UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

 

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

 

Brown-Forman Corporation

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

N/A

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

 

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 June 25, 2019

 

DEAR BROWN-FORMAN STOCKHOLDER:

June 28, 2016

Dear Brown-Forman Stockholder:

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend Brown-Forman Corporation’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held at the Brown-Forman Conference Center in Louisville, Kentucky, onThursday, July 28, 2016, at 9:30 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time). Please see the Notice of Annual Meeting on the next page for more information about this location and our admission procedures.

Your vote is important to us.We urge you to complete and return your proxy card or to vote by telephone or online as soon as possible, even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

We hope to see you on July 28.

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend Brown-Forman Corporation’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held at the Brown-Forman Conference Center in Louisville, Kentucky, onThursday, July 25, 2019, at 9:30 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time). Please see the Notice of Annual Meeting on the next page for more information about this location and our admission procedures.

Your vote is important to us.Please complete and return your proxy card, or vote by telephone or online as soon as possible, even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

We hope to see you on July 25. On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued support.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

Paul C. Varga,

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Geo. Garvin Brown IV,

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Lawson E. Whiting,

President and

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of StockholdersDATE:
Date:Thursday, July 28, 201625, 2019
Time:TIME:9:30 A.M.(Eastern Daylight Time)
Location:LOCATION:Brown-Forman Conference Center
 850 Dixie Highway
 Louisville, Kentucky 40210

We are holding this meeting for the following purposes:

We are holding this meeting for the following purposes:
»    To elect the twelvefourteen directors named in thethis Proxy Statement;
»    To vote on a proposal to amend the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock; and
»    To transact any other company business that may properly come before the meeting.
Class A stockholders of record at the close of business on June 20, 2016, are entitled to vote at the meeting, either in personAnnual Meeting or by proxy.any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JULY 28, 2016:

Class A stockholders of record at the close of business on June 17, 2019, are entitled to vote at the meeting, either in person or by proxy.

 

The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, and Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes our Form 10-K for fiscal 2016, are available atwww.brown-forman.com/proxy.

There are several ways to vote. You may complete, sign, and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed envelope, or you may vote by telephone (1-800-652-8683)(1-800-690-6903) or online ((www.investorvote.com/BFB)www.proxyvote.com). Whatever method you choose, please vote in advance of the meeting to ensure that your shares will be voted as you direct. Instructions on telephone and online voting are on the proxy card enclosed with this Proxy Statement.

 

Louisville, Kentucky


June 28, 201625, 2019

 

 

 

By order of the Board of Directors


Matthew E. Hamel, Secretary


IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JULY 25, 2019:

The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, and Annual & Corporate Responsibility Report to Stockholders, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2019, are available atwww.brown-forman.com/investors/annual-report/.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

We are committed to providing a safe, secure environment for our stockholders, directors, employees, and guests. To that end, please observe the following procedures if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

Admission Procedures
As we are committed to providing a safe, secure environment for our stockholders, employees, and guests, we kindly ask that you observe the following procedures if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting:
»    Before the meetingmeeting:: Please register on or before July 26, 2016,23, 2019. You may register online atasm.b-f.comor by contacting Linda Gering,Steve Cassin, our Stockholder ServicesInvestor Relations Manager, by telephone at (502) 774-7690 or Linda_Gering@b-f.com.774-7658.
»    When you arrivearrive:: Brown-Forman representatives will be available to direct you to the Forester Center garden area,Administration Building, where you can check in at the registration table beginning at 8:30 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time). In case of inclement weather, registration will take place inside the Forester Center Annex instead.
»     What to bringbring:: Everyone attending the meeting should bring a photo ID. If your shares are registered in the name of a bank, broker, or other holder of record, please also bring documentation of your stock ownership as of June 20, 2016 (such as a brokerage statement).
If you arrive without having registered in advance, you may still be admitted if you present a photo ID along with your proxy card, brokerage statement, or other documentation as of stock ownership.June 17, 2019.

 

If you do not register in advance, you may still be admitted if you present a photo ID along with your proxy card, brokerage statement, or other documentation of stock ownership.

 

Table of Contents

 

 LETTER TO STOCKHOLDERSLetter To Stockholders
  
 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSNotice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
  
2PROXY SUMMARYProxy Summary
  
4ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATIONAnnual Meeting Information
  
7CORPORATE GOVERNANCECorporate Governance
7Our Board of Directors
7Selection of Directors
8Board Composition
910Leadership Structure
911Board Guidelines and Procedures
1214Company Best Practices
1315Our Controlling Family Stockholders
  
1416PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORSElection of Directors
  
1921PROPOSAL 2: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCKDirector Compensation
  
2224Compensation Discussion and Analysis
24DIRECTOR COMPENSATIONExecutive Summary
26Overview of Our Compensation Program
27The Role of Our Compensation Committee
28Target Compensation
29Awards and Payouts in Fiscal 2019: Fixed and Short-Term Compensation
31Awards and Payouts in Fiscal 2019: Long-Term Compensation
36Other Compensation Elements
37Compensation Policies and Practices
  
2539COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
25Executive Summary
26Overview of Our Compensation Program
28The Role of Our Compensation Committee
28Target Compensation
30Awards and Payouts in Fiscal 2016: Fixed and Short-Term Compensation
32Awards and Payouts in Fiscal 2016: Long-Term Compensation
37Other Compensation Elements
38Compensation Policies and Practices
39Compensation Committee Report
  
40COMPENSATION TABLESCompensation Tables
40Summary Compensation
42Grants of Plan-Based Awards
43Outstanding Equity Awards
45Option Exercises and Stock Vested
4546Pension Benefits
47Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
48Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-ControlChange in Control
  
51Stock Ownership
STOCK OWNERSHIP54Pay Ratio Disclosure
  
55AUDIT MATTERSAudit Matters
  
5758OTHER INFORMATIONOther Information
  
59APPENDIX A: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATIONAppendix A

 

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Table of ContentsProxy Summary

 

 

In this section, we highlight certain information about matters discussed in this Proxy Statement. As it is only a summary, we encourage you to read the entire Proxy Statement before voting.

 

Annual Meeting of StockholdersANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Date:DATE:Thursday, July 28, 201625, 2019Location:LOCATION:Brown-Forman Conference Center
Time:9:30 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time) 850 Dixie Highway
TIME:9:30 A.M.(Eastern Daylight Time) Louisville, Kentucky 40210

 

Proposals for Stockholder VotingPROPOSAL FOR STOCKHOLDER VOTING

ProposalOur Board’s voting recommendationWhere to find details
Election of 12fourteen directorsFOR all nomineesPages 14–18
Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A common stockFORPages 19–2116–20

 

Performance and Compensation HighlightsPERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS

We believe that our executive compensation program continues to attract, motivate, reward, and retain a talented and diverse team of executives. These individuals lead us in our efforts to be the best brand builder in the spirits industry, and enable us to deliver superior and sustainable value for our stockholders. The incentive payouts to our executives described in this Proxy Statement reflect our solid performance both during the most recent fiscal 2016.year and over time.

 

The following charts compare trends in our Company performance with respect to total shareholder return (TSR), diluted earnings per share, and underlying operating income growth with trends in the compensation of our former Chief Executive Officer, Paul Varga.C. Varga, and current Chief Executive Officer, Lawson E. Whiting. These metrics reflect exceptional long-term value generated for our stockholders, and the charts show how our compensation strategy aligns with that performance.

 

Our Performance in Fiscal 2016:OUR PERFORMANCE IN FISCAL 2019:

 

   
   
(compound annual growth rate; Class B common stock) TSR     Earnings Per ShareUnderlying Operating Income(2)(1)(compound annual growth rate)CEO Total Compensation(3)
(2)
(compound annual growth rate;
Class B common stock)
(compound annual growth rate)(in $ millions)

 

(1)EPS was adjusted to excludeReflects the impact from the sale of the Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands in fiscal 2016. This adjustment removes (a) the gain on the sale, (b) transaction-related costs, and (c) operating activity for the period that is not comparable. EPS used for fiscal 2016 was $3.46, compared to theoriginally reported GAAP value of $5.22. We provide a reconciliation of EPS, as adjusted for fiscal 2016, in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Fiscal 2016 Highlights— Sale of Southern Comfort and Tuaca.”
(2)Reflects growth in “underlying operating income” over the past five fiscal years. “Underlying operating income” is a non-GAAP measure. We explain why the Company uses this measurenot derived in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-Kaccordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The “underlying operating income” growth rates for fiscal 2016. Underlying operatingyears 2015 and 2018 were not retrospectively adjusted to reflect the impact from the adoption of the Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 (related to pension), which we adopted effective May 1, 2018, and other reclassified expenses related to certain marketing research and promotional agency costs. The impact of these changes, which had no effect on net income, iswas not material. The long-term incentive compensation related to those fiscal years was also not retrospectively adjusted as a result. Please refer to Appendix A of this Proxy Statement for additional information.
(2)Total compensation for the metric used to measure Company performance for purposes of our short-term and long-term cash incentive compensation.
(3)Mr. Varga’s total compensationChief Executive Officer includes base salary, stock-settled stock appreciation rights, non-equity compensation, and all other compensation as reported in the Fiscal 2016fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation tableTable on page 40 and prior years’ Summary Compensation Tables. It40. Total compensation also includes performance-adjusted restricted stock award values as reported at the end of the applicable three-year performance period. All values shown are for Paul C. Varga, with the exception of base salary and all other compensation, which represents amounts paid to both Mr. Varga’s July 25, 2013, special one-time restricted stock awardVarga and changesMr. Whiting in fiscal 2019. Changes in pension value are excluded.

 

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PROXY SUMMARY  |  OUR DIRECTOR NOMINEES TO THE BOARD

 

Our Director Nominees to the BoardOUR DIRECTOR NOMINEES TO THE BOARD

Class A stockholders are being asked to vote on the election of the twelvefourteen directors named below. More details about each director’s background, skills, and expertise can be found below under “Proposal 1: Election“Election of Directors” beginning on page 14. Three new directors16. On December 31, 2018, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Paul C. Varga, retired from his role as an employee and officer of Brown-Forman, but continues to serve as a member of the Brown family, Campbell P. Brown, Marshall B. Farrer, and Laura L. Frazier, joinedBoard through the upcoming Annual Meeting to be held on July 25, 2019 (the Annual Meeting). In anticipation of Mr. Varga’s retirement, Lawson E. Whiting was appointed to the Board on May 26, 2016. Martin S. Brown, Jr.,November 15, 2018, and Sandra A. Frazier, each a current Brown family director, Joan C. Lordi Amble, a current independent director, and James S. Welch, Jr., a director who recently retired from Company management, will not stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting.became Chief Executive Officer of Brown-Forman on January 1, 2019.

 

Board Nominees

 

Committee Membership
Nominee Name, Age & OccupationDirector
Since
Director
Category
AuditCompCorp Gov
& Nom
Exec

Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne,AGE 58

Executive Director of Customer, Marketing and M&S.com, Marks and Spencer Group PLC

2005IC
Campbell P. Brown, AGE 48
President and Managing Director of Old Forester, Brown-Forman Corporation
2016B, M
Geo. Garvin Brown IV, AGE 47
Chairman of the Board, Brown-Forman Corporation
2006BC
Stuart R. Brown, AGE 51
Managing Partner, Typha Partners, LLC
2015B
Bruce L. Byrnes, AGE 68
Retired, Vice Chairman of the Board, The Procter & Gamble Company
2010I
John D. Cook, AGE 63
Lead Independent Director; Director Emeritus of McKinsey & Company
2008IC
Marshall B. Farrer, AGE 45
Vice President and Managing Director of Global Travel Retail, Brown-Forman Corporation
2016B, M
Laura L. Frazier, AGE 58
Owner and Chairman, Bittners LLC
2016B
Augusta Brown Holland, AGE 40
Founding Partner, Haystack Partners LLC
2015B
Michael J. Roney, AGE 62
Retired, Chief Executive, Bunzl plc
2014I
Michael A. Todman, AGE 58
Retired, Vice Chairman, Whirlpool Corporation
2014IC
Paul C. Varga, AGE 52
Chairman & CEO, Brown-Forman Corporation
2003M
        Committee Membership
Nominee Name & Occupation Age Director
Since
 Director
Category
 Audit Comp Corp Gov
& Nom
 Exec
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne              
Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls 61 2005 I      
Campbell P. Brown              
Senior Vice President, President and Managing Director of Old Forester, Brown-Forman 51 2016 B, M        
Geo. Garvin Brown IV              
Chairman of the Board, Brown-Forman 50 2006 B      C
Stuart R. Brown              
Managing Partner, Typha Partners, LLC 54 2015 B        
Bruce L. Byrnes              
Retired Vice Chairman of the Board, The Procter & Gamble Company 71 2010 I      
John D. Cook              
Director Emeritus of McKinsey & Company 66 2008 I    C 
Marshall B. Farrer              
Senior Vice President, Managing Director of GTR and Developed APAC Region, Brown-Forman 48 2016 B, M        
Laura L. Frazier              
Owner and Chairman, Bittners LLC 61 2016 B        
Kathleen M. Gutmann              
Chief Sales and Solutions Officer, United Parcel Service, Inc. 50 2017 I       
Augusta Brown Holland              
Founding Partner, Haystack Partners LLC 43 2015 B        
Michael J. Roney              
Retired Chief Executive Officer, Bunzl plc 65 2014 I   C    
Tracy L. Skeans              
Chief Transformation and People Officer, Yum! Brands, Inc. 46 2018 I       
Michael A. Todman              
Retired Vice Chairman, Whirlpool Corporation 61 2014 I C      
Lawson E. Whiting              
President and Chief Executive Officer, Brown-Forman 51 2018 M       

 

B=Brown Family Director   M=Management Director   I=Independent Director   C=Chair=Committee Member

 

FISCAL 2019

22%

RETURN ON
INVESTED CAPITAL(1)

$310MM

TOTAL DIVIDENDS

$200MM

SHARE REPURCHASES

In addition toOur prospects for delivering solid short-term results in fiscal 2016, I believesustained growth remain bright as we develop our premium spirits portfolio around the year will be remembered as distinctive for the work we undertook to position the company for success in 2025world, led by Jack Daniel’s and beyond.Woodford Reserve.

Lawson E. Whiting,

President and Chief Executive Officer

   FISCAL 2016
23%Return on Invested Capital

(1)

$266MDividends
— Paul Varga, Chairman and CEO$1.1BShare Repurchases

(1)Return on Invested Capital is a non-GAAP measure. We explain why the Company usesnot derived in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to Appendix A of this measure in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-KProxy Statement for fiscal 2016.additional information.

 

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About Your Proxy MaterialsAnnual Meeting Information

ABOUT YOUR PROXY MATERIALS

Our Board of Directors (the Board) is soliciting proxies for our upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 28, 2016 (the “Annual Meeting”).Stockholders. This means that you can vote “by proxy” at the Annual Meeting — that is, you can instruct us how you would like your shares to be voted at the meeting whether or noteven if you cannot personally attend.

 

We are providing this Proxy Statement and accompanying materials to help you make an informed decision on the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting. We will begin mailing this Proxy Statement and accompanying materials, and also make them available online, on or about June 28, 2016,25, 2019, to holders of record of our Class A and Class B common stock at the close of business on June 20, 2016,17, 2019, which is the “record date” for the Annual Meeting.

 

This Proxy Statement and our Annual & Corporate Responsibility Report, to Stockholders, which includes our Form 10-K for fiscal 2016,2019, are available atwww.brown-forman.com/proxy.investors/annual-report/. You may request additional printed copies at any time using the contact information below.

 

Please let us know as soon as possible how you would like your shares voted. To do this, you may complete, sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card, or you may instruct us by telephone or online. See “Voting”“How to Vote” below for details.

 

Contact Information

For information about your stock ownership or other stockholder services, please contact Linda Gering,Steve Cassin, our Stockholder ServicesInvestor Relations Manager, by telephone at (502) 774-7690,774-7658, by e-mail at Linda_Gering@b-f.com,Steve_Cassin@b-f.com, or by mail at Brown-Forman Corporation, 850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40210.

 

Reducing Duplicate Mailings

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits us to deliver a single Proxy Statement and Annual & Corporate Responsibility Report to stockholders who share the same address and last name unlessname. Unless we receive contrary instructions from any stockholder in the household. Evenhousehold, even if your household receives only one Proxy Statement and Annual & Corporate Responsibility Report, each stockholder still will receive an individual proxy card. We participate inimplemented this “householding” process to reduce our printing costs and postage fees, and to facilitate voting.reduce the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. If you would like to enroll in “householding,”householding, or if your household is already enrolled but you prefer to opt out of “householding”householding for next year, please inform us using the contact information above and we will promptly fulfill your request.

 

Attending the Annual MeetingATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING

Although only Class A stockholders may vote at the Annual Meeting, Class A and Class B stockholders who owned their shares as of June 20, 2016,the record date are welcome to attend the Annual Meeting.attend.

 

If you plan to attend, please register by July 26, 2016,23, 2019, online at asm.b-f.com or by contacting Linda GeringSteve Cassin using the contact information above. We ask that youPlease bring a photo identification to the meeting,ID and, if your shares are registered in the name of a bank, broker, or other holder of record, that you bring documentation of your stock ownership as of the record date.Please see “Admission Procedures” outlined in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders for full details.

 

VotingVOTING

 

Who May Vote

If you held ourshares of Class A common stock at the close of business on the record date, (June 20, 2016), you or(or your legal proxiesproxies) may vote at the Annual Meeting on both Proposal 1 and Proposal 2.Meeting. At the close of business on the record date, there were 84,542,068169,038,689 shares of Class A common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the record date, there were 308,489,725 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. Class B shares are not entitled to vote.

 

If you purchased Class A common stock after the record date, you may vote those shares only if you receive a proxy to do so from the person who held the shares on the record date. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote. If you receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card, you should complete, sign, date, and return each one (or follow the telephone or online voting instructions) because the cards representeach card represents different shares.

 

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ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION VOTING

ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION  |  VOTING

 

How to Vote

Stockholders of record.If you are a Class A stockholder and your shares are registered directly in your name with our stock transfer agent, Computershare, you are considered the “stockholder of record” of those shares. If you are a stockholder of record of Class A common stock, you can give a proxy to be voted at the meeting:Annual Meeting:

 

»  over the telephone by calling a toll-free number (800-652-8683);

»  online(www.investorvote.com/BFB); or

»  by completing, signing, dating, and mailing the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided.

over the telephone by calling this toll-free number (1-800-690-6903);online
(www.proxyvote.com); or
by completing, signing, dating, and mailing the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided.

 

Even if you plan to attend the meeting,Annual Meeting, we encourage you to submit a proxy.proxy in advance. If you do give a proxy,are voting by telephone or online, we must receive ityour proxy by 1:00 a.m.11:59 P.M., Eastern Daylight Time, on Thursday,Wednesday, July 28, 2016, or24, 2019, to ensure your vote will not beis recorded. If you prefer, youYou may instead voteoverride a proxy or change your voting instructions by following the applicable procedure outlined below in person at the meeting.“Changing Your Vote.”

 

The telephone and online voting procedures have been set up for your convenience and are designed to authenticate your identity, enable you to give voting instructions, and confirm that those instructions are recorded properly. If you are a stockholder of record and you would likewish to vote by telephone or online, please refer to the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card.

 

By giving yourYour proxy youwill authorize the individuals named on the proxy card to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. These individuals also will also have the obligation and authority to vote your shares as they see fit on any other matter properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If for any reason a director nominee is not available to serve, the individuals named as proxy holders may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting for another nominee. The proxy holders for this year’s Annual Meeting are Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Paul C. Varga,Lawson E. Whiting, and Matthew E. Hamel.

If you are a stockholder of record and you sign and return your proxy card (or give your proxy by telephone or online) without specifying how you want your shares to be voted, with respect to both proposals, our proxy holders will vote your shares “FOR” the election of each of the nominees to the Board, and “FOR” the proposal to amend the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock.Board. With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will vote your shares as recommended by the Board or, if no recommendation is given, using their own discretion.

“Street name” stockholders.If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank (known as holding shares instreet namename”), you have the right to instruct your broker or bank how to vote your shares, and the broker or bank is required to vote in accordance with your instructions. To provide those instructions by mail, please complete, sign, date, and return your voting instruction card in the accompanying postage-paid envelope provided by your broker or bank.envelope. Alternatively, if the broker or bank that holds your shares offers online or telephone voting, you will receive information from your broker or bank about how to submit your voting instructions by those methods. Alternatively, youYou may vote in person at the meeting,Annual Meeting, but only if you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker or bank that holds your shares.

If you are a street name stockholder and you do not instruct your broker or bank how to vote, your broker or bankis not permitted to vote your shares on the election of directors. Under the rules of various securities exchanges, brokers that hold your shares may generally use their discretion to vote on “routine” matters but not on “non-routine” matters. If your broker does not receive voting instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a “non-routine” matter, your shares will not be represented on such matters. (This is known as a “broker non-vote.”) The election of directors is considered a “non-routine” matter; therefore, your broker is not permitted to vote your shares on the election of directors (known as a “broker non-vote”). Your broker will, however, have discretionary authority to vote your shares on the proposal to amend the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock.unless you provide voting instructions.

 

Changing Your Vote

If you are astockholder of record, you may change your vote by submitting another proxy by telephone or online, by mailing another properly signed proxy card bearing a later date than your original one, or by attending the Annual Meeting and casting your vote in person. You also may revoke a proxy that you previously provided by delivering timely written notice of revocation of your proxy to our Secretary, Matthew E. Hamel, at Brown-Forman Corporation, 850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40210, or at Secretary@b-f.com.

 

If you hold your shares instreet nameand you wish to change or revoke your voting instructions, you will needplease refer to follow the instructions in the materials your broker or bank provided to you.you for instructions.

 

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ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION • PROXY SOLICITATION EXPENSES

Voting Privacy

Proxy instructions, ballots, and voting tabulations are handled in a manner that protects the confidentiality of each stockholder’s vote. Your vote will not be disclosed within the Company or to third parties, except as necessary to meet legal requirements, to allow for the tabulation and certification of votes, and to facilitate proxy solicitation. Occasionally, stockholders provide written comments on their proxy cards, which may be forwarded to the Company’s management and the Board.ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION  |  ANNOUNCEMENT OF VOTING RESULTS

 

Quorum Requirements

Business can be conducted at the Annual Meeting only if a quorum consisting of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock is present in person or represented by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum.

 

Votes Needed For Approval

Election of directors. Nominees who receive a majority of the Class A votes cast, meaning that the number of shares voted “for” the nominee exceeds the number of shares voted “against” that nominee, will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, do not count as votes cast.

Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock.Approval requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have the same effect as votes
ProposalVote required to passEffect of abstentions and broker non-votes
Election of directorsNominees who receive a majority of the Class A votes cast (the number of shares voted “for” the nominee exceeds the number of shares voted “against” that nominee) will be elected.No effect.
Any other matterApproval requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the Class A shares present (in person or represented by proxy) and entitled to vote.

Abstentions are equivalent to votes against the proposal.

Any other matter properly presented and brought to a vote at the Annual Meeting. Approval requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the Class A shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. Abstentions will have the same effect as votesagainstthe proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote since shares held by brokers will not be considered entitled to vote on matters as to which beneficial owners withhold authority.

Broker non-votes will have no effect.

 

Dividend Reinvestment and Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares

Shares of Class A common stock held in Brown-Forman’s dividend reinvestment and employee stock purchase plans are included in your holdings and reflected on your proxy card. These shares will be voted as you direct.

 

Announcement of Voting ResultsANNOUNCEMENT OF VOTING RESULTS

We intend to announce the preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and to issue a press release announcing the final voting results later that day. In addition, we will report the final voting results by filing a Form 8-K with the SEC within four business days following the Annual Meeting.

 

Proxy Solicitation ExpensesPROXY SOLICITATION EXPENSES

Brown-Forman bears the cost of soliciting proxies. Beginning on June 28, 2016,25, 2019, which is the mailing date for these proxy materials, our directors, officers, and other employees may solicit proxies in person or by regular or electronic mail, email, phone, fax, or online. Directors, officers, and employees of the CompanyThese individuals will not receive no additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We will reimburse banks, brokers, nominees, and other fiduciaries for their reasonable charges and expenses incurred in forwarding our proxy materials to the beneficial owners of our stock held in street name.

6BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Corporate Governance

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our Board is the policy-making body that is ultimately responsible for Brown-Forman’s business success and ethical climate. The Board oversees the performance of our senior management team, which is responsible for leading and operating Brown-Forman’s business. The Board’s primary responsibilities include retention, evaluation, and succession planning for the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board, as well as oversight of our corporate strategy, financial condition, executive compensation policies and practices, and enterprise risk management. The Board may retain independent advisors to help it perform its duties.

BROWN-FORMAN IS A “CONTROLLED COMPANY.”

As a publicly traded, family-controlled company, Brown-Forman enjoys a rare governance opportunity in that members of our controlling stockholder family, the Brown family, participate directly on our Board. We believe this governance structure gives us a distinct competitive advantage because Brown family members bring a long-term ownership perspective to our Board. This advantage is sustained by a careful balancing of the roles of our Board, management, and our stockholders — including the Brown family.

SELECTION OF DIRECTORS

In addition, weevaluating candidates for Board membership, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee seeks directors who will represent the long-term best interests of all stockholders. As articulated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, all Brown-Forman directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity, and values. The Board believes the best directors have retained Proxy Express, Inc.the following additional qualities: good judgment, candor, civility, business courage, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable character and comparable or larger size, and a lack of conflicts of interest. We also believe that a significant number of our directors should be independent.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board consider diversity in evaluating candidates for Board membership, though neither has adopted a formal policy to that effect. The Board’s goal is to maintain a well-balanced composition that combines a variety of experiences, backgrounds, skills, and perspectives to enable the Board, as a whole, to guide Brown-Forman effectively in the pursuit of our strategic objectives. In evaluating potential Board candidates, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers an individual’s independence; business, professional, or public service experience; relevant industry knowledge, experience, and relationships; business judgment; financial expertise; international experience; leadership skills; age, gender, race, and other personal characteristics; time availability; and familial relation to our controlling family stockholders.


2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    7

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  |  BOARD COMPOSITION

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee occasionally engages independent search firms to assist in identifying potential Board candidates. The Board has not adopted a formal policy regarding stockholder-nominated director candidates because the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes the process it follows to identify and select Board members has been appropriate and effective. Any candidates submitted by stockholders will be evaluated in the same manner as all other director candidates.

BOARD COMPOSITION

How Our Controlled-Company Status Affects Our Board

Our Board has determined that Brown-Forman is a “controlled company” under New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules because more than 50% of our Class A voting stock is held by members of the Brown family.

As a controlled company, we are exempt from NYSE listing standards that require boards to have a majority of independent directors, a fully independent nominating/corporate governance committee, and a fully independent compensation committee. As a matter of good corporate governance, the Board has voluntarily chosen to have a Compensation Committee that is composed entirely of directors who meet the NYSE’s heightened independence standards for compensation committee members. Our Board does not have a majority of independent directors or a fully independent nominating/corporate governance committee. We are not exempt from, and comply in full with, requirements respecting the independence and qualifications of our Audit Committee members.

Our Independent Directors

We recognize the value of having independent directors. Under NYSE listing rules, a director qualifies as “independent” if the board of directors affirmatively determines the director has no material relationship with the distribution of proxy materials for a fee of approximately $15,000, plus expenses.company. Material relationships can include commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, and familial relationships. While the focus is on independence from management, our Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances in making an independence determination. Our Board has determined that the following seven directors are independent under NYSE standards: Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, Bruce L. Byrnes, John D. Cook, Kathleen M. Gutmann, Michael J. Roney, Tracy L. Skeans, and Michael A. Todman.

 

6BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

TableThe Board has determined that Campbell P. Brown, Marshall B. Farrer, and Lawson E. Whiting are not independent because they are members of ContentsBrown-Forman management. The Board elected not to make a determination with respect to the independence of Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Stuart R. Brown, Laura L. Frazier, and Augusta Brown Holland.

 

Our Brown Family Directors

Our Board Of Directors

Our Board is the policy-making body that is ultimately responsible for the business success and ethical climate of the Company. The Board oversees the performance of our senior management team, which is responsible for leading and operating the Company’s business. The Board’s primary responsibilities include retention, evaluation, and succession planning for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chairman of the Board, as well as oversight of the Company’s corporate strategy, financial condition, executive compensation policies and practices, and enterprise risk management. The Board may retain independent advisors to help it perform its duties.

Board Composition

How Our Controlled-Company Status Affects Our Board

Our Board has determined that Brown-Forman is a “controlled company” under New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules because more than 50% of our Class A voting stock is held by members of the Brown family, and Brown family members historically have voted, by an overwhelming majority, for directors nominated by the Board.

 

BROWN-FORMAN IS A “CONTROLLED COMPANY.”
As a publicly traded, family-controlled company, Brown-Forman enjoys a rare governance opportunity in that members of our controlling stockholder family, the Brown family, participate directly on our Board. We believe this governance structure gives us a distinct competitive advantage, due largely to the long-term ownership perspective that Brown family members bring to our Board. This advantage is sustained by a careful balancing of the roles of our Board, Company management, and our stockholders — including the Brown family.

As a controlled company, we are exempt from NYSE listing standards that require boards to have a majority of independent directors, a fully independent nominating/corporate governance committee, and a fully independent compensation committee. As a matter of good corporate governance, the Board has voluntarily chosen to have a Compensation Committee that is composed entirely of independent directors who meet the NYSE’s heightened independence standards for compensation committee members. Our Board does not have a majority of independent directors or a fully independent nominating/ corporate governance committee.

Our Independent Directors

Under NYSE listing rules, a director qualifies as “independent” if the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the company. Material relationships can include commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, and familial relationships. While the focus is on independence from management, the Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances in making an independence determination. Our Board recognizes the value of having independent directors on the Board and has determined that six directors are independent under NYSE standards: Joan C. Lordi Amble (who is not standing for re-election), Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, Bruce L. Byrnes, John D. Cook, Michael J. Roney, and Michael A. Todman.

