meeting other requirements in the Rapp Executive Employment Agreement, Ms. Rapp will be entitled to receive (the “Rapp Employment Agreement Severance Payment”): (i) continuing severance pay at a rate equal to 100% of her base salary (less applicable withholding), for a period of 12 months from the date of termination (but if such a termination occurs in a period beginning 3 months prior to a Change in Control (as defined in the Rapp Executive Employment Agreement) and ending 12 months following a Change in Control, then she will be entitled to receive the severance amount in a lump sum in 60 days); (ii) to the extent not already earned and accrued, 100% of her EIP bonus as in effect at the time of the applicable termination or resignation, less applicable withholding; (iii) accelerated vesting of her outstanding service-based RSUs that would have vested had she remained employed by NI for 12 months following the termination date, and subject to any required approval by the Compensation Committee; and (iv) provided she timely elects healthcare continuation coverage under COBRA, NI will reimburse her for, or direct payment of, her COBRA premiums (at the coverage level in effect immediately prior to her termination) until the earlier of 12 months following the termination date or the date she becomes covered under similar plans. If we determine in our sole discretion, that we cannot provide the foregoing benefit related to COBRA premiums without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law, we will instead provide a taxable monthly payment of an equivalent amount, which will be made regardless of whether she elects COBRA and continue until the earlier of 12 months following termination or the date she becomes covered under similar plans.
If the employment of Ms. Rapp had been terminated on December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Rapp Executive Employment Agreement, the Rapp Employment Agreement Severance Payment would have been $1,694,417 (including the value of accelerated RSUs at the Applicable Price).
If a Change in Control had occurred as of December 31, 2020 in connection with a termination that resulted in acceleration under the terms of our equity incentive plans and equity award agreements of all unvested equity awards outstanding as of such date, instead of the value of the equity awards included in the termination benefits above, the value of equity awards at the Applicable Price included with such termination benefits would be $2,987,481.
Arrangements with Mr. Green: On February 22, 2021, we entered into a written executive employment agreement with Mr. Green (the “Green Executive Employment Agreement”). In the event of involuntary termination of Mr. Green’s employment by us without Cause or resignation for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Green Executive Employment Agreement ), subject to his executing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of NI and meeting other requirements in the Green Executive Employment Agreement, Mr. Green will be entitled to receive (the “Green Employment Agreement Severance Payment”): (i) continuing severance pay at a rate equal to 100% of his base salary (less applicable withholding), for a period of 12 months from the date of termination (but if such a termination occurs in a period beginning 3 months prior to a Change in Control (as defined in his employment agreement) and ending 12 months following a Change in Control, then he will be entitled to receive the severance amount in a lump sum in 60 days); (ii) to the extent not already earned and accrued, 100% of his EIP bonus as in effect at the time of the applicable termination or resignation, less applicable withholding; (iii) accelerated vesting of his outstanding service-based RSUs that would have vested had he remained employed by NI for 12 months following the termination date, and subject to any required approval by the Compensation Committee; and (iv) provided he timely elects healthcare continuation coverage under COBRA, we will reimburse him for, or direct payment of, his COBRA premiums (at the coverage level
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in effect immediately prior to his termination) until the earlier of 12 months following the termination date or the date he becomes covered under similar plans. If we determine in our sole discretion, that we cannot provide the foregoing benefit related to COBRA premiums without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law, we will instead provide a taxable monthly payment of an equivalent amount, which will be made regardless of whether he elects COBRA and continue until the earlier of 12 months following termination or the date the executive becomes covered under similar plans.
If the employment of Mr. Green had been terminated on December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Green Executive Employment Agreement, the Green Employment Agreement Severance Payment would have been $1,744,265 (including the value of accelerated RSUs at the Applicable Price).
If a Change in Control had occurred as of December 31, 2020 in connection with a termination that resulted in acceleration under the terms of our equity incentive plans and equity award agreements of all unvested equity awards outstanding as of such date, instead of the value of the equity awards included in the termination benefits above, the value of equity awards at the Applicable Price included with such termination benefits would be $2,578,970.
Other arrangements: None of our other Named Executive Officers have employment agreements, severance payment arrangements or other payment arrangements that would be triggered by a termination of employment, merger or other change of control of NI. However, the terms of Mr. Rust’s employment provide for acceleration of certain restricted stock units in the event of his termination of employment under certain circumstances pursuant to the Rust Agreement. Additionally,The Rust Agreement provides for the 2005immediate vesting of all of Mr. Rust’s then outstanding restricted stock units in the event his employment is terminated without Cause or he resigns for Good Reason (as each is defined in the Rust Agreement), subject to him executing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of NI and meeting other requirements in the Rust Agreement. If a termination event had occurred on December 31, 2020, the value of such accelerated restricted stock units would have been $2,841,204, based upon the Applicable Price.
In addition, our Named Executive Officers may benefit along with non-executive employees from acceleration provisions under the terms of our 2020 Incentive Plan, 2015 Incentive Plan, and the 2010 Incentive Plan that are applicable to all participating employees. Further, each of our Named Executive Officers also have PRSUs under our 2015 Incentive Plan with special vesting terms upon a change of control of NI, as further described below.
The 2010 Incentive Plan provides for acceleration of all unvested RSUsrestricted stock units in the event of a change of control of NI or the award recipient’s death or disability (each, an “acceleration event”). A change of control under each of the 2005 Incentive Plan and the 2010 Incentive Plan means any of the following events:

any person becomes the beneficial owner of fifty percent (50%)50% or more of the total voting power represented by NI’sour outstanding voting securities;

existing members of NI’sour Board of Directors cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors;Board;

a public announcement is made of a tender or exchange offer for fifty percent (50%)50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of NI and it is not opposed by NI’s Board of Directors;our Board;

theour stockholders of NI approve a merger or consolidation of NI with any other corporation or partnership, unless NIour stockholders prior to such transaction will hold a majority of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring entity; or

theour stockholders of NI approve a plan of complete liquidation of NI or an agreement for the sale or disposition by NI of all or substantially all of NI’sour assets.

In the case of unvested RSUsrestricted stock units under the 2005 Incentive Plan and the 2010 Incentive Plan, 100% of the RSUsrestricted stock units that have not vested as of the date of death or disability will immediately vest.

Under

Pursuant to the 2015 Incentive Plan and 2020 Incentive Plan, in the event of a change in control of NI, awards will be treated as determined by the administrator, including that each award be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation; provided that, in the event the successor corporation does not assume or substitute awards, the restriction period of any award of restricted stock or RSUs shallrestricted stock units will immediately be accelerated, and the restrictions shall expire.will expire, and, with respect to awards with performance-based vesting, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. The number of PRSUs so determined will be scheduled to vest in equal monthly installments following the change of control over the remainder
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of the original performance period. Following any such assumption or substitution of awards, if an employee is terminated without Cause (as defined in the 2015 Incentive Plan)applicable plan) within twenty four (24)24 months following the change in control of NI, then the vesting of such employee’s awards will accelerate, and the RSUsrestricted stock units will immediately become fully vested.

A change in control under the 2015 Incentive Plan and 2020 Incentive Plan means any of the following events:

any person becomes the beneficial owner of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by NI’sour outstanding voting securities;

the sale or disposition by NIus of all or substantially all of itsour assets;

existing members of NI’sour Board of Directors cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors;Board; or

the consummation of a merger or consolidation of NIus with any other corporation, unless NIour stockholders prior to such transaction will hold at least 50% of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring entity.

The following table shows

If a change in control had occurred as of December 31, 2020 that resulted in the estimated benefits thatacceleration under the terms of our equity incentive plans and equity award agreements of all unvested awards outstanding as of such date, the value of such accelerated awards based on the Applicable Price for our Named Executive Officers would have been received byas set forth in the named executives if an acceleration event had occurred on December 31, 2017.