The Board has also determined that Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Paul C. Varga, Campbell P. Brown, Marshall B. Farrer, and James S. Welch, Jr. (who is not standing for re-election) are not independent because they are, or recently have been, members of Company management. The Board elected not to make a determination with respect to the independence of Martin S. Brown, Jr., and Sandra A. Frazier (neither of whom is standing for re-election), Stuart R. Brown, Augusta Brown Holland, and Laura L. Frazier.

Our Brown Family Directors

The Company believes it is strategically important for Brown family members to be actively engaged in the oversight of the Company.We believe it is strategically important for Brown family members to be actively engaged in the oversight of Brown-Forman. Through participation on the Board, the Brown family’s long-term perspective is brought to bear, in some measure, upon each and every matter the Board considers. Brown family directors also serve as an effective link between the Board and the controlling family stockholders.

7BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE • BOARD COMPOSITION

 

In addition, Board service allows the Brown family to actively oversee its investment in the Company. Following the Annual Meeting,company. Currently, the Brown family directors will be:are Campbell P. Brown, Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Stuart R. Brown, Campbell B. Brown, Augusta Brown Holland, Marshall B. Farrer, and Laura L. Frazier. Martin S.Frazier, and Augusta Brown Jr., and Sandra A. Frazier, both current Brown family directors, will not stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting.Holland.

 

8BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  |  BOARD COMPOSITION

Our Management Directors

The Company also believes

We believe it is important, from a corporate governance standpoint, that Companyfor management to be represented on the Board. Currently, Paul C. Varga, Campbell P. Brown, and Marshall B. Farrer, areand Lawson E. Whiting serve in dual roles as Board members who also are members of Company management. James S. Welch, Jr., retired from the Company on May 31, 2016, and has elected not to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting.Brown-Forman executives.

BROWN-FORMAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Brown-Forman Board of Directors

PATRICK BOUSQUET-CHAVANNE

 

CAMPBELL P. BROWN

 

GEO. GARVIN BROWN IV

Joan C. Lordi AmbleIChief Executive Officer,
Emaar Malls
 Marshall B. FarrerB
Senior Vice President, and Managing Director of Global Travel Retail,M
Brown-Forman
Patrick Bousquet-ChavanneILaura L. Frazier
B
Campbell P. BrownBSandra A. FrazierB
President and Managing Director of Old Forester,M Brown-Forman Corporation  
Brown-Forman
Geo. Garvin Brown IVBAugusta Brown HollandB
Chairman of the Board, of Directors
Martin S. Brown, Jr.BMichael J. RoneyI
Stuart R. BrownBMichael A. TodmanI
Bruce L. ByrnesIPaul C. VargaM
Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Brown-Forman
John D. CookIJames S. Welch, Jr.M
Lead Independent DirectorRetired from Company management May 31, 2016

Director Type:
IIndependentBBrown FamilyMManagement Corporation
      

STUART R. BROWN

BRUCE L. BYRNES

JOHN D. COOK

Managing Partner, Typha Partners, LLCRetired Vice Chairman of the Board, The Procter & Gamble CompanyDirector Emeritus of McKinsey & Company

MARSHALL B. FARRER

LAURA L. FRAZIER

KATHLEEN M. GUTMANN

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of GTR and Developed APAC Region, Brown-Forman CorporationOwner and Chairman, Bittners LLCChief Sales and Solutions Officer, United Parcel Service, Inc.

AUGUSTA BROWN HOLLAND

MICHAEL J. RONEY

TRACY L. SKEANS

Founding Partner, Haystack Partners LLCRetired Chief Executive Officer, Bunzl plcChief Transformation and People Officer, Yum! Brands, Inc.

MICHAEL A. TODMAN

LAWSON E. WHITING

INDEPENDENT

BROWN FAMILY

MANAGEMENT

BROWN FAMILY & MANAGEMENT

Retired Vice Chairman, Whirlpool CorporationPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Brown-Forman Corporation

 

Recent Changes to ourOur Board

As previously disclosed, three new directors from the Brown family, Campbell P. Brown, Marshall B. Farrer,our President and Laura L. Frazier,Chief Executive Officer, Lawson E. Whiting, joined the Board May 26, 2016. Martin S. Brown, Jr.,on November 15, 2018. Paul C. Varga, our former Chairman and Sandra A. Frazier, each a current Brown family director, Joan C. Lordi Amble, a current independent director, and James S. Welch, Jr., a director who recently retiredChief Executive Officer, will retire from Company management, will not stand for re-election atthe Board as of the Annual Meeting.

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    9

8BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  |  LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

 

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

 

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
Geo. Garvin Brown IV, a Brown family member, has served asChairman ofthe Boardsince 2007.Lawson E. Whiting has served asPresident and Chief Executive Officer since 2019.CORPORATE GOVERNANCE •John D. Cook has served as BOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURESLead Independent Directorsince 2012.  

Leadership Structure

 

Chairman of the Board

Our Board believes that the determination of whether to separate or combine the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer should depend largely upon the identity of the Chief Executive Officer and the composition of the Board at the time. For this reason, itthe Board does not have a policy on separation of these roles, but rather evaluates the situation on a case-by-case basis.

Currently, Although these roles arehave been separate althoughsince 2007, they have been combined in the past. Geo. Garvin Brown IV, a Brown family member, serves as Chairman of the Board. He also serves on our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Executive Committee of the Board, which he chairs.

 

Company Chairman and CEO

Paul C. Varga serves as the Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Varga is the Company’s highest ranking executive officer and has responsibility for the Company’s strategy, operations, and performance. He serves as a member of our Board and on the Executive Committee of the Board.

Lead Independent Director

When a non-independent director who has not been determined to be independent holds the office of Chairman of the Board, as is currently the case, the Board may select one independent director (after considering the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee) may select one independent director to serve as Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director, if any, is elected annually. John D. Cook has served in this role since 2012.

 

As Lead Independent Director, Mr. Cook’s responsibilities are to:include calling meetings of the independent directors and non-management directors, when necessary or advisable, and setting the agenda for and chairing those meetings. Other responsibilities appear in our Corporate Governance Guidelines at our website (www.brown-forman.com/about/ corporate-governance/guidelines).

»chair executive sessions attended solely by non-management directors and independent directors;
»facilitate open communications between Board meetings and help directors reach consensus on important matters;
»serve as liaison between the Chairman of the Board and the independent directors;
»play a leadership role in contingency and succession planning; and
»perform such other duties as the Board may delegate to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities.

 

Mr. Cook chaired one executive session of non-management directors in fiscal 2016. Also, because our non-management director group includes directors who are not “independent” under NYSE listing standards, Mr. Cook2019 and called and presided over oneexecutiveone executive session in fiscal 20162019 that was attended solely by our independent directors.

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Brown-Forman, Mr. Whiting is our highest ranking executive officer and is responsible for Brown-Forman’s strategy, operations, and performance. Mr. Whiting also serves as a management member of our Board.

Why the Board Chose this Leadership Structure

Our

The Board has determined that this leadership structure currently serves the best interests of the CompanyBrown-Forman and all of its stockholders. Having a Brown family member serve as Chairman of the Board promotes the Brown family’s active oversight of, and engagement and participation in, the Companycompany and its business and reflects the fact that Brown-Forman is controlled by the Brown family. In addition, because Mr. Brown handles the responsibilities attendant toassociated with the position of Chairman of the Board, Mr. Varga, our Chief Executive Officer,Whiting can focus moreconcentrate on the Company’s strategy and operations, while the Board still has access to his comprehensive knowledge of the Company’sBrown-Forman’s business. The Lead Independent Director position provides leadership to, and fosters coordination among, our independent directors, enabling them to fulfill their role of bringing outside perspectives to the Board.

 

10BROWN-FORMAN 2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  |  BOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

Board Guidelines and ProceduresBOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board believes that transparency is a hallmark of good corporate governance. To that end, the Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that provide a framework for the Board to exercise its duties. Among other things, these guidelines contain policies and requirements regarding:regarding director qualifications; director responsibilities, including the Lead Independent Director’s role; meetings and attendance; committee composition and responsibilities; director compensation; and director access to management and independent advisors. The guidelines also require the Board to conduct an annual self-assessment. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are published on our website atwww.brown-forman.com/about/corporate-governance/guidelines/..

9BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE • BOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

 

Board and Committee Self-Assessment

Each year, our

The Corporate Governance Guidelines require the Board and eachto conduct an annual self-assessment. Each Board committee (except the Executive Committee) assessalso annually assesses how theyit performed during the preceding twelve months. Thetwelve-month period. These assessment procedures they follow vary, from askingrequiring members to complete questionnaires that call for both quantitative responses and free-textfree-ranging comments, to having an independent third party interview each member and then synthesize themes that emerge. This past fiscal year, our Chairman of the Board engaged in a 360 degree feedback process facilitated by an outside consultant. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Lead Independent Director consult at least annually regarding individual director performance.

 

Director Service on Other Public Company Boards

The Board recognizes that its members benefit from service on the boards of other companies. The Board encourages that service, with the understanding that our directors must have adequate time to devote to their work for Brown-Forman. The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that any director who serves full-time as an officer or employee of Brown-Forman or any other entity should not serve on more than two public company boards in addition to the Brown-Forman Board, which includes the board of any public company at which a director is employed. Directors who are not employed full-time may serve on up to three public company boards in addition to the Brown-Forman Board. Directors must inform the Chairman, the Lead Independent Director, the Chair or Secretary of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, or the Secretary of the Board as soon as practicable that they will be, or have been, elected to serve on an additional public company board.

The Board recognizes that service on the boards of nonprofit entities can be important and time consuming as well, and encourages directors to engage in such service as long as they continue to have the time necessary to devote to their work for Brown-Forman.

Director Service

The Board is authorized to fix the size of the Board at a number between three and seventeen members. Directors are elected each year at the Annual Meeting by a majority of the votes cast by our Class A stockholders. Once elected, a director holds office until the next Annual Meeting or until his or hera successor is elected and qualified, unless he or shethe director first resigns, retires, or is removed. Directors areThe Board does not subject tohave term limits. A directorlimits, but directors generally may not stand for re-election to the Board after reaching the age of 71. However, inIn exceptional circumstances, the Board may ask a director to remain on the Board until a given dateafter age 71 if his or herthe director’s continued service would significantly benefit the Company.Brown-Forman. Service of a director beyond the age of 71 requires a recommendation by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the approval of two-thirds of the Board (not including the director under consideration). The Board has determined that the continued service of Bruce L. Byrnes as director would be of significant value to Brown-Forman and has requested that Mr. Byrnes stand for election at the Annual Meeting for an additional term. Mr. Byrnes has agreed to do so.

 

Board Meetings

The Board held six regular meetings and no special meetings during fiscal 2016.2019. Absent an appropriate reason, all directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting, of Stockholders, all Board meetings, and all meetings of each committee on which they serve. Each directorAll directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate meetings of the Board and committees on which he or shethey served during fiscal 2016.2019. All directors then serving attended the 20152018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.Meeting.

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    11

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE|  BOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

 

Board Committees

Our Board has four standing committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and Executive Committee. Each Board committee operates under a written charter that is posted on our company website atwww.brown-forman.com/about/corporate-governance/committee-compositioncommittee-composition/. Each Board committee other than the Executive Committee conducts an annual self-assessment and may hire independent advisors as it finds necessary or appropriate.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee responsibility for the oversight of the Company’s financial statements; audit process; system of internal controls; enterprise risk assessment and risk management policies and processes; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and internal audit functions. In addition, the Audit Committee oversees the independent auditor’s qualifications, independence, and performance. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things, preparing the Audit Committee Report that appears in this Proxy Statement on page 55.

In addition to the NYSE requirement that each Audit Committee member satisfy the NYSE director independence standards, Audit Committee members must meet other independence standards mandated by Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Each member of our Audit Committee satisfies these heightened independence standards. The Board has determined that each member of our Audit Committee is also “financially literate” within the meaning of the NYSE rules, and that Mr. Todman and Ms. Amble are “audit committee financial experts” under SEC rules. Ms. Amble currently serves on the audit committees of three other public companies. The Board discussed this simultaneous service with Ms. Amble, including the demands and time commitment attendant to such responsibilities, and determined that such simultaneous service does not impair the ability of Ms. Amble to effectively serve on the Board and Audit Committee. Ms. Amble is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

»  Michael A. Todman (Chair)

»Joan C. Lordi Amble

»  Bruce L. Byrnes

»John D. Cook (since June 2016)

Met 9 times in fiscal 2016

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MET 9 TIMES IN FISCAL 2019

Committee Members:

 

Michael A. Todman (Chair)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Bruce L. Byrnes
BOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURESKathleen M. Gutmann
Tracy L. Skeans

The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee responsibility for overseeing Brown-Forman’s financial statements; audit process; system of internal accounting and financial controls; policies and processes for assessment and management of enterprise risks, including cyber security risk; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and internal audit function. In addition, the Audit Committee is solely responsible for hiring the independent auditor and oversees the independent auditor’s qualifications, independence, and performance. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include preparing the Audit Committee Report that appears in this Proxy Statement on page 55.

Audit Committee members must satisfy director independence standards prescribed by the NYSE and mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Each member of our Audit Committee satisfies all of these heightened independence standards. The Board has determined that each member of our Audit Committee is “financially literate” within the meaning of the NYSE rules, and that Mr. Todman is an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things, determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer; recommending market-competitive compensation for the Board; approving incentive compensation plan design and changes thereto for the Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive officers; assisting the Board in its oversight of risk related to the Company’s compensation policies and practices; overseeing the preparation of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement; preparing the Compensation Committee Report that appears in this Proxy Statement on page 39; and leading the evaluation of the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.

MET 5 TIMES IN FISCAL 2019

Committee Members:

The Compensation Committee has retained Frederic W. Cook & Co. (FWC) to provide independent advice on executive and director compensation matters. For additional information on the services provided by and the fees paid to FWC, as well as the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for considering and determining executive compensation, please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, which begins on page 25.

Each of the Compensation Committee members qualifies as an independent director under NYSE listing standards (including the NYSE’s heightened independence standards for compensation committee members of non-controlled companies), as a “non-employee director” under SEC rules, and as an “outside director” under regulations adopted pursuant to Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Board specifically considered factors relevant to the ability of these directors to be independent from management in connection with Compensation Committee service.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

»  Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne (Chair)

»John D. Cook

»Michael J. Roney

Met 5 times in fiscal 2016

 

Michael J. Roney (Chair)
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne
John D. Cook

The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer; recommending market-competitive compensation for the Board; approving incentive compensation plan design and changes thereto for the Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive officers; assisting the Board in its oversight of risk related to compensation policies and practices; overseeing the preparation of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement; preparing the Compensation Committee Report that appears in this Proxy Statement on page 39; and leading the evaluation of the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Compensation Committee has retained Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (FWC) to provide independent advice on executive and director compensation matters. For additional information on the services provided by FWC, as well as the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for considering and determining executive compensation, please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which begins on page 24.

Each member of the Compensation Committee qualifies as an independent director under NYSE listing standards (including the heightened independence standards for compensation committee members of non-controlled companies), as a “non-employee director” under SEC rules, and as an “outside director” under regulations adopted pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Board specifically considered factors relevant to the ability of these directors to be independent from management in connection with Compensation Committee service.


12BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE|  BOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s responsibilities, among other things, are: helping the Board identify, recruit, and recommend appropriate candidates to serve as directors; reviewing periodically the Company’s corporate governance principles in light of developments in corporate governance and best practices, taking into account the Company’s controlled-company status under the NYSE rules; coordinating and overseeing Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board succession planning; and assisting the Board with its annual self-assessment. All of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee members are independent under NYSE listing standards except Geo. Garvin Brown IV.

In evaluating candidates for Board membership, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee seeks directors who will represent the long-term best interests of all stockholders. As articulated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board believes all Brown-Forman directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity, and values. The Board believes the best directors have the following additional qualities: good judgment, candor, independence, civility, business courage, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable character and comparable or larger size, and a lack of conflicts of interest.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board consider diversity in evaluating candidates for Board membership, though neither has adopted a formal policy to that effect. The Board’s goal is to maintain a well-balanced membership that combines a variety of experiences, backgrounds, skills, and perspectives to enable the Board, as a whole, to guide the Company effectively in the pursuit of its strategic objectives. In evaluating potential Board candidates, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers an individual’s independence; business, professional, or public service experience; relevant industry knowledge, experience, and relationships; business judgment; financial expertise; international experience; leadership skills; age, gender, race, and other personal characteristics; time availability; and familial relation to our controlling family stockholders.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has engaged independent search firms to assist in identifying potential Board candidates from time to time. The Board has not adopted a formal policy regarding stockholder-nominated director candidates because the committee believes the process it follows to identify and select Board members has been appropriate and effective.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

»  John D. Cook (Chair)

»Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne

»Geo. Garvin Brown IV

»  Bruce L. Byrnes

Met 6 times in fiscal 2016

11BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

 

MET 6 TIMES IN FISCAL 2019

Committee Members:

 

John D. Cook (Chair)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne
COMPANY BEST PRACTICESGeo. Garvin Brown IV
Bruce L. Byrnes

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s responsibilities include helping the Board identify, recruit, and recommend appropriate candidates to serve as directors; reviewing periodically our corporate governance principles in light of developments in corporate governance and best practices, taking into account our controlled-company status; coordinating and overseeing Chief Executive Officer succession planning; and assisting the Board with its annual self-assessment. All of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee members are independent under NYSE listing standards, except Geo. Garvin Brown IV.


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

DID NOT MEET IN FISCAL 2019

Committee Members:

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Board designates the members of the Executive Committee, which consists of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board (if separate from the Chief Executive Officer), and one or more other directors as determined by the Board from time to time. The Board can change the Executive Committee membership, fill vacancies, and dissolve the committee at any time. The Executive Committee may exercise all of the powers of the Board, subject to certain exceptions specified in our By-laws or Delaware law. However, traditionally, the Executive Committee acts only when exercising a power the Board has specifically delegated, when there is an emergency, or when the issue does not warrant the full Board’s attention.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

»  Geo. Garvin Brown IV (Chair)

»  

John D. Cook
Paul C. Varga

»  John D. Cook (since
(until May 2016)

»  James S. Welch, Jr. (until May 2016)

Met once in fiscal 2016

2019)
Lawson E. Whiting
(since November 2018)

The Executive Committee consists of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board (if separate from the Chief Executive Officer), and one or more other directors as determined by the Board from time to time. In fiscal 2019, the Lead Independent Director served on the Executive Committee, and both Mr. Varga and Mr. Whiting served on the Executive Committee for a portion of the fiscal year. The Board can change the Executive Committee membership, fill vacancies, and dissolve the committee at any time. The Executive Committee may exercise all of the powers of the Board, subject to certain exceptions specified in our By-laws or Delaware law. However, traditionally, the Executive Committee acts only when exercising a power the Board has specifically delegated, when there is an emergency, or when the issue does not warrant the full Board’s attention. In addition, the members of the Executive Committee communicate and meet frequently, sometimes with Brown-Forman’s General Counsel, to engage in strategic planning of Board activities and agenda topics, to stay ahead of various issues on behalf of the full Board, and to review recent Board meetings.


 

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board believes its current leadership structure best enables it to fulfill its risk oversight function. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require the Board to ensure thatwe implement appropriate processes are in place for managing enterprise risk, and our Board considers risk oversight to be an integral part of its role in the Company’s strategic planning process. The Board regularly and actively considers how strategic decisions affect the Company’sBrown-Forman’s risk profile.

 

While the Board has ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, certain committees have important supplementary roles in that process.roles. During fiscal 2016,2019, the Board tasked its committees to assist with the responsibilities outlined below:

 

»Audit Committee

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Overseeing our policies and processes on enterprise risk assessment, risk management, and compliance; and overseeing the Company’sour most significant financial reporting and accounting control risks and management’s monitoring and management of those risks.

»Compensation Committee — overseeing risk

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Overseeing risks related to the Company’s compensation programs, policies, and practices.

»Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee — overseeing risk

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Overseeing risks related to corporate governance, board composition, and succession planning for the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board.

 

These committees periodically met regularly with members of management and outside advisors, as necessary, and reported to the Board regularly on their risk oversight and mitigation activities. In addition, management’s Disclosure Controls Committee and the Chief

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN13

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE|  BEST PRACTICES

Risk CommitteeOfficer both play an integral role in making sure that relevant risk-related information is reported to senior management and the Board as directly and quickly as possible. For more information, see “Best Practices” below.

 

Communication with ourOur Board

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with our directors, including the non-management directors or the independent directors as a group, by writing to our Secretary, Matthew E. Hamel, at 850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40210, or at Secretary@b-f.com. The Secretary’s office will forward appropriate written communications to the individual director or group of directors to whom they are addressed, with copies to all other directors. We generally will not forward to directors a stockholder communication that the Secretary determines to be primarily commercial in nature, relates to an improper or irrelevant topic, or requests general information about Brown-Forman.

 

Company Best PracticesBEST PRACTICES

Brown-Forman has long believed that good corporate governance is essential to the Company’s long-term success. We continually evaluate our corporate governance practices in the context of our controlled-company status to address the changing regulatory environment, and adopt those practices that we believe are in the best for Brown-Forman.interests of Brown-Forman and all of our stockholders.

 

Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers

The Company has adopted the Brown-Forman Code of Conduct which containsexpresses our standardsexpectation of ethical behavior for all of our employees and directors. The Code of Conduct includes ourOur Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers which reflects the expectation that all of the Company’sour financial, accounting, reporting, and auditing activities will be conducted in strict compliance with all applicable rules and regulations and underwill conform to the highest ethical standards. TheWe encourage our employees to speak up when aware of a potential Code of Conduct violation, and provide multiple channels for doing so — including anonymously. Links to the Code of Conduct, including reporting channels, and the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers can be found on the Corporate Governance page of our website atwww.brown-forman.com/about/corporate-governance/code-of-ethics/.

12BROWN-FORMAN |2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE • OUR CONTROLLING FAMILY STOCKHOLDERS

 

Disclosure Controls Committee

The Company has a Disclosure Controls Committee which is composed of members of management. This committee has established controls and procedures designed to ensure that information that the CompanyBrown-Forman may be required to disclose is gathered and communicated to the committee and that all required disclosures are made in a timely and accurate manner.accurate. The committee has implemented a financial review process that enables our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to certify our quarterly and annual reports, as well as procedures designed to ensure our compliance with SEC Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure).

 

Enterprise Risk Committee

The Risk Committee, which is composed of members of management, leads the Company’s enterprise risk management program (ERMP). The objective of the ERMP is to protect the long-term viability of the Company’s business by identifying and managing risk. The ERMP includes the development and implementation of our risk management policies and specific governance structures and the oversight of our processes for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risk. In support of the ERMP’s objectives, the Risk Committee is responsible for identifying critical risks the Company faces; assessing the adequacy of our methods for managing those risks; communicating the role of all employees in the ERMP; and integrating the discussion of risk into decision-making processes.Management

 

The Chief Risk Officer maintains the risk register, facilitates risk scoring, identifies the individuals and teams that are responsible for mitigating risks and ensures that plans are in place to mitigate Brown-Forman’s most significant risks. The Chief Risk Officer reports to the Audit Committee regarding procedures, risk ranking results and risk mitigation status. In addition, the Chief Risk Officer reports to the Board at least annually regarding the top risks facing Brown-Forman and periodically updates the Board on the mitigation plans related to those risks.

14BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE|  OUR CONTROLLING FAMILY STOCKHOLDERS

Our Controlling Family StockholdersOUR CONTROLLING FAMILY STOCKHOLDERS

Brown-Forman has an engaged family stockholder base with a long-term ownership perspective. We view our status as a publicly traded,publicly-traded, family-controlled company as a distinct competitive advantage, and we believe that a strong relationship with the Brown family is essential to our growth, independence, and ability to create long-term value creation for all stockholders. The CompanyManagement interacts with Brown family members in a manner consistent with all applicable laws and regulations. We actively cultivate our relationship with the Brown family through a numbervariety of different channels, as detailed below.

 

Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee

In 2007, Geo. Garvin Brown IV and Paul C. Varga, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, organized the Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee (FSC),Committee. They co-chaired this committee until Mr. Varga’s retirement, at which they continue topoint Lawson E. Whiting, our new President and Chief Executive Officer, joined Mr. Brown as co-chair. The FSC, which includes several non-family Company executives in addition to Mr. Varga,Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee provides a forum for frequent, open, and constructive dialogue between the CompanyBrown-Forman and its controlling family stockholders. The FSCIn addition, the committee engages the Brown family on topics of mutual interest such as the Companycompany and our industry, governance, ownership, and philanthropy.

 

Director of Family Shareholder Relations

The Director of Family Shareholder Relations, a Brown-Forman employee, works with Companyother employees and certain Brown family members to develop and implement policies and practices designed to further strengthen the relationship between the CompanyBrown-Forman and the Brown family.

 

Brown Family Member Employees

The Company

Brown-Forman currently employs ten Brown family members, some of whom participate on management committeesteams that oversee strategic and operational matters. Participation onin these committeesroles enables our Brown family employees to contribute their perspectives on the important issues facingwe confront. In addition to their management contributions, the Company.Brown family employees play a critical role in upholding the Brown-Forman corporate culture.

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN15

13BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

Table of Contents

 

Election of Directors

 

This section provides information about our twelvefourteen director nominees, including the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills that enable them to make valuable contributions to our Board.Board and that led the Board to conclude that they should serve as directors of Brown-Forman.

 

All of our director nominees are current directors of Brown-Forman. Each director was elected by the stockholders at the Company’s 2015our 2018 Annual Meeting except for Campbell P. Brown, Marshall B. Farrer, and Laura L. Frazier,Lawson E. Whiting, who werewas appointed to the Board in May 2016.November 2018.

 

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each director nominee.

Your shares will be voted“FOR” “FOR” the election of all director nominees listed below unless you instruct the proxy holders to vote against, or to abstain from voting for, one or more nominees. If any nominee becomes unable to serve before the meeting,Annual Meeting, the proxy holders may vote for a substitute nominee if the Board has designateddesignates one. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, it is the Board’s understanding thatBoard believes each nominee is prepared to serve if elected.

 

NomineesNOMINEES

 

PATRICK BOUSQUET-CHAVANNE
   

 

Director since 2005

Age 61

Age 58

Committees:COMMITTEES:

»

   Compensation (Chair)

»   Corporate Governance and Nominating

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Emaar Malls(a developer of premium shopping malls and retail assets), Chief Executive Officer since August 2018

Positions at Marks and Spencer Group PLC:

Executive Director of Customer, Marketing and M&S.com Marksfrom 2016 to 2018

   Executive Director of Marketing and Spencer Group PLC, since 2014;International from 2014 to 2016

   Executive Director of Marketing and Business Development Marks and Spencer Group PLC, from 2013 to 2014;2014

   Corporate Director of Strategy and Business Development Marks and Spencer Group PLC, from 2012 to 2013; Co-Chairman of2013

Positions at Yoostar Entertainment GroupGroup:

•   Co-Chairman from 2010 to 2012; 2012

•   President and Chief Executive Officer of Yoostar from 2009 to 2012; President and Chief Executive Officer of T-Ink Technologies, Inc., from 2008 to 2009; Group President of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. from 2001 to 2008; President of Estée Lauder International, Inc., from 1998 to 2001.2012

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:   Senior management and board experience at one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of branded consumer goods, including experience with implementing strategy, implementation, branding, licensing, distribution, digital, and international expansion. In addition, Mr. Bousquet-Chavanne has experience from Estée Lauderexpansion

   Experience dealing with governance issues relevant to family-controlled public companies.companies

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

 

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS:   Marks and Spencer Group PLC since 2013;from 2013 to 2018

   HSNi Corporation from 2008 to 2013.2013

CAMPBELL P. BROWN  
   

 

Director since May 2016



Age 48
51

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

   Senior Vice President since 2018

President and Managing Director of Old Forester, the Company’s our founding bourbon brand, since 2015. A 22-year employee of2015

   Led the Company, he previously served Brown-Forman in the emerging markets of India, the Philippines, and Turkey, and most recently led the Company’s wine and spirits portfolio in Canada and the Midwest region of the U.S.

   Served in the emerging markets of India, the Philippines, and Turkey

   Various other positions over a 25-year career

   Founding member of Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee since 2007.from 2007 to 2018

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:   Business and industry experience he has gained by serving in operational, management, and executive positions within the Company; his deepBrown-Forman

   Deep knowledge of family corporate governance; the perspectives he brings to the Boardgovernance

   Perspective as a fifth generation Brown family stockholder; and hisstockholder

   A history of service on the Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee, which demonstrates his ability to represent the long-term interests of shareholders.stockholders

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

 

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS:   Republic Bank and Trust Company since 2008.2008

   Kentucky Distillers Association since 2016

 

14BROWN-FORMAN | 2016

16BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

 
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS • NOMINEES

Election of Directors  |  Nominees

 

GEO. GARVIN BROWN IV  
   

 

 

Director since 2006

Age 4750

Committees:COMMITTEES:

»

   Corporate Governance and Nominating

»   Executive(Chair)

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

Chairman of the Board since 2007;2007

   Executive Vice President of Brown-Forman from 2011 to 2015;2015

   Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Western Europe and Africa from 2009 to 2011;2011

   Vice President and Jack Daniel’s Brand Director in Europe and Africa from 2004 to 2008;2008

   Director of the Office of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2002 to 2004.2004

   Founding member and Co-Chairman of Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee since 2007.2007

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:   Business and industry experience he has gained by serving in operational, management, and executive positions within the Company; his deepBrown-Forman

   Deep knowledge of family corporate governance; the perspectives he brings to the Boardgovernance

   Perspective as a fifth generation Brown family stockholder; and hisstockholder

   A history of service on the Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee, which demonstrates his ability to represent the long-term interests of shareholders.stockholders

STUART R. BROWN  
   

 

 

Director since 2015

Age 5154

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Managing Partner, Typha Partners, LLC(an early-stage private equity investment company,company), Managing Partner since 2010;2010

DendriFund, Inc.(a private, non-operating foundation focused on natural resource sustainability, seeded by Brown-Forman), Founding Director and President DendriFund, Inc., an environmental sustainability charitable foundation established by Brown-Forman, since 2011; Owner, from 2011 to April 2019

Between the Covers Bookstore, Owner from 1998 to 2010;2010

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

   Sales and Marketing Management Brown-Forman, from 1995 to 1998.1998

   Founding member of Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee since 2007.from 2007 to 2018

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:   Extensive experience in family governance, entrepreneurial management, finance, and board leadership. In addition, Mr. Brown brings to the Board his perspectiveleadership

   Perspective as a fifth generation Brown family stockholder and his history of service on the Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee demonstrates his ability to represent the long-term interests of shareholders.

BRUCE L. BYRNES

 

Director since 2010
Age 68

Committees:

»  Audit

»  Corporate Governance and Nominating

Vice Chairman of the Board for The Procter & Gamble Company from 2002 to 2008. Mr. Byrnes retired in 2008 following a 38-year career at P&G, during which he held the following positions, among others: Vice Chairman, Global Brand Building Training from 2007 to 2008; Vice Chairman, Global Household Care Division from 2004 to 2007.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: Executive leadership of a global consumer goods company; expertise in brand building and brand management; financial expertise; international marketing and operational experience; and corporate strategy.

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS: Boston Scientific Corporation from 2009 to 2015; Cincinnati Bell, Inc., from 2003 to 2013; Diebold, Incorporated, from 2010 to 2015.

15BROWN-FORMAN |   2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS • NOMINEES

JOHN D. COOK

 

Director since 2008
Age 63

Committees:

»  Compensation

»  Corporate Governance and Nominating (Chair)

»  Audit

»  Executive

Director Emeritus, McKinsey & Company; Director, McKinsey & Company from 2003 to 2008. Earlier in his career, Mr. Cook worked in brand management at The Procter & Gamble Company, and held the number two management position at The Kellogg Company.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: Skills gained during his 32-year career advising and managing consumer products companies. He brings to the Board leadership, senior management experience, financial expertise, marketing skills, international expertise, experience with strategic acquisitions and integrations, and a history of shareholder value creation.

MARSHALL B. FARRER

 

Director since May 2016
Age 45

Vice President, Managing Director of Global Travel Retail, which includes Duty Free, Military, Cruise, and Transportation sales globally, since 2015. An 18-year employee of the Company, he led the global Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey brand team from 2013 to 2015, was managing director of the Australia/Asia region from 2010 to 2013, and led the Latin America & Caribbean region from 2006 to 2009. Founding member of Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee since 2007.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: Business and industry experience gained from serving in operational, management, and executive positions within the Company; his deep knowledge of family corporate governance; the perspectives he brings to the Board as a fifth generation Brown family stockholder; and hisA history of service on the Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee, which demonstrates his ability to represent the long-term interests of shareholders.stockholders

BRUCE L. BYRNES

Director since 2010

Age 71

COMMITTEES:

   Audit

   Corporate Governance and Nominating

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Positions with The Procter & Gamble Company:

   Vice Chairman of the Board from 2002 to 2008

   Vice Chairman of Global Brand Building Training from 2007 to 2008

   Vice Chairman of Global Household Care Division from 2004 to 2007

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

   Executive leadership of a global consumer goods company

   Expertise in brand building, brand management, and finance

   Experience with international marketing and operations and corporate strategy

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

   Boston Scientific Corporation from 2009 to 2015

   Diebold, Incorporated from 2010 to 2015

   Cincinnati Bell, Inc. from 2003 to 2013

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS  BROWN-FORMAN    17

Election of Directors  |  Nominees

JOHN D. COOK

Director since 2008;

Lead Independent
Director since 2012

Age 66

COMMITTEES:

   Compensation

   Corporate Governance and Nominating(Chair)

   Executive

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Positions with McKinsey & Company:

   Director Emeritus

   Director from 2003 to 2008

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

   Skills gained during an over 40-year career advising and managing consumer products companies and creating stockholder value

   Leadership and senior management experience

   Financial and international expertise

   Marketing skills

   Experience with strategic acquisitions and integrations

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

   Winona Capital Management since 2007

MARSHALL B. FARRER

Director since 2016

Age 48

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

   Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Global Travel Retail and Developed Australia/Pacific Region since 2018

   Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Global Travel Retail from 2015 to 2018

   Led the global Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey brand team from 2014 to 2015

   Managing director of the Australia/Pacific region from 2010 to 2014

   Led the Latin America & Caribbean region from 2006 to 2009

   Various other positions over a 21-year career

   Founding member of Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee from 2007 to 2018

   Member of the Brown-Forman Management Executive Committee from 2007 to 2009

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

   Business and industry experience gained from serving in operational, management, marketing, and executive positions within Brown-Forman and industry

   Extensive international operations and leadership experience

   Perspective as a fifth generation Brown family stockholder

   A history of service on the Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee, which demonstrates his ability to represent the long-term interests of stockholders

LAURA L. FRAZIER  
   

 

 

Director since May 2016

Age 58
61

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Owner, Chairman, and past-CEO of Bittners LLC(a more than 160-year-old interior and commercial design firm. She previously served onfirm), Owner, Chairman, and past-CEO

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

   Member of the board of directors of Lenox, Inc., a former subsidiary, company of Brown-Forman, from 1999 to 2005.2005

   Founding member of Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee since 2007.from 2007 to 2018

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:   Executive leadership and entrepreneurial management skills. In addition, Mrs. Frazier brings to the Board her perspectiveskills

   Perspective as a fifth generation Brown family stockholder; and herstockholder

   A history of service on the Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee, which demonstrates her ability to represent the long-term interests of shareholders.stockholders

 

18BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Election of Directors  |  Nominees

16BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSKATHLEEN M. GUTMANN 

  PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS • NOMINEES

 

Director since 2017

Age 50

COMMITTEES:

   Audit

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Positions with United Parcel Service:

   Chief Sales and Solutions Officer and Senior Vice President of The UPS Store and UPS Capital since 2014

   President of Worldwide Sales from 2011 to 2014

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

   Extensive senior management and executive leadership experience

   Experience directing long-term strategy as a member of the UPS Management Committee

   Oversight of P&L for UPS Capital (a UPS subsidiary that provides supply chain, financial, insurance, and payment solutions) and The UPS Store (a franchise system of retail shipping, mailbox, print, and business service centers)

AUGUSTA BROWN HOLLAND  
   

 

 

Director since 2015

Age 40
43

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Founding Partner, Haystack Partners LLC known for its nationally acclaimed work in (environmentally conscious real estate development company), Founding Partner since 2006.2006

   Founding member of Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee since 2007.from 2007 to 2018

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:   Extensive knowledge of urban planning and revitalization and environmentally friendly development. Mrs. Holland also servesdevelopment

   Experience serving on numerous civic boards. She brings to the Board her perspectiveboards

   Perspective as a fifth generation Brown Family shareholder, and herfamily stockholder

   A history of service on the Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee, which demonstrates her ability to represent the long-term interests of shareholders.stockholders

MICHAEL J. RONEY  
   

 

 

Director since 2014

Age 6265

Committees:COMMITTEES:

»

   Compensation(Chair)

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Bunzl plc, Chief Executive of Bunzl plcOfficer from 2005 to April 2016.2016

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:   Extensive senior management and executive leadership experience; deepexperience

   Deep expertise in multi-nationalmultinational production, distribution, and operations; financial expertise; and internationaloperations

   Financial expertise

   International mergers and acquisitions experience.experience

 

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS:DIRECTORSHIPS

Deputy Chairman and Chairman Designate of   Next plc since 2017

   Grafton Group plc since May 2016; Bunzl plc from 2003 to April 2016;2016

   Johnson Matthey plc from 2007 to 2014.2014

   Bunzl plc from 2003 to 2005

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    19

Election of Directors  |  Nominees

TRACY L. SKEANS

Director since 2018

Age 46

COMMITTEES:

   Audit

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Positions with Yum! Brands, Inc. and affiliates:

   Chief Transformation and People Officer, Yum! Brands, Inc. since 2016

   President, Pizza Hut International from 2014 to 2015

   Chief People Officer, Pizza Hut Global from 2013 to 2014

   Chief People Officer, Pizza Hut US from 2011 to 2013

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

   Strong track record of business leadership overseeing transformation strategy, human resources, and corporate communications functions

   Experience leading business transformation and global people capability strategies to build powerful brands and fuel sustainable results

   Extensive accounting, treasury, and financial expertise

MICHAEL A. TODMAN  
   

 

 

Director since 2014

Age 5861

Committees:COMMITTEES:

»

   Audit(Chair)

 

Retired,CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Positions with Whirlpool Corporation;and affiliates:

   Vice Chairman, Whirlpool Corporation from 2014 to 2015;2015

   President, Whirlpool International from 2009 to 2014;2014

   President, Whirlpool North America from 2007 to 2009.2009

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:   Extensive knowledge and experience in multinational operations, sales and distribution, and manufacturing; extensivemanufacturing

   Executive leadership of large multinational organizations; and financial expertise.organizations

   Financial expertise

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

 

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS:   Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. since 2007

   Prudential Financial, Inc., since March 2016;2016

   Whirlpool Corporation from 2006 to 2015; Newell Rubbermaid, Inc., since 2007.2015

17BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

  PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS • NOMINEES

PAUL C. VARGALAWSON E. WHITING  
   

 

Director since 2003November 2018

Age 5251

 

Committees:

»COMMITTEES:

   Executive

 

Chief Executive Officer since 2005. Company Chairman since 2007;CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

   President and Chief Executive Officer of Brown-Forman Beverages (a division of Brown-Forman)since 2019

   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 20032017 to 2005; Global2018

   Executive Vice President and Chief MarketingBrands and Strategy Officer from 2015 to 2017

   Senior Vice President and Chief Brands Officer from 2013 to 2015

   Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Brown-Forman SpiritsWestern Europe from 20002011 to 2003.2013

   Vice President and Finance Director for Western Europe from 2010 to 2011

   Vice President and Finance Director for North America from 2009 to 2010

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:   In-depth knowledge of the Company’sBrown-Forman’s business, operations, and strategy gained during his 29 years of employment with the Company; extensive22-year career

   Extensive knowledge of the beverage alcohol industry; salesindustry

   Operations and marketing expertise; financial expertise; strategicexperience

   Strategic thinking, leadership, management, consensus-building, and communication skills; and extensive corporate governance experience via service on two public company boards.skills

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS: Macy’s, Inc., since 2012.

 

Family Relationships.relationships.No family relationship — first cousin or closer — exists between any two directors, executive officers, or personsindividuals nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer, except for the following relationships between Brown family directors: Geo. Garvin Brown IV and Campbell P. Brown are brothers; Laura L. Frazierbrothers, and Sandra A. Frazier (whoMarshall B. Farrer is not standing for re-election) aretheir first cousins; Martin S. Brown, Jr. (who is not standing for re-election),cousin; and Stuart R. Brown and Augusta Brown Holland are first cousins; and Marshall B. Farrer is the first cousin of Geo. Garvin Brown IV and Campbell P. Brown.

18BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

cousins.

 

20    BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Description of the Proposed Amendment and Vote RequiredDirector Compensation

On May 26, 2016, the Board approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Class A common stock that the Company is authorized to issue from 85,000,000 to 170,000,000. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to facilitate the previously announced two-for-one stock split of the Class A and Class B common stock, which is described below.

 

The Board determined that the proposed amendment is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Class A common stock of the Company is required to approve the proposed amendment.OVERVIEW

 

The full text of the proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is set forth inAppendix A to this Proxy Statement.

Purposes and Effects of Increasing the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock

On May 26, 2016, the Board also approved a two-for-one stock split on both the Class A common stock and the Class B common stock, which will be effected in the form of:

»a stock dividend on the Class A common stock payable at a rate of one share of Class A common stock for each share of Class A common stock (the “Class A Split”), and
»a stock dividend on the Class B common stock payable at a rate of one share of Class B common stock for each share of Class B common stock (collectively with the Class A Split, the “Stock Split”).

If and when issued, the additional shares of Class A and Class B common stock issued in the Stock Split would have the same rights and privileges as the shares of common stock of the same class that are presently issued and outstanding. The Stock Split is conditioned on the approval of the proposed amendment by the Class A stockholders.

The primary purpose of increasing the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock is to facilitate the proposed Stock Split. The proposed amendment would (i) increase the total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Company is authorized to issue from 485,000,000 to 570,000,000, and (ii) increase the number of shares of Class A common stock that the Company is authorized to issue from 85,000,000 to 170,000,000. The number of shares of Class B common stock that the Company is authorized to issue will remain the same.

As of April 30, 2016, there were approximately 84,530,000 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding (and 470,000 shares held in the treasury of the Company), and approximately 113,212,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding (and approximately 29,102,000 shares held in the treasury of the Company). As of such date, there were zero shares of Class A common stock and approximately 57,000 shares of Class B common stock reserved for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans. This means that as of April 30, 2016, there were zero authorized shares of Class A common stock and approximately 257,629,000 authorized shares of Class B common stock that were not outstanding, held in the treasury of the Company, or reserved for issuance.

The following table sets forth the number of shares of each class of common stock that would be authorized, issued, held in treasury, and reserved for issuance under the Company’s existing equity compensation plans as of April 30, 2016, had the proposed amendment been adopted and the Stock Split effected as of that date.

 AuthorizedIssuedHeld in TreasuryReserved
Class A common stock170,000,000169,060,000940,0000
Class B common stock400,000,000226,424,00058,203,000114,000

Except for shares reserved for issuance under our existing equity compensation plans, and shares that would be issued pursuant to the proposed Stock Split, the Board has no current plans to issue additional shares of Class A or Class B common stock. The Board has not proposed to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock with the intention of discouraging tender offers or takeover attempts of the Company.

19BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

PROPOSAL 2: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

Purposes and Effects of Proposed Two-For-One Stock Split Effected in the Form of a Stock Dividend

The Board anticipates that the increase in the number of outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock resulting from the proposed Stock Split will place the market price of each class of common stock in a range more attractive to individual investors, which may result in a broader market for our stock. The Company will apply to list the additional shares on The New York Stock Exchange, where both the Class A and Class B common stock are currently listed for trading.

If the proposed amendment is adopted by the Class A stockholders, upon the effectiveness of the proposed amendment and the payment of the stock dividend pursuant to the Stock Split, each stockholder of record will receive and become the record owner of (i) one additional share of Class A common stock for each share of Class A common stock then owned of record by such stockholder, and (ii) one additional share of Class B common stock for each share of Class B common stock then owned of record by such owner. Certificates representing shares of Class A and Class B common stock currently issued should be retained by each stockholder and should not be returned to the Company or to its transfer agent. Stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive fractional shares of common stock will instead be paid cash (without interest) in lieu of fractional shares.

If stockholders dispose of their shares after the Stock Split, they may pay higher brokerage commissions on the same relative interest in the Company because that interest is represented by a greater number of shares. Stockholders should consult their respective brokers to ascertain the brokerage commission that would be charged for disposing of the greater number of shares.

Tax Treatment of the Stock Split

The proposed Stock Split should not result in recognition of gain, loss, or other taxable income by owners of common stock under existing U.S. Federal income tax laws, except to the extent of cash, if any, received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock (which fractional share will be treated as received and then exchanged for cash). The cost basis for tax purposes of each new share and each of the retained shares of common stock would be equal to one-half of the cost basis for tax purposes of the corresponding shares immediately preceding the Stock Split (excluding any portion of such basis that is allocated to any fractional share of common stock). In addition, the holding period for the additional shares issued pursuant to the Stock Split would be deemed to be the same as the holding period for the original shares of common stock. A stockholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock pursuant to the Stock Split should generally recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the portion of the stockholder’s tax basis in the shares of the common stock surrendered that is allocated to such fractional share of common stock. Such capital gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder’s holding period for the common stock surrendered in the Stock Split exceeds one year at the time of the Stock Split, or short-term capital gain or loss if not. Stockholders, particularly those who are subject to the tax laws of other jurisdictions, are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding any tax consequences of the Stock Split in light of their particular circumstances.

Impact of the Stock Split on the Company’s Equity Compensation Plans

If the proposed amendment is adopted and becomes effective and the Stock Split is effected, in accordance with the Company’s 2013 Omnibus Compensation Plan and the 2004 Omnibus Compensation Plan, it will be necessary to make appropriate adjustments in the number of shares of each class of common stock that remain available for issuance pursuant to such plans, as well as in the number of shares and the exercise price of each class of common stock subject to outstanding awards under such plans. From the effective date of the proposed Stock Split, the number of shares that remain available for issuance pursuant to such plans will be doubled, the number of shares subject to outstanding awards under such plans will be doubled, and the exercise price per share of stock options granted under such plans will be divided by two.

Impact on the Company’s Financial Statements

If the proposed amendment is adopted and becomes effective and the Stock Split is effected, the value of the common stock account as reflected in the Company’s financial statements will be increased to reflect the additional shares issued at par value $0.15 per share and the value of the additional paid-in capital account will be reduced a like amount, with no overall effect on stockholders’ equity. As described above in “Purposes and Effects of Increasing the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock” beginning on page 19, if the proposed amendment is adopted and becomes effective, following the Stock Split the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding, reserved for issuance, and held in the treasury would be doubled.

20BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

PROPOSAL 2: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

Effective Date of Proposed Amendment and Issuance of Shares for Stock Split Effected in the Form of a Stock Dividend

If the proposed amendment to Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company is adopted by the required vote of Class A stockholders, such amendment will become effective on the date the proposed amendment is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which will also be the record date for the determination of the holders of Class A and Class B common stock entitled to additional shares payable as a result of the Stock Split. If the proposed amendment is approved, the Company currently anticipates that the record date for the Stock Split effected in the form of a stock dividend will be August 8, 2016, and the distribution date for such additional shares will be August 18, 2016. The Board reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval of the proposed amendment, and without further action by the stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the amendment and/or the Stock Split if, at any time prior to filing the amendment, the Board determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company and stockholders to proceed with the Stock Split.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Please do not destroy or send your existing stock certificates to the Company.
If the proposed amendment is adopted and the Stock Split is effected, those certificates will remain valid for the number of shares shown thereon, and should be carefully preserved by you. All shares issued as a result of the proposed Stock Split will be issued in book-entry form, either through DRS or as a credit to an existing stockholder of record account. You will receive information about the additional shares to which you are entitled on or around the distribution date. If the proposed amendment is approved, the Company will provide additional details about the implementation of the Stock Split on its website following the Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the proposal to amend Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation as set forth in Appendix A hereto to (i) increase the total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Company is authorized to issue from 485,000,000 to 570,000,000, and (ii) increase the number of shares of Class A common stock that the Company is authorized to issue from 85,000,000, par value $0.15 per share, to 170,000,000, par value $0.15 per share.

21BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Overview

Our directors serve one-year terms that begin with their electionwhen they are elected at an Annual Meeting and end immediately upon the election of directors at the next year’s Annual Meeting (a period weMeeting. We refer to this period as a “Board Year” for director compensation purposes).purposes.

 

Our non-employee director compensation consists of an annual Board retainer, a Chair of the Board retainer, a Lead Independent Director retainer, committee member retainers, committee chair retainers, and meeting fees. To align the interests of our non-employee directors with those of our stockholders, our non-employee directors receive their Board retainers in a combination of cash and equity. Non-employee directors receive meeting fees only if they attend more than eight meetings (Board), ten meetings (Audit Committee), or six meetings (Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee). The Compensation Committee believes that this compensation structure appropriately reflects the importance of directors’ active participation at Board and committee meetings.

 

At the beginning of the current Board Year, theThe Compensation Committee reviews, with the assistance of Frederic W. Cook & Co. (FWC), conducted a reviewits independent consultant, FWC, information each year related to the competitiveness of theour non-employee director compensation programcompensation. From time to monitor its competitiveness intime, the market and comparedCompensation Committee recommends adjustments to our comparator group on page 29.compensation structure to ensure both continued competitiveness and the appropriate level and mix of compensation. Based upon thisthe review conducted in fiscal 2019, and with the advice of FWC, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, the following changes to director compensation:

 

»increase the Lead Independent Director Retainer by $15,000; and
increase the annual Board equity retainer by $5,000;
»increase the annual Board cash retainer by $5,000;
»increase the annual Compensation Committee member retainer by $2,500; and
»increase the annual Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee member retainer by $5,000.$20,000.

 

These changes were recommended by the Compensation Committee, and approved by the Board,are intended to better align compensation levels with those of our compensation comparator group.

 

In addition, the Compensation Committee reviewed information and recommendations prepared by FWC for establishing the compensation for Brown-Forman’s non-employee Chairman of the Board position as Mr. Geo. Garvin Brown IV transitioned from an executive director to a non-employee director position. Based on a review of the position’s scope, duties, and available market data, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, the non-employee Chairman of the Board retainer as reflected in the table below.

Director Compensation StructureDIRECTOR COMPENSATION STRUCTURE
  
Pay Element Amount
Lead Independent Director Retainer $30,00045,000
Paid in six installments over the Board Year.  
Board Retainer $185,000 total

Board Retainer

Directors may elect to receive their cash retainer in equity. Directors who have satisfied our stock ownership guidelines may elect to receive up to 100% of the retainer in cash including the equity retainer.rather than receiving equity. The cash retainer is paid in six installments over the Board Year. Any awards of deferred stock units are made in their entirety on the Annual Meeting date.

 »   

$70,000205,000 total

•   $70,000 cash

»   $115,000

•   $135,000 equity

(deferred stock units)

Meeting Fees

No meeting fees were paid for the 2016 Board Year.

No fee is paid unless the director attends more than eight meetings (Board).

Board

$5,000 per meeting

$2,500 per telephonic meeting

 
No fee is paid unless the director attends more than ten meetings (Audit) (Audit Committee)
or six meetings (Compensation and Corporate Governance & Nominating).and Nominating Committees)
 Audit, Compensation, and Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committees
$2,500 per meeting
$1,250 per telephonic meeting
Committee Member RetainersAudit Committee$25,000
Paid in six installments over the Board Year.Compensation Committee$20,000
 Corporate Governance &and Nominating$20,000
Committee Chair Retainers $20,000
Committee Chair Retainers(Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating)excluding Executive Committee) $20,000
Paid in six installments over the Board Year. If aA director who chairs more than one committee he or she will receive multiple chair retainers.  
The Committee Chair Retainer is in addition to the Committee Member Retainer.
Non-Employee ChairmanChair of the Board Retainer $625,000
Paid in six installments over the Board Year.  

22 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN21

 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION • OVERVIEW

Director Compensation|  Overview

 

Deferred Stock Units

Our Deferred Stock Unit (DSU) program for non-employee directors allows us to issue both Class A common DSUs and Class B common DSUs. Each DSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company’sBrown-Forman’s Class A or Class B common stock, based on the closing price of the shares on the date the award is made. After a non-employee director’s Board service ends, his or her DSUs are paid out in shares of Class A or Class B common stock following a six-month waiting period. Directors may elect to receive this distribution either in a single lump sum or in ten equal annual installments.

 

On each dividend payment date, non-employeeNon-employee directors who hold DSUs are credited with additional DSUs for the cash dividends on the number of shares represented by the DSUs they held on the record date for that dividend. These dividend credits are calculatedconverted to additional DSUs based on the market value of the Class A or Class B common stock as of the dividend payment date.

 

If a director’s Board service ends during a Board Year, the DSUs attributable to the remainder of that Board Year and any corresponding dividend-equivalent DSUs, do not vest and are forfeited.

 

Employee Directors

Until June 15, 2015, Geo. Garvin Brown IV served as the executive Chairman of the Board and Executive Vice President of Brown-Forman. In addition to his regular compensation as a Brown-Forman employee, we separately paid Mr. Brown $17,879 for his service as executive Chairman of the Board during this time period. This value was included in Mr. Brown’s target long-term incentive compensation. Effective June 15, 2015, Mr. Brown was named our non-executive Chairman of the Board and was paid as a non-employee director. Otherwise, we do not pay our employee directors (Paul C. Varga,

Lawson E. Whiting, Campbell P. Brown, and Marshall B. Farrer)Farrer are our employee directors. They do not receive any compensation for serving on our Board, any of its committees, or on the boards or equivalent bodies of any of our subsidiaries. For additional information on Geo. Garvin Brown IV’s compensation as a Brown-Forman employee, please see the “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” section, which begins on page 57.

 

Stock Ownership Guideline

Our stock ownership guideline for non-employee directors is equal to five times the value of the annual board retainer, (with a current guideline of $925,000).which for the 2019 Board Year was $1,025,000. When considering whether a non-employee director has satisfied the stock ownership guideline, the Compensation Committee includes DSUs as well as Class A or Class B common stock held directly.directly and DSUs. The value of any unexercised stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SSARs) is not included. Any non-employee director who has not yet met the stock ownership guideline must elect towill receive at least 60% of his or her annualequity board Board retainer in DSUs.

 

Expense Reimbursement

We reimburse all directors for reasonable and necessary expenses they incur in performing their duties as directors.connection with attending Brown-Forman Board and committee meetings. In addition, we provide a travel stipend of $3,000 per meeting to directors who must travel to an overseas location for such Board meetings from outside the United States.and committee meetings.

 

Continuing Education Allowance

The Company

Brown-Forman covers the cost, up to $10,000 per director per Board Year, of continuing education programs to support our directors’ efforts to remain current on best practices in board governance, industry matters, or other business topics relevant to their boardBoard service.

 

Events

We occasionally invite our directors and their spouses to certain events, including strategy retreats, retirement celebrations, award dinners, and similar events.functions. We believe these occasions provide valuable opportunities for our directors to establish and develop relationships with our senior executives, long-term stockholders, employees, and each other, furthering our objective of having a strong and cohesive Board.board.

 

23 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016

22BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION • FISCAL 2016 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Director Compensation  |  Fiscal 2019 Director Compensation

 

Fiscal 2016 Director CompensationFISCAL 2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

The following table shows the compensation we paid to our non-employee directors for their service in fiscal 2016.2019.

 

Fiscal 2016 Director Compensation Table      
FISCAL 2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLEFISCAL 2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
       
NameFees Earned or Paid in Cash(1) DSU Awards(2)(3) All Other Compensation(4) Total Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1) DSU Awards(2)(3) All Other Compensation(4) Total
Joan C. Lordi Amble$52,273 $175,000 70,000              $297,273
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne65,398 175,000 15,000 255,398 $163,323 $115,000 $12,000 $290,323
Geo. Garvin Brown IV450,980 351,884 15,000 817,864 532,500 312,500 18,000 863,000
Martin S. Brown, Jr.182,273   182,273
Stuart R. Brown173,043   173,043 149,375 57,500  206,875
Bruce L. Byrnes116,023 110,000 50,000 276,023 115,000 115,000  230,000
John D. Cook95,398 175,000 4,167 274,565 257,500   257,500
Sandra A. Frazier182,273   182,273
Laura L. Frazier 200,000   200,000
Kathleen M. Gutmann 95,000 115,000  210,000
Augusta Brown Holland120,944 65,850  186,794 70,000 115,000  185,000
Michael J. Roney26,648 175,000 18,000 219,648 95,000 115,000 18,000 228,000
Tracy L. Skeans(5) 25,000 253,701  278,701
Michael A. Todman81,023 110,000 45,833 236,856 115,000 115,000  230,000
Paul C. Varga(6) 68,333   68,333

 

(1)Amounts in this column reflect fees earned during fiscal 20162019 and include:include annual Board retainer if(if paid in cash;cash), Lead Independent Director fee;retainer, annual committee chair and committee member retainers;retainers, non-employee Chairmanchair of the Board retainer if(if paid in cash;cash), and any Board and committee meeting fees. This column also includes the approved increases to Board compensation during the year. The increase to the equity retainer was also paid in cash as it was approved outside our DSU election period.
(2)DSUs represent the right to receive one share of Class A or Class B common stock, and are determined by dividing the cash value of the compensation being paid in DSUs by the closing price of Class A or Class B common stock on the date of grant. DSU awards for the 20162019 Board Year were granted on July 23, 2015.26, 2018. The closing price of our Class A common stock on that date was $111.30.$54.20. The closing price of our Class B common stock on that date was $54.00. On dividend payment dates, outstanding DSUs are credited with dividend-equivalent DSUs.
(3)The aggregate number of SSARs DSUs, and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)DSUs outstanding for each of our non-employee directors as of April 30, 2016,2019, is set forth below. All SSARs shown are fully vested and exercisable. Annual grants of DSUs vest over the course of the Board Year. Outstanding SSARs and RSUs for Geo. Garvin Brown IV represent awards granted to him while he was an executive for the Company. Mr. Brown’s time-based RSUs will vest as follows: 3,936 RSUs will vest on 4/30/2017; 3,426 RSUs will vest on 4/30/2018; and 380 RSUs will vest on 4/30/2019 assuming his continued service on the Board.