  Name

RSU
Acceleration (1)

  Alexander M. Davern

$

    9,743,127  

  Karen M. Rapp

832,600  

  Eric H. Starkloff

3,688,251  

  Scott A. Rust

2,403,425  

  John C. Roiko

724,529  

table below:
Potential Value of Equity Awards Upon a Change of Control
Named Executive Officer
RSUs
PRSUs (1)
Eric H. Starkloff
$ 7,158,573
$ 5,145,198
Karen M. Rapp
1,728,028
1,259,452
Jason E. Green
2,087,545
491,425
Scott A. Rust
2,075,374
765,830
Carla Pineyro Sublett
1,357,219
368,569
Alexander M. Davern
156,251
(1)
The amounts represent the number of unvested RSUs multiplied by per share closing market price of NI’s common stock on December 30, 2017, which was $41.63 per share, for each of the outstanding unvested RSUs held by such named executive.No PRSUs were awarded prior to 2019.

CEO PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), and Item 402(u) of RegulationS-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of our CEO, Alex Davern:

For fiscal year 2017, our last completed fiscal year, we have estimated the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of our company (other than our CEO), was $46,174; and the annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table presented elsewhere in this proxy statement, was $7,505,508.

Based on this information, for fiscal year 2017, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of employees was 163 to 1. We believe this pay ratio is

a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of RegulationS-K. We note that a substantial portion of our CEO’s fiscal year 2017 compensation was in the form of aone-time equity award which was made in connection with his promotion to President and CEO for the majority of NI effective January 1, 2017, having a total grant date fair value of approximately $4,653,000. Excluding this promotional grant, the ratio would have been 62 to 1.

To identify the median of the annual2020, Eric H. Starkloff, who was serving in that position at December 31, 2020, and whose total compensation is annualized for purposes of all our employees, as well as tothis disclosure.

To determine the annual total compensation of the “median employee,” the methodology and the material assumptions, adjustments, and estimates that we used were as follows:

We selected December 6, 2017,31, 2020, the date of the most recent and validated global employee data file, as the date upon which we identified the median employee.

We identified the “median employee” by taking all employees, excluding our President and CEO and the other excluded groups described below, and ranking them based on annualized U.S. dollar equivalent direct compensation, including the value of stock awards, and converting the base salary and bonus payouts in local currency utilizing the latest exchange rate table provided by our finance team.
In performing our analysis, we excluded those individuals that perform work for us but are paid by a third-party. The total number of U.S. and non-U.S. employees used for our de minimis calculation was 7,035. We then excluded employees in those countries that representedhad less than 0.5% of our total global population.75 employees. The total number of employees subject to this exclusion equaled 4.6%4.5% of our total global population, as permitted by the applicable SEC de minimis rule.

We also excluded The jurisdictions from which those employees classifiedare being excluded, and the approximate number of employees excluded from each jurisdiction, are as “contingent workers” as well as employees with termination datesfollows: Singapore, 51; Italy, 50; Mexico, 39; Ireland, 25; Belgium, 22; Brazil, 21; Philippines, 20; Russian Federation, 18; Canada, 10; Sweden, 9; Netherlands, 8; Switzerland, 7; Austria, 5; Lebanon, 5; Colombia, 4; Czech Republic, 4; Hong Kong, 4; Thailand, 4; Denmark, 3; Poland, 3; Spain, 2; Vietnam, 2; Finland, 1; and Indonesia, 1.
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We have estimated the median of December 2017—January 2018, as they would not be active in the future and should not be eligible for selection as our “median” employee.

We identified the “median employee” takingannual total compensation of all employees excluding the CEOof our Company (other than our President and CEO) was $51,375 (using a consistently applied compensation measure of base salary, plus bonus, target commission, and the other excluded groups described above, and ranking them based on annualized U.S. dollar equivalent base salary, converting the base salary in local currency utilizing the latest exchange rate table provided by our finance team.value of stock awards, as applicable).