 

   Class B SSAR /Class B Time-Based
 DSUs Outstanding Class ADSUs Outstanding Class BOptions OutstandingRestricted Stock Units
Nameas of April 30, 2016as of April 30, 2016as of April 30, 2016as of April 30, 2016
Joan C. Lordi Amble5,0402,327
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne6,0205,184
Geo. Garvin Brown IV3,1907,9357,742
Martin S. Brown, Jr.1,73118,234
Bruce L. Byrnes3,7143,365
John D. Cook6,0205,18421,752
Sandra A. Frazier1,73118,234
Augusta Brown Holland597
Michael J. Roney4,116
Michael A. Todman2,980
 Name DSUs Outstanding Class A
as of April 30, 2019
 DSUs Outstanding Class B
as of April 30, 2019
 Class B SSARs Outstanding
as of April 30, 2019
 Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne 20,926 18,442 
 Geo. Garvin Brown IV 25,105 4,817 
 Stuart R. Brown 1,071  
 Bruce L. Byrnes 14,626 12,042 
 John D. Cook 20,178 18,790 12,188
 Kathleen M. Gutmann 4,868 681 
 Augusta Brown Holland 8,014 1,467 
 Michael J. Roney 18,282 4,032 
 Tracy L. Skeans 4,727  
 Michael A. Todman 13,070 2,730 

 

(4)Reflects taxable travel stipend amounts paid during fiscal 20162019 to directors who traveledmust travel to an overseas location for Board meetings from outsideand committee meetings.
(5)Tracy L. Skeans joined the United States. In addition, this column includes one-time payments granted to currentBoard on March 21, 2018. The amounts set forth under “DSU Awards” represent the fees earned for her service for part of fiscal 2018 and prior Audit Committee membersfiscal 2019.
(6)Paul C. Varga retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brown-Forman on December 31, 2018. The amounts set forth under “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” represent the Board. This payment was granted in recognitionfees earned for his service as a non-employee director for part of the increased time commitment during the 2015 and 2016 Board years. Amounts granted were $70,000 to Ms. Amble, $50,000 to Mr. Byrnes, $4,167 to Mr. Cook, and $45,833 to Mr. Todman.fiscal 2019.

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN23

24 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Table of ContentsCompensation Discussion and Analysis

 

 

This section describes our executive compensation philosophy and objectives, and the decisions of the Compensation Committee (Committee) regarding the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (NEOs). For fiscal 2016,2019, our NEOs were:

 

NameTitle
Paul C. VargaCompany Chairman

Lawson E. Whiting

President and Chief Executive Officer(1)

Jane C. Morreau

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Mark I. McCallum

Executive Vice President President Jack Daniel’sand Chief Brands

Jill A. Jones Officer

Executive Vice President, President, NAR, CCSA, IMEA and GTR

Matthew E. Hamel

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Thomas Hinrichs

Senior Vice President, International Division

Paul C. Varga

Former Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer(2)

(1)Mr. Whiting became Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2019 and became President effective March 28, 2019.
(2)Mr. Varga retired as an employee of Brown-Forman on December 31, 2018.

 

Executive SummaryEXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Pay for Performance

We believe in pay for performance through our short-termshort- and long-term incentive programs.programs should drive performance. These programs utilize key performance metrics to compare our performance to that of our peers. We prioritizebelieve the use of these metrics as we believe it:accomplishes four key objectives:

 

»  is the clearest way to demonstrate the value we provide for our stockholders;

»  ensures that we hold ourselves to a performance standard that is as objective as possible;

»  reinforces a competitive and innovative mindset among our leadership; and

»  ensures that incentive payments are appropriate.

demonstrating value provided to our stockholdersensuring that we hold ourselves to an objective performance standardreinforcing a competitive and innovative mindset among our leadershipensuring that incentive payments are appropriate

 

We believe one of the best measures of value created by our NEOs for the Companycreate is the return provided to our stockholders comparedrelative to key financial measuresthe returns of Brown-Forman,other companies in our industry and the broader S&P 500, as shown in the charts below:

 

BROWN-FORMAN TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN (TSR) VS. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) VS. CEO TOTAL COMPENSATION GROWTH(1)  TSR: BROWN-FORMAN VS. INDUSTRY VS. S&P 500(2)

 

(1)Compares total shareholder returntrends for TSR of Brown-Forman Class B common stock and diluted earnings per shareEPS (percent growth over prior fiscal year) with the increase in Mr. Varga’s total compensation for the CEO role (percent growth over prior fiscal year). Given the CEO transition, total compensation is reflective of amounts earned by Mr. Varga’sVarga, with the exception of base salary and all other compensation, includeswhich represents amounts paid to both Mr. Varga and Mr. Whiting in fiscal 2019. Amounts are inclusive of base salary, stock appreciation rights, non-equity compensation, and all other compensation as reported in the fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.table. It also includes the performance-adjusted restricted stock award values as reported at the end of the applicable three-year performance period. Mr. Varga’s changeChange in pension values are excluded.
(2)Represents the compound annual growth rate of TSR. Industry total shareholder returnTSR is based on a weighted average of comparable industry peers.

25BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS • OVERVIEW OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAMcompanies in the distilled spirits industry.

 

As a result24BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Every year, the Committee evaluates NEO compensation in comparison to the compensation of theexecutives with equivalent positions within our industry. (This process is described below under “How We Set Target Compensation for Our NEOs.”) The Committee’s 2019 annual review process, it was determinedrevealed that the total target direct compensation for our NEOs was below the market median when compared tofor our compensation comparatorpeer group listed on page 29. In light of this review, we believe that our executive compensation program delivers exceptional value to our stockholders, particularly in light ofconsidering the combination of strong returns and best-in-class financial performance that the CompanyBrown-Forman and itsour management team have delivered over multiple years.

 

Performance-Based Payouts for Fiscal 20162019

Brown-Forman delivered solid performance in fiscal 2016,

Our compensation program demonstrates the close alignment between pay and payouts reflected the alignment of executive pay with Company performance.

 

CASH INCENTIVES

»We reported 8.1% growth in underlying operating income, above our predicted growth target for industry peers of 5%. As a result of this performance, the Company’s short-term cash incentives paid out at 144% of target.
»Our long-term cash incentives measure three-year performance of our 1) absolute underlying operating income (40% weighting), 2) our relative underlying operating income compared to industry peers (40% weighting), and 3) the achievement of key long-term strategic objectives in our BF 150 corporate strategy (20% weighting). Our performance on these measures for fiscal 2014–2016 resulted in a payout of 160% of target.

 

EQUITY-BASED INCENTIVES

We use equity-based compensation to align the long-term economic interests of our executivesNEOs with those of our stockholders. We offer our NEOs two types of equity-based incentives: performance-based restricted Class A common stock or stock units, and stock-settled stock appreciation rights settled in shares of Class B common stock.rights.

 

»Performance-based restricted stock awards for the fiscal 2014–20162017–2019 performance period were converted into restricted shares shortly after the conclusion of fiscal 2016.2019. The conversionnumber of restricted shares awarded was based ondetermined by the cumulative total shareholder returnTSR of our Class B common stock compared to thatthe weighted average TSR of the companies constituting the Standard & Poor’s Consumer Staples Index.Our relative performance against this group over the performance period was at the 49th81st percentile, resulting in a payout at 87.1%150% of target.target.
»Payouts of our stock-settled stock appreciation rights are determined by the increase of our Class B common stock price above the awards’ stated grant price. Please see page 43 for a list of outstanding stock-settled stock appreciation rights for each NEO.

 

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation

At

We conduct an advisory vote on our 2014executive compensation (“say-on-pay”) every three years. Our last “say-on-pay” vote occurred at our 2017 Annual Meeting, and our stockholders expressed overwhelming support for the compensation of our NEOs, with more than 99% of the votes cast approving the advisory “say-on-pay” resolution. The Committee considered these results as one factorof many factors in its executive compensation decisions for fiscal 20152018 and 2016,2019, and did not make any material changes to the executive compensation program as a result. program.

Following the expressed preference of our stockholders, the Companywho approved an advisory resolution favoring a three-year frequency for advisory say-on-pay votes at our 2017 Annual Meeting, Brown-Forman will continue to conduct future advisory votes on executive compensation every three years, butyears. We expect that our next say-on-pay vote will occur at our 2020 Annual Meeting. However, we mayreserve the right to conduct themvotes more frequently in order to receive shareholder feedback.seek additional feedback when warranted.

 

Overview of Our Compensation Program2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    25

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  OVERVIEW OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

 

Our company vision is “Building Forever,” which reflects our long-term perspective and desire to remain a strong, independent company indefinitely. We aim to “enrich the experience of life by responsibly building beverage alcohol brands, in our own way, that thrive and endure for generations.” We have identified specific strategic ambitions, known as the BF 150, that support our mission and vision as they represent objectives we believe are necessary to position our enterprise for success in the year 2020, coinciding with our 150th anniversary. These priorities include:
Building brands and businesses that create stockholder value;
Keeping Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey strong, healthy, and relevant to consumers worldwide;
Continuing to be the global leader in American whiskey;
Cultivating a portfolio of super premium brands;
Growing our business in the United States, our largest market;
Growing our non-U.S. developed and emerging markets;
Engaging our stockholders, including our controlling family stockholders;
Pursuing well-balanced capital deployment strategies; and
Being responsible in everything we do.

OVERVIEW OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Compensation Objectives and Principles

The objective of our executive compensation program is to attract, motivate, reward, and retain a diverse team of talented executives who will lead the CompanyBrown-Forman to produce superior, sustainable, long-term value for our stockholders.

 

As a family-controlled company,In order to remain competitive, as well as to ensure our history guides our perspective on executive compensation. Memberscompensation packages are aligned with the interests of the Brown family have historically served asand our senior leadership, and their compensation was modest by competitive market standards. While this was not a major concern at the time given their significant stock holdings, in recent years employees other than Brown family members have more frequently held our most senior executive positions, and have had less substantial ownership in the Company. As a result, our compensation structure has evolved over time to better reflect the competitive landscape for executive talent, andstockholders, we believe we have established programsa program that remainremains focused on creating long-term value, reinforcing financial accountability, and delivering outstanding operational performanceoutcomes to drive sustained performance of Brown-Forman’sBrown-Forman stock.

 

26 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS • OVERVIEW OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Compensation Elements

Principal elements of compensation for our NEOs include:

 

»base salary (including holiday bonus);
»short-term (one-year) performance-based cash compensation;
»long-term (three-year) performance-based cash compensation;
»long-term equityequity-based incentive compensation (including stock-settled(stock-settled stock appreciation rights and performance-based restricted stock)stock units);
»benefits and limited perquisites that are generally available to all senior executives; and
»limited post-employment compensation and other benefits.

 

Measuring Performance

To measure financial performance, we use a metric called “underlying operating income.” This metric is determined by adjusting GAAP operating income for the effecteffects of acquisitions and divestitures, foreign currency changes, the effect of estimated net changes in distributor inventories for our brands, and the effect of acquisitions and divestitures, and certain other items that we believe do not reflect the underlying performanceestablishment of our business.charitable foundation. Please refer to Appendix A at the end of this Proxy Statement for additional information.

 

The Committee believes that the most relevant measures of our performance are:

 

»strong and sustained growth in underlying operating income, both on an absolute basis and relative to industry peers,
»progress toward the Company’sour long-term strategic goals, and
»our three-year total shareholder returnTSR relative to the S&P Consumer Staples Index.


26BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  THE ROLE OF OUR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

FISCAL 2019 PERFORMANCE METRICS FOR BROWN-FORMAN INCENTIVE PLANS

 

Fiscal 2016 Performance Metrics for Brown-Forman Incentive Plans
Performance-Based ComponentPerformance Measures
Short-Term Cash Incentive80% Weighting: Underlying operating income growth(1) growth relative to predicted growthexpected performance among industry peers
 20% Weighting: Individual performance
Long-Term Cash Incentive(2)30% Weighting: Underlying operating income growth compared to sustained growth of 8%
 30% Weighting: Underlying operating income growth compared to industry peers
 40% Weighting: Progress toward the Company’s long-term quantitative and qualitative strategic goals
Performance-Based Restricted StockTotal shareholder returnTSR relative to S&P Consumer Staples Index
Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation RightsStock price growth above grant price

 

(1)“Underlying operating income” is a non-GAAP measure. We explain whynot derived in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to Appendix A at the Company usesend of this measure in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-KProxy Statement for fiscal 2016.
(2)Weightings for our long-term cash incentives were adjusted for fiscal 2016 grants. Please see page 33 for details.additional information.

 

Competitive Compensation

We aspire to provide target compensation for our NEOs that approximates median target compensation delivered to executives in similar positions at companies we consider competition for senior executive talent. We believe that providing strong, competitive target compensation aligned with performance enhances our ability to secure the right executive leadership for our Company while driving for the right results for our stockholders.

 

To help ensure we meet this objective, is met, the Committee reviewscompares Brown-Forman’s compensation practices towith those of a group of high-performing, brand-building consumer products companies with similar financial characteristics. During fiscal 2016 theThe Committee reviewedreviews this group of companies annually to ensure continued alignment with the characteristics of Brown-Forman.they continue to meet these criteria. These companies are listed on page 29.

 

 
Our company vision is “Building Forever,” which reflects our long-term perspective and desire to remain a strong, independent company indefinitely. We aim to “enrich the experience of life by responsibly building beverage alcohol brands, in our own way, that thrive and endure for generations.” We have identified specific strategic ambitions, known as the BF 150, that support our mission and vision as they represent objectives we believe are necessary to position our enterprise for success in the year 2020, coinciding with our 150th anniversary. These priorities include:
» Building brands and businesses that create stockholder value;
» Keeping Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey strong, healthy, and relevant to consumers worldwide;
» Continuing to be the global leader in American whiskey;
» Growing our Finlandia and Herradura portfolios;
» Growing our business in the United States, our largest market;
» Growing our non-U.S. developed and emerging markets;
» Engaging our stockholders, including our controlling family stockholders;
» Pursuing well-balanced capital deployment strategies; and
» Being responsible in everything we do.
We believe that our executive compensation program enhances our ability to achieve these priorities in a manner that is aligned with our vision, mission, and values.

THE ROLE OF OUR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

27BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS • TARGET COMPENSATION

 

The Role of Our Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of our Board serves a critical role in our compensation governance. Bygovernance by providing independent oversight and thought leadership on executive compensation and its relationship to Company performance, the Committee establishesestablishing performance objectives that aligncorrelate pay and performance. WithThe Committee, with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co. (FWC), the CommitteeFWC, establishes compensation for our NEOs and certain other designated executive officers, and helps the Board fulfill its duties relating to the compensation of our directors, officers, and employees. The Committee also has the sole authority, on behalf of the Board, to determine the compensation of our CEO. Pursuant to its charter, the Committee may delegate to the Management Compensation and Benefits Committee, or to one or more company officers, the authority to make equity awards to other eligible individuals. The Committee may change or revoke any delegation at any time.

 

The Committee is composed of three independent directors Messrs. Bousquet-ChavanneRoney (Chair), Cook,Bousquet-Chavanne, and Roney.Cook. Each member of the Committee qualifies as an independent director under the NYSE’s heightened independence standards for Compensation Committeecompensation committee members of non-controlled companies, as a non-employee director under SEC rules, and as an outside director under regulations adopted pursuant to Section 162162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a “controlled company,” Brown-Forman is not required to meet all of the abovethese standards, but we believe that doing so is in the best interests of our Companycompany and itsour stockholders.

 

The Committee’s deliberations and decisions are informed by the diverse experience of its members, input from certain members of management, advice from FWC, and access to functional experts in our human resources department.at the company.

 

Sound Pay Practices

We avoid pay practices that we believe do not support the objectives of our executive compensation program or our culture. We do not offer NEOs employment agreements, non-performance-based cash payments (other than base salary and holiday bonus), tax gross-ups, excessive perquisites, or severance and/or change-in-control agreements. We also have an Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (commonly known as a “clawback” policy) that permits the CompanyBrown-Forman to seek recovery of incentive compensation paid or awarded in the event ofwe restate a financial restatement due tofiling because of material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements or the discovery ofwe discover an error in the calculation of thethat incentive compensation that was awarded or paid.compensation.

 

Each year, we assess and evaluate potential compensation-related risks. Based upon this year’s review, the Companymanagement and the Committee have concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create any risk that is reasonably likely to have a material adverse impacteffect on the Company.Brown-Forman. This is our intent and it is consistent with our findings in prior fiscal years.

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    27

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  TARGET COMPENSATION

 

The Compensation Consultant

As the Committee’san independent compensation advisor, FWC reports directly to the Committee and attends Committee meetings as requested. FWC provides the Committee with information on external compensation trends and guidance on the compensation of our CEO and other NEOs, in addition to reviewingand also reviews this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. In addition, FWC provides independent advice to the Board on director remuneration, provides assistanceassists with the Board and committee self-assessment process, of Board committees and the Board, and acts as the Committee’s advisor in working with Company management on matters that fall within the Committee’s purview.management. FWC provides no other services to the CompanyBrown-Forman or its management.

 

In accordance with SEC and NYSE requirements, the Committee has reviewed the independence of FWC and determined that no conflict exists that would compromise the independence of the advice itthe firm provides.

 

Target CompensationTARGET COMPENSATION

 

How We Set Target Compensation for Our NEOs

We apply a customized approach to determine the target compensation offor each NEO. We consider each NEO’s role, the value of the role in the labor market, and factors specific to eachthe NEO as an individual. Individual factors include tenure with the Company,Brown-Forman, mastery of current role, potential to move into expanded roles, current performance, scarcity of skill sets, retention risk, fit within our culture, career experience, and internal pay equity. We find that this approach leads to a more effective pay program than one based solely based on external labor market data.

 

To ensure our pay is competitive, we compare NEO compensation with the compensation for executives in similar positions within aour compensation comparator group of high-performing, brand-building consumer products companies with financial characteristics similar to those of Brown-Forman.group. FWC prepares a market analysis comparing the target value of each

28 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS • TARGET COMPENSATION

element of compensation for Brown-Forman’s NEOs to those of the compensation paid by our compensation comparator group. This analysis produces a range of market-competitive levels of target compensation as one consideration in determining base salaries and target incentive compensationpay for our NEOs.

In setting and evaluating target compensation we use “total direct compensation,” which consists of base salary (including holiday bonus), short-term incentives, and long-term incentives. While we do not set target compensation to meet specific benchmarks, we do consider the median of the comparator group as a guide forto appropriate target pay ranges for our NEOs.

 

To determine the pay elements that make up each NEO’s target compensation, we begin by reviewing a preferred “pro-forma”the pay mix of pay, developed and recommended by FWC.our compensation comparator group. The objective of this practice is to have a pay mix that aligns from anour internal perspective and supportswith the comparator group, while supporting our goal of promoting shareholderstockholder value. FWC and the Committee periodically review the “pro-forma”pay mix to ensure we maintain this continued alignment.

 

BROWN-FORMAN CEO AND NEO PAY MIX VS. COMPENSATION COMPARATOR GROUP

28BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Brown-Forman CEO & NEO Pay Mix vs. Compensation Comparator Group
Brown-Forman CEO Mix17%21% Short-Term62% Long-Term
Base Salary83% At Risk 

Comparator CEO Mix17%19% Short-Term64% Long-Term
Base Salary83% At Risk

Brown-Forman NEO Mix30%COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2019: FIXED AND SHORT-TERM COMPENSATION22% Short-Term48% Long-Term
Base Salary70% At Risk
Pro-Forma NEO Mix(1)30%22% Short-Term48% Long-Term
Base Salary70% At Risk

Comparator NEO Mix25%21% Short-Term54% Long-Term
Base Salary75% At Risk

(1) This represents a recommended target pay mix by FWC.

 

Compensation Comparator Group

During fiscal 2016,

Each year, the Committee reviewedreviews the membership of the compensation comparator group to ensure continued alignment with the characteristics of Brown-Forman. As a result of thisthe most recent review, Lorillard,Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. and Pinnacle Foods Inc. were removed from the comparator group, and Tiffany & Co. was removedadded. The companies shown below constituted the compensation comparator group for decisions made as they were recently acquired, and Energizer Holdings Inc. was removed due to their recent spin-off transaction.of March 21, 2019.

 

Campari S.p.A.Harley Davidson Inc.McCormick & Co., Inc.Remy Cointreau SA
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.Harley Davidson Inc.Monster Beverage CorporationThe J.M. Smucker Company
ConAgra Brands, Inc.Hershey Co.Mead Johnson NutritionPernod RicardTiffany & Co.
Constellation Brands, Inc.lululemon athletica inc.Remy Cointreau
Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A.McCormick & Company, IncorporatedThe Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
Constellation Brands, Inc.Diageo PlcJ.M. Smucker Co.Molson Coors Brewing Co.CompanyThe WhiteWave FoodsHershey Company
Diageo Plc.Keurig Green Mountain Inc.Monster Beverage Corp.
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.lululemon athletica inc.Pernod Ricard SA

29    BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

  COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •
AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2016: FIXED AND SHORT-TERM COMPENSATION

 

Target Total Direct Compensation for Fiscal 20162019

The chart below shows the annualized target total direct compensation for each of our NEOs in fiscal 20162019 versus fiscal 2015,2018, and the percentage increase of each component.the compensation packages.

 

Fiscal 2016 versus Fiscal 2015FISCAL 2019 VERSUS FISCAL 2018 NEO Target Total Direct CompensationTARGET TOTAL DIRECT COMPENSATION

 

  Salary and Short-Term Long-TermTarget TotalPercent 
Name Year Holiday Bonus(1)Target IncentiveDirect CompIncreasePay Mix   Year   Salary and
Holiday Bonus(1)
   Short-Term
Incentive Target
     Long-Term
Incentive Target
   Target Total
Direct Comp
   Percent
(+/-)
 Pay Mix at Target
Paul C. Varga20161,133,3701,400,0004,200,0006,733,3703%
Lawson E. Whiting(2) 2019 $899,113 $850,000 $1,666,667 $3,415,780 89%   
20151,133,3701,400,0004,000,0006,533,370  2018 625,099 390,027 795,833 1,810,959  
Jane C. Morreau2016572,935400,000850,0001,822,9354% 2019 625,020 450,000 1,050,000 2,125,020 11% 
2015552,101400,000800,0001,752,101  2018 598,978 420,000 900,000 1,918,978  
Mark I. McCallum2016645,854440,000850,0001,935,8543% 2019 681,324 463,500 885,800 2,030,624 3% 
2015625,020435,000821,0951,881,115  2018 661,480 450,000 860,000 1,971,480  
Jill A. Jones2016598,978430,000800,0001,828,97813%
2015533,350398,533683,4091,615,292 
Matthew E. Hamel2016495,024275,000575,0001,345,0248% 2019 536,476 309,000 654,050 1,499,526 3% 
2015484,711240,000520,0001,244,711  2018 520,850 300,000 635,000 1,455,850  
Thomas Hinrichs(3) 2019 478,965 410,364 482,782 1,372,111 14% 
 2018 458,796 361,850 383,160 1,203,806  
Paul C. Varga(4) 2019 812,478 1,006,920 3,024,267 4,843,665 -31% 
 2018 1,145,870 1,455,000 4,400,000 7,000,870  

 

(1)Salary and holiday bonus are based on the one-year period beginning on July 1. Other compensation elements are based on our fiscal year beginning May 1. Any change to compensation during the year is prorated.pro-rated.
(2)Mr. Whiting’s increase in compensation was the result of his promotion to Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2019.
(3)Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.
(4)Mr. Varga retired from Brown-Forman on December 31, 2018. Amounts shown reflect his pro-rated compensation based on his retirement date.

 

Awards and Payouts in Fiscal 2016: Fixed and Short-Term CompensationAWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2019: FIXED AND SHORT-TERM COMPENSATION

 

Fixed Compensation

Base salary.Salaries typically are typically adjusted each July following completion ofafter we complete our annual performance review process, thoughbut an NEO’s salary may be adjusted during the fiscal year if he or she experiencesat other times to reflect a change in role or responsibility.

 

Holiday bonus.One of our longstanding traditions is to offer a majority of our employees, including our NEOs, a lump-sum cash bonus during the holiday season. The intent of thisThis bonus is intended to promote continued service within the Company and likewise recognizeto show appreciation for our employees. The holiday bonus, which we consider to be part of base salary, is guaranteed and based solely on the employee’s length of servicetenure with the Company.Brown-Forman.

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    29

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2019: FIXED AND SHORT-TERM COMPENSATION

 

The table below shows the total amount of fixed compensation that each of our NEOs received in fiscal 2016.2019.

FIXED COMPENSATION FOR 2019(1)

 

Fixed Compensation for 2016(1)Name 
NameAmount
Lawson E. Whiting$872,374
Jane C. Morreau620,842
Mark I. McCallum678,140
Matthew E. Hamel533,969
Thomas Hinrichs(2)477,044
Paul C. Varga(3)$1,133,370
Jane C. Morreau569,602
Mark I. McCallum642,521
Jill A. Jones594,811
Matthew E. Hamel493,357806,779

 

(1)Reflects fiscal year fixed compensation from May 1, 2015,2018, to April 30, 2016,2019, which includes base salary and holiday bonus.

30 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS(2)

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.
(3)AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2016: FIXED AND SHORT-TERM COMPENSATIONMr. Varga’s fixed compensation is pro-rated for the period of May 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

 

Short-Term Incentive Compensation

Our NEOs participate in an annual performance-based cash compensation program in which payouts depend on the achievement of certain performance goals during the fiscal year.

 

For fiscal 2016,2019, 80% of the target award was tied to Companycompany performance and 20% was tied to individual performance. We believe that basing the majority of short-term incentive awards for NEOs on Companycompany performance appropriately reflects the collective accountability of our most senior executives for the performancesuccess of the enterprise.organization. We also believe that basing a lesser, but meaningful, portion of the short-term incentive on individual performance provides flexibility to differentiate awards among NEOs based on their individualrespective achievements during the fiscal year.

 

Both the corporate and individual portions of our short-term incentives are subject to a performance factor of 0% to 200%. After adjusting for performance, the two components are added together to determine the total short-term incentive payment. As a result, the total value of short-term incentives may vary between 0% and 200% of target, which is a range we believe is sufficient to recognizefor recognizing varying levels of performance while notwithout encouraging excessive risk-taking.

 

Please see the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2016 found on page 40 for the amounts paid to NEOs in short-term incentive compensation for fiscal 2016.2019.

 

COMPANY PERFORMANCE (80% OF TARGET AWARD)

Company performance goals for fiscal 20162019 were based on the Company’sBrown-Forman’s underlying operating income growth as compared to the expected performance of our industry peers. We aspire to outperform these peers consistently and sustainably, and considered our historicalhistoric underlying operating income growth trends and outlook for fiscal 20162019 performance when setting these objectives.

 

The Committee determined that, for purposes of the short-term incentive compensation plan, the CompanyBrown-Forman achieved underlying operating income of $1,090$1,157 million for fiscal 2016. (On2019, which represents 5% growth over last year, compared to an as-reported basis, fiscal 2016expected growth rate of 6% for our industry peers. As shown on the next page, these results led to a payout of 87% of target for this portion of the short-term incentive.

Underlying operating income was $1,533 million.) Underlying operating incomeat Brown-Forman was calculated by adjusting GAAP operating income for the following effects:

 

»foreign currency changes;
»estimated net changes in distributor inventories for our brands; and
»the saleestablishment of the Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands;
»transaction-related costs incurred in fiscal 2016 associated with the purchase of The BenRiach Distillery Company Limited.our foundation.

 

The effect of the sale of the Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands included the gain on sale, transaction-related costs, and“Underlying operating activity for the period thatincome” is not comparable.derived in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to Appendix A at the end of this Proxy Statement for additional information.

 

We explain why the Company uses underlying operating income in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016.30BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

The fiscal 20162019 short-term performance goal, our actual performance, and the resulting payout percentage of 144%87% of target is shown in the chart below:

 

Fiscal 2016 Short-Term Incentive Compensation Performance Goal (inFISCAL 2019 SHORT-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PERFORMANCE GOAL (IN $MM)

 

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •
AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2016: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE (20% OF TARGET AWARD)

Individual performance objectives for the NEOs consist of qualitative and quantitative goals that support the achievement of our strategic priorities. For fiscal 2016, finalpriorities, such as fulfilling individual scores were adjustedjob responsibilities, providing diversity and inclusion leadership, implementing talent development, developing profit-driving ideas, implementing BF 150 strategies, and making overall contributions to ensureBrown-Forman as a weighted average reflecting overall Company performance, as we believe the performance of our Company is a reflection of the performance of our people.senior leader. Payout levels for the individual portion of the short-term incentive are based on the following guidelines for aligning performance and compensation:

 

Performance(B-F Nomenclature)Payout as a Percentage of Target
Superior(Excellent)176%–200%
Above Target(Very Strong)126%–175%
On Target(Strong)76%–125%
Below Target(Varied or Inconsistent)Up to 75%
Immediate Improvement Required(Performance Needs Improvement)No incentive paid

 

Individual performance objectives for our NEOs emphasize individual job responsibilities, diversity leadership, talent development, development of profit-driving ideas, implementation of B-F 150 strategies, and overall contributions to Brown-Forman as a senior leader.AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

Awards and Payouts in Fiscal 2016: Long-Term Compensation

Long-term incentives are the most important and largest portion of our NEOs’ target compensation. TheyThese awards are intended to focus the efforts of our executives on our long-range strategic goals, including sustainable growth and performance of our brands, and superior returns to our stockholders. They also serve as a strong retention incentive and enhance the alignment of our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders by building equity ownership.

 

In order to encourage balanced performance to create sustainableThe Committee initially determines the target dollar value of the total long-term incentive award for stockholders, we structure oureach NEO. The target long-term incentives as follows:are divided equally into four components:

 

»

25% of target: in the form of a

performance-based cash incentive;

incentives

»25% of target: in the form of performance-based restricted stock;
»

25% of target: in the form of

stock-settled stock appreciation rights; andrights

»

25%

performance-based restricted stock units

25% of target: in the form of

any combination of the above, based on the NEO’s preference, subject to Compensation Committee discretion.discretion

 

The Committee has discretion to allocate the flexible 25% portion of the award in any manner it chooses. Traditionally, however, the Committee has chosen to follow the individual preferences expressed by each NEO. Our aim with this approach is to align our NEOs’ financial incentivesencourage balanced performance in order to the Company’s long-term performance objectives,create sustainable value for stockholders, while also delivering compensation that has the highest perceived value for each individual NEO.

 

The Compensation Committee initially determines the target dollar value of the total long-term incentive award for each NEO. With respect to the flexible 25% portion of the award, the Committee has discretion to allocate this portion in any manner it chooses. Traditionally, however, it has followed the individual preferences expressed by our NEOs.2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    31

32 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •
AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2016: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

Long-Term Performance-Based Cash Incentive (For

(For the Fiscal 2016–20182019–2021 Performance Period)

We provide our NEOs with an opportunity to earn a cash-based incentive award that is linked to the Company’sBrown-Forman’s achievement of long-term performance goals. The graphic below shows how we tie this incentive to those goals, utilizing the same performance metrics since fiscal 2013. In setting long-term goals for fiscal 2016, the Committee changed the weightings of the performance metrics to focus more on strategic initiatives and measures relating to underlying net sales.(1)goals.

 

Long-Term Cash Incentives Formula(2)LONG-TERM CASH INCENTIVES FORMULA

 

To calculate the final payout, we:

 

1.Assess performance under the three metrics below and calculate a payout percentage for each.
2.Weight these payout percentages using the weightings shown below.
3.Add the three weighted percentages to arrive atcalculate the final payout percentage.
4.Multiply each NEO’s target award by the final payout percentage.

 

 

(1)(1)Before any long-term cash incentive may be earned, the company must achieve the threshold underlying operative income objective over the three-year performance period. If the underlying operating income threshold is not achieved, no awards will be earned.
(2)Underlying net sales is a non-GAAP measure and is detailed in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016. Before a long-term cash incentive may be earned, the Company must achieve a minimum underlying operating income objective during the three-year performance period.
(2)Weightings for our long-term cash incentives were adjusted for fiscal 2016 grants. Please see page 26 for more information about the previous weightings.2019.

 

33  BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

32BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •
AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2016: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

AWARDS GRANTED IN FISCAL 20162019 (FOR THE FISCAL 2016–20182019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

Long-term cash incentives granted in fiscal 20162019 have a three-year performance period and, if earned, will be paid shortly following the completion ofafter fiscal 2018.2021 ends. The table below shows the target awards granted to each NEO in fiscal 2016.2019.

TARGET LONG-TERM CASH AWARDS FOR FISCAL 2019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

 

Target Long-Term Cash Awards for Fiscal 2016–2018 Performance PeriodName 
NameAmount
Lawson E. Whiting$1,266,667
Jane C. Morreau420,000
Mark I. McCallum442,900
Matthew E. Hamel163,513
Thomas Hinrichs(1)241,391
Paul C. Varga(2)$1,680,0001,209,707

(1)Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.
Jane C. Morreau(2)297,500
Mark I. McCallum425,000
Jill A. Jones280,000
Matthew E. Hamel143,750Mr. Varga’s amount is pro-rated for the period of May 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. See “Treatment of Short-Term and Long-Term Incentive Awards upon Termination of Employment” on page 48.

 

AWARDS EARNED IN FISCAL 20162019 (FOR THE FISCAL 2014–20162017–2019 PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

Our long-term cash awards for the three-year performance period beginning in fiscal 20142017 were paid out shortly after fiscal 20162019 ended. Based on our performance, the payout was 160%103% of the target award, calculated as shown in the graphic below:

 

Actual Performance and Payout for Fiscal 2014–2016 Performance PeriodACTUAL PERFORMANCE AND PAYOUT FOR FISCAL 2017–2019 PERFORMANCE PERIOD(1)

 

34  BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS(1)Reflects the originally reported growth in “underlying operating income.” “Underlying operating income” is not derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The “underlying operating income” growth rate for fiscal 2018 was not retrospectively adjusted to reflect the impact from the adoption of the Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 (related to pension) and other reclassified expenses related to certain marketing research and promotional agency costs. The impact of these changes, which had no effect on net income, was not material. The long-term incentive compensation related to fiscal 2018 was also not retrospectively adjusted as a result. Please refer to Appendix A of this Proxy Statement for additional information.

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    33

 COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •
AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2016: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

The table below shows the long-term cash award that each NEO earned in fiscal 20162019 based on the 160%103% payout for the fiscal 2014–20162017–2019 performance period.

 

LONG-TERM CASH AWARDS PAID FOR FISCAL 2017–2019 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

Long-Term Cash Awards Paid for Fiscal 2014–2016 Performance Period
NameAmount
Lawson E. Whiting$334,750
Jane C. Morreau315,180
Mark I. McCallum442,900
Matthew E. Hamel163,513
Thomas Hinrichs(1)177,595
Paul C. Varga$2,664,0001,586,200

Jane C. Morreau(1)410,512
Mark I. McCallum379,200
Jill A. Jones464,000
Matthew E. Hamel200,000Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock

We award our NEOs and certain other executives shares of Class A common stock through our performance-based restricted stock unit awards. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, performance-based restricted stock unit awards are granted on the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is typically held in late July.Meeting.

 

AWARDS GRANTED IN FISCAL 20162019 (FOR THE FISCAL 2016–20182019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

Performance-based restricted stock awardsunits granted in fiscal 20162019 have a three-year performance period. These awards are initially expressed as a dollar value. Followingvalue and converted to a specific number of units. At the end of the three-year performance period, this target dollar value isthe number of units will be adjusted for performance and converted to shares that are subject to an additional one-year vesting period, subject to certain events that may cause the award to vest earlier.holding requirement.

TARGET PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AWARDS FOR FISCAL 2019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

 

Target Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards for Fiscal 2016–2018 Performance Period
Name 
NameAmount
Lawson E. Whiting$450,000
Jane C. Morreau315,000
Mark I. McCallum221,450
Matthew E. Hamel163,513
Thomas Hinrichs(1)123,343
Paul C. Varga(2)$1,050,000907,280

(1)Mr. Hinrichs’s amount is converted from EUR to USD using grant date conversion methodology on July 27, 2018.
Jane C. Morreau(2)297,500
Mark I. McCallum212,500
Jill A. Jones280,000
Matthew E. Hamel143,750Mr. Varga’s amount is pro-rated for the period of May 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. See “Treatment of Short-Term and Long-Term Incentive Awards Upon Termination of Employment” on pg 48.

 

Performance will be measured by comparing the three-year cumulative total shareholder returnTSR of Brown-Forman’s Class B common stock with the three-year cumulative total shareholder returnTSR of the companies in the S&P Consumer Staples Index. The payout scale is shown below.on the next page. In addition to the relative TSR performance measurement, the CompanyBrown-Forman must achieve an underlying operating income objective during the three-year performance period. If the underlying operating income threshold is not achieved, no awards will be earned.

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards:34BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATIONDISCUSSION AND ANALYSISPayout Scale and Potential Payouts for Fiscal 2016–2018 Performance Period  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS:

30th55th80th
PercentilePercentilePercentile

Brown-Forman 3-year TSR Rank vs. S&P Consumer Staples Index

PAYOUT SCALE AND POTENTIAL PAYOUTS FOR FISCAL 2019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

ThresholdTargetMaximum
50% Payout100% Payout150% Payout

 

Payouts for performance between threshold and target and between target and maximum will be interpolated using a straight-line method. In calculating total shareholder return,TSR, we look at the average closing stock prices over the sixty60 trading days preceding the performance period and the final sixty60 trading days of the performance period. The companies used for the performance comparison will be those that constitute the S&P Consumer StaplesProducts Index at the end of the performance period.

 

 

35 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •  
AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2016: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS EARNED IN FISCAL 2016

(FOR2019 (FOR THE FISCAL 2014–20162017–2019 PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

Performance-based restricted stock unit awards for the fiscal 2014–20162017–2019 performance period were subject to a three-year performance period followed by a one-year vestingholding period. Performance was measured by comparing the three-year cumulative total shareholder returnTSR of Brown-Forman’s Class B common stock with the three-year cumulative total shareholder returnTSR of the companies that constituted the S&P Consumer Staples Index when the performance period ended. Vesting ofPerformance-based restricted stock unit awards earned over the performance-adjusted stock award earned in fiscal 2016 will occur after the one-year vestingthree-year performance period i.e.,ending April 30, 2017,2019 will vest on April 30, 2020, subject to certain events that may cause thean award to vest earlier.

 

The following companies constituted the comparative S&P Consumer Staples Index:Index at the end of the 2017–2019 performance period:

 

AtriaAltria Group, Inc.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
Brown-Forman Corporation (Cl B)
Campbell Soup Company
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ConAgra Brands, Inc.
Constellation Brands, Inc. (Cl A)
Costco Wholesale Corp.Corporation
Kroger Co.Sysco Corp.
Archer Daniels Midland Co.CVS Health Corp.Coty Inc.
General Mills, Inc.
Hormel Foods Corporation
Kellogg Company
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
McCormick & Co.Company, Incorporated
Molson Coors Brewing Company (Cl B)
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Cl A)
Monster Beverage Corporation
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
PepsiCo, Inc.
Philip Morris International Inc.
Sysco Corporation
The Clorox Company
The Coca-Cola Co.
Brown-Forman Corp.Company
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (Cl B)A)
The Hershey Company
The J.M. Smucker Company
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc.Mead Johnson NutritionThe Kraft Heinz Company
The Kroger Co.

The Procter & Gamble Company
Tyson Foods, Inc. (Cl A)
Campbell Soup Co.Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (Cl A)Molson Coors Brewing Co. (Cl B)Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Church & Dwight Co,. Inc.General Mills Inc.Mondelez International Inc. (Cl A)
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Clorox Co.Hershey Co.Monster Beverage Corp.Whole Foods Market
Walmart Inc.
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.Hormel Foods Corp.PepsiCo Inc.
Colgate-Palmolive Co.J.M. Smucker Co.Philip Morris International Inc.
ConAgra Foods Inc.Kellogg Co.Procter & Gamble Co.
Constellation Brands Inc. (Cl A)Kimberly-Clark Corp.Reynolds American Inc.

 

The Committee chose a payout range of payouts (50% to 150% of target) to support our goals of pay for performance and increased NEO equity ownership, while at the same time discouraging unnecessary risk-taking. Based on performance over the three-year period ending in fiscal 2016,2019, the awards paid out at 87.1%150% of target.

This performance level was used to determine the number of restricted shares issuable to our NEOs,target, as shown below.

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards:  
Performance for Fiscal 2014–2016 Performance Period

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS:

PERFORMANCE FOR FISCAL 2017–2019 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

 

 

Payouts for performance between threshold and target and between target and maximum arewill be interpolated using a straight-line method. In calculating total shareholder return,TSR, we look at average closing stock prices over the sixty60 trading days preceding the performance period and the final sixty60 trading days of the performance period.

 

 

The number of shares issued was determined by multiplying the target award by a three-year performance percentage and adjusting the resulting value was adjusted upwardnumber upwards to account for dividends paid during the second and third years of the performance period. The number of restricted shares issued was then calculated using the closing price of Class A common stock on the date of grant (at the beginning of the three-year performance period). The Committee chose this calculation method to ensure that our NEOs remain exposed to changes in stock price, andbut also earn the dividends issued during the performance period, consistent with the goals of our long-term incentive plan. These restricted

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    35

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  OTHER COMPENSATION ELEMENTS

The shares awarded for the 2017–2019 performance period were issued on June 1, 2016,3, 2019, and are subject to a one-year vestingholding period that ends on April 30, 2017.2020. For more information on the performance-based restricted stock unit awards granted during fiscal 2016,2019, please see the Fiscal 2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table and the Outstanding Equity Awards at 20162019 Fiscal Year-End Table, set forth on pages 42 and 43, respectively.

36 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS • OTHER COMPENSATION ELEMENTS

 

The table below shows the number of shares of performance-based restricted stock that wereunits issued on June 1, 2016, for the fiscal 2014–20162017–2019 performance period.

 

SHARES ISSUED FOR FISCAL 2017–2019 PERFORMANCE PERIOD(1)

NameClass A SharesClass B Shares(2)Total Shares
Lawson E. Whiting4,8521,2126,064
Jane C. Morreau8,8652,21511,080
Mark I. McCallum6,4171,6038,020
Matthew E. Hamel4,7391,1845,923
Thomas Hinrichs2,5146293,143
Paul C. Varga39,3969,83749,233

(1)Reflects the number of shares of Class A common stock inclusive of the February 28, 2018 stock split and April 23, 2018 special dividend. Shares Issued for Fiscal 2014–2016 Performance Periodof Class B common stock were awarded as a result of the February 28, 2018 stock split, and are likewise inclusive of the April 23, 2018 special dividend.
(2)NumberThe 5-for-4 stock split effective February 28, 2018, granted all additional shares in Class B common stock, regardless of
Name the initial class of shares held. As a result, our NEOs received shares issued in both Class A Shares
Paul C. Varga13,388
Jane C. Morreau2,322
Mark I. McCallum3,812
Jill A. Jones1,750
Matthew E. Hamel1,509and Class B common stock.

 

Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights

We award stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SSARs) that allow our NEOs to receive the value of the appreciation of our Class B common stock between the grant date and the exercise date. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, SSARs are granted annually on the date of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is typically held in late July.Meeting. The number of Class B common stock SSARs awarded to our NEOs for fiscal 20162019 was determined by dividing the total dollar value of each SSAR award by the value of one SSAR (determined by the Black-Scholes method) at the close of trading on the grant date. SSARs become exercisable on the first day of the third fiscal year following the grant date, and generally are generally exercisable for seven fiscal years thereafter. The SSARs granted in July 20152018 (for fiscal 2016)2019) therefore become exercisable on May 1, 2018,2021, and expire on April 30, 2025.2028.

SSAR GRANTS IN FISCAL 2019 (IN CLASS B COMMON STOCK)

 

SSAR Grants in Fiscal 2016 (in Class B shares)
NameSSARs Granted
Paul C. VargaLawson E. Whiting77,12540,688
Jane C. Morreau13,37928,482
Mark I. McCallum11,150
Jill A. Jones12,59220,023
Matthew E. Hamel15,08429,569
Thomas Hinrichs11,153
Paul C. Varga(1)82,033

(1)Mr. Varga’s amount is pro-rated for the period of May 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. See “Treatment of Short-Term and Long-Term Incentive Awards Upon Termination of Employment” on page 48.

 

Other Compensation ElementsOTHER COMPENSATION ELEMENTS

 

Post-Termination Compensation and Benefits

We do not have employment agreements with any of our NEOs, nor do we maintain a formal severance plan that provides for post-termination compensation or benefits.

 

Employee Benefits and Perquisites

We provide our NEOs with certain benefits that are available to nearly all of our salaried employees in the United States, including Company-paid group term life insurance (equal to two times target cash compensation), travel accident insurance, Company matching contributions

36BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS|  COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

to a 401(k) savings plan, medical and dental plans,insurance, and a pension that grows with each additional year of service and pay. NEOs and certain other executives receive additional benefits, including a leased automobile, automobile insurance, and limited reimbursement of financial planning expenses.

 

We purchase tickets to sporting and entertainment events for business outings with customers and suppliers. If the tickets are not used for business purposes, employees (including the NEOs) may use the tickets at no incremental cost to the Company.Brown-Forman. In addition, we occasionally invite the NEOs and their spouses to certainsocial events, including retirement celebrations, award dinners, and similar events.functions. We believe these events provide valuable opportunities for our senior executives to establish and develop relationships with our directors, long-term stockholders, employees, and each other, furthering our objectives of retention and having a strong and cohesive management team. For more detail on these employee benefits, please see the “All Other Compensation” column of the Fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2016 found on page 40.

 

37  BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS • COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

Brown-Forman Corporation Non-qualifiedNon-Qualified Savings Plan

We provide our NEOs and other senior executives the opportunity to defer income on a pre-tax basis to help them plan for future financial needs. The Brown-Forman Corporation Non-qualifiedNon-Qualified Savings Plan (Savings Plan) greatly enhances the perceived value of compensation for participants at very little cost to the Company.Brown-Forman. The Savings Plan allows our NEOs to make pre-tax deferrals of up to 50% of base salary (including holiday bonus) and up to 75% of short- and long-term cash incentives. Participants in the Savings Plan may notionally invest their plan balances in mutual funds within generally the same asset classes available to participants in our qualified 401(k) savings plan.

 

In the event a participant’s deferrals into the Savings Plan reduce the participant’s taxable compensation that would otherwise be considered 401(k)-eligible pay upon which Companya company matching in the 401(k)contribution is calculated, the CompanyBrown-Forman will contribute to the Savings Plan to make up for any lost match under the Company’s 401(k) plan. All deferrals to the Savings Plan, and the Company’sBrown-Forman’s contributions to it, are 100% vested when made, as are any deemed earnings related to those contributions. The benefits owed under the Savings Plan will beare general unsecured obligations of the Company, though the Company has chosen to set aside assets in a trust for the purpose of paying plan benefits. The CompanyBrown-Forman. Brown-Forman is not entitled to an income tax deduction on the benefits owed under the Savings Plan until the benefits become taxable to the participants, which generally will be when the benefits are actually paid. Benefits accumulated under the Savings Plan are payable at either a participant-selected date at least two years after a contribution is made or after a participant’s termination of employment.employment terminates. Amounts payable after terminationaccumulated are payable in a lump sum six months after termination, except in the case of retirement, where the form of payment (lump sum or installments of up to 10ten years) and the time of payment (up to ten years after retirement) will be chosen by the participant. The Non-qualifiedfiscal 2019 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table for Fiscal 2016 on page 47 contains information about NEO activity in the Savings Plan during fiscal 2016,2019, including employee contributions, gains, and losses attributable to the change in market value of the notional investments, and any payments to our NEOs.

 

Compensation Policies and PracticesCOMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

 

Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy

The Compensation Committee oversees our Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy. If the CompanyBrown-Forman restates its reported financial results due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the U.S. federal securities laws within three years after the date the results wereare first publicly issued or filed, or if the Company discoverswe discover an error in the calculation of any incentive compensation that was awarded or paid within the preceding three years, prior to the date of the discovery, then the CompanyBrown-Forman will, at the direction of the Committee, seek to recover all or part of the incentive compensation awarded or paid to executive officers that would not have been awarded or paid based upon the restated financial results or correct incentive calculation. If the Committee determines that any executive officer engaged in fraud or intentional misconduct in connection with either a restatement of resultsany such material noncompliance or an error in incentive calculation, the Committee can direct the CompanyBrown-Forman to seek to recover incentive compensation awarded or paid to anthat executive officer that would not have been awarded or paid to such executive officer based upon the restated financial results or correct calculation for a period of six years after the date of the first public issuance or filing of such financial results were first publicly issued or filed or six years prior to the date of discovery ofsuch fraud or misconduct.misconduct was discovered.

Retirement Age Policy

Our NEOs and other executive officers with high level policy-making positions are subject to a mandatory retirement age of 65. Such NEOs and executive officers are notified of the mandatory retirement policy at age 60 (or older if criteria for mandatory retirement are met following age 60). An employee who does not become an NEO or executive officer until after attaining the age of 65 will have a two-year grace period once becoming subject to the policy.

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    37

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

 

Deductibility of Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits to $1 million the amount of annual compensation the CompanyBrown-Forman may deduct for tax purposes whenfor compensation paid to an NEO (other thaneach of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer) unlessOfficer, and the three highest compensated officers other than these two individuals. Prior to 2018, Brown-Forman could deduct compensation above $1 million if it was “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m). Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, the exception under Section 162(m) for performance-based compensation is “performance-based” and paid under a formal compensation plan that meets the Internal Revenue Code’s requirements. no longer available, subject to transition relief for certain grandfathered arrangements in effect as of November 2, 2017.

To maintain flexibility, we have noBrown-Forman has never had a policy requiring that all NEO compensation be fully deductible, but the Committee takes this factor into accounthas generally considered the issue of deductibility when making compensation decisions.

 

Compensation Risk Assessment

To determine the level of risk arising from our compensation policies and practices, we conduct an annual risk assessment, with oversight by the Committee, and its independent advisor, FWC, and by the Company’sour internal auditors. The assessment is based on a framework provided by FWC and examines the risk associated with the compensation programs applicable to all of our employees. The assessment also considers the features of our compensation programs that are designed to mitigate risk. We believe our compensation programs encourage and reward an appropriate level of risk taking. Management and the Committee concluded, based upon the results of the assessment for fiscal 2016,2019, that our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.Brown-Forman.

38 BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS • COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

Equity Award Grants

Under our equity award grant policy, the grant date of any award must be the date of the applicable Committee or Board meeting at which it was approved, and the grant price must be the closing price of the relevant class of our common stock on the grant date. We do not have a program, plan, or practice of timing equity award grants in conjunction with the release of material non-publicnonpublic information (or vice-versa)vice versa). We have never re-priced or back-dated options or SSARs granted under any of our equity compensation plans, and our 2013 Omnibus Compensation Plan specifically prohibits thesesuch practices.

 

Source of Plan Shares

We try to limit the source of shares delivered to participants under our equity compensation plans to those purchased by the Companywe purchase from time to time on the open market (in connection with aour publicly announced share repurchase program)programs), in private transactions, or otherwise. If we determine that the timing of such purchases may unduly affect the market price of the shares, the purchases may be spread over a period of time sufficient to minimize this effect. We may use newly-issued shares to cover exercises or redemptions of awards under the Plan and then purchase an equal number of shares on the open market or otherwise as quickly as is reasonably practicable thereafter. These practices minimize long-term dilution to our stockholders.

 

Margin Sales, Derivative, and Hedging Transactions Prohibited

The Company’s Code of Conduct

Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits employees, officers, and directors from selling Brown-Forman securities that they do not own (a “short sale”), purchasing shares on margin, or holding shares in a margin account. Employees, officers, and directors also are prohibited from engaging in transactions involving exchange-traded options, puts, calls, or other derivative securities based on Brown-Forman securities.securities and in any hedging or monetization transactions accomplished through a number of possible mechanisms, including the use of financial instruments such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, and collars.

 

Our Policy on Stock Ownership Guidelines

We do not have stock ownership guidelines for our employees, asemployees. Due to our family-controlled status, we do not feelbelieve that encouraging our employees to accumulate large quantities of CompanyBrown-Forman stock is a top priority due to our family-controlled status.priority. However, the Committee does review the stock ownership status of our NEOs before granting additional stock-based compensation each year to ensure that such grants are necessary and to assess potential retention risk. We list the stock beneficially owned by our NEOs on page 53.52.

 

Conclusion

We believe our executive compensation program continues to successfully attract, motivate, reward, and retain a team of talented and diverse executives and key employees, both in the United States and around the world, who will lead us to achieve our goal of being the best brand builder in the spirits industry and enable us to deliver sustainable and superior value to our stockholders over time.

38BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

CONCLUSION
We believe that our executive compensation program continues to successfully attract, motivate, reward, and retain a team of talented and diverse executives and key employees, both in the United States and around the world, who will lead us to achieve our goal of being the best brand builder in the spirits industry and enable us to deliver sustainable and superior value to our stockholders over time.

 

Compensation Committee Report

We, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Brown-Forman Corporation, have reviewed and discussed with Company management the above Compensation Discussion and Analysis, and based on such review and discussion, have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, Chairman

John D. Cook

Michael J. Roney, Chairman
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne
John D. Cook

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN39

39  BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Table of ContentsCompensation Tables

 

 

Summary CompensationSUMMARY COMPENSATION

 

The following table sets forth the compensation of our NEOs for the fiscal years shown below, calculated under SEC rules.

 

Fiscal 2016 Summary Compensation TableFISCAL 2019 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

       Change in  
       Pension  
       Value and  
       Non-qualified  
     SSAR/Non-EquityDeferred  
    StockOptionIncentive PlanCompensationAll Other 
Name and Principal PositionYear    Salary(2)Bonus(3)Awards(4)Awards(5)Compensation(6)Earnings(7)Compensation(8)Total
Paul C. Varga2016$1,133,370$ —$1,271,130$1,470,003$4,680,000$1,024,961$35,375 $9,614,839
Company Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
20151,128,3701,458,3801,200,0174,172,3503,028,72829,23211,017,077
 20141,112,5006,098,247925,0073,649,500439,76834,12812,259,150
Jane C. Morreau2016569,602360,154255,0041,002,512810,43031,4343,029,136
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
2015544,601283,342264,0031,007,128847,34528,8092,975,228
 2014456,458190,460137,507806,716416,45531,0422,038,638
Mark I. McCallum2016642,521257,253212,5191,008,400484,85533,2332,638,781
Executive Vice President,
President Jack Daniel’s Brands
2015621,270280,165268,9581,004,920698,44032,2112,905,964
 2014605,625312,650237,0101,099,180344,67930,8912,630,035
Jill A. Jones2016594,811338,968240,0041,078,900485,06333,8852,771,631
Executive Vice President,
President, NAR, CCSA,
2015529,600244,279201,0161,065,215536,00628,9922,605,108
IMEA & GTR2014496,458143,463145,002853,920249,03225,5181,913,393
Matthew E. Hamel2016493,357174,024287,501596,000194,11033,1231,778,115
Executive Vice President,         
General Counsel & Secretary(1)         

              Change in    
              Pension    
              Value and    
              Non-Qualified    
            Non-Equity Deferred    
        Stock SSAR/Option Incentive Plan Compensation All Other  
Name and Principal Position Year Salary(1) Bonus(2) Awards(3) Awards(4) Compensation(5) Earnings(6) Compensation(7) Total
Lawson E. Whiting
President and Chief Executive Officer
 2019 $872,374 $— $459,765 $450,009 $1,147,350 $729,193 $37,202 $3,695,893
 2018 597,524  184,620 227,510 931,719 402,500 33,732 2,377,605
 2017 487,287  152,165 162,501 741,500 348,332 28,739 1,920,524
Jane C. Morreau
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 2019 620,842  321,836 315,011 747,180 1,027,251 33,088 3,065,208
 2018 598,978  306,754 270,008 966,665 772,978 31,264 2,946,647
 2017 594,799  278,111 297,019 915,120 777,875 32,242 2,895,166
Mark I. McCallum
Executive Vice President and Chief Brands Officer
 2019 678,140  226,255 221,454 886,006 532,313 34,517 2,578,685
 2018 661,480  244,267 215,006 1,173,350 450,726 30,466 2,775,295
 2017 658,973  201,326 215,034 981,191 431,265 31,085 2,518,874
Matthew E. Hamel(8)
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 2019 533,969  167,061 327,033 458,917 335,765 33,246 1,855,991
Thomas Hinrichs(8)(9)
Senior Vice President, International Division
 2019 477,044  126,020 123,352 558,170 21,421 167,008 1,473,015
Paul C. Varga(10)
Former Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 2019 806,779  926,968 907,285 2,548,815 5,432,105 17,540 10,639,492
 2018 1,145,870  1,499,682 1,540,010 4,202,610 401,521 37,042 8,826,735
 2017 1,143,865  1,236,048 1,540,031 3,864,400 1,044,793 35,863 8,865,000
(1)Compensation for Mr. Hamel is listed only for 2016 because he was not an NEO in 2014 and 2015.
(2)(1)Salary includes holiday bonus and is based on the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2015. Salary increases for fiscal 2015 took effect July 1, 2015.2018. The holiday bonus, which is provided to all salaried employees, is based on the employee’s length of service with the Company,tenure as shown in the table below:

Length of Continuous ServiceAmount of Holiday Bonus
3 months but less than 6 months1/8 of monthly salary
6 months but less than 5 years1/4 of monthly salary
5 years but less than 10 years3/8 of monthly salary
10 years or more1/2 of monthly salary

(3)
(2)Our NEOs do not receive non-performance-based compensation that would be considered a “Bonus” under SEC rules.
(4)(3)Includes the aggregate grant date fair value of performance-based restricted stock granted during the respective fiscal years, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of awards subject to performance conditions was calculated based onfor the probable outcomeperformance-based restricted stock granted during 2019, assuming the maximum achievement of the performance condition asgoals would have been $689,648 for Mr. Whiting, $482,754 for Ms. Morreau, $339,383 for Mr. McCallum, $250,592 for Mr. Hamel, $189,030 for Mr. Hinrichs, and $1,390,452 for Mr. Varga. Assumptions used in the calculation of the grant datethese amounts are included in Note 11 to our audited financial statements for the award,fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, which appear in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for all years is based on the target number of shares.fiscal 2019.
(5)(4)Includes the aggregate grant date fair valuesvalue of SSARs granted during the respective fiscal years, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 1011 to the Company’sour audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016,2019, which are includedappear in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016.

40BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS2019.

 

40    BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  SUMMARY COMPENSATION

 

COMPENSATION TABLESSUMMARY COMPENSATION

(6)(5)Amounts listed for fiscal 20162019 include short-term cash incentive compensation paid for the one-year performance period endingended on April 30, 2016,2019, and long-term cash incentive compensation paid for the three-year performance period endingended on April 30, 2016,2019, as approved by the Compensation Committee in May 20162019 and paid to the NEOs on June 15, 2016.2019. These amounts are shown below.

 Short-Term CashLong-Term CashTotal
Paul C. Varga$2,016,000$2,664,000$4,680,000
Jane C. Morreau592,000410,5121,002,512
Mark I. McCallum629,200379,2001,008,400
Jill A. Jones614,900464,0001,078,900
Matthew E. Hamel396,000200,000596,000

   Short-Term Cash Long-Term Cash Total
 Lawson E. Whiting $812,600 $334,750 $1,147,350
 Jane C. Morreau 432,000 315,180 747,180
 Mark I. McCallum 443,106 442,900 886,006
 Matthew E. Hamel 295,404 163,513 458,917
 Thomas Hinrichs 380,575 177,595 558,170
 Paul C. Varga 962,615 1,586,200 2,548,815
(7)
(6)Amounts represent changes between fiscal years in the actuarial present value of the accumulated pension benefits of each of the NEOs under the applicable pension or savings plan. Pension values may fluctuate significantly from year to year depending on a number of factors, including age, years of service, average annual earnings, and the assumptions used to determine the present value, such as the discount rate and mortality tables. Please see the Pension Benefits Table on page 4546 for the assumptions used in calculating the change in pension value. None of the NEOs received above-market or preferential earnings (as these terms are defined by the SEC) on their nonqualifiednon-qualified deferred compensation accounts.

 QualifiedNon-QualifiedTotal
Paul C. Varga$92,499$932,462$1,024,961
Jane C. Morreau101,463708,967810,430
Mark I. McCallum79,870404,985484,855
Jill A. Jones64,060421,003485,063
Matthew E. Hamel56,723137,387194,110

   Qualified Non-Qualified Total
 Lawson E. Whiting $94,678 $634,515 $729,193
 Jane C. Morreau 149,800 877,451 1,027,251
 Mark I. McCallum 116,188 416,125 532,313
 Matthew E. Hamel 85,817 249,948 335,765
 Thomas Hinrichs 21,421  21,421
 Paul C. Varga 466,226 4,965,879 5,432,105
(8)
(7)The following table sets forth each component of the “All Other Compensation” column.column for fiscal 2019.