After identifying the “median employee,” we identified andWe then calculated all the elements of such median employee’s compensation for fiscal year 20172020 in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of RegulationS-K, resulting in annual total compensation of $46,174.$53,966, which includes the median employee’s total compensation as previously calculated and including additional elements such as term life insurance premiums paid by the Company, overtime and a service award.

With respect toIn determining our calculation, the annual total compensation for theof our President and CEO, we used the amountas reported in the “Total” columnSummary Compensation Table presented elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, was $11,465,634, inclusive of the one-time promotional PRSU and RSU awards.
Based on this information, for fiscal year 2020, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our 2017 Summary Compensation Table.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section16(a)CEO to the median of the Exchange Act requires NI’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of NI’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5 with the SEC. Such officers, directors and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish NI with copiesannual total compensation of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its reviewour employees was 212 to 1. We believe this pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of the copies of such forms received by it, NI believes that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and 10% stockholders were satisfied.

Regulation S-K.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANSPLAN INFORMATION

The number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding RSUsrestricted stock unit awards (RSUs and PRSUs) granted to employees andnon-employee directors, as well as the number of shares remaining available for future issuance, under NI’sour equity compensation plans as of December 31, 20172020, are summarized in the following table:

  Plan category  Number of
shares to
be issued
upon
vesting of
outstanding
RSUs
  Weighted-
average
grant
price of
outstanding
RSUs
  Number of
shares
remaining for
future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
 

 

  Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

 

  

 

 

 

 

3,152,964

 

 

(1) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$31.07

 

 

(2) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,708,152

 

 

(3) 

 

 

  Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total

 

  

 

 

 

 

3,152,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$31.07 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,708,152

 

 

 

 

table below. We had no outstanding options, warrants or other rights under equity compensation plans as of such date.
Plan category
Number of
shares to
be issued
upon
vesting of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights (1)
Weighted-
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights (2)
Number of
shares
remaining for
future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans (3)
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
4,041,262
7,621,918
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
Total
4,041,262
7,621,918
(1)
Includes 3,152,9644,041,262 shares to be issued upon the vesting of outstanding RSUs.restricted stock units.

(2)
RSU’sAll awards were restricted stock units which do not have an exercise price. The amount in the table is based on the grant price for each RSU, which is the closing price on the business day prior to the date of such grant.

(3)
Includes 3,840,2554,562,726 shares available for future issuance under the 20152020 Incentive Plan and 2,867,8973,059,192 shares available for future issuance under NI’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.the ESPP.
49

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE*

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The members of the Audit Committee are Charles J. Roesslein,Duy-Loan T. Le, John M. Berra, James E. Cashman, III, Gayla J. Delly, Dr. Gerhard P. Fettweis and Michael E. McGrath. All members of the Audit Committee meet the independence requirements of the Nasdaq listing standards.

Management is responsible for NI’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. NI’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of NI’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and for issuing opinions on the conformity of those audited financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and the effectiveness of NI’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

The Audit Committee schedules its meetings and conference calls with a view to ensuring it devotes appropriate attention to all of its tasks. The Audit Committee met five times during fiscal 20172020 to carry out its responsibilities. The Audit Committee regularly meets privately with NI’s independent registered public accounting firm, internal audit personnel, and management, each of whom has unrestricted access to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee evaluated the performance of the items enumerated in the Audit Committee Charter, which includes oversight of NI’s internal audit function.

As part of its oversight of NI’s financial statements, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with both management and the independent registered public accounting firm NI’s quarterly and audited fiscal year financial statements, including a review of NI’s Annual Report on Form10-K. The Audit Committee also reviewed and approved the independent registered public accounting firm’s work plan, audit fees, and allnon-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm any matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended.

The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures from Ernst & Young LLP required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526,Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence,and the Audit Committee has discussed the independence of Ernst & Young LLP with that firm. The Audit Committee has implemented a procedure to monitor the independence of NI’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Based upon the Audit Committee’s discussiondiscussions with management and Ernst & Young LLP and the report of Ernst & Young LLP to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited consolidated financial statements in NI’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017,2020, which washas been filed with the SEC.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Charles J. Roesslein, Chairman

Duy-Loan T. Le

John M. Berra

Chair

James E. Cashman, III
Gayla J. Delly
Dr. Gerhard P. Fettweis
Michael E. McGrath
*
The foregoing Report of the Audit Committee is not to be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically request that such information be treated as soliciting material or we specifically incorporate it by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
50

TABLE OF CONTENTS

*

PROPOSAL TWO: APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The foregoing ReportDodd-Frank Act enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, pursuant to Section 14A of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other NI filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, exceptthe compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules (commonly referred to as a “Say-on-Pay”).
As described under the heading “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, retain and motivate our Named Executive Officers, who are critical to our success. We believe that the various elements of our executive compensation program work together to promote our goal of ensuring that total compensation should be related to both NI’s performance and individual performance.
Stockholders are urged to read the “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, which discusses how our executive compensation policies implement our compensation philosophy, and the “Executive Compensation — Summary Compensation Table” section of this Proxy Statement, which contains tabular information and narrative discussion about the compensation of our Named Executive Officers and additional details about our executive compensation programs, including information about fiscal year 2020 compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee and our Board believe that these policies are effective in implementing our compensation philosophy and in achieving its goals.
We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This Say-on-Pay proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our Named Executive Officers’ compensation. 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. Accordingly, we are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.
The Say-on-Pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on NI, the Compensation Committee, or our Board. However, our Board and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and to the extent NI specifically incorporatesthere is any significant vote against the Named Executive Officer compensation as disclosed in this ReportProxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns. The Say-on-Pay vote is conducted annually, and the next such vote will occur at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders.
Vote Required; Recommendation of the Audit CommitteeBoard of Directors
Approval of NI’s executive compensation program requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by express reference therein.proxy, on the proposal.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of National Instruments Corporation's Executive Compensation Program, as described in this Proxy Statement.
51

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROPOSAL TWO:THREE: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The charter of our Audit Committee provides that the Audit Committee shall appoint, compensate, retain and oversee NI’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) as NI’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.2021. The Board of Directors is asking the stockholders to ratify this appointment. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the selectionappointment of E&Y, which has served as NI’s independent registered public accounting firm since June 2005.

In the event the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, our Audit Committee will reconsider its selection. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of NI and NI’s stockholders.

A representative of E&Y is expected to be available at the Annual Meeting to make a statement if such representative desires to do so and to respond to appropriate questions.

Audit Fees

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the integrated audits of NI’s annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, for the reviews of the financial statements included in NI’s Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q for those fiscal years, for the audit of NI’s internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for those fiscal years, and for statutory audits in various countries were approximately $1,484,000$1,892,000 and $1,235,000,$1,675,000, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees

There

Audit-related fees for 2020 and 2019 were no fees billed for audit-related$0 and $5,000, respectively.
The services in 2017rendered related to professional services that are reasonably related to the performance of the world-wide audit or 2016.

review of NI's financial statements.

Tax Fees

The aggregate fees billed for professional tax services rendered for 20172020 and 20162019 were approximately $289,000$1,003,000 and $134,000,$490,000, respectively. Included in the foregoing tax fees are such services as tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

All Other Fees

There were no fees billed for other services in 20172020 or 2016.

2019.

Audit CommitteePre-Approval of Audit and PermissibleNon-Audit Services of Independent Auditors

The Audit Committee’s policy is topre-approve all services provided by NI’s independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee may alsopre-approve particular services on acase-by-case basis. The independent registered public accounting firm is required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by such firm in accordance with suchpre-approval. The Audit Committee may also delegatepre-approval authority to one of its members. Such member(s) must report any decisions to the Audit Committee at the next scheduled meeting. During 2017,2020 and 2019, the Audit Committee approved in advance all audit, audit-related, and tax services to be provided by E&Y. E&Y has not performed any “prohibited activities” as such term is defined in Section 201 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
52

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The

Ratification of the appointment of E&Y as National Instruments Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the votes castoutstanding shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, on the proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the selection of E&Y as NI’s independent registered public accounting firm.

proposal.

Upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote ��FOR”“FOR” the ratification of the Appointment of E&Y as NI’sNational Instruments Corporation's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

53


PROPOSAL THREE: APPROVAL

TABLE OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONCONTENTS

The Dodd-Frank Act enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory(non-binding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules (commonly referred to as a“Say-on-Pay”).

As described under the heading “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, retain and motivate our named executive officers, who are critical to our success. We believe that the various elements of our executive compensation program work together to promote our goal of ensuring that total compensation should be related to both NI’s performance and individual performance.

Stockholders are urged to read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, which discusses how our executive compensation policies implement our compensation philosophy, and the “Compensation of Executive Officers” section of this Proxy Statement, which contains tabular information and narrative discussion about the compensation of our named executive officers and additional details about our executive compensation programs, including information about fiscal 2017 compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee and the NI Board of Directors believe that these policies are effective in implementing our compensation philosophy and in achieving its goals.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. ThisSay-on-Pay proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation. 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. Accordingly, we are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.

TheSay-on-Pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on NI, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors. However, our Board of Directors and our 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 the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

Vote Required; Recommendation of Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve NI’s executive compensation program. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.

NI’S Board Of Directors unanimously recommends voting “FOR” the approval of NI’S Executive Compensation Program, as described in this Proxy Statement.

CODE OF ETHICS

In February 2012, NI’sour Board of Directors adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all directors and employees, including NI’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics incorporated several corporate policies which had been in effect since 1994.
The Code of Ethics is available on NI’s website at www.ni.com/nati/corporategovernance/code_of_ethics.htm. The Code of Ethics and its incorporated corporate policies are updated from time to time and were most recently updated in July 2020. NI intends to disclose future material amendments to provisions of the Code of Ethics, or waivers of such provisions granted to executive officers, on NI’s website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver.

OTHER MATTERS

NI knows of no other matters to be submitted at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the shares they represent as the Board of Directors may recommend.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

/s/ David G. Hugley


R. Eddie Dixon, Jr.
Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President & Secretary

Austin, Texas


March 29, 2018

2021

Exhibit A

COMPANIES FROM RADFORD SURVEY INFORMATION

UTILIZED BY NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION

ACI WORLDWIDE

54

COSTAR GROUP

ACXIOM

CRAY

ADTRAN

CREE

ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING SE

CRITEO

AIMIA

CSG INTERNATIONAL

AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES

CUBIC CORPORATION

AKIMA

CURTISS WRIGHT CORPORATION

ALIGN TECHNOLOGY

CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR

ALLSCRIPTS

CYRUSONE

ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS

DAVIS + HENDERSON

ANALOGIC

DCP MIDSTREAM

ANSYS

DELUXE

ARISTA NETWORKS

DEXCOM

ASM INTERNATIONAL

DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR

ASOS

DIGITAL REALTY TRUST

ATHENAHEALTH

DIGITALGLOBE

AUTODESK

DJO GLOBAL

AVID TECHNOLOGY

DOLBY LABORATORIES

BATS GLOBAL MARKETS

DST SYSTEMS

BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS

E*TRADE FINANCIAL

BIO-RAD LABORATORIES

EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY

BLACKBAUD

EATON VANCE

BLACKBERRY LIMITED

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES

BLACKHAWK NETWORK

EL CAMINO HOSPITAL

BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION

ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING

BROADRIDGE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

ELEVATE CREDIT SERVICE

BROOKS AUTOMATION

ENDURANCE INTERNATIONAL GROUP

BRUKER

ENGILITY

CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS

ENOVA

CAE

ENTEGRIS

CALLAWAY GOLF

ENVESTNET

CANADIAN SOLAR

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST

CANADIAN SOLAR (SUZHOU) INC.-CHINA

ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES

CAVIUM

EXTREME NETWORKS

CBOE HOLDINGS

F5 NETWORKS

CDK GLOBAL

FAIR ISAAC

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES—ISRAEL

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF BOSTON

CHOICE HOTELS

FINGERPRINT CARDS

CIENA

FINISAR

CIMPRESS

FIRE EYE

CIRRUS LOGIC

FIRST REPUBLIC BANK

COBANK ACB

FITBIT

COBHAM ADVANCED ELECTRONICS SOLUTIONS

FLIR SYSTEMS

COGNEX

FORTINET

COHERENT

FTD

COMMVAULT SYSTEMS

FUJITSU AMERICA INC

CONVERGYS

GARMIN

CORPORATE OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST

GARTNER


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Forward Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein regarding our future financial performance, operations, or other matters (including, without limitation, statements regarding being confident in the strength of our operating model and remaining optimistic about our position to capture long-term growth opportunities as we continue to enhance our offerings in key focus areas; this year having been a stress test of our strategy, and it proved resilient; standing out in the market and stronger positioning of our software differentiation in areas of data analytics, cloud and the use of artificial intelligence to modernize our category; seeing momentum build; our ability to sustainably grow and generate profit delivering value to our customers, employees, stockholders, and community; customers, employees, community and stockholders benefitting, including stockholders benefitting from receiving a solid return on the investment they make in us; statements to the effect that we “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “intend to,” “continue,” “seek to,” “commit to,” “focus on,”; statements of “goals,” “initiatives,” “commitments,” “strategy” (including our “Corporate Impact Strategy”), “focus” or “visions”; or other variations thereof or comparable terminology or the negative thereof) should be considered forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections of future events. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors which could affect our future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 virus and further economic and market disruptions resulting from COVID-19; further adverse changes or fluctuations in the global economy; further adverse fluctuations in our industry; foreign exchange fluctuations; changes in the current global trade regulatory environment; fluctuations in customer demands and markets; fluctuations in demand for our products including orders from our large customers; component shortages; delays in the release of new products; our ability to effectively manage our operating expenses; manufacturing inefficiencies and the level of capacity utilization; the impact of any recent or future acquisitions or divestitures by NI (including the ability to successfully operate or integrate the acquired company’s business into NI, the ability to retain and integrate the acquired company’s employees into NI, and the ability to realize the expected benefits of the acquisition); our ability to achieve the benefits of employee restructuring plans and possible changes in the size and timing of the related charges; cyber-attacks; expense overruns; and adverse effects of price changes or effective tax rates. We direct readers to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the other documents we file with the SEC for other risks associated with our future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied by our forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

GENPACT—INDIA

MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES

GODADDY.COM

MENTOR GRAPHICS

GOGO

MICRO FOCUS INTERNATIONAL

GOPRO

MICROSEMI

GRANITE CONSTRUCTION

MICROSTRATEGY

GREEN DOT

MINDTREE-INDIA

HAEMONETICS

MKS INSTRUMENTS

HANGER

MONEYGRAM

HILL-ROM HOLDINGS

MORNINGSTAR

HILLTOP HOLDINGS

MPHASISLTD- INDIA

HITACHI HIGH TECHNOLOGIES AMERICA

MR. COOPER

HOLOGIC

MSCI

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

NAGRA-KUDELSKI

HURON CONSULTING GROUP

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

IDEX CORPORATION

NAVIENT

ILLUMINA

NET-A-PORTER GROUP

IMEC

NETGEAR

INFINERA

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS

INMARSAT GLOBAL LTD

NEUSTAR

INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES

INTELSAT

NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS

INTERDIGITAL

NUVASIVE

INTUITIVE SURGICAL

OLYMPUS CORPORATION OF THE AMERICAS

IPG PHOTONICS

OMNICELL

IROBOT

OPEN TEXT

ISO

OPERA SOFTWARE ASA

ITG

OSI SYSTEMS

ITRON

OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS GMBH

JACK HENRY AND ASSOCIATES

PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY

JOHN WILEY & SONS

PADDY POWER BETFAIR

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES

PALO ALTO NETWORKS

KINDRED

PANASONIC AVIONICS

KLA-TENCOR

PANDORA MEDIA

KNOWLES

PEGASYSTEMS

KULICKE AND SOFFA

PERKIN ELMER

LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES

PLANTRONICS

LENDING CLUB

PLEXUS

LITTELFUSE

PTC—PARAMETRIC TECHNOLOGY

LIVA NOVA

PURE STORAGE

LOGITECH

QSI NEXTGEN

LUMENTUM

QUANTUM

M/A-COM TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

RADIAN

M1 LIMITED

RANK GROUP

MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO LTD

REALPAGE

MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES

RED HAT

MANTECH INTERNATIONAL

REDBOX

MARKETAXESS

REGIONAL HEALTH

MARKIT

RESMED

MARVELL SEMICONDUCTOR

ROGERS

MASIMO

RUSSELL INVESTMENTS

MATSON NAVIGATION COMPANY

S & C ELECTRIC COMPANY

MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS

SCIENTIFIC GAMES CORPORATION

MEGGITT-USA

SEATTLE CHILDRENS


SEI

TOM TOM

SELECT COMFORT

TRANSUNION LLC

SEMTECH

TRIMBLE NAVIGATION

SERVICENOW

TRIPADVISOR

SES

TSYS

SHUTTERFLY

TTM TECHNOLOGIES

SIERRA WIRELESS

TWITTER

SILICON LABORATORIES

TYLER TECHNOLOGIES

SINGAPORE EXCHANGE

ULTRA CLEAN TECHNOLOGY

SMITHS MEDICAL

UNC HEALTHCARE

SOFTWARE AG

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX

SOLARWORLD AMERICAS

VAREX IMAGING

SPLUNK

VERIFONE

SQUARE

VERINT SYSTEMS

STERIS

VERISIGN

SUNPOWER

VIASAT

SUPER MICRO COMPUTER

VIAVI SOLUTIONS

SVB FINANCIAL GROUP

VIRGIN AMERICA

SYNAPTICS

VIRTUSA—INDIA

SYNOPSYS

VONAGE

TABLEAU SOFTWARE

WATERS

TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE

WEST

TATA COMMUNICATIONS AMERICA INC

WEX

TELEFLEX

WORKDAY

TELETECH HOLDINGS

XILINX

TERADATA

YELLOW PAGES DIGITAL MEDIA SOLUTIONS

TERADYNE

YELP

THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY

ZILLOW

THE NEW YORK TIMES

ZULILY

TIVO

ZYNGA GAME NETWORK

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION

11500 NORTH MOPAC EXPRESSWAY

AUSTIN, TX 78759

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET on May 7, 2018. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

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Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

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The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:

1.Election of Directors
Nominees
01Charles J. Roesslein                02  Duy-Loan T. Le                 03  Gerhard P. Fettweis

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3.

For

Against

Abstain

2.

To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as National Instruments Corporation's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

3.

To approve an advisory (non-binding) proposal concerning our executive compensation program.
NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:The Notice & Proxy Statement andForm 10-K are available atwww.proxyvote.com

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PROXY

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
May 8, 2018
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned stockholder of NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“NI”), hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, each dated March 29, 2018, and the 2017 Annual Report to Stockholders and hereby appoints James J. Truchard and Jeffrey L. Kodosky, and each of them, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, on behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION to be held on May 8, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. local time, at the principal executive offices of NI at 11500 North Mopac Expressway, Building C, Austin Texas 78759, and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there personally present, on the matters set forth on the reverse side.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF CHARLES J. ROESSLEIN, DUY-LOAN T. LE AND GERHARD P. FETTWEIS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS NI’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2018; “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF NI’s EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM; AND AS SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE, ON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
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Continued and to be signed on reverse side