  Cost of Company-   
 401(k) MatchingProvided LifeCost of Company-  
NameContribution(a)InsuranceLeased Car(b)Other(c)Total
Paul C. Varga$13,250$3,152$14,973$4,000$35,375
Jane C. Morreau13,3843,04611,0044,00031,434
Mark I. McCallum13,5833,15212,4984,00033,233
Jill A. Jones14,7083,08213,3852,71033,885
Matthew E. Hamel13,4172,39213,3144,00033,123

     Cost of Company-      
   401(k) Matching Provided Life Cost of Company-    
 Name Contribution(a) Insurance Leased Car(b)(c) Other(d)(e) Total
 Lawson E. Whiting $18,417 $3,179 $13,956 $1,650 $37,202
 Jane C. Morreau 13,925 3,344 12,049 3,770 33,088
 Mark I. McCallum 14,028 3,113 13,988 3,388 34,517
 Matthew E. Hamel 13,969 2,779 12,498 4,000 33,246
 Thomas Hinrichs   18,162 148,846 167,008
 Paul C. Varga 3,844 2,444 11,252  17,540
(a)For the period May 1, 2015,2018, through April 30, 2016.2019.
(b)Values based on the cost to the CompanyBrown-Forman during the fiscal year, including lease payments, maintenance, registration, and insurance premiums.
(c)Values for Mr. Hinrichs includes a car allowance in lieu of a company car.
(d)Reimbursement of financial planning expenses up to a limit of $4,000 for the fiscal year.

41BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 (e)COMPENSATION TABLESGRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDSIncludes expatriate costs associated with Mr. Hinrichs’s assignment in the Netherlands to include: cost of living allowance, taxes paid by the company, rent, dependent education, utilities, language training, and storage of household goods.
(8)Compensation for Mr. Hamel and Mr. Hinrichs is provided for only 2019. Neither officer was an NEO in fiscal 2017 nor 2018.
(9)Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.
(10)Mr. Varga retired as an employee on December 31, 2018. His amounts in the table above are reflective of the May 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 period.

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    Grants of Plan-Based Awards41

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table contains information regarding the equity and non-equity awards granted to our NEOs during fiscal 20162019 under our 2013 Omnibus Compensation Plan. For additional information on the fiscal 20162019 awards, granted there-under, please see ourthe Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which begins on page 25.24.

 

Fiscal 2016 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
            All Other  
            Option Awards: Grant Date
            Number ofExercise orFair Value
    Estimated Possible Payouts Under Estimated Possible Payouts Under SecuritiesBase Priceof Stock
 GrantAward Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) Equity Incentive Plan Awards(3) Underlyingof Optionand Option
NameDateType(1) ThresholdTargetMaximum ThresholdTargetMaximum Options(4)Awards(5)Awards(6)
Paul C. Varga STC $0$1,400,000$2,800,000        
  LTC 01,680,0003,360,000        
 7/23/2015PBRS     4,8429,68414,525   $1,271,130
 7/23/2015SSAR         77,125$102.251,470,003
Jane C. Morreau STC 0400,000800,000        
  LTC 0297,500595,000        
 7/23/2015PBRS     1,3732,7444,116   360,154
 7/23/2015SSAR         13,379$102.25255,004
Mark I. McCallum STC 0440,000880,000        
  LTC 0425,000850,000        
 7/23/2015PBRS     9811,9612,940   257,253
 7/23/2015SSAR         11,150$102.25212,519
Jill A. Jones STC 0430,000860,000        
  LTC 0280,000560,000        
 7/23/2015PBRS     1,2922,5833,874   338,968
 7/23/2015SSAR         12,592$102.25240,004
Matthew E. Hamel STC 0275,000550,000        
  LTC 0143,750287,500        
 7/23/2015PBRS     6641,3271,990   174,024
 7/23/2015SSAR         15,084$102.25287,501

FISCAL 2019 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

 

                  All Other    
                  Option Awards:   Grant Date
          Number of Exercise or Fair Value
      Estimated Possible Payouts Under Estimated Possible Payouts Under Securities Base Price of Stock
  Grant Award Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) Equity Incentive Plan Awards(3) Underlying of Option and Option
Name Date Type(1) Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum Options(4) Awards(5) Awards(6)
Lawson E. Whiting   STC $0 $850,000 $1,700,000            
    LTC 0 1,266,667 2,533,334            
  7/26/2018 PBRSU       4,152 8,303 12,455     $459,765
  7/26/2018 SSAR             40,688 $54.00 450,009
Jane C. Morreau   STC 0 450,000 900,000            
    LTC 0 420,000 840,000            
  7/26/2018 PBRSU       2,906 5,812 8,718     321,836
  7/26/2018 SSAR             28,482 54.00 315,011
Mark I. McCallum   STC 0 463,500 927,000            
    LTC 0 442,900 885,800            
  7/26/2018 PBRSU       2,043 4,086 6,129     226,255
  7/26/2018 SSAR             20,023 54.00 221,454
Matthew E. Hamel   STC 0 309,000 618,000            
    LTC 0 163,513 327,025            
  7/26/2018 PBRSU       1,509 3,017 4,526     167,061
  7/26/2018 SSAR             29,569 54.00 327,033
Thomas Hinrichs(7)   STC 0 410,364 820,728            
    LTC 0 241,391 482,782            
  7/26/2018 PBRSU       1,138 2,276 3,414     126,020
  7/26/2018 SSAR             11,153 54.00 123,352
Paul C. Varga(8)   STC 0 1,006,920 2,013,840            
    LTC 0 1,209,707 2,419,414            
  7/26/2018 PBRS-A       8,370 16,740 25,110     926,968
  7/26/2018 SSAR             82,033 54.00 907,285
(1)STC-short-term“STC” represents short-term (or annual) incentive compensation payable in cash; LTC-long-termcash. “LTC” represents long-term incentive compensation payable in cash afterat the end of a three-year performance period; PBRS-Classperiod. “PBRSU” represents Class A common performance-based restricted stock; SSAR-Classstock units. “SSAR” represents Class B common stock-settled stock appreciation rights.
(2)Amounts represent potential value of the short-term incentive compensation opportunity for the fiscal 20162019 performance period plusand the cash component of the long-term incentive compensation opportunity for the fiscal 20162019 through fiscal 20182021 performance period. No amounts are payable if threshold underlying operating income performance levels are not achieved. STC and LTC are capped at 200% of target. Please see the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table on page 40 for amounts actually paid, which includespaid. These amounts include the short-term cash incentive compensation paid for the one-year performance period ending on April 30, 2016,2019, and the long-term cash incentive compensation paid for the three-year performance period endingended on April 30, 2016.2019. The maximum awards providing for cash settlement that may be granted to any NEO in fiscal 2016 are2019 were capped at $6,000,000.
(3)Amounts represent the estimated payouts of the PBRS stockPBRSU awards granted in fiscal 2016. PBRS2019. PBRSU awards are initially determined as a cash value, and then are subject to a three-year performance period followed by a one-year vestingholding period. The final number of shares earned will be determined by multiplying the cash valuenumber of the target awardunits by the three-year performance percentage, and adjusting the resulting number upwards to account for dividends paid during the second and third years of the performance period, and then dividing that amount by $111.30, which was the closing price of our Class A common stock on the date of grant, July 23, 2015. PBRSperiod. PBRSU awards granted in fiscal 20162019 will vest on April 30, 2019.June 1, 2021. The estimated possible payouts assume the Company continues to issue dividends at the current rate during the performance period.a 50% threshold and 150% maximum payout.
(4)The number of SSARs awarded for fiscal 20162019 was determined by dividing the total cash value of each SSAR award by the Black-Scholes value ($19.06)11.06) of our Class B common stock as of the close of trading on the date of grant, July 23, 2015.26, 2018. SSARs become exercisable on the first day of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year of grant, and generally are generally exercisable for seven fiscal years thereafter (barring certain events that may require thecause an award to become exercisable earlier). SSARs granted July 23, 2015,26, 2018, become exercisable on May 1, 2018,2021, and expire April 30, 2025.2028.
(5)The exercise price for the SSARs represents the closing price of our Class B common stock on the grant date.
(6)Calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Awards subject to performance conditions are calculated based on the probable outcome of the performance condition as of the grant date for the award. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are includedappear in Note 1011 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016,2019, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016.2019.

42BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS(7)Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.

(8)COMPENSATION TABLESOUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDSMr. Varga’s amount is pro-rated for the period of May 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. See “Treatment of Short-Term and Long-Term Incentive Awards Upon Termination of Employment” on page 48.

 

42    BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

Outstanding Equity AwardsOUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

The following table lists the outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs as of April 30, 2016.2019. The year-end values shown in the table are based on the April 30, 2016,2019, closing prices for our Class A common stock, ($103.71)$52.30, and our Class B common stock, (96.32).$53.29.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2016 Fiscal Year-End Table
  SSAR Awards(1) Stock Awards(2)
          Equity Incentive
         Equity IncentivePlan Awards:
         Plan Awards:Market or
  Number ofNumber of     Number ofPayout Value
  SecuritiesSecurities   Number ofMarket ValueUnearnedof Unearned
  UnderlyingUnderlying   Shares orof Shares orShares, UnitsShares, Units
  UnexercisedUnexercisedSSARSSAR Units of StockUnits of Stockor Other Rightsor Other Rights
 GrantSSARsSSARsExerciseExpiration That Have NotThat Have NotThat Have NotThat Have Not
NameDateExercisableUnexercisablePriceDate Vested(3)Vested(3)(4)Vested(5)(6)Vested(7)
Paul C. Varga7/28/201195,761 $46.404/30/2021     
 7/26/201292,514 58.704/30/2022     
 7/25/2013 62,33272.424/30/2023     
 7/24/2014 61,02391.974/30/2024     
 7/23/2015 77,125102.254/30/2025     
 7/25/2013     13,388$1,388,469  
 7/25/2013       70,011$7,260,841
 7/24/2014       23,8562,474,106
 7/23/2015       14,5251,506,388
Jane C. Morreau7/24/20087,131 $35.514/30/2018     
 7/23/200911,463 27.054/30/2019     
 7/22/201012,590 38.434/30/2020     
 7/28/201114,365 46.404/30/2021     
 7/26/201211,098 58.704/30/2022     
 7/25/2013 9,26672.424/30/2023     
 7/24/2014 13,42591.974/30/2024     
 7/23/2015 13,379102.254/30/2025     
 7/25/2013     2,322$240,815  
 7/24/2014       4,635$480,696
 7/23/2015       4,116$426,870
Mark I. McCallum7/23/200923,437 $27.054/30/2019     
 7/22/201020,455 38.434/30/2020     
 7/28/201123,144 46.404/30/2021     
 7/26/201224,859 58.704/30/2022     
 7/25/2013 15,97172.424/30/2023     
 7/24/2014 13,67791.974/30/2024     
 7/23/2015 11,150102.254/30/2025     
 7/25/2013     3,812$395,343  
 7/24/2014       4,584$475,407
 7/23/2015       2,940304,907

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2019 FISCAL YEAR END TABLE

 

    SSAR Awards(1) Stock Awards(2)
                  Equity Incentive
                Equity Incentive Plan Awards:
                Plan Awards: Market or
    Number of Number of         Number of Payout Value
    Securities Securities     Number of Market Value Unearned of Unearned
    Underlying Underlying     Shares or of Shares or Shares, Units Shares, Units
    Unexercised Unexercised SSAR SSAR Units of Stock Units of Stock or Other Rights or Other Rights
  Grant SSARs SSARs Exercise Expiration That Have Not That Have Not That Have Not That Have Not
Name Date Exercisable Unexercisable Price Date Vested(3) Vested(3)(4) Vested(5)(6) Vested(7)
Lawson E. Whiting 7/28/2011 21,848   $18.22 4/30/2021        
  7/26/2012 19,763   23.05 4/30/2022        
  7/25/2013 21,884   28.43 4/30/2023        
  7/24/2014 15,382   36.11 4/30/2024        
  7/23/2015 20,045   40.15 4/30/2025        
  7/28/2016   28,903 38.48 4/30/2026        
  7/27/2017   34,134 39.76 4/30/2027        
  7/26/2018   40,688 54.00 4/30/2028        
  7/28/2016         6,064 $318,347    
  7/27/2017             5,832 $306,169
  7/26/2018             12,455 651,370
Jane C. Morreau 7/28/2011 36,588   $18.22 4/30/2021        
  7/26/2012 28,267   23.05 4/30/2022        
  7/25/2013 23,601   28.43 4/30/2023        
  7/24/2014 34,194   36.11 4/30/2024        
  7/23/2015 34,077   40.15 4/30/2025        
  7/28/2016   52,827 38.48 4/30/2026        
  7/27/2017   40,510 39.76 4/30/2027        
  7/26/2018   28,482 54.00 4/30/2028        
  7/28/2016         11,080 $581,677    
  7/27/2017             9,870 $518,299
  7/26/2018             8,718 455,951
Mark I. McCallum 7/28/2011 58,947   $18.22 4/30/2021        
  7/26/2012 63,316   23.05 4/30/2022        
  7/25/2013 40,678   28.43 4/30/2023        
  7/24/2014 34,836   36.11 4/30/2024        
  7/23/2015 28,399   40.15 4/30/2025        
  7/28/2016   38,241 38.48 4/30/2026        
  7/27/2017   32,258 39.76 4/30/2027        
  7/26/2018   20,023 54.00 4/30/2028        
  7/28/2016         8,020 $421,033    
  7/27/2017             7,716 $405,075
  7/26/2018             6,129 320,547

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    43

43BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2019 FISCAL YEAR END TABLE (CONTINUED)

 

   SSAR Awards(1) Stock Awards(2)
                  Equity Incentive
                Equity Incentive Plan Awards:
                Plan Awards: Market or
    Number of Number of         Number of Payout Value
    Securities Securities     Number of Market Value Unearned of Unearned
    Underlying Underlying     Shares or of Shares or Shares, Units Shares, Units
    Unexercised Unexercised SSAR SSAR Units of Stock Units of Stock or Other Rights or Other Rights
  Grant SSARs SSARs Exercise Expiration That Have Not That Have Not That Have Not That Have Not
Name Date Exercisable Unexercisable Price Date Vested(3) Vested(3)(4) Vested(5)(6) Vested(7)
Matthew E. Hamel 7/22/2010 64,126   $15.09 4/30/2020        
  7/28/2011 60,980   18.22 4/30/2021        
  7/26/2012 56,531   23.05 4/30/2022        
  7/25/2013 42,910   28.43 4/30/2023        
  7/24/2014 33,676   36.11 4/30/2024        
  7/23/2015 38,419   40.15 4/30/2025        
  7/28/2016   56,472 38.48 4/30/2026        
  7/27/2017   47,637 39.76 4/30/2027        
  7/26/2018   29,569 54.00 4/30/2028        
  7/28/2016         5,923 $310,945    
  7/27/2017             5,697 $299,082
  7/26/2018             4,526 236,684
Thomas Hinrichs 7/22/2010 6,503   $15.09 4/30/2020        
  7/28/2011 12,302   18.22 4/30/2021        
  7/26/2012 14,457   23.05 4/30/2022        
  7/25/2013 11,134   28.43 4/30/2023        
  7/24/2014 8,808   36.11 4/30/2024        
  7/23/2015 11,134   40.15 4/30/2025        
  7/28/2016   14,966 38.48 4/30/2026        
  7/27/2017   12,647 39.76 4/30/2027        
  7/26/2018   11,153 54.00 4/30/2028        
  7/28/2016         3,143 $165,002    
  7/27/2017             3,026 $158,834
  7/26/2018             3,414 178,552
Paul C. Varga 7/26/2012 235,630   $23.05 4/30/2022        
  7/25/2013 158,757   28.43 4/30/2023        
  7/24/2014 155,424   36.11 4/30/2024        
  7/23/2015 196,435   40.15 4/30/2025        
  7/28/2016   273,905 38.48 12/31/2025        
  7/27/2017   231,052 39.76 12/31/2025        
  7/26/2018   82,033 54.00 12/31/2025        
  7/28/2016         49,233 $2,584,625    
  7/27/2017             47,082 $2,471,711
  7/26/2018             25,110 1,313,253
  COMPENSATION TABLESOUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2016 Fiscal Year-End Table (continued)
  SSAR Awards(1) Stock Awards(2)
          Equity Incentive
         Equity IncentivePlan Awards:
         Plan Awards:Market or
  Number ofNumber of     Number ofPayout Value
  SecuritiesSecurities   Number ofMarket ValueUnearnedof Unearned
  UnderlyingUnderlying   Shares orof Shares orShares, UnitsShares, Units
  UnexercisedUnexercisedSSARSSAR Units of StockUnits of Stockor Other Rightsor Other Rights
 GrantSSARsSSARsExerciseExpiration That Have NotThat Have NotThat Have NotThat Have Not
NameDateExercisableUnexercisablePriceDate Vested(3)Vested(3)(4)Vested(5)(6)Vested(7)
Jill A. Jones7/22/201015,106 $38.434/30/2020     
 7/28/201116,759 46.404/30/2021     
 7/26/201211,098 58.704/30/2022     
 7/25/2013 9,77172.424/30/2023     
 7/24/2014 10,22291.974/30/2024     
 7/23/2015 12,592102.254/30/2025     
 7/25/2013     1,750$181,493  
 7/24/2014       3,997$414,529
 7/23/2015       3,874401,773
Matthew E. Hamel11/15/200715,159 $33.654/30/2017     
 7/24/200814,647 35.514/30/2018     
 7/23/200929,998 27.054/30/2019     
 7/22/201025,177 38.434/30/2020     
 7/28/201123,942 46.404/30/2021     
 7/26/201222,195 58.704/30/2022     
 7/25/2013 16,84772.424/30/2023     
 7/24/2014 13,22291.974/30/2024     
 7/23/2015 15,084102.254/30/2025     
 7/25/2013     1,509$156,498  
 7/24/2014       2,216$229,821
 7/23/2015       1,990206,383

(1)SSAR awards are exercisable for shares of Class B common stock. All SSARs vest and become fully exercisable on the first day of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year of grant, and generally are generally exercisable until the last day of the 10thfor seven fiscal year following the date of grantyears thereafter (barring certain events that may require thean award to become exercisable earlier).

44    BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

(2)Represents Class A and Class B common performance-based restricted stock awards. Afterunit awards with a three-year performance period, followed by a one-year vesting period, theholding period. The performance-based restricted stock unit awards granted on July 25, 2013,28, 2016, July 24, 2014,27, 2017, and July 23, 2015,26, 2018 will vest on April 30, 2017, April 30, 2018,June 3, 2019, June 1, 2020, and April 30, 2019,June 1, 2021, respectively.
(3)Reflects the number of shares of restricted Class A and Class B common stock that were issued on June 1, 2016,3, 2019, upon satisfaction of the performance measures in connection withprescribed for the performance-based restricted stock awards granted on July 25, 2013.28, 2016. The number of shares issued was determined by multiplying the cash value of the targetstock unit award by a three-year performance percentage (87.1%(150%), and then adjusting the resulting number upwards to account for dividends paid during the second and third years of the performance period,period. The shares are reflected to account for the 5-for-4 split on February 28, 2018 and then dividing that amount by $74.06, which was the closing price of our Class A common stockspecial dividend on the date of the grant.April 23, 2018. The restrictions on these shares will lapse on April 30, 2017.2020.
(4)The market valuevalues for the shares of restricted Class A and Class B common stock waswere determined by multiplying the number of shares of restricted Class A and Class B common stock by $103.71, the respective prices of such shares on April 30, 2019. The closing price offor our Class A common stock on April 30, 2016.was $52.30 and the closing price for our Class B common stock was $53.29.
(5)Amounts shown represent the estimated maximum possible payout of performance-based restricted stock awards (PBRS)PBRS based on a performance multiplier of 150% of target for the grants issuedawards granted in fiscal years 20152018 and 2016.2019. PBRS awards are initially determined as a cash value, which is converted to units, and then subject to a three-year performance period followed by a one-year vestingholding period. The number of shares of PBRS toultimately awarded will be awarded is determined by multiplying the cash value at targetinitial number of units by a three-year performance adjustment factor and adjusting upwardsthe resulting number to account for dividends paid during the second and third years of the performance period, and then dividing that amount by the closing price of our Class A common stock on the date of grant.period.
(6)On July 25, 2013, Mr. Varga received a one-time performance-based special grant of 67,513 Class A shares of restricted stock. During the performance period, dividends are accrued and credited as additional restricted stock and are subject to the same performance measures as the initial grant. The market value was determined by multiplying the outstanding number of restricted shares, 70,011, by $103.71, the closing price of Class A shares on April 30, 2016.
(7)Market value for the PBRSPBRSU awards was determined by multiplying the number of Class A shares by $103.71, the$52.30 (the closing price of our Class A common stock on April 30, 2016.2019) and by multiplying the number of Class B shares by $53.29 (the closing price of our Class B common stock on April 30, 2019).

44BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS(7)

COMPENSATION TABLESPENSION BENEFITSMr. Varga’s amount is pro-rated for the period of May 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. See “Treatment of Short-Term and Long-Term Incentive Awards Upon Termination of Employment” on page 48.

 

Option Exercises and Stock VestedOPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The following table shows all SSAR awards exercised by the NEOs during fiscal 20162019 and the value realized upon exercise, as well as all stock awards in which our NEOs vested during fiscal 20162019 and the value realized upon vesting.

 

Fiscal 2016 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
 Option/SSAR Awards(1) Stock Awards(2)
 Number of SharesValue Realized Number of SharesValue Realized
NameAcquired on Exerciseon Exercise(3) Acquired on Vesting(4)on Vesting(5)
Paul C. Varga 23,061$2,391,656
Jane C. Morreau(6)17,692$1,106,369 2,846295,159
Mark I. McCallum(7)35,2192,232,049 6,070629,520
Jill A. Jones(8)22,4591,509,274 2,372246,000
Matthew E. Hamel 2,372246,000

FISCAL 2019 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

 

  Option/SSAR Awards(1) Stock Awards(2)
      Number of Class A Number of Class B  
  Number of Shares Value Realized Shares Acquired Shares Acquired Value Realized
Name Acquired on Exercise on Exercise(3) on Vesting(4) on Vesting(5) on Vesting(6)
Lawson E. Whiting  $— 4,233 1,058 $277,767
Jane C. Morreau(7) 14,721 1,041,921 8,396 2,098 550,913
Mark I. McCallum   5,997 1,499 393,525
Matthew E. Hamel(8) 35,081 2,985,104 4,057 1,014 266,217
Thomas Hinrichs(9) 3,783 364,465 2,608 652 171,143
Paul C. Varga   29,631 7,404 1,743,385
(1)All SSAR awards are settled in Class B common stock.
(2)All stockStock awards are in the form of Class A and Class B common stock.
(3)Equals the difference between the SSAR exercise price and the market price of the underlying shares at time of exercise, multiplied by the number of SSAR awards exercised.
(4)The grant date for all awards of Class A common performance-based restricted stock shown in the table was July 26, 2012.23, 2015. The vesting date was April 30, 2016.2019. Mr. Varga’s vesting date was January 31, 2019, due to his retirement.
(5)The Class B common stock was issued as a result of the 5-for-4 stock split on February 28, 2018.
(6)Equals the sum of the closing price of theeach underlying securitiessecurity on the vesting date multiplied by the number of shares of the applicable class of common stock that vested. The closing price of our Class A common stock on the vesting date, April 30, 2016,2019, was $103.71.$52.30. The closing price of our Class B common stock on the vesting date, April 30, 2019, was $53.29. Mr. Varga’s shares vested on January 31, 2019, due to his retirement. The closing price of our Class A common stock on January 31, 2019, was $47.03. The closing price of our Class B common stock on January 31, 2019, was $47.25.
(6)(7)Ms. Morreau exercised 17,69232,067 SSAR awards on March 4, 2016.January 2, 2019.
(7)(8)Mr. McCallumHamel exercised 35,21919,101 SSAR awards on March 7, 2016.
(8)Ms. Jones exercised 22,459July 31, 2018, 19,101 SSAR awards on March 11, 2016.October 31, 2018, 19,101 SSAR awards on January 31, 2019, and 19,101 SSAR awards on April 30, 2019.
(9)Mr. Hinrichs exercised 8,604 SSAR awards on April 30, 2019.

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS  BROWN-FORMAN    45

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  PENSION BENEFITS

Pension BenefitsPENSION BENEFITS

We maintain both tax-qualified and non-qualified supplemental excess retirement plans. The following table shows the present value of accumulated pension benefits payable to each of our NEOs under our tax-qualified plan (Brown-Forman Corporation Salaried Employees Retirement Plan) and under our non-qualified excess plan (Brown-Forman Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan), based on the pension earned as of our most recent FASB ASC Topic 715 measurement date, April 30, 2016.2019. These plans are described below the table.

 

Fiscal 2016 Pension Benefits Table
  Number of YearsPresent Value ofPayments During
NamePlan NameCredited ServiceAccumulated Benefit(1)Last Fiscal Year
Paul C. VargaQualified29.00$978,886
 Non-Qualified29.0011,880,659
Jane C. MorreauQualified24.581,028,348
 Non-Qualified24.582,707,917
Mark I. McCallumQualified12.75618,428
 Non-Qualified12.752,464,954
Jill A. JonesQualified16.17519,029
 Non-Qualified16.171,542,684
Matthew E. HamelQualified8.50333,743
 Non-Qualified8.50765,156

FISCAL 2019 PENSION BENEFITS TABLE

Name Plan Name Number of Years
Credited Service
 Present Value of
Accumulated Benefit(1)
 Payments During
Last Fiscal Year
Lawson E. Whiting Qualified 21.83 $713,838 
  Non-Qualified 21.83 1,930,385 
Jane C. Morreau Qualified 27.58 1,361,669 
  Non-Qualified 27.58 4,952,700 
Mark I. McCallum Qualified 15.75 903,442 
  Non-Qualified 15.75 3,594,244 
Matthew E. Hamel Qualified 11.50 541,985 
  Non-Qualified 11.50 1,417,520 
Thomas Hinrichs(2)(3) Germany 22.67 971,527 
Paul C. Varga Qualified 31.67 1,530,256 $27,578
  Non-Qualified 31.67 18,180,130 

 

(1)Actuarial present value of each NEO’s accumulated pension benefit as of our FASB ASC Topic 715 measurement date, April 30, 2016,2019, using a 4.02%4.04% discount rate, age 65 expected retirement age of 65, and RP-2014 mortality table adjusted to 2006 with MP-2015MP-2017 for employees and healthy annuitants with a fully generational projection using scale MP-2015.MP-2017.

45BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS(2)Mr. Hinrichs is a German citizen residing in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The German pension plan for Brown-Forman Corporation pays a guaranteed capital sum or monthly pension. Expected retirement is 65 years and guaranteed interest rate is 2.75%.

(3)COMPENSATION TABLESPENSION BENEFITSMr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.

 

Brown-Forman Corporation Salaried Employees Retirement Plan

Most U.S. salaried employees, and all of our NEOs, participate in the tax-qualified Brown-Forman Corporation Salaried Employees Retirement Plan. This plan is a funded, non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan that provides monthly retirement benefits based on the participant’s age at retirement, years of service, and the average of the five highest consecutive calendar years’ compensation during the final ten years of employment.“Final Average Compensation” (described below). Retirement benefits are not offset by Social Security benefits and are assumed for actuarial purposes to be payable at age 65. Participants vest in the plan after five years of service.

 

Brown-Forman Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

U.S. federal tax law limits the amount of compensation that may be used annually to accrue benefits under our tax-qualified Salaried Employees Retirement Plan. Therefore, forFor employees whose compensation exceeds these limits, including our NEOs, we maintain a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”)(SERP). The SERP restores the benefits that are lost due to U.S. federal tax law limitations. The SERP also provides faster vesting for certain key employees who join us mid-career. All NEOs are vested in the SERP.

 

Pension Formula

The formula to calculate the combined total pension benefit under both plans includes the following factors:

 

»Final Average Compensation (“FAC”)(FAC) is the average compensation of the highest consecutive five calendar years in the last ten calendar years of employment. For this purpose, compensation is considered to be salary, holiday bonus, and short-term incentive compensation (not long-term cash or equity compensation).
»Social Security Covered Compensation (“CC”)(CC) is the average of the Social Security Taxable Wage Base in effect for each calendar year during the 35 years ending with the calendar year in which a participant attains his or herreaches Social Security Retirement age.
»Credited Service (“Service”)(Service) is the number of years and whole months of serviceduring which the participant is employed by the CompanyBrown-Forman at a location or division that participates in the pension plan, up to a maximum of 30 years.

 

46BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The table below shows the pension formula and gives a sample calculation:calculation.

MONTHLY PENSION FORMULA FOR A PARTICIPANT RETIRING AT THE REGULAR RETIREMENT AGE OF 65

 

Monthly PensionGeneralized Formula for a Participant Retiring at the Regular Retirement Age of 65
 Sample calculation: assume

FAC of $400,000, CC of $80,000,
Generalized Formula
and Service of 30 years
 Amount
1.3% multiplied by FAC up to CC0.013 × $80,000=$1,040
1.75% multiplied by FAC above CC0.0175 × $320,000=5,600
   6,640
The sum of the above multiplied by years of service× 30=199,200
Divide by 12 to get the monthly pension (before reduction for early retirement or optional forms of payment)÷ 12=$16,600

 

Early retirement is available at age 55 under both plans. However, thoseMs. Morreau, Mr. McCallum and Mr. Hamel are the NEOs currently eligible for early retirement.

Those who retire before age 65 under the final average pay formula have their pension payments reduced by 3% for each year (1/4 of 1% for each month) that payments start prior to age 65. Retirees also can also reduce their pension payment to purchase optional forms of payment that protect theira spouse or ensure a minimum payment period. Jane C. Morreau, Mark I. McCallum, and Matthew E. Hamel are our NEOs who are currently eligible for early retirement.

 

Once the final pension is determined, the federal rules that govern the maximum pension that can be paid under the qualified plan are applied to determine the portion to be paid under the qualified plan, and the remainderremaining amount becomes payable under the non-qualified pension plan.

 

46BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

 

COMPENSATION TABLESNON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

Effective January 1, 2011, we adopted the Brown-Forman Corporation Non-qualifiedNon-Qualified Savings Plan. Additional information on this plan may be found under “Brown-Forman Corporation Non-qualifiedNon-Qualified Savings Plan” on page 38.37. The following table provides information on plan contributions and earnings for our NEOs for fiscal 2016:2019.

 

Fiscal 2016 Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Table
 
 ExecutiveRegistrantAggregateAggregateAggregate
 ContributionsContributionsEarningsWithdrawals/Balance
 in Last FY(1)in Last FYin Last FY(2)Distributions(3)at Last FYE(4)
Paul C. Varga$1,823,081$ —$(185,139)$1,345,458$6,804,711
Jane C. Morreau280,42719709,952
Mark I. McCallum369,858(14,340)1,188,472
Jill A. Jones419,3602,7361,479,846
Matthew E. Hamel

FISCAL 2019 NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE

  Executive
Contributions
in Last FY(1)
 Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
 Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY(2)
 Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions(3)
 Aggregate
Balance
at Last FYE(4)
Lawson E. Whiting $— $— $— $— $—
Jane C. Morreau 299,543  61,751  1,756,985
Mark I. McCallum   52,628 204,641 1,002,006
Matthew E. Hamel     
Thomas Hinrichs(5)     
Paul C. Varga 717,657  466,634 457,722 6,635,096

 

(1)Contributions shown in this column are also included in each NEO’s compensation reported in the Fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table, under “Salary” for the current fiscal year or under “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in the previous fiscal year.
(2)NEOs participating in the Savings Plan may notionally invest their plan balances in mutual funds within generally the same asset classes available to participants in our qualified 401(k) savings plan. The Savings Plan does not guarantee a return on deferred amounts. Earnings in this column represent deemed investment earnings or losses attributable to the change in market value of the notional investments. These amounts are not reported in the Fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table because the Savings Plan does not provide for above-market or preferential earnings.
(3)Mr. McCallum and Mr. Varga each made a withdrawal from our non-qualified savings plan, as allowed under its terms and conditions.
(4)Includes amountsAmounts reflect, with the exception of the values denoted on the other columns, compensation previously reporteddisclosed in our proxy statements from 2017 to 2019.
(5)Mr. Hinrichs is not eligible for the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan as compensation toan employee outside of the NEOs in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal years 2011 through 2015 (except for Ms. Morreau, who was not an NEO until fiscal 2013, and Ms. Jones, who was not an NEO until fiscal 2014): Mr. Varga: $5,666,166; Ms. Morreau: $395,074; Mr. McCallum: $717,811; and Ms. Jones: $507,571.

47BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION TABLESPOTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROLUnited States.

 

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    47

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-ControlPOTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

We do not provide our NEOs with any separate contract, agreement, or arrangement that allows for payments or benefits upon termination or a change in control or that discriminates in favor of any of the NEOsan NEO in scope or terms of operation. It is our practice toWe offer certain benefits to executives whose employment terminates prior to the payment ofbefore incentive awards are paid, depending upon the circumstances surrounding their termination. These benefits, shown in the table below, are intended to continue to link executivean executive’s compensation to Brown-Forman’s performance after the performance of the Company after theirexecutive’s employment has ended and to prevent them from being penalizedavoid penalizing executives in situations where the termination of employment was outside of their control.

 

TREATMENT OF SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

Treatment of Annual and Long-Term Incentive Awards Upon Termination of Employment
Long-Term Cash Incentives and
Termination EventShort-Term Cash
Incentives
Long-Term Cash Incentives
and Performance-Based
Restricted Stock
SSARs
Retirement(1)Awards granted in the fiscalyear of termination are proratedbased on the time workedduring the fiscal year, adjustedfor performance, and paid atthe same time and in the samemanner as to active employees.Awards granted in the fiscal year of terminationare proratedpro-rated based on the time worked duringthe that fiscal year, adjusted for performance, and paid atthe end of or shortly followingsame time and in the performanceperiod. Unpaid awards granted in prior fiscalyears are not reduced, but are adjusted forperformance and paid at the end of or shortlyfollowing the performance period.same manner as to active employees.Awards granted in the fiscal year of terminationare proratedpro-rated based on the time worked during that year, adjusted for performance, and paid soon after theyear. end of the performance period. Outstanding unpaid awards are not reduced, but are adjusted for performance and paid soon after the end of the performance period.Awards granted in priorthe fiscal yearsyear of termination are pro-rated based on the time worked during that year. Other outstanding awards are notreduced. All awards become exercisable at thesame time and in the same manner as for activeemployees. Retirees must exercise the awardawards by theearlier of the original expiration date or the end ofseven years following the date of retirement.
InvoluntaryNot for CauseAwards granted in the fiscalyear of termination are proratedbased on the time workedduring the fiscal year, adjustedfor performance, and paid atthe same time and in the samemanner as to active employees.Awards granted in the fiscal year of terminationare proratedpro-rated based on the time worked duringthe year, adjustedyear. Other outstanding awards are not reduced. All awards become exercisable at the same time and in the same manner as for performance, and paid atactive employees. Awards must be exercised by the endoriginal expiration date, or, if earlier, by the later of or shortlytwelve months following the performanceperiod. Unpaid awards granted in prior fiscalyears are not reduced, but are adjusted forperformance and paid at the enddate of termination or shortlytwelve months following the performance period.first exercise date.
Death/PermanentDisabilityAwards granted in the fiscal year of terminationare proratedpro-rated based on the time worked during theyear. Awards granted in prior fiscal years are notreduced. All awards become exercisable at thesame time as for active employees. Awards mustbe exercised by the later of twelve months followingthe date of termination or twelve months followingthe first exercise date, but in no case beyond theoriginal expiration date.
Death/PermanentDisabilityAwards granted in the fiscalyear of termination are proratedbased on the time worked duringthethat year and are paid upontermination at a target level ofperformance.Awards granted in the fiscal year of terminationare proratedpro-rated based on the time worked duringthe that year and become payable shortly aftertermination at a target level of performance.Unpaid Outstanding unpaid awards granted in prior fiscal years arenot reduced and become payable shortly aftertermination at a target level of performance.Awards granted in the fiscal year of terminationare proratedpro-rated based on the time worked during thethat year. UnpaidOther outstanding awards granted in fiscal years prior todeath or permanent disability are not reduced. Allawards become exercisable uponon the date of death orpermanent disability. Awards must be exercised bythe earlier of the expiration date or the end of fiveyears following the date of death or termination ofemployment due to disability.
Voluntary Terminationor Involuntary forPoorPerformanceAwards granted in the fiscalyear of termination are forfeited.All unearned or nonvested awards are forfeited.Awards that areAll nonvested at the time ofterminationawards are forfeited. Awards that areexercisable at the time of terminationExercisable awards may beexercised for up to 30 days, but in no case beyondor, if earlier, until the original expiration date.
Involuntary for CauseAwards granted in the fiscalyear of termination are forfeited.All unearned or nonvested awards are forfeited.All outstanding awards are forfeited.

 

(1)Retirement applies to those executives who leave the CompanyBrown-Forman at or after age 55 with at least 5five years of service or at or after age 65 with any service.

 

Change-in-Control and Termination Upon Change-in-Control.CHANGE IN CONTROL AND TERMINATION UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

In the event of a change in control, as defined in the Brown-Forman 2013 Omnibus Plan or the Brown-Forman 2004 Omnibus Plan, as applicable, (the “Plan”), short-term and long-term incentive compensation cycles continue unaffected, and outstanding options and SSARs become immediately vested but remain exercisable according to their original vesting schedule. In the event of an executive’s terminationemployment is terminated by the CompanyBrown-Forman (or its successor) without cause or by the executive within 60 days after a constructive discharge, in either case within one year following a change in control, all outstanding awards become immediately vested and exercisable, restriction periods lapse, and cash awards are paid out pro-rata based on target performance through the effective date of termination. In the event of a change in control that modifies the capital structure of the CompanyBrown-Forman (or its successors), the realizable value on exercise of outstanding options and SSARs is subject to adjustment as described in the applicable Omnibus Plan.

 

48BROWN-FORMAN | 2016

48BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 
COMPENSATION TABLESPOTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  CHANGE IN CONTROL AND TERMINATION UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

The following table illustrates the value of compensation available to our NEOs hadas if their employment terminated on April 30, 2016,2019, the last day of our 20162019 fiscal year, under various scenarios. The compensation included is only amounts that which would have been payable as a direct result of the specified triggering event. This table excludes the value of pension benefits that are disclosed in the Fiscal 20162019 Pension Benefits Table on page 4546 and the amounts payable under deferred compensation plans that are disclosed in the Fiscal 2016 Non-qualified2019 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table on page 47.

 

Fiscal 2016 Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control Table
 
 DeathHoliday      
NameBenefit(1)Bonus(2)STC(3)LTC(4)SSARs(5)PBRS(4)SRS(7)Total
Paul C. Varga        
Voluntary Termination
Involuntary Termination for Cause
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause$18,904$2,016,000$5,744,000$1,755,185$5,368,963$14,903,052
Retirement18,9042,016,0005,744,0001,755,1855,368,96314,903,052
Death$2,000,00018,9041,400,0004,745,0001,755,1854,042,201$4,356,50418,317,794
Change-in-Control1,755,1851,755,185
Termination Upon Change-in-Control18,9041,400,0004,745,0001,755,1854,042,2017,260,84119,222,131
Jane C. Morreau(6)        
Voluntary Termination$9,556$592,000$972,012$279,856$1,148,381$3,001,805
Involuntary Termination for Cause
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause9,556592,000972,012279,8561,148,3813,001,805
Retirement9,556592,000972,012279,8561,148,3813,001,805
Death$2,945,0009,556400,000818,075279,856845,8595,298,346
Change-in-Control279,856279,856
Termination Upon Change-in-Control9,556400,000818,075279,856845,8592,353,346
Mark I. McCallum(6)        
Voluntary Termination$10,773$629,200$1,087,395$441,202$1,175,657$3,344,227
Involuntary Termination for Cause
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause10,773629,2001,087,395441,2021,175,6573,344,227
Retirement10,773629,2001,087,395441,2021,175,6573,344,227
Death$2,000,00010,773440,000945,195441,202915,7594,752,929
Change-in-Control441,202441,202
Termination Upon Change-in-Control10,773440,000945,195441,202915,7592,752,929
Jill A. Jones        
Voluntary Termination
Involuntary Termination for Cause
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause$9,991$614,900$991,909$277,993$997,794$2,892,587
Retirement9,991614,900991,909277,993997,7942,892,587
Death$2,000,0009,991430,000817,909277,993725,7634,261,656
Change-in-Control277,993277,993
Termination Upon Change-in-Control9,991430,000817,909277,993725,7632,261,656
Matthew E. Hamel(6)        
Voluntary Termination$6,260$396,000$473,750$460,159$592,703$1,928,872
Involuntary Termination for Cause
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause6,260396,000473,750460,159592,7031,928,872
Retirement6,260396,000473,750460,159592,7031,928,872
Death$2,540,0006,260275,000398,750460,159447,4054,127,574
Change-in-Control460,159460,159
Termination Upon Change-in-Control6,260275,000398,750460,159447,4051,587,574

FISCAL 2019 POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL TABLE(1)

Name Death Benefit(2) Holiday Bonus(3) STC(4) LTC(5) PBRS(5) SSARs(6) Total
Lawson E. Whiting              
Voluntary Termination       
Involuntary Termination for Cause       
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause  $17,375 $812,600 $2,010,500 $1,275,886 $889,960 $5,006,321
Retirement  17,375 812,600 2,010,500 1,275,886 889,960 5,006,321
Death $2,000,000 17,375 850,000 1,997,500 956,707 889,960 6,711,542
Change-in-Control      889,960 889,960
Termination Upon Change-in-Control  17,375 850,000 1,997,500 956,707 889,960 4,711,542
Jane C. Morreau(7)              
Voluntary Termination  10,425 432,000 1,098,240 1,546,255 1,330,537 4,417,457
Involuntary Termination for Cause       
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause  10,425 432,000 1,098,240 1,546,255 1,330,537 4,417,457
Retirement  10,425 432,000 1,098,240 1,546,255 1,330,537 4,417,457
Death 2,000,000 10,425 450,000 1,086,000 1,224,729 1,330,537 6,101,691
Change-in-Control      1,330,537 1,330,537
Termination Upon Change-in-Control  10,425 450,000 1,086,000 1,224,729 1,330,537 4,101,691
Mark I. McCallum(7)              
Voluntary Termination  11,364 443,106 1,320,100 1,146,655 1,002,858 3,924,083
Involuntary Termination for Cause       
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause  11,364 443,106 1,320,100 1,146,655 1,002,858 3,924,083
Retirement  11,364 443,106 1,320,100 1,146,655 1,002,858 3,924,083
Death 2,000,000 11,364 463,500 1,302,900 904,781 1,002,858 5,685,403
Change-in-Control      1,002,858 1,002,858
Termination Upon Change-in-Control  11,364 463,500 1,302,900 904,781 1,002,858 3,685,403
Matthew E. Hamel(7)              
Voluntary Termination  8,948 295,404 487,363 846,710 1,480,965 3,119,390
Involuntary Termination for Cause       
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause  8,948 295,404 487,363 846,710 1,480,965 3,119,390
Retirement  8,948 295,404 487,363 846,710 1,480,965 3,119,390
Death 1,672,000 8,948 309,000 481,013 668,122 1,480,965 4,620,048
Change-in-Control      1,480,965 1,480,965
Termination Upon Change-in-Control  8,948 309,000 481,013 668,122 1,480,965 2,948,048
Thomas Hinrichs(7)              
Voluntary Termination  7,989 343,915 609,026 502,387 392,783 1,856,100
Involuntary Termination for Cause       
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause  7,989 343,915 609,026 502,387 392,783 1,856,100
Retirement  7,989 343,915 609,026 502,387 392,783 1,856,100
Death  7,989 357,500 602,129 389,925 392,783 1,750,326
Change-in-Control      392,783 392,783
Termination Upon Change-in-Control  7,989 357,500 602,129 389,925 392,783 1,750,326

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    49

49BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Table of ContentsCOMPENSATION TABLES  |  CHANGE IN CONTROL AND TERMINATION UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

(1)COMPENSATION TABLESPOTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROLMr. Varga’s employment with Brown-Forman ended on December 31, 2018 following his retirement.

(1)(2)Death benefit includes amounts provided by the CompanyBrown-Forman as an insurance benefit in the event of the employee’s death (generally available to all salaried employees) and additional amounts elected and paid for by each NEO as optional insurance coverage.
(3)(2)ProratedPro-rated holiday bonus is provided in the event of involuntary termination not-for-cause, retirement, death/permanent disability, involuntary termination other than for cause, and termination upon change-in-control.change in control. Holiday bonus is calculated based on a December 1 to November 30 payment cycle.
(4)(3)ProratedPro-rated short-term cash incentives are provided in the event of retirement, involuntary termination not-for-cause, retirement, death/permanent disability, orand termination upon change in control. In the event of retirement or involuntary termination not-for-cause, awards are based on actual Companycompany performance and are paid at the same time and in the same manner as to active employees. Short-term cash incentives shown for retirement or involuntary termination not-for-cause are performance-adjusted awards paid for fiscal 2016.2019. In the event of death/permanent disability or termination upon a change in control, awards are paid as soon as practicable after termination at a target level of performance. Short-term cash incentives shown for death/permanent disability or termination upon a change in control are shown at target. Awards shown are not proratedpro-rated because termination is assumed to have occurred on the last day of our fiscal year.
(4)(5)Continued vesting of a proratedpro-rated portion of long-term cash incentives and performance-based restricted stock is provided in the event of retirement, involuntary termination not-for-cause, retirement, death/permanent disability, or termination upon a change in control. In the event of retirement or involuntary termination not-for-cause, awards are based on actual Companycompany performance and generally are generally paid at the same time and in the same manner as to active employees. Values shown for long-term cash incentives in situations of retirement or involuntary termination not-for-cause are based on actual payouts for the performance period that ended in fiscal 20162019 and target performance for performance periods ending in future fiscal years.the future. Values shown for performance-based restricted stock in instances of retirement or involuntary termination not-for-cause are based on the April 30, 2016,2019, market value of restricted shares granted in fiscal 20142017 and the estimated maximum possible payout of 150% of target for awards granted in fiscal years 20152018 and 2016.2019. In the event of death/permanent disability or termination upon a change in control, awards are paid as soon as practicable after termination at a target level of performance. Values shown for long-term cash incentives in situations of death/permanent disability or termination upon a change in control are based on target levels of performance. Values shown for performance-based restricted stock in instances of death/permanent disability or termination upon a change in control are based on the April 30, 2016,2019, market value of awardsrestricted shares granted in fiscal 20142017 and the estimated possible payout of 100% of target for awards granted in fiscal years 20152018 and 2016, respectively.2019. Awards granted in the year of termination are adjusted pro-rata based on the time worked during the fiscal year. UnpaidOther outstanding awards granted in prior fiscal years are not reduced. Awards shown are not proratedpro-rated because termination is assumed to have occurred on the last day of our fiscal year.
(5)(6)Continued vesting of a proratedpro-rated portion of SSARs is provided in the event of involuntary termination not-for-cause, retirement, or death/permanent disability, or involuntary termination not-for-cause.disability. In the event of retirement or involuntary termination not-for-cause, SSARs become vested at the same time and in the same manner as they do for active employees. In the event of retirement, SSARs must be exercised by the sooner of the original expiration date or the end of seven years following the date of retirement. Employees terminated not for-causenot-for-cause must exercise their SSARs by the sooner of the original expiration date or 12 months following vesting or, if vested, 12 months following termination. In the event of death or death/permanent disability, SSARs vest immediately and must be exercised by the sooner of the original expiration date or five years following the date of death or termination due to disability. In the event of a change in control, SSARs become immediately vested but remain exercisable according to their original vesting schedule. In the event of a termination following a change in control, SSARs vest immediately and remain exercisable until 30 days following the original scheduled vesting date. Awards granted in the year of termination are adjusted pro-rata based on the time worked during the fiscal year. Awards shown are not proratedpro-rated because termination is assumed to have occurred on the last day of our fiscal year. Amounts shown represent the value realized upon vesting or non-forfeitability of nonvested SSARs based upon the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of our Class B common stock on April 30, 2016.2019.
(6)(7)As retirement-eligibleretirement eligible NEOs, Ms. Morreau, Mr. McCallum, Mr. Hamel, and Mr. HamelHinrichs would each be treated as retireesa retiree in the event of a voluntary termination.

(7) On July 25, 2013, Mr. Varga received a one-time special restricted stock grant of 67,513 Class A shares. During the performance period, dividends are accrued and credited as additional restricted stock and are subject to the same performance measures as the initial grant. In instances of death and disability this award will vest immediately and be prorated based on the number of months employed during the performance period, with the Compensation Committee retaining the ability to reduce the award in its discretion. In the event of a voluntary termination, involuntary termination for cause, or involuntary termination for poor performance, the award will be immediately forfeited. In instances of involuntary “no fault” termination or any other termination (with the exception of a Change-in-Control) the award will be immediately forfeited; however, the Compensation Committee retains the right, at its sole discretion, to provide a prorated portion of the award based on the number of months Mr. Varga was employed during the performance period. Termination without cause upon a Change-in-Control will result in the vesting of the award.

50BROWN-FORMAN | 2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS Additionally, this table does not include Mr. Varga, as he retired as an employee of Brown-Forman on December 31, 2018. In connection with his retirement, Mr. Varga received his 2019 short-term incentive compensation on a pro-rated basis as disclosed in the “Short-Term Cash” column of footnote 5 to the “Fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table” on page 41. His outstanding long-term cash incentives and performance-based restricted stock awards remain subject to actual company performance and will continue to vest on a pro-rated basis and be paid at the same time and in the same manner as active employees. His outstanding SSARs will also continue to vest on a pro-rated basis at the same time and in the same manner as they do for active employees.

 

50BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Stock Ownership

 

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF MORE THAN 5% OF BROWN-FORMAN’S VOTING STOCK

Beneficial Owners of More Than 5% of the Company’s Voting Stock

The table below identifies each beneficial owner of more than 5% of our Class A common stock, our only class of voting stock, as of April 30, 2016.2019. Each of the beneficial owners listed in the table below is either a Brown family member, a group of Brown family members, or an entity controlled by Brown family members.

 

The Brown family holds Class A shares in a variety of family trusts and entities, with multiple family members often sharing voting control and investment power as members of advisory committees to the trusts or as owners or officers of the entities. As a result, many of the shares shown in the table below are counted more than once, as they are deemed to be beneficially owned by more than one of the persons identified in the table. Counting each share only once, the aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned by the persons in this table is 56,929,850113,058,963 shares, or 67.4%66.9% of the 84,530,209168,999,423 shares of Class A sharescommon stock outstanding as of the close of business on April 30, 2016.2019. Taking into account ownership of shares of our non-voting Class B common stock, the Brown family controls more than 50% of the economic ownership in Brown-Forman.

 

 Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership-Voting and Investment Power(1) 
Name and AddressSoleSharedTotalPercent of Class
J. McCauley Brown3,156,734(2)9,143,153(2)12,299,887(2)14.6%
850 Dixie Highway    
Louisville, Kentucky 40210    
Owsley Brown Frazier Family Group(3)472,0939,274,2649,746,35711.5%
829 West Main Street    
Louisville, Kentucky 40202    
Owsley Brown II Family Group(4)3,453,8185,906,0549,359,87211.1%
c/o Zelkova Strategic Partners, LLC   
333 East Main Street, Suite 401    
Louisville, Kentucky 40210    
Avish Agincourt, LLC9,104,1539,104,15310.8%
829 West Main Street    
Louisville, Kentucky 40202    
Bond Musselman Family Group(5)1,137,1826,847,2507,984,4329.5%
c/o The Glenview Trust Company   
4969 U.S. Highway 42    
Suite 2000    
Louisville, Kentucky 40222    
G. Garvin Brown III Family Group(6)6,808,49626,0756,834,5718.1%
850 Dixie Highway    
Louisville, Kentucky 40210    
Laura Lee Brown2,207,7983,533,2115,741,0096.8%
710 West Main Street, Third Floor   
Louisville, Kentucky 40202    
Stuart R. Brown309,2334,771,0345,080,2676.0%
850 Dixie Highway    
Louisville, Kentucky 40210    
A. Cary Brown761,1824,304,2015,065,3836.0%
657 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Suite 228    
Louisville, Kentucky 40222    
Sandra A. Frazier1,406,5193,467,2474,873,7665.8%
c/o The Glenview Trust Company   
4969 U.S. Highway 42    
Suite 2000    
Louisville, Kentucky 40222    
  Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership Voting and Investment Power(1) 
Name and Address Sole Shared Total Percent of Class
Wolf Pen Branch, LP
Wolf Pen Branch GP, LLC(2)

4969 U.S. Highway 42, Suite 2000
Louisville, Kentucky 40222
 94,850,659  94,850,659 56.1%
Avish Agincourt, LLC
829 West Main Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
 18,208,304  18,208,304 10.8%

 

51     BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

STOCK OWNERSHIP • BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF MORE THAN 5% OF THE COMPANY’S VOTING STOCK

 Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership-Voting and Investment Power(1) 
Name and AddressSoleSharedTotalPercent of Class
W.L. Lyons Brown III6964,391,3824,392,0785.2%
Box 119    
Batesville, Virginia 22924    
Martin S. Brown, Sr.40,7804,223,0534,263,8335.0%
5214 Maryland Way, Suite 404    
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027    
Dace Brown Stubbs3,985,886247,6194,233,5055.0%
1850 Dixie Highway    
Louisville, Kentucky 40210    

(1)Based upon information furnished to the CompanyBrown-Forman by the named persons and information contained in filings with the SEC. Under SEC rules, a person is deemed to beneficially own shares over which the person has or shares voting or investment power or as to which the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days (including shares underlying options or stock appreciation rights that are exercisable within 60 days).
(2)For J. McCauley Brown, amounts set forth above reflectWolf Pen Branch, LP, has sole voting power only. Mr. Brown holdswith respect to the shares reflected in the table and sole investment power over 71,691with respect to 42,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and shared investment power over 10,583,296 shares of Class A common stock.
(3)The Owsley Brown Frazier Family Group Wolf Pen Branch GP, LLC, has agreed in principle to act together for the purpose of holding and voting certain shares of Class A common stock reflected in the table. The individual group members have sole or shared voting and investment power overwith respect to the following Class A shares: Laura L. Frazier — 225,433 sole, 9,123,653 shared, 9,349,086 total (11.1%same shares by virtue of class); Catherine Frazier Joy — 246,660 sole, 9,254,764 shared, 9,501,424 total (11.2%serving as general partner of class).
(4)The Owsley Brown II Family Group has agreed in principle to act together for the purpose of holding and voting certain shares of Class A common stock reflected in the table. The aggregate holdings of the Owsley Brown II Family Group listed in the table refer to shares over which the group members have sole or shared investment power. The individual group members have sole or shared investment power over the following Class A shares: Christina Lee Brown — 2,033,368 sole, 4,070,725 shared, 6,104,093 total (7.2% of class); Owsley Brown III — 149,813 sole, 4,489,684 shared, 4,639,497 total (5.5% of class); Brooke Brown Barzun — 679,073 sole, 4,775,618 shared, 5,454,691 total (6.5% of class); Augusta Brown Holland — 591,564 sole, 4,367,646 shared, 4,959,210 total (5.9% of class). The group has shared voting power over an aggregate of 9,359,872 Class A shares (11.1% of class). Individually, Christina Lee Brown and Owsley Brown III each have shared voting power over 9,112,709 Class A shares (10.8% of class), Brooke Brown Barzun has shared voting power over 9,116,355 Class A shares (10.8% of class), and Augusta Brown Holland has shared voting power over 9,356,226 Class A shares (11.1% of class).
(5)The Bond Musselman Family Group has agreed in principle to act together for the purpose of holding and voting certain shares of Class A common stock reflected in the table. The aggregate holdings of the Bond Musselman Family Group listed in the table refer to shares over which the group members have sole or shared investment power. The individual group members have sole or shared investment power over the following Class A shares: Ina Brown Bond — 450,385 sole, 6,228,567 shared, 6,678,952 total (7.9% of class); Elaine Musselman — 255,621 sole, 354,496 shared, 610,117 total (0.7% of class); W. Austin Musselman, Jr. — 431,176 sole, 1,518,600 shared, 1,949,776 total (2.3% of class). The group and its individual members each have shared voting power over an aggregate of 7,984,432 Class A shares (9.5% of class).
(6)The G. Garvin Brown III Family Group has agreed in principle to act together for the purpose of holding and voting certain shares of Class A common stock reflected in the table. The individual group members have sole or shared voting and investment power over the following Class A shares: Campbell P. Brown — 3,459,135 sole, 18,604 shared, 3,477,739 total (4.1% of class); Geo. Garvin Brown IV — 3,349,361 sole, 7,471 shared, 3,356,832 total (4.0% of class).Wolf Pen Branch, LP.

 

52     BROWN-FORMAN  |  20162019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN 51

 
STOCK OWNERSHIP • STOCK OWNED BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

STOCK OWNERSHIP|  STOCK OWNED BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Stock Owned by Directors and Executive OfficersSTOCK OWNED BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth, as of April 30, 2016,2019, the amountnumber and percentages of shares of our Class A and Class B common stock beneficially owned by each current director, each director nominee, each named executive officer,Named Executive Officer, and by all directors and executive officers as a group. Some shares shown below are beneficially owned by more than one person. As of the close of business on April 30, 2016,2019, there were 84,530,209168,999,423 shares of Class A common stock and 113,211,808308,172,788 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. In calculating the aggregate number of shares and percentages owned by all directors and executive officers as a group, which includes shares owned by persons not named in this table, we counted each share only once.

 

STOCK BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS OF APRIL 30, 2019

Stock Beneficially Owned by Directors and Executive Officers as of April 30, 2016
        
 Class A Common Stock(2)(3)   Class B Common Stock(2)(3)  
 Voting or Investment Power   Investment Power  
Name(1)SoleSharedTotal % of ClassSole SharedTotal % of Class
Joan C. Lordi Amble100100 *  *
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne *26,666 26,666 *
Campbell P. Brown3,459,13518,6043,477,739 4.1%623,722(4)(5)8,035631,757  
Geo. Garvin Brown IV3,349,3617,4713,356,832 4.0%650,704(5)(6)5,719656,423 *
Martin S. Brown, Jr.259,473616,658876,131 1.0%89,340 1089,350 *
Stuart R. Brown309,2334,771,0345,080,267 6.0%138,277 4,659,2664,797,543 4.2%
Bruce L. Byrnes *  *
John D. Cook *21,752 21,752 *
Marshall B. Farrer3154,1374,452 *14,420 1614,436 *
Laura L. Frazier225,4339,123,6539,349,086 11.1%239,829 4,282,1734,522,002 4.0%
Sandra A. Frazier1,406,5193,467,2474,873,766 5.8%373,376 793,6171,166,993 1.0%
Matthew E. Hamel9,7029,702 *154,639(5)154,639 *
Augusta Brown Holland(7)591,5644,367,6464,959,210 5.9%195,476 8,335,544(8)8,531,020 7.5%
Jill A. Jones22,01822,018 *80,334(5)9080,424 *
Mark I. McCallum28,76228,762 *120,598 27120,625 *
Jane C. Morreau9,1029,102 *68,861 68,861 *
Michael J. Roney *  *
Michael A. Todman *  *
Paul C. Varga235,412235,412 *351,540 351,540 *
James S. Welch, Jr.42,50442,504 *191,168 191,168 *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (27 persons, including those named above)(9)9,955,86121,759,837 31,715,698(10)37.5%3,456,127 18,081,75121,537,878(11)19.0%

 

  Class A Common Stock(2)(3)
Voting or Investment Power
    Class B Common Stock(2)(3)
Investment Power
   
Name(1) Sole  Shared Total  % of Class Sole  Shared  Total  % of Class
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne      * 66,665    66,665  *
Campbell P. Brown(4) 3,917,120   3,917,120  2.3% 2,554,484(5)(6)  220,180  2,774,664  *
Geo. Garvin Brown IV(4) 3,466,933  18,012 3,484,945  2.1% 2,077,357(7)  11,935  2,089,292  *
Stuart R. Brown 1,427,350(8)   1,427,350  * 478,460(9)  9,739  488,199  *
Bruce L. Byrnes      *       *
John D. Cook      * 37,184    37,184  *
Marshall B. Farrer(4)      * 36,808    36,808  *
Laura L. Frazier 424,346   424,346  * 664,118    664,118  *
Kathleen M. Gutmann      *       *
Matthew E. Hamel 25,543   25,543  * 447,901(6)    447,901  *
Thomas Hinrichs 1,452   1,452  * 85,672    85,672  *
Augusta Brown Holland(4) 1,183,964  5,559 1,189,523  * 562,676(10)  8,566(11)  571,242  *
Mark I. McCallum 50,731   50,731  * 290,491    290,491  *
Jane C. Morreau 28,567   28,567  * 224,994    224,994  *
Michael J. Roney      *       *
Tracy L. Skeans      *       *
Michael A. Todman      *       *
Paul C. Varga 449,312   449,312  * 1,459,728    1,459,728  *
Lawson E. Whiting 5,797   5,797  * 129,274    129,274  *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group(24 persons, including those named above)(12) 10,994,582  23,571 11,018,153(13)  6.5% 9,440,781  250,420  9,691,201(14)  3.1%

*Represents less than 1% of the class.
(1)The address for each person named in the table is 850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40210.
(2)Based upon Companycompany information, information furnished to the CompanyBrown-Forman by the named persons, and information contained in filings with the SEC. Under SEC rules, a person is deemed to beneficially own shares over which the person has or shares voting or investment power or as to which the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days (including shares underlying options or stock appreciation rights that are exercisable within 60 days).

 

53     52BROWN-FORMAN  |  20162019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 

Table of ContentsSTOCK OWNERSHIP|  DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

 

STOCK OWNERSHIP • SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

(3)Includes the following Class B SSARs that are currently exercisable or that will become exercisable on or before June 29, 20162019 (60 days after April 30, 2016)2019). Class A and Class B deferred stock units,DSUs, which vest over the course of the Board Year and are paid out following a six-month waiting period (as defined under “Director Compensation” beginning on page 22)21), are not included in the main table. Performance-based restricted stock units were issued as shares of Class A and Class B common stock on June 3, 2019 as reflected below, was issued on June 1, 2016, and also isare not included in the main table:table.

 

 Class A Class B
NameRestricted StockDeferred Stock Units SSARsDeferred Stock Units
Joan C. Lordi Amble5,040 2,327
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne6,020 5,184
Campbell P. Brown 4,480
Geo. Garvin Brown IV3,190 7,935
Martin S. Brown, Jr. 18,2341,731
Bruce L. Byrnes3,714 3,365
John D. Cook6,020 21,7525,184
Marshall B. Farrer 14,320
Sandra A. Frazier 18,2341,731
Matthew E. Hamel1,509 147,965
Augusta Brown Holland597 
Jill A. Jones1,750 52,734
Mark I. McCallum3,812 107,866
Jane C. Morreau2,322 65,913
Michael J. Roney4,116 
Michael A. Todman2,980 
Paul C. Varga13,388 250,607
James S. Welch, Jr.3,523 166,166

  Class A        Class B
Name Restricted
Stock
 Deferred
Stock Units
 Restricted
Stock
   SSARs Deferred
Stock Units
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne  20,926   18,442
Campbell P. Brown    12,355 
Geo. Garvin Brown IV  25,105   4,817
Stuart R. Brown  1,071   
Bruce L. Byrnes  14,626   12,042
John D. Cook  20,178  12,188 18,790
Marshall B. Farrer   742 26,981 
Kathleen M. Gutmann  4,868   681
Matthew E. Hamel 4,739  1,184 353,114 
Thomas Hinrichs 2,514  629 79,304 
Augusta Brown Holland  8,014   1,467
Mark I. McCallum 6,417  1,603 264,417 
Jane C. Morreau 8,865  2,215 209,554 
Michael J. Roney  18,282   4,032
Tracy L. Skeans  4,727   
Michael A. Todman  13,070   2,730
Paul C. Varga 39,396  9,837 1,020,151 
Lawson E. Whiting 4,852  1,212 127,825 

 

(4)(4)Campbell P. Brown, Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Marshall B. Farrer, and Augusta Brown Holland do not hold voting power over any shares of Class A common stock. Each holds sole or shared investment power over the shares of Class A common stock presented in the table.
(5)Includes 60,000150,000 shares of Class B common stock pledged as security.
(5)(6)Includes Class B common stock held in the Company’s 401(k) plan as of the close of business on April 30, 2016,2019, as follows: Campbell P. Brown, 7,766 shares; Geo. Garvin Brown IV, 12,93621,918 shares; Matthew E. Hamel, 5,161 shares; Jill A. Jones, 7,36316,463 shares.
(6)(7)Includes 440,447991,114 shares of Class B common stock pledged as security.
(8)(7)Table presentsIncludes 414,734 shares of Class A common stock over which Augusta Brown Holland holds sole or shared investment power. Please see “Beneficial Owners of More Than 5% of the Company’s Voting Stock” on page 51 for more information.pledged as security.
(8)(9)Includes 2,356103,840 shares of Class B common stock pledged as security.
(10)(9)Includes 66,250 shares of Class B common stock pledged as security.
(11)Includes 5,890 shares of Class B common stock pledged as security.
(12)“All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group” includes 27 persons,24 individuals, including those directors and officers named in the table. In calculating the aggregate number of shares and percentages owned by all directors and executive officers as a group, each share is counted only once.
(10)(13)Directors and executive officers as a group hold 31,676130,867 Class A deferred stock units,DSUs, which are not included in the main table.
(11)(14)Includes 986,2722,357,284 Class B SSARs held by all directors and executive officers as a group that are exercisable on or before June 29, 20162019 (60 days after April 30, 2016)2019). Directors and executive officers as a group hold 19,52263,001 Class B deferred stock units,DSUs, which are not included in the main table.

 

SectionDELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceREPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers, directors, and “beneficial owners” of more than 10% of our Class A common stock to file stock ownership reports and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Based on a review of those reports and written representations from the reporting persons, we believe that during fiscal 2016, these persons reported2019, all transactions were reported on a timely basis except for the following late filings: Form 4 by Alejandro A. Alvarez reporting a disposition of Class B shares held in a 401(k) plan; Form 4 by Joan C. Lordi Amble reporting a gift of Class A shares to a family trust; Form 4 by each of Christina Lee Brown, Owsley Brown III, Brooke Brown Barzun, and Augusta Brown Holland, all reporting the same exchange of Class B shares between an individual and a family trust; Form 4 by J. McCauley Brown reporting an acquisition of Class B shares held in a 401(k) plan;one Form 4 by Laura L. Frazier reporting gift transactions by two family trusts from a sale of Class B shares by a family trust; and Form 4 by Paul C. Varga reporting a gift of shares to a family trust.prior fiscal year.

 

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Pay Ratio Disclosure

CEO PAY RATIO

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires us to disclose the ratio between the annual total compensation of our CEO and the annual total compensation of our “median employee.”

In fiscal 2019, the annual total compensation for our CEO, Mr. Whiting, was $3,695,893, as disclosed in the Fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table on page 40. In order to determine the annual total compensation of our median employee, Brown-Forman utilized the following approach:

Identified our global employee population as of February 1, 2019.
Compared payroll data of our global employee population using a consistently applied compensation measure of base salary (including overtime) and holiday bonus paid to our employees during the most recent tax year of January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018.
Used the consistently applied compensation measure to identify the median employee.
Calculated the annual total compensation of our median employee in the same manner used to determine our CEO’s total compensation as disclosed in the fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table.

 

TableIn identifying our median employee, we did not utilize material estimates, statistical sampling, or assumptions. Following the above methodology, our median employee for fiscal 2019 received an annual total compensation of Contents$58,714. Consequently, the ratio of the annual total compensation for our CEO to the annual total compensation for our median employee in fiscal 2019 was 63-to-1.

 

Brown-Forman believes it is important to follow SEC rules to ensure full compliance. However, given the impact of company performance on CEO pay, combined with employee demographics, varying competitive pay practices, and SEC rules that provide wide flexibility on how a company may calculate its pay ratio, we believe it is important to note that our reported ratio may not have been calculated in the same manner as the ratios disclosed by other companies. As a result, these ratios may not be a useful basis for comparison. Additional details on our compensation philosophy, objectives, and the decisions of our Compensation Committee may be found in our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 24.

54BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Audit Matters

 

This section contains a report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. It also explains the role of the Audit Committee and sets forth the fees paid to our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Report of the Audit CommitteeREPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is responsible for overseeing the integrity of the Company’s financial statements on behalf of the Board. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Company’s internal controls, for preparing the financial statements, and for the public financial reporting process. The Company’s internal audit function is responsible for preparing and executing an annual internal audit plan under the supervision of the Director of Internal Audit, who is accountable to the Audit Committee. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an audit of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and for issuing a report on its audit. The independent registered public accounting firm also reports on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee reviews the work of management in respect of these matters and has direct responsibility for compensation, retention,retaining, compensating, and oversight ofoverseeing the independent registered public accounting firm on behalf of the Board.

 

On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee retained PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”)(PwC) as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting for fiscal 2016.2019. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firmPwC the audited financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016.2019. In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed, with management, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and, with PwC, PwC’s evaluation of the Company’s system of internal controls. These discussions included meetings with PwC without representatives of management present, and executive sessions with the Director of Internal Audit.

 

The Audit Committee discussed with PwC matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, as adopted by the PCAOB.applicable PCAOB rules. PwC provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by the PCAOB for independent auditor communications with audit committees concerning independence, and the Audit Committee discussed with PwC the firm’s independence and ability to conduct the audit. The Audit Committee has determined that PwC’s provision of audit and non-audit services to the Company is compatible with maintaining auditor independence.

 

Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016.2019.

 

 AUDIT COMMITTEE
 Michael A. Todman, Chair
Joan C. Lordi Amble

Bruce L. Byrnes

John D. CookKathleen M. Gutmann
Tracy L. Skeans

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AUDIT MATTERS • APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Audit Matters  |  Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The following table presents the fees the CompanyBrown-Forman incurred for the professional services provided by PwC for fiscal years 20152018 and 2016.2019. All such fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the policy described below.

 

Fiscal Years Fiscal Years
20152016 2018 2019
Audit Fees$1,656,781$1,597,000 $2,417,000  $2,468,000
Audit-Related Fees158,000210,000  230,000   60,000
Tax Fees133,444385,000  613,000   564,000
All Other Fees7,6006,000  3,000   24,000
Total$1,955,825$2,198,000 $3,263,000  $3,116,000

 

Audit Fees

This category consists of the audit of the Company’sBrown-Forman’s annual financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, attestation services relating to the report on internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, review of interim financial statements included in the Company’squarterly reports on Form 10-Q, quarterly reports, services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, and statutory audits required by foreign jurisdictions.

 

Audit-Related Fees

This category consists principally of fees related to the audits of employee benefit plans. For fiscal 2016, this category also included fees billedplans as well as for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the audit or review of the Company’sBrown-Forman’s financial statements but are not included in the Audit Fees category, such as fees related to the issuanceassistance with interpretation of comfort letters.accounting standards.

 

Tax Fees

This category consists principally of fees related to tax compliance, planning and transfer pricing services.

 

All Other Fees

This category consists of fees for anall other non-audit services not included in the above categories, including accounting research subscription.subscriptions.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and ProceduresAUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

It is the policy of the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services (including an estimate of the fees or a range of fees) to be performed for the CompanyBrown-Forman by its independent registered public accounting firm, subject to thede minimisexception for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B)the Securities Exchange Act of the Exchange Act.1934. The Audit Committee pre-approved the fiscal 20162019 audit and non-audit services provided by PwC. The non-audit services approved by the Audit Committee also were also reviewed to ensure compatibility with maintaining PwC’s independence. The Audit Committee has delegated to its Chair the authority to pre-approve proposed audit and non-audit services that arise between meetings, with the understanding that theany such decision will be reviewed at the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting. During the approval process, the Audit Committee considers the potential impact of the type of service on the independence of the registered public accounting firm. Services and fees must be deemed compatible with the maintenance of the registered public accounting firm’s independence, including compliance with SEC rules and regulations. The Audit Committee may not delegate to management the Audit Committee’s responsibility to pre-approve permitted services of our independent registered public accounting firm. Throughout the year, the Audit Committee reviews any revisions to the estimates of fees initially approved.

 

The Audit Committee has adopted other policies in an effort to help ensure the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee must pre-approve PwC’s rendering of personal financial and tax advice to any of the Company’sBrown-Forman’s designated executive officers. In addition, the Audit Committee has a policy that limits the Company’sBrown-Forman’s ability to hire certain current and former employees of our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

56BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Audit Matters  |  Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has appointed PwC to serve as the Company’sour independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2017.2020. Through its predecessor Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., PwC has served as the Company’sBrown-Forman’s auditor continuously since 1933. A representative of PwC will attend the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement, should he or she so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. We know of no direct or material indirect financial interest that PwC has in the CompanyBrown-Forman or any of our subsidiaries, or of any connection between the CompanyBrown-Forman or any of our subsidiaries with PwC in the capacity of promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee.

 

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Table of Contents

 

  Other Information

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Related Person Transactions

Rules and policies.SEC regulations require disclosure of certain transactions between the CompanyBrown-Forman and a “related person.” For purposes of these regulations, a “related person” generally includes any individual who was a director or executive officer at any time during the last fiscal year, a director nominee, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’sour voting securities, and any immediate family member of any such person. To ascertain information regarding related person transactions, the CompanyBrown-Forman has asked each director, director nominee, executive officer, and more than 5% beneficial owner to disclose any Companycompany transaction with a related person since May 1, 2015,2018, or any such proposed transaction. Under the terms of its charter,In accordance with our Related Person Transactions Policy, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing, and if appropriate, approving or ratifying the Company’s related person transactions. The Audit Committee reviewed and approved all suchthe transactions described below for fiscal 2016.2019.

 

Employment of related persons.As a family-controlledfamily controlled company, we employ individuals who are considered “related persons” under SEC regulations. As of April 30, 2016,2019, we employed fivetwo individuals — Campbell P. Brown Christopher L. Brown, Suzanne Brown Siegel, George C. Chapman, and Marshall B. Farrer — who are immediate family membersdirectors of executive officers, directors, or more than 5% beneficial owners, or who are directors or more than 5% beneficial owners in their own right.the company. Each of these employees is compensated in a manner consistent with our employment and compensation policies applicable to all employees, and theemployees. The aggregate amount of compensation and benefits paid by the Company to each of these employees during fiscal 2016 exceeded $120,000.2019 was: Campbell P. Brown $560,875 and Marshall B. Farrer $491,791.

 

In addition to his service as Chairman of our Board, Geo. Garvin Brown IV served as Executive Vice President of Brown-Forman until June 15, 2015. During fiscal 2016, Mr. Brown received a salary of $38,750, and non-equity incentive compensation of $531,787. In addition, he received long-term equity-based incentive compensation of 380 Class B common restricted stock units. The Company included $17,879 in Mr. Brown’s fiscal 2016 long-term incentive compensation award at target for serving as Chairman of our Board. During fiscal 2016, the Company incurred costs of $18,359 for certain expenses associated with Mr. Brown’s living abroad and other employee benefits provided to him. Mr. Brown’s compensation as a Company employee was consistent with that of other employees with similar tenures, responsibilities, performance histories, and expatriate status.

Other transactions. Laura Lee Brown is a member of the Brown family and a 5% beneficial owner of the Company’s voting stock. Ms. Brown, together with her spouse, Steve Wilson, owns a parking garage next to our offices in downtown Louisville. We lease, at market rates, a number of parking spaces in this garage, and pay additional amounts for validations of parking for customers and visitors. For fiscal 2016, the Company’s expense under this arrangement was $250,440. In addition, Ms. Brown and Mr. Wilson are owners of the 21c Museum Hotel and Proof on Main restaurant. During fiscal 2016, Brown-Forman rented hotel rooms and conference rooms and provided meals and entertainment at 21c and Proof, at market rates, to various company guests. The amount paid in fiscal 2016 for these expenses was $267,395.

The Company has a minority investment interest in Main Street Revitalization, LLC, which is restoring several buildings in the Whiskey Row area of downtown Louisville, Kentucky. During fiscal 2016, Main Street Revitalization, LLC paid $900,000 in developer fees to Brown Wilson Development, Inc., an entity controlled by Laura Lee Brown and her husband, Steve Wilson. In addition to Brown Wilson Development, the investors in Main Street Revitalization, LLC, include, directly or indirectly, the Company; Kentucky Ceramics LLC, which is controlled by Christina Lee Brown; and James S. Welch, Jr., and his wife, Marianne Welch. Ms. Laura Lee Brown and Ms. Christina Lee Brown are each beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company’s voting stock, and Mr. Welch is a director of the Company not standing for re-election.None.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members

No member of the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company,Brown-Forman, and no executive officer of the CompanyBrown-Forman has served on the compensation committee or board of any company that employed any member of our Compensation Committee or Board of Directors either during fiscal 2016,year 2019 or as of the date of this Proxy Statement.

 

57     BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

OTHER INFORMATION • STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2017 ANNUAL MEETING

Other Proposed Action Atat the Meeting

As of June 20, 2016,25, 2019, we know of no additional business that will come before the meeting. If any other matters are properly presented for voting at the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted on those matters as the Board may recommend, or, in the absence of a recommendation, in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders.

 

Stockholder Proposals for the 2017 Annual MeetingSTOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING

To be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholder proposals must be sent to 850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40210, no later than February 28, 2017.26, 2020. Proposals should be sent to the attention of Matthew E. Hamel, our Secretary, and must comply with SEC requirements related to the inclusion of stockholder proposals in Company-sponsoredcompany-sponsored proxy materials. Any notice of a proposal submitted outside the process of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that a stockholder intends to bring at our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders should be sent to the attention of Matthew E. Hamel, our Secretary, at the address above between March 27, 2020, and April 26, 2020, and the proxies solicited by us for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will confer discretionary authority to vote on any such matters without a description of them in the Proxy Statement for that Annual Meeting.

 

 By Order of the Board of Directors
 MATTHEW E. HAMEL
 Secretary
  
  
  
 Louisville, Kentucky
 June 28, 201625, 2019

 

58BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

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Table of Contents

 

  Appendix A

Proposed Amendment

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

We use some financial measures in this Proxy Statement that are not measures of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP measures, defined below, should be viewed as supplements to Restated Certificate(not substitutes for) our results of Incorporationoperations and other measures reported under GAAP. Other companies may not define or calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same way.

The first paragraph

“Underlying change” in measures of Article Fourthstatements of operations.We present changes in certain measures, or line items, of the Company’s Restated Certificatestatements of Incorporation is amendedoperations that are adjusted to readan “underlying” basis. We use “underlying change” for underlying operating income. To calculate underlying operating income, we adjust, as applicable, for (a) acquisitions and divestitures, (b) foreign exchange, (c) estimated net changes in its entirety as follows:

“FOURTH: The total numberdistributor inventories, and (d) the establishment of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is Five Hundred Seventy Million (570,000,000) shares, divided into (a) One Hundred Seventy Million (170,000,000) shares of Class A Common Stock of par value of Fifteen Cents ($0.15) per share; and (b) Four Hundred Million (400,000,000) shares of Class B Common Stock of par value of Fifteen Cents ($0.15) per share.”our charitable foundation. We explain these adjustments below.

 

59     “Acquisitions and divestitures.”This adjustment removes (a) any non-recurring effects related to our acquisitions and divestitures (e.g., transaction gains or losses, transaction costs, and integration costs), and (b) the effects of operating activity related to acquired and divested brands for periods not comparable year over year (non-comparable periods). By excluding non-comparable periods, we therefore include the effects of acquired and divested brands only to the extent that results are comparable year over year.BROWN-FORMAN  |  2016 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
In fiscal 2016, we sold our Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands and related assets to Sazerac Company, Inc. and entered into a related transition services agreement (TSA). During fiscal 2017, we completed our obligations under the TSA. This adjustment removes the net sales, cost of sales, and operating expenses recognized in fiscal 2017 pursuant to the TSA related to contract bottling services and distribution services in certain markets.
On June 1, 2016, we acquired The BenRiach Distillery Company Limited (BenRiach). This adjustment removes (a) transaction and integration costs related to the acquisition and (b) operating activity for the acquired business for the non-comparable period. With respect to comparisons of fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2016, the non-comparable period comprised all months; with respect to comparisons of fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2017, the non-comparable period is the month of May.
“Foreign exchange.”We calculate the percentage change in certain line items of the statements of operations in accordance with GAAP and adjust to exclude the cost or benefit of currency fluctuations. Adjusting for foreign exchange allows us to understand our business on a constant-dollar basis, as fluctuations in exchange rates can distort the underlying trend both positively and negatively. (In this Proxy Statement, “dollar” always means the U.S. dollar unless stated otherwise.) To eliminate the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations when comparing across periods, we translate current-year results at prior-year rates and remove transactional and hedging foreign exchange gains and losses from current- and prior-year periods.
“Estimated net changes in distributor inventories.”This adjustment refers to the estimated net effect of changes in distributor inventories on changes in certain line items of the statements of operations. For each period compared, we use volume information from our distributors to estimate the effect of distributor inventory changes in certain line items of the statements of operations. We believe that this adjustment reduces the effect of varying levels of distributor inventories on changes in certain line items of the statements of operations and allows us to understand better our underlying results and trends.
“Foundation.”In fiscal 2018, we established the Brown-Forman Foundation (the Foundation) with an initial $70 million contribution to support the Company’s charitable giving program in the communities where our employees live and work. This adjustment removes the initial $70 million contribution to the Foundation from our underlying SG&A expenses and underlying operating income to present our underlying results on a comparable basis.

 

We use the non-GAAP measures “underlying change” to: (a) understand our performance from period to period on a consistent basis; (b) compare our performance to that of our competitors; (c) calculate components of management incentive compensation; (d) plan and forecast; and (e) communicate our financial performance to the board of directors, stockholders, and investment analysts. We provide reconciliations of the “underlying change” in operating income (non-GAAP) to the change in reported operating income (GAAP) in the following table.

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APPENDIX A  |  RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP UNDERLYING CHANGES

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP UNDERLYING CHANGES

In fiscal 2019, we retrospectively adjusted our prior year statements of operations in our Form 10-K to reflect the impact from the adoption of the Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 (related to pension), and other reclassified expenses related to certain marketing research and promotional agency costs. The impact of these changes, which had no effect on net income, was not material. These retrospective adjustments did impact our reported and underlying operating income growth rates for fiscal years 2015 and 2018. However, the long-term incentive compensation related to those fiscal years was not retrospectively adjusted. Below, we reconcile our reported operating income (GAAP) to our underlying operating income (non-GAAP) as presented in the year filed. We note the change in our reported and underlying growth rates related to these retrospective adjustments for fiscal years 2015 and 2018 below the chart.

RECONCILIATION OF UNDERLYING OPERATING INCOME GROWTH TO GAAP OPERATING INCOME GROWTH

  Percentage change versus prior fiscal year
  2015(1) 2016 2017 2018(2) 2019
Change in reported operating income (GAAP) 6% 49% -35% 5% 9%
Acquisitions and divestitures  -46% 35%  
Foundation    7% -7%
Foreign exchange 6% 4% 4% -2% 3%
Estimated net change in distributor inventories -3% 1% 3% -2% 
Change in underlying operating income (non-GAAP) 9% 8% 7% 8% 5%

(1)Our retrospectively adjusted fiscal 2015 reported operating income grew 5% and underlying operating income grew 8%. There was no change to the reconciling items noted above.
(2)Our retrospectively adjusted fiscal 2018 reported operating income grew 4% and underlying operating income grew 6%. There was no change to the reconciling items noted above.

OTHER METRICS

“Return on average invested capital.”This measure refers to the sum of net income and after-tax interest expense, divided by average invested capital. Average invested capital equals assets less liabilities, excluding interest-bearing debt, and is calculated using the average of the most recent 13 month-end balances. After-tax interest expense equals interest expense multiplied by one minus our effective tax rate. We use this non-GAAP measure because we consider return on average invested capital to be a meaningful indicator of how effectively and efficiently we invest capital in our business.

60BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Table

Our Priorities

When we look holistically across the landscape of Contentssocial, environmental, and economic issues to evaluate where we should focus our resources, we have identified four major priorities:

 

 

EVERYTHING WE DO TODAY DETERMINES WHO

AND WHERE WE WILL BE TOMORROW.

 

 

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

As a responsible corporate citizen, Brown-Forman is committedthis next generation begins, so does our 150th year. We look forward to environmental

stewardship and sustainability. Our environmental efforts focus primarily oncelebrating our past, in part by doing what we have always done: making the efficient

usemost of natural resources, conserving energy and water, and minimizing waste.our future.

This Proxy Statement is printed on FSC®-certified paper.

 



BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
C/O PROXY SERVICES
P.O. BOX 9142
FARMINGDALE, NY 11735

VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and enter the control number found on the right-hand side of this card to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
As a responsible corporate citizen, Brown-Forman is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability. If you would like to assist with Brown-Forman’s sustainability efforts, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards, and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access stockholder communications electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

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

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
E81344-P27043KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

 

BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH DIRECTOR NOMINEE.
1.ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees:ForAgainstAbstainForAgainstAbstain
1a.Patrick Bousquet-Chavanneooo1h.Laura L. Frazierooo
1b.Campbell P. Brownooo1i.Kathleen M. Gutmannooo
1c.Geo. Garvin Brown IVooo1j.Augusta Brown Hollandooo
1d.Stuart R. Brownooo1k.Michael J. Roneyooo
1e.Bruce L. Byrnesooo1l.Tracy L. Skeansooo
1f.John D. Cookooo1m.Michael A. Todmanooo
1g.Marshall B. Farrerooo1n.Lawson E. Whitingooo
For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.o
The shares represented by this proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder(s).If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” each of the nominees for director. If any other business properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in this proxy will vote in their discretion.
Please sign your name(s) exactly as it/they appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please add your title as such. When signing as joint tenants, all parties in the joint tenancy must sign. If a signer is a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by a duly authorized officer.

 

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. X 02DWVF 1 U P X + Annual Meeting Proxy Card . Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below B Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on this card. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title. If a corporation, please have an authorized person sign in full corporate name. If a partnership, please have an authorized person sign in partnership name. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of all the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2. + 01 - Patrick Bousquet- Chavanne 04 - Stuart R. Brown 07 - Marshall B. Farrer 02 - Campbell P. Brown 05 - Bruce L. Byrnes 08 - Laura L. Frazier 03 - Geo. Garvin Brown IV 06 - John D. Cook 09 - Augusta Brown Holland 1. Election of Directors: IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION 10 - Michael J. Roney 11 - Michael A. Todman You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes, but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors. The Proxies cannot vote your shares unless you vote either online or by telephone or sign and return this card. For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 12 - Paul C. Varga For Against Abstain 2. Amendment of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000004 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ 1234 5678 9012 345 MMMMMMM 2 8 3 9 0 2 1 MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MMMMMMMMM C 1234567890 J N T C123456789 IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD. qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED ONLINE OR BY TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q Electronic Voting Instructions Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. YOUR 15-DIGIT VALIDATION NUMBER IS PROVIDED IN THE CIRCLE BELOW. Proxies submitted online or by telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, July 28, 2016. Vote online • Go to www.investorvote.com/BFB • Or scan the QR code with your smartphone • Follow the steps outlined on the secure website Vote by telephone • Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone (Stockholders based outside of the United States, its territories, and Canada must cast their votes online or by mail.) • There is NO CHARGE to you for the call • Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message

   
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]DateSignature (Joint Owners)Date

 

. This proxy is solicited on behalfImportant Notice Regarding the Availability of the Board of DirectorsProxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on July 28, 2016. Meeting:
The undersigned hereby appoints Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Paul C. Varga and Matthew E. Hamel, and each of them, proxies, with power of substitution, to vote all of the shares of Class A Common Stock of Brown-Forman Corporation (the “Corporation”) standing of record in the name of the undersigned at the close of business on June 20, 2016, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation to be held on July 28, 2016, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting, and accompanying Proxy Statement, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respectAnnual Report to such meeting. The votes entitled to be cast by the undersigned will be cast as instructed. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted “FOR” each of the nominees for director and “FOR” Proposal 2. The votes entitled to be cast by the undersigned will be cast at the direction of the named proxy holders upon any other matter that may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. If you vote online or by telephone, please do not send your proxy by mail. IMPORTANT – THIS PROXY MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE REVERSE SIDE. PROXY – BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. If you do not vote online or by telephone, please sign and date this proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope so your shares may be represented at the Annual Meeting. The Proxy MaterialsStockholders are available for review at: www.brown-forman.com/proxy C Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print new address below. IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD. + + IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED ONLINE OR BY TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

at www.proxyvote.com.

E81345-P27043

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON JULY 25, 2019.
The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Lawson E. Whiting, and Matthew E. Hamel, and each of them, as proxies, with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Class A common stock of Brown-Forman Corporation that the undersigned is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 9:30 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at the Brown-Forman Conference Center in Louisville, Kentucky, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL BE CAST AT THE DIRECTION OF THE NAMED PROXY HOLDERS UPON ANY OTHER MATTER THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE
Address Changes/Comments: 
(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE