UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

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

 

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

 

Check the appropriate box:
Preliminary Proxy Statement
CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

 

Brown-Forman Corporation

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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2017 PROXY
STATEMENT

& NOTICE OF ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

 

 

June 27, 201725, 2019

 

DEAR BROWN-FORMAN STOCKHOLDER:

 

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend Brown-Forman Corporation’s 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held at the Brown-Forman Conference Center in Louisville, Kentucky, onThursday, July 27, 201725, 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.We urge you toPlease 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 27.25. 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

 

DATE:Thursday, July 27, 201725, 2019
TIME:9:30 A.M.(Eastern Daylight Time)
LOCATION:Brown-Forman Conference Center
 850 Dixie Highway
 Louisville, Kentucky 40210

 

We are holding this meeting for the following purposes:

 

To elect the thirteenfourteen directors named in this Proxy Statement;
To vote, on a nonbinding advisory basis, to approve our executive compensation;
To vote, on a nonbinding advisory basis, on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation; and
To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

Class A stockholders of record at the close of business on June 19, 2017,17, 2019, are entitled to vote at the meeting, either in person or by 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 27, 201725, 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:Meeting.

 

Before the meeting:Please register on or before July 25, 2017,23, 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 arrive:Brown-Forman representatives will 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.
What to bring: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 (such as a brokerage statement) as of June 19, 2017.17, 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.

 

IMPORTANTTable of Contents

Letter To Stockholders
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
2Proxy Summary
4Annual Meeting Information
7Corporate Governance
7Our Board of Directors
7Selection of Directors
8Board Composition
10Leadership Structure
11Board Guidelines and Procedures
14Best Practices
15Our Controlling Family Stockholders
16Election of Directors
21Director Compensation
24Compensation Discussion and Analysis
24Executive 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
39Compensation Committee Report
40Compensation Tables
40Summary Compensation
42Grants of Plan-Based Awards
43Outstanding Equity Awards
45Option Exercises and Stock Vested
46Pension Benefits
47Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
48Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
51Stock Ownership
54Pay Ratio Disclosure
55Audit Matters
58Other Information
59Appendix A

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JULY 27, 2017:

The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, and Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes our Form 10-K for fiscal 2017, are available atwww.brown-forman.com/ investors/annual-report/.

BROWN-FORMAN1

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Proxy Summary

 

LETTER TO STOCKHOLDERS
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
2PROXY SUMMARY
4ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
7CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
7Our Board of Directors
8Board Composition
10Leadership Structure
11Board Guidelines and Procedures
14Best Practices
15Our Controlling Family Stockholders
16PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
21DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
24COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
24Executive Summary
25Overview of Our Compensation Program
27The Role of Our Compensation Committee
27Target Compensation
29Awards and Payouts in Fiscal 2017: Fixed and Short-Term Compensation
31Awards and Payouts in Fiscal 2017: Long-Term Compensation
37Other Compensation Elements
38Compensation Policies and Practices
39Compensation Committee Report
40COMPENSATION TABLES
40Summary Compensation
42Grants of Plan-Based Awards
43Outstanding Equity Awards
45Option Exercises and Stock Vested
45Pension Benefits
47Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
48Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
51PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
52PROPOSAL 3: ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTUREADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
53STOCK OWNERSHIP
56AUDIT MATTERS
59OTHER INFORMATION

2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN

1


PROXY 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 STOCKHOLDERS

 

Date:DATE:Thursday, July 27, 201725, 2019Location:LOCATION:Brown-Forman Conference Center
  850 Dixie Highway
Time:TIME:9:30 A.M.(Eastern Daylight Time) Louisville, Kentucky 40210

 

PROPOSALSPROPOSAL FOR STOCKHOLDER VOTING

 

ProposalOur Board’s voting recommendationWhere to find details
Election of 13fourteen directorsFOR all nomineesPages 16–20
Advisory vote to approve our executive compensationFOR the proposalPage 51
Advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensationFor EVERY THREE YEARS as the frequency offuture advisory votes on executive compensationPage 52

 

PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS

We believe our executive compensation program continues to attract, motivate, reward, and retain a talented and diverse team of executives. These individuals lead 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 performance both during the most recent fiscal 2017.year and over time.

 

The following charts compare trends in Brown-Forman’sour 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 2017:2019:

 

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

 

(1)EPS was adjusted to excludeReflects the effect of acquired and divested brands in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017. These measures remove the effects of (a) the gain on the sale of Southern Comfort and Tuaca, (b) those transaction-related costs not included in the gain on the sale of Southern Comfort and Tuaca, (c) financing-related costs for the acquisition of BenRiach, and (d) operating activity for the acquired and divested businesses in the non-comparable periods. (With respect to the comparison of fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2016, the non-comparable period comprised all months of both years.) EPS used for fiscal 2016 was $1.63, compared to theoriginally reported GAAP value of $2.61, and EPS used for fiscal 2017 was $1.72, compared to the reported GAAP value of $1.71. Both measures are adjusted in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Fiscal 2017 Highlights — Adjusted Measures for Acquired and Divested Brands.”
(2)Reflects growth in “underlying operating income” over the past five fiscal years. “Underlying operating income” is not derived in accordance with GAAP. We explain why the Company uses 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-KU.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The “underlying operating income” growth rates for fiscal 2017.years 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, was 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.
(3)(2)Mr. Varga’s totalTotal compensation for the Chief Executive Officer includes base salary, stock-settled stock appreciation rights, non-equity compensation, and all other compensation as reported in the Fiscal 2017fiscal 2019 Summary Compensation Table on page 40. ItTotal 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 and Mr. Whiting in fiscal 2019. Changes in pension value are excluded.

 

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2BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

BROWN-FORMAN2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


 

PROXY SUMMARY  |  OUR DIRECTOR NOMINEES TO THE BOARD

 

OUR DIRECTOR NOMINEES TO THE BOARD

Class A stockholders are being asked to vote on the election of the thirteenfourteen 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 16. One new director, Kathleen M. Gutmann, joinedOn 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 Board 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 24, 2017.November 15, 2018, and 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 59
Executive Director of Customer, Marketing and M&S.com, Marks and Spencer Group PLC
 2005I
Campbell P. Brown,AGE 49
President and Managing Director of Old Forester, Brown-Forman Corporation
 2016B, M
Geo. Garvin Brown IV,AGE 48
Chairman of the Board, Brown-Forman Corporation
 2006BC
Stuart R. Brown,AGE 52
Managing Partner, Typha Partners, LLC
 2015B
Bruce L. Byrnes,AGE 69
Retired Vice Chairman of the Board, The Procter & Gamble Company
 2010I
John D. Cook,AGE 64
Lead Independent Director; Director Emeritus of McKinsey & Company
 2008IC
Marshall B. Farrer,AGE 46
Vice President and Managing Director of Global Travel Retail, Brown-Forman Corporation
 2016B, M
Laura L. Frazier,AGE 59
Owner and Chairman, Bittners LLC
 2016B
Kathleen M. Gutmann,AGE 48
Chief Sales and Solutions Officer, United Parcel Service, Inc.
 2017I
Augusta Brown Holland,AGE 41
Founding Partner, Haystack Partners LLC
 2015B
Michael J. Roney,AGE 63
Retired Chief Executive, Bunzl plc
 2014IC
Michael A. Todman,AGE 59
Retired Vice Chairman, Whirlpool Corporation
 2014IC
Paul C. Varga,AGE 53
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

“In building our brands and creating new opportunities, we are writing the next chapter in our story of innovation, perseverance, and success.”=Committee Member

 

FISCAL 2019

Paul Varga, Chairman and CEO

 

22FISCAL 2017%

RETURN ON
INVESTED CAPITAL(1)

$310MM

TOTAL DIVIDENDS

$200MM

SHARE REPURCHASES

“Our prospects for delivering sustained growth remain bright as we develop our premium spirits portfolio around the world, led by Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve.”

Lawson E. Whiting,

President and Chief Executive Officer

  
19%$561M$274M
RETURN ON
INVESTED
CAPITAL

(1)

SHARE
REPURCHASES
DIVIDENDS


(1)Return on Invested Capital is not derived in accordance with GAAP. We explain why the Company usesPlease 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 2017.additional information.

 

2017

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN3BROWN-FORMAN

3


 
ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

 

Annual 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 27, 2017 (the Annual Meeting).Stockholders. This means that you can vote “by proxy” at the Annual Meeting —that— 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 27, 2017,25, 2019, to holders of record of our Class A and Class B common stock at the close of business on June 19, 2017,17, 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 2017,2019, are available atwww.brown-forman.com/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 will receive an individual proxy card. We participate inimplemented this “householding” process to reduce our printing costs and postage fees, and to better 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 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 19, 2017,the record date are welcome to attend.

 

If you plan to attend, please register by July 25, 2017,23, 2019, online at asm.b-f.com or by contacting Linda GeringSteve Cassin using the contact information above. Please bring a photo ID and, if your shares are registered in the name of a bank, broker, or other holder of record, 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.

 

VOTING

 

Who May Vote

If you held shares of Class A common stock at the close of business on the record date, (June 19, 2017), you or(or your legal proxies,proxies) may vote at the Annual Meeting on all three proposals.Meeting. At the close of business on the record date, there were 169,062,117169,038,689 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 215,189,294308,489,725 shares of Class B common stock outstanding, however thoseoutstanding. 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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BROWN-FORMAN2017

4BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


 

ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION  |  VOTING

 

How to Vote

Stockholders of record.If 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 shares,common stock, you can give a proxy to be voted at the meeting:Annual Meeting:

 

•  over the telephone by calling a toll-free number (1-800-652-8683);

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

•  by completing, signing, 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 in advance. WeIf you are voting by telephone or online, we must receive your proxy by 1:00 a.m.11:59 P.M., Eastern Daylight Time, on Thursday,Wednesday, July 27, 2017,24, 2019, to ensure your vote is recorded. You may override a proxy or change your voting instructions by following the applicable procedure outlined below in “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 wish to vote by telephone or online, please refer to the instructions on the enclosed proxy card.

 

Your proxy will 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, our proxy holders will vote your shares “FOR” the election of each of the nominees to the Board (Proposal 1), “FOR” the advisory resolution to approve our executive compensation (Proposal 2), and for “EVERY THREE YEARS” as the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation (Proposal 3). 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.

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, our proxy holders will vote your shares “FOR” the election of each of the nominees to the 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. You 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 how to vote, your broker is not permitted to vote your shares on any of the proposals we will address at the Annual Meeting. This is known as a “broker non-vote.”

If you are a street name stockholder and you do not instruct your broker how to vote, your broker is 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 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 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, please refer to the materials your broker or bank provided to you for instructions.

 

2017

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS  BROWN-FORMAN5

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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

 

Proposal Vote required to pass Effect of abstentions and broker non-votes
Election of directors Nominees who receive a majority of the Class A votes cast (thenumber of shares voted “for” the nominee exceeds the number ofsharesof shares voted “against” that nominee) will be elected.No effect.
Any other matter No effect.
Advisory resolution to approveexecutive compensationApproval requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the Class Ashares present (in person or represented by proxy) and entitled to vote. 

Abstentions are equivalent to votesagainstthe proposal.

 

Broker non-votes will have no effect.

Advisory resolution on thefrequency of future advisory voteson executive compensationThe frequency receiving the greatest number of votes (every one,two, or three years) will be considered the recommendation of thestockholders.No effect.
Any other matterApproval requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the Class Ashares present (in person or represented by proxy) and entitled to vote.  

Abstentions are equivalent to votesagainstthe proposal.

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 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 EXPENSES

Brown-Forman bears the cost of soliciting proxies. Beginning on June 27, 2017,25, 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. These individuals will not receive 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. In addition, we have retained Proxy Express, Inc. to assist with the distribution of proxy materials for a fee of approximately $15,000, plus expenses.

 

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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.

SELECTION OF DIRECTORS

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, 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 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 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 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 committee believes the process it follows to identify and select Board members has been appropriate and effective.

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.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE •BOARD COMPOSITION

 

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 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, 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, 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.


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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 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 recognizes the value of having independent directors, and has determined that sixthe 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.

 

The Board has determined that Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Campbell P. Brown, Marshall B. Farrer, and Paul C. VargaLawson E. Whiting are not independent because they are or recently have been, members of Brown-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

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.

 

In addition, Board service allows the Brown family to actively oversee its investment in the Company.company. Currently, the Brown family directors are:are Campbell P. Brown, Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Stuart R. Brown, Marshall B. Farrer, Laura L. Frazier, and Augusta Brown Holland.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  |  BOARD COMPOSITION

 

Our Management Directors

 

We also believe it is important, from a corporate governance standpoint, for management to be represented on the Board. Currently, Campbell P. Brown, Marshall B. Farrer, and Paul C. VargaLawson E. Whiting serve in dual roles as Board members and Brown-Forman executives.

 

BROWN-FORMAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

PATRICK BOUSQUET-CHAVANNE

 

CAMPBELL P. BROWN

 

GEO. GARVIN BROWN IV

Chief Executive Officer,
Emaar Malls
 
Executive Director of Customer, Marketing and M&S.com, Marks and Spencer Group PLCSenior Vice President, President and Managing Director of Old Forester, Brown-Forman Corporation  Chairman of the Board,
Brown-Forman Corporation
        

STUART R. BROWN

 

BRUCE L. BYRNES

 
STUART R. BROWNBRUCE L. BYRNES

JOHN D. COOK

Managing Partner, Typha Partners, LLC Retired Vice Chairman of the Board, The Procter & Gamble Company Lead Independent Director; Director 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 Corporation 
MARSHALL B. FARREROwner and Chairman, Bittners LLC LAURA L. FRAZIERKATHLEEN M. GUTMANNChief Sales and Solutions Officer, United Parcel Service, Inc.
        
Vice President and Managing Director of Global Travel Retail, Brown-Forman Corporation

AUGUSTA BROWN HOLLAND

 

MICHAEL J. RONEY

Owner and Chairman, Bittners

TRACY L. SKEANS

Founding Partner, Haystack Partners LLC Retired Chief Executive Officer, Bunzl plcChief SalesTransformation and SolutionsPeople Officer, United Parcel Service,Yum! Brands, Inc. and Senior Vice President, The UPS Store and UPS Capital
        

MICHAEL A. TODMAN

 

LAWSON E. WHITING

 

INDEPENDENT

BROWN FAMILY

MANAGEMENT

BROWN FAMILY & MANAGEMENT

AUGUSTA BROWN HOLLANDMICHAEL J. RONEYMICHAEL A. TODMAN
Founding Partner, Haystack Partners LLCRetired Chief Executive, Bunzl plcRetired Vice Chairman, Whirlpool Corporation
 
PAUL C. VARGAINDEPENDENT

RECENT CHANGES TO OUR BOARD

As previously disclosed, Kathleen M. Gutmann joined the Board on May 24, 2017, as an independent director. 

Chairman & CEO,President and Chief Executive Officer, Brown-Forman CorporationBROWN FAMILY
MANAGEMENT
BROWN FAMILY & MANAGEMENT
 

 

2017

Recent Changes to Our Board

As previously disclosed, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Lawson E. Whiting, joined the Board on November 15, 2018. Paul C. Varga, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will retire from the Board as of the Annual Meeting.

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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.John D. Cook has served asLead Independent Directorsince 2012.  

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.

Company Chairman and CEO

Paul C. Varga serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brown-Forman. Mr. Varga is our highest ranking executive officer and is responsible for Brown-Forman’s strategy, operations, and performance.

 

Lead Independent Director

When a non-independent director who has not been determined to be independent holds the office of Chairman of the Board or Presiding 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) to serve as Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director, if any, will beis 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).

call meetings of the independent or non-management directors, when necessary or advisable;
chair executive sessions attended solely by independent directors;
facilitate open communications among directors and with management between Board meetings and help directors reach consensus on important matters;
serve as liaison, when necessary or advisable, between the Chairman of the Board or Presiding Chairman of the Board and the independent and non-management directors;
be available for consultation and direct communication upon the reasonable request of major and/or long-term stockholders;
play a leadership role in contingency and succession planning, if and as needed; and
perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time delegate to assist the Board in the fulfillment of its responsibilities.

 

Mr. Cook chaired one executive session of non-management directors in fiscal 2017. Also, because our non-management director group includes directors who are not “independent” under NYSE listing standards, Mr. Cook2019 and called and presided over one executive session in fiscal 20172019 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

The Board has determined that this leadership structure currently serves the best interests of Brown-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 associated with the position of Chairman of the Board, Mr. VargaWhiting can concentrate on 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.

 

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

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  |  BOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

 

BOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board believes 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 Corporate Governance Guidelines are published on our website atwww.brown-forman.com/about/corporate-governance/guidelines/..

 

Board and Committee Self-Assessment

The Corporate Governance Guidelines require the Board to conduct an annual self-assessment. Each Board committee (except the Executive Committee) also annually assesses how it performed during the preceding twelve-month period. These assessment procedures vary, from requiring members to complete questionnaires that call for both quantitative responses and free-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 a successor is elected and qualified, unless the director first resigns, retires, or is removed. Directors areThe Board does not subject tohave term limits, but a directordirectors generally may not stand for re-election to the Board after reaching the age of 71. In exceptional circumstances, the Board may ask a director to remain on the Board until a given dateafter age 71 if the director’s continued service would significantly benefit 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 2017.2019. Absent an appropriate reason, all directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting, all Board meetings, and all meetings of each committee on which they serve. All directors attended 90%75% or more of the aggregate meetings of the Board and committees on which they served during fiscal 2017.2019. All directors then serving attended the 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.Meeting.

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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 website atwww.brown-forman.com/about/corporate-governance/committee-composition/.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

MET 9 TIMES IN FISCAL 2019

Committee Members:

The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee responsibility for overseeing Brown-Forman’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 preparing the Audit Committee Report that appears in this Proxy Statement on page 56.MET 10 TIMES IN FISCAL 2017
Committee Members:
Michael A. Todman (Chair)
Bruce L. Byrnes
Kathleen M. Gutmann
John D. CookTracy 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 also “financially literate” within the meaning of the NYSE rules, and that Mr. Todman is an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

MET 5 TIMES IN FISCAL 2019

Committee Members:

 

2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN

Michael J. Roney (Chair)
11Patrick 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

 

COMPENSATIONCORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

MET 6 TIMES IN FISCAL 2019

Committee Members:

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.MET 6 TIMES IN FISCAL 2017
Committee Members:
Michael J. RoneyJohn D. Cook (Chair)
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne
John D. Cook
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 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 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 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.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE
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 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.MET 8 TIMES IN FISCAL 2017
Committee Members:
John D. Cook (Chair)
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne
Geo. 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:

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. 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.MET ONCE IN FISCAL 2017
Committee Members:
Geo. Garvin Brown IV (Chair)
John D. Cook
Paul C. Varga
(until May 2019)

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BROWN-FORMAN2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

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.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE •BOARD GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES


 

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 we implement appropriate processes for managing enterprise risk, and our Board considers risk oversight an integral part of its role in the strategic planning process. The Board regularly and actively considers how strategic decisions affect Brown-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 2017,2019, the Board tasked its committees to assist with the responsibilities outlined below:

 

Audit CommitteeAUDIT COMMITTEE

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

Compensation Committee— overseeingCOMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Overseeing risks related to compensation programs, policies, and practices.

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee— overseeingCORPORATE 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 Enterprise the Chief

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

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE|  BEST PRACTICES

Risk Management 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. Further, our management Ethics, Compliance and Risk Team, comprising a number of senior executives and subject matter experts, meets throughout the year to address issues related to risk, ethics, and compliance; to coordinate the work of those areas; and to oversee the formulation and promulgation of company policies and the training of employees in compliance with them.For more information, see “Best Practices” below.

 

Communication with Our 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.

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13

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE •BEST PRACTICES 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.

 

BEST PRACTICES

Brown-Forman has long believed that good corporate governance is essential to 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 interests of Brown-Forman and all of our stockholders.

 

Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers

The Brown-Forman Code of Conduct expresses its expectationsour expectation 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 our financial, accounting, reporting, and auditing activities will be conducted in strict compliance with all applicable rules and regulations and will conform to the highest ethical standards. Brown-Forman encourages itsWe encourage our employees to “speak up”speak up when aware of a potential codeCode of conductConduct violation, and providesprovide multiple channels for doing so including anonymously. TheLinks 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/andwww.brown-forman.com/about/corporate-governance/code-of-ethics-for-senior-financial-officers/.

 

Disclosure Controls Committee

The Disclosure Controls Committee is composed of members of management. This committee has established controls and procedures designed to ensure that information Brown-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).

 

Risk Committee

The mission of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Committee, which is composed of members of management, is to ensure that all of Brown-Forman’s major risks are identified and evaluated.

The ERM Committee alsoChief Risk Officer maintains the risk register, facilitates risk scoring, identifies the individuals and teams whothat are responsible for mitigating risks and ensures that mitigation plans are in place to mitigate the Company’sBrown-Forman’s most significant risks. The ERM CommitteeChief Risk Officer reports to the Audit Committee regarding its policiesprocedures, risk ranking results and processes.risk mitigation status. In addition, the ERM CommitteeChief 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.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE|  OUR CONTROLLING FAMILY STOCKHOLDERS

OUR CONTROLLING FAMILY STOCKHOLDERS

 

OUR 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 a strong relationship with the Brown family is essential to our growth, independence, and ability to create long-term value for all stockholders. Management 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 variety of 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,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. This committeeThe Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee provides a forum for frequent, open, and constructive dialogue between Brown-Forman and its controlling family stockholders. The Brown Family Shareholders CommitteeIn 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 other employees and Brown family members to develop and implement policies and practices designed to further strengthen the relationship between Brown-Forman and the Brown family.

 

Brown Family Member Employees

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

 

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PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Election of Directors

 

 

This section provides information about our thirteenfourteen 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 our 20162018 Annual Meeting except for Kathleen M. Gutmann,Lawson E. Whiting, who was appointed to the Board in May 2017. Kathleen M. Gutmann was recommended for appointment to the Board by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee following a process conducted with the assistance of a third-party executive search firm.November 2018.

 

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

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, the Board believes each nominee is prepared to serve if elected.

 

NOMINEES

 

PATRICK BOUSQUET-CHAVANNE  
     

Director since 2005

Age 61

COMMITTEES:

 

Director since 2005

Age 59

Committees:

-   Compensation

-   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 sincefrom 2016 to 2018

-   Executive Director of Marketing and International from 2014 to 2016

-   Executive Director of Marketing and Business Development from 2013 to 2014

-   Corporate Director of Strategy and Business Development from 2012 to 2013

 

Positions at Yoostar Entertainment Group:

 

- •   Co-Chairman from 2010 to 2012

- •   President and Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2012

 

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, branding, licensing, distribution, digital, and international expansion

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

 

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

 

-   Marks and Spencer Group PLC sincefrom 2013 to 2018

-   HSNi Corporation from 2008 to 2013

 

CAMPBELL P. BROWN  
     

 

Director since 2016



Age 4951

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

 

-   Senior Vice President since 2018

   President and Managing Director of Old Forester, our founding bourbon brand, since 2015

-   Led the 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 23-year25-year career

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

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

-   Business and industry experience gained by serving in operational, management, and executive positions within the CompanyBrown-Forman

-   Deep knowledge of family corporate governance

-   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 shareholdersstockholders

 

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

 

-   Republic Bank and Trust Company since 2008

   Kentucky Distillers Association since 2016

 

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ELECTION OF DIRECTORSElection of Directors  NOMINEES|  Nominees

 

GEO. GARVIN BROWN IV  
     

Director since 2006

Age 50

COMMITTEES:

 

Director since 2006

Age 48

Committees:

-   Corporate Governance and Nominating

-   Executive(Chair)

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

 

-   Chairman of the Board since 2007

-   Executive Vice President from 2011 to 2015

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

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

-   Director of the Office of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2002 to 2004

-   Founding member and Co-Chairman of Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee since 2007

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

-   Business and industry experience gained by serving in operational, management, and executive positions within the CompanyBrown-Forman

-   Deep knowledge of family corporate governance

-   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 shareholdersstockholders

STUART R. BROWN  
     

 

Director since 2015



Age 5254

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

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

 

DendriFund, Inc.(a charitableprivate, non-operating foundation establishedfocused on natural resource sustainability, seeded by Brown-Forman), Founding Director and President sincefrom 2011 to April 2019

 

Between the Covers Bookstore, Owner from 1998 to 2010

 

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

 

-   Sales and Marketing Management from 1995 to 1998

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

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

-   Extensive experience in family governance, entrepreneurial management, finance, and board leadership

-   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 shareholders

stockholders

BRUCE L. BYRNES  
     

Director since 2010

Age 71

COMMITTEES:

 

Director since 2010

Age 69

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

 

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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS •Election of DirectorsNOMINEES  |  Nominees

 

JOHN D. COOK  
     

Director since 2008;

Lead Independent
Director since 2012

Age 66

COMMITTEES:

 

Director since 2008;   Compensation

Lead Independent

Director since 2012

Age 64

Committees:

-Compensation

-Corporate   Corporate Governance and Nominating(Chair)

-Audit

-Executive   Executive

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

Positions with McKinsey & Company:

 

-   Director Emeritus

-   Director from 2003 to 2008

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

-   Skills gained during aan over 40-year career advising and managing consumer products companies and creating shareholderstockholder 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 4648

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

 

-   Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Global Travel Retail which includes Duty Free, Military, Cruise, and Transportation sales globallyDeveloped Australia/Pacific Region since 20152018

-   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 19-year21-year career

-

   Founding member of Brown-Forman/Brown Family Shareholders Committee sincefrom 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 the CompanyBrown-Forman and industry

- Deep knowledge of family corporate governance   Extensive international operations and leadership experience

-   Perspective as a fifth generation Brown family stockholder

-

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

     
LAURA L. FRAZIER  
     

 

Director since 2016



Age 5961

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

Bittners LLC(a more than 160-year-old interior and commercial design firm), Owner, Chairman, and past-CEO

 

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

 

-   Member of the board of directors of Lenox, Inc., a former subsidiary, from 1999 to 2005

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

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

-   Executive leadership and entrepreneurial management skills

-   Perspective as a fifth generation Brown family stockholder

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

 

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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS •Election of Directors  NOMINEES|  Nominees

 

KATHLEEN M. GUTMANN  
     

Director since 2017

Age 50

COMMITTEES:

 

Director since May 2017

Age 48   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 20152014

- Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Solutions from 2014 to 2015

-   President of Worldwide Sales from 2011 to 2014

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

-   Extensive senior management and executive leadership experience

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

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

     
AUGUSTA BROWN HOLLAND  
     

 

Director since 2015



Age 4143

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

-   Haystack Partners LLC(environmentally conscious real estate development)development company), Founding Partner since 2006

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

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

-   Extensive knowledge of urban planning and revitalization and environmentally friendly development

-   Experience serving on numerous civic boards

-   Perspective as a fifth generation Brown family stockholder

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

     
MICHAEL J. RONEY  
     

Director since 2014

Age 65

COMMITTEES:

 

Director since 2014

Age 63

Committees:

-   Compensation(Chair)

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

Bunzl plc, Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to 2016

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

-   Extensive senior management and executive leadership experience

-   Deep expertise in multinational production, distribution, and operations

-   Financial expertise

-   International mergers and acquisitions experience

 

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

 

-   Next plc since February 2017 Deputy Chairman and Chairman Designate

-   Grafton Group plc since May 2016 Non-Executive Chairman since January 1, 2017

-   Johnson Matthey plc from 2007 to 2014 Senior Independent Director

-   Bunzl plc from 2003 to 2005 Non-Executive Director

 

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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS •Election of DirectorsNOMINEES  |  Nominees

 

MICHAEL A. TODMANTRACY 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 61

COMMITTEES:

 

Age 59

Committees:

-   Audit(Chair)

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

Positions with Whirlpool and affiliates:

 

-   Vice Chairman, Whirlpool Corporation from 2014 to 2015

-   President, Whirlpool International from 2009 to 2014

-   President, Whirlpool North America from 2007 to 2009

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

-   Extensive knowledge and experience in multinational operations, sales and distribution, and manufacturing

-   Executive leadership of large multinational organizations

-   Financial expertise

 

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

 

-   Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. since 2007

-   Prudential Financial, Inc. since 2016

-   Whirlpool Corporation from 2006 to 2015

     
PAUL C. VARGALAWSON E. WHITING  
     

Director since November 2018

Age 51

COMMITTEES:

 

Director since 2003

Age 53

Committees:

-   Executive

 

CURRENT AND PAST POSITIONS

 

Positions with Brown-Forman and affiliates:

 

- Chief Executive Officer since 2005

- Chairman since 2007

-   President and Chief Executive Officer of Brown-Forman Beveragessince 2019

   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 20032017 to 20052018

- Global   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 20032013

   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

 

-   In-depth knowledge of the Company’sBrown-Forman’s business, operations, and strategy gained during his 30-year22-year career

-   Extensive knowledge of the beverage alcohol industry

- Sales and marketing   Operations and financial expertiseexperience

-   Strategic thinking, leadership, management, consensus-building, and communication skills

OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS

- Macy’s, Inc. since 2012

 

Family relationships.No family relationship — first cousin or closer — exists between any two directors, executive officers, or individuals nominated or chosen 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, and Marshall B. Farrer is their first cousin; and Stuart R. Brown and Augusta Brown Holland are first cousins.

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Director Compensation

 

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 Annual Meeting. We refer to this period as a “Board Year” for director compensation 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, 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 this compensation structure appropriately reflects the importance of directors’ active participation at Board and committee meetings.

 

The Compensation Committee reviews, with the assistance of its independent consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co. (FWC)FWC, information each year related to the competitiveness of our non-employee Director compensation and, fromdirector compensation. From time to time, the Compensation Committee recommends adjustments to itsour compensation structure to ensure both continued competitiveness and the appropriate level and mix of compensation. Based upon the review of this informationconducted in fiscal 2017,2019, and with the advice of FWC, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board confirmed and approved, nothe following changes to the existing retainers and fees listed below.director compensation:

 

increase the Lead Independent Director Retainer by $15,000; and
increase the annual Board equity retainer by $20,000.

These changes are intended to better align compensation levels with those of our compensation comparator group.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION STRUCTURE  
   
Pay Element Amount
Lead Independent Director Retainer
$45,000
Paid in six installments over the Board Year. $30,000

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.

$185,000205,000 total

•   $70,000 cash

•   $115,000$135,000 equity

(deferred stock units)

Meeting Fees

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 Committee$20,000
Committee Chair Retainers
(Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance & 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. $20,000
The Committee Chair Retainer is in addition to the Committee Member Retainer.
Non-Employee Chair of the Board Retainer
$625,000
Paid in six installments over the Board Year. $625,000

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION  •  Director CompensationOVERVIEW|  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 Brown-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 are credited with 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 converted 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 do not vest and are forfeited.

 

Employee Directors

Paul C. Varga,

Lawson E. Whiting, Campbell P. Brown, and Marshall B. 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.

 

Stock Ownership Guideline

Our stock ownership guideline for non-employee directors is equal to five times the annual board retainer, which in fiscal 2017for the 2019 Board Year was $925,000.$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 annual equity boardBoard 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

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 Board service.

 

Events

We occasionally invite our directors and their spouses to certain events, including strategy retreats, retirement celebrations, award dinners, and similar 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.

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION  •  Director CompensationFISCAL 2017 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION  |  Fiscal 2019 Director Compensation

 

FISCAL 20172019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table shows the compensation paid to non-employee directors for their service in fiscal 2017.

FISCAL 2017 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE2019.

 

FISCAL 2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLEFISCAL 2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
Name Fees 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(5)  $13,615   $—   $—   $13,615
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne  59,394   185,000   15,000   259,394 $163,323 $115,000 $12,000 $290,323
Geo. Garvin Brown IV  517,727   312,500   18,000   848,227 532,500 312,500 18,000 863,000
Martin S. Brown Jr.(5)  45,066         45,066
Stuart R. Brown  185,227         185,227 149,375 57,500  206,875
Bruce L. Byrnes  116,477   115,000      231,477 115,000 115,000  230,000
John D. Cook  115,158   185,000      300,158 257,500   257,500
Laura L. Frazier  172,567         172,567 200,000   200,000
Sandra A. Frazier(5)  45,066         45,066
Kathleen M. Gutmann 95,000 115,000  210,000
Augusta Brown Holland  85,227   115,000      200,227 70,000 115,000  185,000
Michael J. Roney  26,061   185,000   18,000   229,061 95,000 115,000 18,000 228,000
Tracy L. Skeans(5) 25,000 253,701  278,701
Michael A. Todman  115,133   115,000      230,133 115,000 115,000  230,000
Paul C. Varga(6) 68,333   68,333

 

(1)Amounts in this column reflect fees earned during fiscal 20172019 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 chair of the Board retainer if(if paid in cash;cash), and any Board and committee meeting fees.
(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 20172019 Board Year were granted on July 28, 2016.26, 2018. The closing price of our Class A common stock on that date was $105.14.$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, 2017,2019, 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 Brown-Forman. Mr. Brown’s outstanding time-based RSUs will vest as follows, assuming his continued service on the Board: 6,852 RSUs vest on April 30, 2018, and 760 RSUs vest on April 30, 2019.

 

Name DSUs Outstanding Class A
as of April 30, 2017
 DSUs Outstanding Class B
as of April 30, 2017
 Class B SSAR Outstanding
as of April 30, 2017
 Class B Time-Based
Restricted Stock Units
as of April 30, 2017
Joan C. Lordi Amble 9,179 4,252  
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne 15,773 10,526  
Geo. Garvin Brown IV 12,485  12,512 7,612
Martin S. Brown, Jr.  3,163 24,494 
Stuart R. Brown    
Bruce L. Byrnes 9,747 6,831  
John D. Cook 15,773 10,526 43,504 
Laura L. Frazier    
Sandra A. Frazier  3,163 24,494 
Augusta Brown Holland 3,424   
Michael J. Roney 11,909   
Michael A. Todman 8,259   
 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 20172019 to directors who traveledmust travel to an overseas location for Board meetings from outside of the United States.and committee meetings.
(5)Ms. JoanTracy L. Skeans joined the Board on March 21, 2018. The amounts set forth under “DSU Awards” represent the fees earned for her service for part of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019.
(6)Paul C. Lordi Amble, Mr. Martin S. Brown Jr.,Varga retired as Chairman and Ms. Sandra A. Frazier’s service as directors endedChief Executive Officer of Brown-Forman on July 28, 2016, at the 2016 Annual Meeting.December 31, 2018. The amounts set forth under “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” represent the fees earned for theirhis service as a non-employee director for part of fiscal 2017.2019.

 

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23
 
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Compensation 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 2017,2019, 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

Matthew E. Hamel

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Thomas Hinrichs

Senior Vice President, NAR, CCSA, IMEAInternational Division

Paul C. Varga

Former Company Chairman and GTRChief Executive Officer(2)

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

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Pay for Performance

 

We believe in pay for performance through our short- 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 believe the use of these metrics:metrics accomplishes four key objectives:

 

is the clearest way to demonstrate the
demonstrating value provided to our stockholders;
stockholdersensuresensuring that we hold ourselves to aan objective performance standard that is as objective as possible;
reinforcesreinforcing a competitive and innovative mindset among our leadership; and
leadershipensuresensuring that the incentive payments are appropriate.appropriate

 

We believe one of the best measures of value to the Company created by our NEOs create is the return provided to our stockholders relative to the returns of 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) 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN (TSR):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.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 companies withinin the distilled spirits industry.

 

24

BROWN-FORMAN2017

24BROWN-FORMAN  2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  •  OVERVIEW OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAM  |  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

As a result

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 peer group listed on page 28.29. In light of this review, we believe our executive compensation program delivers exceptional value to our stockholders, particularly considering the combination of strong returns and financial performance that Brown-Forman and itsour management team have delivered over multiple years.

 

Performance-Based Payouts for Fiscal 20172019

Brown-Forman performance in fiscal 2017 reflected

Our compensation program demonstrates the close alignment between executive compensationpay and Brown-Forman’s performance.

 

CASH INCENTIVES

We reported 7% growth in underlying operating income, above our predicted growth target for industry peers of 5%. As a result, short-term cash incentives paid out at 127% of target.
Our long-term cash incentives measure three-year performance of 1) absolute underlying operating income (40% weighting), 2) relative underlying operating income compared to industry peers (40% weighting), and 3) achievement of key long-term strategic objectives in our BF 150 corporate strategy (20% weighting). Our performance on these measures for the fiscal 2015–2017 performance period resulted in a payout of 143% 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 2015–20172017–2019 performance period were converted into restricted shares shortly after the conclusion of fiscal 2017.2019. 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 11th81st percentile, resulting in a threshold payout at 50%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.

 

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation

In

We conduct an advisory vote on our firstexecutive compensation (“say-on-pay”) every three years. Our last “say-on-pay” vote inoccurred at our 20142017 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 of many factors in its executive compensation decisions for fiscal 2015, 2016,2018 and 2017,2019, and did not make any material changes to the executive compensation program.

 

Following the expressed preference of our stockholders, who approved an advisory resolution favoring a three-year frequency for advisory say-on-pay votes at our 2017 Annual Meeting, Brown-Forman expects towill continue to conduct future advisory votes on executive compensation every three years, but reservesyears. We expect that our next say-on-pay vote will occur at our 2020 Annual Meeting. However, we reserve the right to conduct votes more frequently in order to seek additional feedback from our stockholders. As in past years, the Committee will consider the results of this year’s “say-on-pay” advisory vote (Proposal 2 on page 51) in its future executive compensation decisions.when warranted.

 

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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 Brown-Forman to produce superior, sustainable, long-term value for our stockholders.

 

As a family-controlled company, our history guides our perspective on executive compensation. Members of the Brown family have historically served as 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. These individuals have less substantial ownership in the Company and, as a result, our compensation structure has evolved over time to better reflect the competitive landscape for executive talent. In order to remain competitive, as well as to ensure our alignmentcompensation packages are aligned with the interests of the Brown Familyfamily and our other stockholders, we believe we have established programsa program that remainremains focused on creating long-term value, reinforcing financial accountability, and delivering outstanding operational outcomes to drive sustained performance of Brown-Forman’sBrown-Forman stock.

 

2017 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;
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.

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 equity-based incentive compensation (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 numbermetric 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 effectestablishment of acquisitions and divestitures.our charitable foundation. Please refer to Appendix A at the end of this Proxy Statement for additional information.

 

The Committee believes 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 our 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 2017 PERFORMANCE METRICS FOR BROWN-FORMAN INCENTIVE PLANS
Performance-Based ComponentPerformance Measures
Short-Term Cash Incentive80% Weighting: Underlying operating income growth(1)relative to expected 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 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 not derived in accordance with GAAP. We explain whyPlease 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 2017.
(2)Weightings for our long-term cash incentives were adjusted beginning with the fiscal 2016 grants. Please see page 32 for moreadditional 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 while driving the right results for our stockholders.

 

To help ensure we meet this objective, the Committee compares Brown-Forman’s compensation practices with those of a group of high-performing, brand-building consumer products companies with similar financial characteristics. The Committee reviews this group of companies annually to ensure they continue to meet these criteria. These companies are listed on page 28.


26

BROWN-FORMAN2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  •  TARGET COMPENSATION29.

 

THE ROLE OF OUR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

The Committee serves a critical role in our compensation governance. Throughgovernance by providing independent oversight and thought leadership on executive compensation and its relationship to Company performance, the Committee establishesestablishing performance objectives that correlate pay and performance. The Committee, with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant, FWC, establishes compensation for our NEOs and 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. Roney (Chair), Bousquet-Chavanne, and 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 these standards, but we believe that doing so is in the best interests of our Companycompany and our 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 or change-in-control agreements. We also have an Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (commonly known as a “clawback” policy) that permits Brown-Forman to seek recovery of incentive compensation paid or awarded in the event ofwe restate a subsequent 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, management 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 effect on Brown-Forman. This is our intent and it is consistent with our findings in prior years.

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  TARGET COMPENSATION

The Compensation Consultant

As an independent compensation advisor, FWC reports directly to the Committee and attends meetings as requested. FWC provides the Committee with information on external compensation trends and guidance on the compensation of our CEO and other NEOs, and also reviews this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. In addition, FWC provides independent advice to the Board on director remuneration, assists with the Board and Committeecommittee self-assessment process, and acts as the Committee’s advisor in working with management. FWC provides no other services to Brown-Forman or 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 the firm provides.

 

TARGET 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 the NEO as an individual. Individual factors include tenure with Brown-Forman, mastery of current role, potential to move into expanded roles, performance, scarcity of skill-sets,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 element of compensation for Brown-Forman’s NEOs to the compensation paid by theour compensation comparator group. This analysis produces a range of market-competitive levels of target compensation as one consideration in determining pay for our

2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN

27

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  •  TARGET COMPENSATION

NEOs. While we do not set target compensation to meet specific benchmarks, we do consider the median of the comparator group as a guide to 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
(1)This represents a recommended target pay mix by FWC.

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

 

Compensation Comparator Group

During fiscal 2017,

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, Keurig Green MountainDr. 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.of March 21, 2019.

 

Campari S.p.A.Harley Davidson Inc.Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Harley Davidson Inc.Monster Beverage CorporationThe J.M. Smucker Company
ConAgra Brands, Inc.Hershey Co. Molson Coors Brewing Co.Pernod Ricard The WhiteWave Foods CompanyTiffany & Co.
Constellation Brands, Inc.J.M. Smucker Co.Monster Beverage Corp.
Diageo Plc. lululemon athletica inc. Pernod Ricard SARemy Cointreau  
Dr. Pepper SnappleDavide Campari-Milano S.p.A.McCormick & Company, IncorporatedThe Hain Celestial Group, Inc. McCormick & Co., Inc.
Diageo Plc Remy Cointreau SAMolson Coors Brewing CompanyThe Hershey Company  

28

BROWN-FORMAN2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  •

AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2017: FIXED AND SHORT-TERM COMPENSATION

 

Target Total Direct Compensation for Fiscal 20172019

The chart below shows the annualized target total direct compensation for each of our NEOs in fiscal 20172019 versus fiscal 2016,2018, and the percentage increase of each component.the compensation packages.

 

FISCAL 20172019 VERSUS FISCAL 20162018 NEO TARGET TOTAL DIRECT COMPENSATION

 

  ■ Salary and  Short-Term  Long-Term Target Total Percent 
Name Year Holiday Bonus(1) Incentive Target Incentive Target Direct Comp Increase Pay Mix at Target   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. Varga 2017 1,145,870 1,455,000 4,400,000 7,000,870 4% 
Lawson E. Whiting(2) 2019 $899,113 $850,000 $1,666,667 $3,415,780 89%   
 2016 1,133,370 1,400,000 4,200,000 6,733,370    2018 625,099 390,027 795,833 1,810,959  
Jane C. Morreau 2017 598,978 420,000 900,000 1,918,978 5%  2019 625,020 450,000 1,050,000 2,125,020 11% 
 2016 572,935 400,000 850,000 1,822,935    2018 598,978 420,000 900,000 1,918,978  
Mark I. McCallum 2017 661,480 450,000 860,000 1,971,480 2%  2019 681,324 463,500 885,800 2,030,624 3% 
 2016 645,854 440,000 850,000 1,935,854    2018 661,480 450,000 860,000 1,971,480  
Jill A. Jones 2017 614,603 440,000 840,000 1,894,603 4% 
Matthew E. Hamel 2019 536,476 309,000 654,050 1,499,526 3% 
 2016 598,978 430,000 800,000 1,828,978  2018 520,850 300,000 635,000 1,455,850  
Lawson E. Whiting 2017 494,808 300,000 650,000 1,444,808 9% 
Thomas Hinrichs(3) 2019 478,965 410,364 482,782 1,372,111 14% 
 2016 447,931 275,000 600,000 1,322,931  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 2017:2019: 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 and likewise to recognizeshow 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 Brown-Forman.

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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 2017.2019.

FIXED COMPENSATION FOR 2019(1)

 

FIXED COMPENSATION FOR 2017(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)$1,143,865
Jane C. Morreau594,799
Mark I. McCallum658,973
Jill A. Jones612,096
Lawson E. Whiting487,287806,779

 

(1)Reflects fiscal year fixed compensation from May 1, 20162018, to April 30, 2017,2019, which includes base salary and holiday bonus.

2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN

(2)
Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.
(3)29Mr. Varga’s fixed compensation is pro-rated for the period of May 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •

AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2017: FIXED AND SHORT-TERM COMPENSATION

 

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 2017,2019, 80% of the target award was tied to Brown-Forman’s Companycompany performance and 20% was tied to individual performance. We believe 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 to beis sufficient infor recognizing our 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 2017 found on page 40 for the amounts paid to NEOs in short-term incentive compensation for fiscal 2017.2019.

 

COMPANY PERFORMANCE (80% OF TARGET AWARD)

Company performance goals for fiscal 20172019 were based on Brown-Forman’s underlying operating income growth compared to the expected performance of our industry peers. We aspire to outperform these peers consistently and sustainably, and considerconsidered our historic underlying operating income growth trends and outlook for fiscal 20172019 performance when setting these objectives.

 

The Committee determined that, for purposes of the short-term incentive compensation plan, Brown-Forman achieved underlying operating income of $1,006$1,157 million for fiscal 2017 (on2019, which represents 5% growth over last year, compared to an as-reported basis, fiscal 2017 operating income was $989 million) resulting inexpected growth rate of 6% for our industry peers. As shown on the next page, these results led to a payout of 127%87% of target.target for this portion of the short-term incentive.

 

Underlying operating income at 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
acquisitions and divestitures.the establishment of our foundation.

 

We explain why“Underlying operating income” is not derived in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to Appendix A at the Company uses underlying operating income in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysisend of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-Kthis Proxy Statement for fiscal 2017.additional information.

 

The fiscal 2017 short-term performance goal, our actual performance, and the resulting payout percentage of 127% of target is shown in the chart below:30BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

FISCAL 2017 SHORT-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PERFORMANCE GOAL (IN $MM)

30

BROWN-FORMAN2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2017:2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

The fiscal 2019 short-term performance goal, our actual performance, and the resulting payout percentage of 87% of target is shown in the chart below:

FISCAL 2019 SHORT-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PERFORMANCE GOAL (IN $MM)

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, such as fulfilling individual job responsibilities, providing diversity and inclusion leadership, implementing talent development, development ofdeveloping profit-driving ideas, implementation ofimplementing BF 150 strategies, and making overall contributions to Brown-Forman as a senior leader. For fiscal 2017, final individual scores were adjusted to ensure a weighted average reflecting overall Company performance, as we believe the organization’s performance is a reflection of the performance of our people. 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

 

AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2017:2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

Long-term incentives are the most important and largest portion of our NEOs’ target compensation. These awards are intended to focus the efforts of our executives on 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.

 

The Committee initially determines the target dollar value of the total long-term incentive award for each NEO. We then structure ourThe target long-term incentives as follows:are divided equally into four components:

 

25% of total target: in the form of a

performance-based cash incentive;

incentives

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

25% of total target: in the form of

stock-settled stock appreciation rights; andrights

25% of total target: in the form of

performance-based restricted stock units

25%

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

 

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

 

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31
 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2017:2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

Long-Term Performance-Based Cash Incentive (For

(For the Fiscal 2017–20192019–2021 Performance Period)

We provide our NEOs with an opportunity to earn a cash-based incentive award that is linked to Brown-Forman��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 fiscal 2016, the Committee changed the weightings of the performance metrics to focus more on strategic initiatives and measures relating to underlying net sales. These revised weightings were used for the awards granted in fiscal 2016 and 2017.goals.

 

LONG-TERM CASH INCENTIVES FORMULA(1)

 

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'sNEO’s target award by the final payout percentage.

 

 

(1)Weightings for ourBefore any long-term cash incentives were adjusted for grants beginning in fiscal 2016. Please see page 25 for more information aboutincentive may be earned, the previous weightings.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 2017. 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.2019.

 

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

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2017:2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

AWARDS GRANTED IN FISCAL 20172019 (FOR THE FISCAL 2017–20192019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

Long-term cash incentives granted in fiscal 20172019 have a three-year performance period and, if earned, will be paid shortly following the completion ofafter fiscal 2019.2021 ends. The table below shows the target awards granted to each NEO in fiscal 2017.2019.

 

TARGET LONG-TERM CASH AWARDS FOR FISCAL 2017–20192019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

 

NameAmount
Paul C. VargaLawson E. Whiting$1,540,0001,266,667
Jane C. Morreau306,000420,000
Mark I. McCallum430,000442,900
Jill A. JonesMatthew E. Hamel420,000163,513
Lawson E. WhitingThomas Hinrichs(1)325,000241,391
Paul C. Varga(2)1,209,707

(1)Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.
(2)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.

 

AWARDS EARNED IN FISCAL 20172019 (FOR THE FISCAL 2015–20172017–2019 PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

Our long-term cash awards for the three-year performance period beginning in fiscal 20152017 were paid out shortly after fiscal 20172019 ended. Based on our performance, the payout was 143%103% of the target award, calculated as shown in the graphic below:

 

ACTUAL PERFORMANCE AND PAYOUT FOR FISCAL 2015–20172017–2019 PERFORMANCE PERIOD(1)

 

 

2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN

(1)
33Reflects 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.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2017:2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

The table below shows the long-term cash award that each NEO earned in fiscal 20172019 based on the 143%103% payout for the fiscal 2015–20172017–2019 performance period.

 

LONG-TERM CASH AWARDS PAID FOR FISCAL 2015–20172017–2019 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$2,002,0001,586,200

Jane C. Morreau(1)377,520
Mark I. McCallum405,191
Jill A. Jones354,998
Lawson E. Whiting357,500Mr. 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.Meeting.

 

AWARDS GRANTED IN FISCAL 20172019 (FOR THE FISCAL 2017–20192019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

Performance-based restricted stock units granted in fiscal 20172019 have a three-year performance period. These awards are initially expressed as a dollar value and converted to a specific number of units. At the end of the three-year performance period, the number of units arewill be adjusted for performance and converted to shares that are subject to an additional one-year holding requirement.

 

TARGET PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AWARDS FOR FISCAL 2017–20192019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

 

NameAmount
Paul C. VargaLawson E. Whiting$1,320,000450,000
Jane C. Morreau297,000315,000
Mark I. McCallum215,000221,450
Jill A. JonesMatthew E. Hamel210,000163,513
Lawson E. WhitingThomas Hinrichs(1)158,750123,343
Paul C. Varga(2)907,280

(1)Mr. Hinrichs’s amount is converted from EUR to USD using grant date conversion methodology on July 27, 2018.
(2)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 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 on the next page. In addition to the relative TSR performance measurement, Brown-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.

 

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34BROWN-FORMAN2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

COMPENSATIONDISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  |  AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2017:2019: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

 

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS:

PAYOUT SCALE AND POTENTIAL PAYOUTS FOR FISCAL 2017–20192019–2021 PERFORMANCE PERIOD

 

 

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 Products Index at the end of the performance period.

 

 

AWARDS EARNED IN FISCAL 20172019 (FOR THE FISCAL 2015–20172017–2019 PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

Performance-based restricted stock unit awards for the fiscal 2015–20172017–2019 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. Performance-adjustedPerformance-based restricted stock unit awards earned in fiscal 2017over the three-year performance period ending April 30, 2019 will vest on April 30, 2018,2020, subject to certain events that may cause an 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:

 

Altria Group, Inc.Coty, Inc.Kimberly-Clark Corp.Philip Morris International Inc.
Archer Daniels Midland Co.CVS Health Corp.Kraft Heinz Co.Procter & Gamble Co.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
Brown-Forman Corp.Corporation (Cl B)
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc.Kroger Co.Reynolds American Inc.

Campbell Soup Co.
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (Cl A)McCormick & Co. Inc.Sysco Corp.
Company
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
Colgate-Palmolive Company
ConAgra Brands, Inc.
Constellation Brands, Inc. (Cl A)
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Coty Inc.
General Mills, Inc.
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.The Coca-Cola Co.
Clorox Co.Hershey Co.
Hormel Foods Corporation
Kellogg Company
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
McCormick & Company, Incorporated
Molson Coors Brewing Co.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 Company
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (Cl A)
The Hershey Company
The J.M. Smucker Company
The Kraft Heinz Company
The Kroger Co.
The Procter & Gamble Company
Tyson Foods, Inc. (Cl A)
Colgate-Palmolive Co.Hormel Foods Corp.Mondelez International Inc. (Cl A)Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
ConAgra Foods Inc.J.M. Smucker Co.Monster Beverage Corp.
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Constellation Brands
Walmart Inc. (Cl A)
Kellogg Co.PepsiCo Inc.Whole Foods Market Inc.
Costco Wholesale Corp.

 

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 2017,2019, the awards paid out at 50%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 UNIT AWARDS:

PERFORMANCE FOR FISCAL 2015–20172017–2019 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.

 

 

2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN

35

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •AWARDS AND PAYOUTS IN FISCAL 2017: LONG-TERM COMPENSATION

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, 2017,3, 2019, and are subject to a one-year vestingholding period that ends on April 30, 2018.2020. For more information on the performance-based restricted stock unit awards granted during fiscal 2017,2019, please see the Fiscal 2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table and the Outstanding Equity Awards at 20172019 Fiscal Year-End Table, set forth on pages 42 and 43, respectively.

 

The table below shows the number of shares of performance-based restricted stock that wereunits issued on June 1, 2017, for the fiscal 2015–20172017–2019 performance period.

 

SHARES ISSUED FOR FISCAL 2015–20172017–2019 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

 

Name(1)AmountReflects the number of shares of Class A common stock inclusive of the February 28, 2018 stock split and April 23, 2018 special dividend. Shares of 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.
Paul C. Varga(2)15,920
Jane C. Morreau3,094
Mark I. McCallum3,059
Jill A. Jones2,668
Lawson E. Whiting1,351The 5-for-4 stock split effective February 28, 2018, granted all additional shares in Class B common stock, regardless of the initial class of shares held. As a result, our NEOs received shares issued in both Class A and 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.Meeting. The number of Class B common stock SSARs awarded to our NEOs for fiscal 20172019 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 20162018 (for fiscal 2017)2019) therefore become exercisable on May 1, 2019,2021, and expire on April 30, 2026.2028.

 

SSAR GRANTS IN FISCAL 20172019 (IN CLASS B SHARES)COMMON STOCK)

 

NameSSARs Granted
Paul C. VargaLawson E. Whiting215,08440,688
Jane C. Morreau41,48228,482
Mark I. McCallum30,02820,023
Jill A. JonesMatthew E. Hamel29,33029,569
Lawson E. WhitingThomas Hinrichs22,69611,153
Paul C. Varga(1)82,033

 

36(1)

BROWN-FORMAN2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

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.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •OTHER COMPENSATION ELEMENTS

 

OTHER 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 term life insurance (equal to two times target cash compensation), travel accident insurance, 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 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 Brown-Forman. In addition, we occasionally invite the NEOs and their spouses to certainsocial events, including retirement celebrations, award dinners, and similar 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 2017 found on page 40.

 

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 a company matching contribution is calculated, Brown-Forman will contribute to the Savings Plan to make up for any lost match under the 401(k) plan. All deferrals to the Savings Plan, and Brown-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 are general unsecured obligations of Brown-Forman, though we have chosen to set aside assets in a trust for the purpose of paying plan benefits.Brown-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 employment terminates. Amounts accumulated 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 ten 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 2017 on page 47 contains information about NEO activity in the Savings Plan during fiscal 2017,2019, including employee contributions, gains, and losses attributable to the change in market value of the notional investments, and any payments to our NEOs.

 

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37

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES

 

Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy

The Committee oversees our Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy. If Brown-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 are first publicly issued or filed, or if we discover an error in the calculation of any incentive compensation that was awarded or paid within the preceding three years, then Brown-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 any such material noncompliance or error in incentive calculation, the Committee can direct Brown-Forman to seek to recover incentive compensation awarded or paid to that executive officer that would not have been awarded or paid based upon the restated financial results or correct calculation for a period of six years after the date such financial results were first publicly issued or filed or six years prior to the date such fraud or 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.

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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 Brown-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 our 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 2017,2019, that our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.Brown-Forman.

 

Equity Award Grants

Under our equity award grant policy, the grant date of any award must be the date of the 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 we purchase from time to time on the open market (in connection with our 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 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

Our Code of ConductInsider 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.

38

BROWN-FORMAN2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS •COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORTsecurities 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. Due to our family-controlled status, we do not feelbelieve that encouraging employees to accumulate large quantities of Brown-Forman stock is a top 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 54.52.

 

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.

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

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORTCompensation Committee Report

 

We, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Brown-Forman Corporation, have reviewed and discussed with 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

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

 

2017

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39
 

Compensation Tables

COMPENSATION TABLES

SUMMARY COMPENSATION

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

FISCAL 2019 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

              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)Salary includes holiday bonus and is based on the fiscal years shown below, calculated under SEC rules.

FISCAL 2017 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position Year Salary(2) Bonus(3) Stock
Awards(4)
 SSAR/Option
Awards(5)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(6)
 Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(7)
 All Other
Compensation(8)
 Total
Paul C. Varga
Company Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
 2017 $1,143,865 $— $1,236,048 $1,540,031 $3,864,400 $1,044,793 $35,863 $8,865,000
 2016 1,133,370  1,271,130 1,470,003 4,680,000 1,024,961 35,375 9,614,839
 2015 1,128,370  1,458,380 1,200,017 4,172,350 3,028,728 29,232 11,017,077
Jane C. Morreau
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 2017 594,799  278,111 297,019 915,120 777,875 32,242 2,895,166
 2016 569,602  360,154 255,004 1,002,512 810,430 31,434 3,029,136
 2015 544,601  283,342 264,003 1,007,128 847,345 28,809 2,975,228
Mark I. McCallum
Executive Vice President,
President Jack Daniel’s Brands
 2017 658,973  201,326 215,034 981,191 431,265 31,085 2,578,874
 2016 642,521  257,253 212,519 1,008,400 484,855 33,233 2,638,781
 2015 621,270  280,165 268,958 1,004,920 698,440 32,211 2,905,964
Jill A. Jones
Executive Vice President,
President, NAR, CCSA,
IMEA & GTR
 2017 612,096  196,644 210,035 915,558 458,848 31,145 2,424,326
 2016 594,811  338,968 240,004 1,078,900 485,063 33,885 2,771,631
 2015 529,600  244,279 201,016 1,065,215 536,006 28,992 2,605,108
Lawson E. Whiting
Executive Vice President,
Chief Brands and Strategy
Officer, B-F Brands(1)
 2017 487,287  152,165 162,501 741,500 348,322 28,739 1,920,514
                  
                  

(1)Compensation for Mr. Whiting is provided only for 2017 as he was not an NEO in 2015 or 2016.
(2)Salary includes holiday bonus and is based on the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2017. Salary increases for fiscal 2016 took effect on July 1, 2016.year beginning May 1, 2018. The holiday bonus, which is provided to all salaried employees, is based on the employee’s 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)NEOs do not receive non-performance-based compensation that would be considered a “Bonus” under SEC rules.
(4)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 on the units granted. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 10 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017, which appear in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.
(5)Includes the aggregate grant date fair values 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 10 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017, which appear in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.
(2)Our NEOs do not receive non-performance-based compensation that would be considered a “Bonus” under SEC rules.
(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 for the performance-based restricted stock granted during 2019, assuming the maximum achievement of the performance goals 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 these amounts are included in Note 11 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, which appear in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2019.
(4)Includes the aggregate grant date fair value 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 11 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, which appear in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2019.

 

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

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  SUMMARY COMPENSATION

 


COMPENSATION TABLES •SUMMARY COMPENSATION

(6)Amounts listed for fiscal 2017 include short-term cash incentive compensation paid for the one-year performance period ending on April 30, 2017, and long-term cash incentive compensation paid for the three-year performance period ending on April 30, 2017, as approved by the Compensation Committee in May 2017 and paid on June 15, 2017.
(5)Amounts listed for fiscal 2019 include short-term cash incentive compensation paid for the one-year performance period ended on April 30, 2019, and long-term cash incentive compensation paid for the three-year performance period ended on April 30, 2019, as approved by the Compensation Committee in May 2019 and paid on June 15, 2019. These amounts are shown below.

 Short-Term CashLong-Term CashTotal
Paul C. Varga$1,862,400$2,002,000$3,864,400
Jane C. Morreau537,600377,520915,120
Mark I. McCallum576,000405,191981,191
Jill A. Jones560,560354,998915,558
Lawson E. Whiting384,000357,500741,500

(7)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 45 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 nonqualified
   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
(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 46 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 non-qualified deferred compensation accounts.

 QualifiedNon-QualifiedTotal
Paul C. Varga$63,045$981,748$1,044,793
Jane C. Morreau78,016699,859777,875
Mark I. McCallum73,572357,693431,265
Jill A. Jones47,281411,567458,848
Lawson E. Whiting43,676304,656348,332

(8)The following table sets forth each component of the “All Other Compensation” column.
   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

Name401(k) Matching
Contribution(a)
Cost of Company-
Provided Life
Insurance
Cost of Company-
Leased Car(b)
Other(c)Total
Paul C. Varga$13,590$3,216$15,057$4,000$35,863
Jane C. Morreau13,4873,18911,5953,97032,241
Mark I. McCallum13,4693,21612,6451,75531,085
Jill A. Jones12,5863,21612,6182,72431,144
Lawson E. Whiting15,1602,43210,39675028,738

(a)For the period May 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017.
(7)The following table sets forth each component of the “All Other Compensation” column for fiscal 2019.
     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, 2018, through April 30, 2019.
(b)Values based on the cost to Brown-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.

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41
(e)Includes 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.

COMPENSATION TABLES •GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table contains information regarding the equity
(8)Compensation for Mr. Hamel and non-equity awards granted to our NEOs duringMr. Hinrichs is provided for only 2019. Neither officer was an NEO in fiscal 2017 under our 2013 Omnibus Compensation Plan. For additional informationnor 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 fiscal 2017 awards, please seetable above are reflective of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which begins on page 24.

FISCAL 2017 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)
Paul C. Varga   STC $0 $1,455,000 $2,910,000            
   LTC 0 1,540,000 3,080,000            
 7/28/2016 PBRS       12,555 25,110 37,665     $1,236,048
 7/28/2016 SSAR             215,084 $49.01 1,540,031
Jane C. Morreau   STC 0 420,000 840,000            
   LTC 0 306,000 612,000            
 7/28/2016 PBRS       2,825 5,650 8,475     278,111
 7/28/2016 SSAR             41,482 $49.01 297,019
Mark I. McCallum   STC 0 450,000 900,000            
   LTC 0 430,000 860,000            
 7/28/2016 PBRS       2,045 4,090 6,135     201,326
 7/28/2016 SSAR             30,028 $49.01 215,034
Jill A. Jones   STC 0 440,000 880,000            
   LTC 0 420,000 840,000            
 7/28/2016 PBRS       1,998 3,996 5,994     196,644
 7/28/2016 SSAR             29,330 $49.01 210,035
Lawson E. Whiting   STC 0 300,000 600,000            
   LTC 0 325,000 650,000            
 7/28/2016 PBRS       1,546 3,092 4,638     152,165
 7/28/2016 SSAR             22,696 $49.01 162,501

(1)“STC” represents short-term (or annual) incentive compensation payable in cash. “LTC” represents long-term incentive compensation payable in cash at the end of a three-year performanceMay 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 period. “PBRS” represents Class A common performance-based restricted stock. “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 2017 performance period plus the cash component of the long-term incentive compensation opportunity for the fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2019 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 Summary Compensation Table on page 40 for amounts actually paid. These amounts include the short-term cash incentive compensation paid for the one-year performance period ending on April 30, 2017, and the long-term cash incentive compensation paid for the three-year performance period ending on April 30, 2017. The maximum awards providing for cash settlement that may be granted to any NEO in fiscal 2017 were capped at $6,000,000.
(3)Amounts represent the estimated payouts of the PBRS awards granted in fiscal 2017. PBRS awards are initially determined as a cash value, converted to units, and then subject to a three-year performance period followed by a one-year holding period. The final number of shares earned will be determined by multiplying the number of units by the three-year performance percentage, and adjusting upwards to account for dividends paid during the second and third years of the performance period. PBRS awards granted in fiscal 2017 will vest on April 30, 2019. The estimated possible payouts assume Brown-Forman continues to issue dividends at the current rate during the performance period.
(4)The number of SSARs awarded for fiscal 2017 was determined by dividing the cash value of each SSAR award by the Black-Scholes value ($14.32) of our Class B common stock as of the close of trading on the date of grant, July 28, 2016. SSARs become exercisable on the first day of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year of grant, and generally are exercisable for seven fiscal years thereafter (barring certain events that may cause an award to become exercisable earlier). SSARs granted July 28, 2016, become exercisable on May 1, 2019, and expire April 30, 2026.
(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. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts appear in Note 10 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.

 

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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 2019 under our 2013 Omnibus Compensation Plan. For additional information on the fiscal 2019 awards, please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which begins on page 24.

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
 

COMPENSATION TABLES •OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

The following table lists

(1)“STC” represents short-term (or annual) incentive compensation payable in cash. “LTC” represents long-term incentive compensation payable in cash at the outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs asend of April 30, 2017. The year-end values shown in the table are based on the April 30, 2017, closing prices for oura three-year performance period. “PBRSU” represents Class A common performance-based restricted stock $48.06,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 2019 performance period and the cash component of the long-term incentive compensation opportunity for the fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2021 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. These amounts include the short-term cash incentive compensation paid for the one-year performance period ending on April 30, 2019, and the long-term cash incentive compensation paid for the three-year performance period ended on April 30, 2019. The maximum awards providing for cash settlement that may be granted to any NEO in fiscal 2019 were capped at $6,000,000.
(3)Amounts represent the estimated payouts of the PBRSU awards granted in fiscal 2019. PBRSU awards are subject to a three-year performance period followed by a one-year holding period. The final number of shares earned will be determined by multiplying the number of units 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. PBRSU awards granted in fiscal 2019 will vest on June 1, 2021. The estimated possible payouts assume a 50% threshold and 150% maximum payout.
(4)The number of SSARs awarded for fiscal 2019 was determined by dividing the total cash value of each SSAR award by the Black-Scholes value ($11.06) of our Class B common stock $47.32.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2017 FISCAL YEAR END TABLE

    SSAR Awards(1) Stock Awards(2)
Name Grant
Date
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
SSARs
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
SSARs
Unexercisable
 SSAR
Exercise
Price
 SSAR
Expiration
Date
 Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested(3)
 Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested(3)(4)
 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested(5)(6)
 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested(7)
Paul C. Varga 7/28/2011 191,522   $23.20 4/30/2021        
 7/26/2012 185,028   29.35 4/30/2022        
 7/25/2013 124,664   36.21 4/30/2023        
 7/24/2014   122,046 45.99 4/30/2024        
 7/23/2015   154,250 51.13 4/30/2025        
 7/28/2016   215,084 49.01 4/30/2026        
 7/25/2013             140,022 $6,729,457
 7/24/2014         15,920 $765,115    
 7/23/2015             29,047 1,395,999
 7/28/2016             38,657 1,857,855
Jane C. Morreau 7/23/2009 22,926   $13.53 4/30/2019        
 7/22/2010 25,180   19.22 4/30/2020        
 7/28/2011 28,730   23.20 4/30/2021        
 7/26/2012 22,196   29.35 4/30/2022        
 7/25/2013 18,532   36.21 4/30/2023        
 7/24/2014   26,850 45.99 4/30/2024        
 7/23/2015   26,758 51.13 4/30/2025        
 7/28/2016   41,482 49.01 4/30/2026        
 7/24/2014         3,094 $148,698    
 7/23/2015             8,231 $395,582
 7/28/2016             8,699 418,074
Mark I. McCallum 7/23/2009 46,874   $13.53 4/30/2019        
 7/22/2010 40,910   19.22 4/30/2020        
 7/28/2011 46,288   23.20 4/30/2021        
 7/26/2012 49,718   29.35 4/30/2022        
 7/25/2013 31,942   36.21 4/30/2023        
 7/24/2014   27,354 45.99 4/30/2024        
 7/23/2015   22,300 51.13 4/30/2025        
 7/28/2016   30,028 49.01 4/30/2026        
 7/24/2014         3,059 $147,016    
 7/23/2015             5,880 282,593
 7/28/2016             6,298 302,682

2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN

43

COMPENSATION TABLES •OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

The following table lists the outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs as of the close of trading on the date of grant, July 26, 2018. SSARs become exercisable on the first day of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year of grant, and generally are exercisable for seven fiscal years thereafter (barring certain events that may cause an award to become exercisable earlier). SSARs granted July 26, 2018, become exercisable on May 1, 2021, and expire April 30, 2017. 2028.

(5)The year-end values shown inexercise price for the table are based onSSARs represents the April 30, 2017, closing prices for our Class A common stock, $48.06, andprice of our Class B common stock $47.32.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2017 FISCAL YEAR END TABLE (CONTINUED)

    SSAR Awards(1) Stock Awards(2)
Name Grant
Date
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
SSARs
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
SSARs
Unexercisable
 SSAR
Exercise
Price
 SSAR
Expiration
Date
 Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested(3)
 Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested(3)(4)
 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested(5)(6)
 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested(7)
Jill A. Jones 7/26/2012 22,196   $29.35 4/30/2022        
 7/25/2013 19,542   36.21 4/30/2023        
 7/24/2014   20,444 45.99 4/30/2024        
 7/23/2015   25,184 51.13 4/30/2025        
 7/28/2016   29,330 49.01 4/30/2026        
 7/24/2014         2,668 $128,224    
 7/23/2015             7,747 $372,321
 7/28/2016             6,152 295,665
Lawson E. Whiting 7/28/2011 17,156   $23.20 4/30/2021        
 7/26/2012 15,518   29.35 4/30/2022        
 7/25/2013 17,184   36.21 4/30/2023        
 7/24/2014   12,078 45.99 4/30/2024        
 7/23/2015   15,740 51.13 4/30/2025        
 7/28/2016   22,696 49.01 4/30/2026        
 7/24/2014         1,351 $64,929    
 7/23/2015             4,152 $199,545
 7/28/2016             4,760 228,766
on the grant date.
(6)Calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts appear in Note 11 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2019.
(7)Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.
(8)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.

 

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

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

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

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

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
(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 exercisable for seven fiscal years thereafter (barring certain events that may require an award to become exercisable earlier).
(2)Represents Class A common performance-based restricted stock awards with a three-year performance period, followed by a one-year vesting period. The performance-based restricted stock awards granted on July 24, 2014, July 23, 2015, and July 28, 2016, will vest on April 30, 2018, April 30, 2019, and April 30, 2020, respectively.

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

(3)Reflects the number of shares of restricted Class A common stock that were issued on June 1, 2017, upon satisfaction of the performance measures prescribed for the performance-based restricted stock awards granted on July 24, 2014. The number of shares issued was determined by multiplying the cash value of the target award by a three-year performance percentage (50%), adjusting upwards to account for dividends paid during the second and third years of the performance period, and then dividing that amount by $45.13, which was the split-adjusted closing price of our Class A common stock on the date of the grant. The restrictions on these shares will lapse on April 30, 2018.
(4)The market value for the shares of restricted Class A common stock was determined by multiplying the number of shares of restricted Class A common stock by $48.06, the closing price of our Class A common stock on April 30, 2017.
(5)Amounts shown represent the estimated maximum possible payout of PBRS units based on a performance multiplier of 150% of target for the awards granted in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. PBRS awards are initially determined as a cash value, converted to units, then subject to a three-year performance period followed by a one-year holding period. The number of shares of PBRS to be awarded is determined by multiplying the initial number of units by a three-year performance adjustment factor (150% in this instance) and adjusting to account for dividends paid during the second and third years of the performance 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 accrued and were credited as additional restricted stock, subject to the same performance measures as the initial grant. The market value was determined by multiplying the outstanding number of restricted shares, 140,022, by $48.06, the closing price of Class A shares on April 30, 2017.
(7)Market value for the PBRS awards was determined by multiplying the number of shares by $48.06, the closing price of our Class A common stock on April 30, 2017.

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

(2)Represents Class A and Class B common performance-based restricted stock unit awards with a three-year performance period, followed by a one-year holding period. The performance-based restricted stock unit awards granted on July 28, 2016, July 27, 2017, and July 26, 2018 will vest on June 3, 2019, June 1, 2020, and June 1, 2021, respectively.
(3)Reflects the number of shares of restricted Class A and Class B common stock issued on June 3, 2019, upon satisfaction of the performance measures prescribed for the performance-based restricted stock awards granted on July 28, 2016. The number of shares issued was determined by multiplying the stock unit award by a three-year performance percentage (150%), and then adjusting the resulting number upwards to account for dividends paid during the second and third years of the performance period. The shares are reflected to account for the 5-for-4 split on February 28, 2018 and the special dividend on April 23, 2018. The restrictions on these shares will lapse on April 30, 2020.
(4)The market values for the shares of restricted Class A and Class B common stock were determined by multiplying the number of shares of restricted Class A and Class B common stock by the respective prices of such shares on April 30, 2019. The closing price for our Class A common stock 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 PBRS based on a performance multiplier of 150% of target for the awards granted in fiscal years 2018 and 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 holding period. The number of shares of PBRS ultimately awarded will be determined by multiplying the initial number of units by a three-year performance adjustment factor and adjusting the resulting number to account for dividends paid during the second and third years of the performance period.
(6)Market value for the PBRSU awards was determined by multiplying the number of Class A shares by $52.30 (the closing price of our Class A common stock on April 30, 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).
(7)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.

 

44

BROWN-FORMAN2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The following table shows all SSAR awards exercised by the NEOs during fiscal 2019 and the value realized upon exercise, as well as all stock awards in which our NEOs vested during fiscal 2019 and the value realized upon vesting.

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.

COMPENSATION TABLES •

(2)Stock 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 23, 2015. The vesting date was April 30, 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 each underlying security 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, 2019, was $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.
(7)Ms. Morreau exercised 32,067 SSAR awards on January 2, 2019.
(8)Mr. Hamel exercised 19,101 SSAR awards on July 31, 2018, 19,101 SSAR awards on 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 BENEFITS

 

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The following table shows all SSAR awards exercised by the NEOs during fiscal 2017 and the value realized upon exercise, as well as all stock awards in which our NEOs vested during fiscal 2017 and the value realized upon vesting.

FISCAL 2017 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

  Option/SSAR Awards(1) Stock Awards(2)
  Number of Shares Value Realized Number of Shares Value Realized 
Name Acquired on Exercise on Exercise(3) Acquired on Vesting(4) on Vesting(5) 
Paul C. Varga   26,776 $1,286,855 
Jane C. Morreau(6) 14,262 $387,427 4,644 223,191 
Mark I. McCallum   7,624 366,409 
Jill A. Jones(7) 63,730 1,588,990 3,500 168,210 
Lawson E. Whiting(8) 16,158 483,116 3,078 147,929 

(1)All SSAR awards are settled in Class B common stock.
(2)All stock awards are in the form of Class A 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 25, 2013. The vesting date was April 30, 2017.
(5)Equals the closing price of the underlying securities on the vesting date multiplied by the number of shares that vested. The closing price of our Class A common stock on the vesting date, April 30, 2017, was $48.06.
(6)Ms. Morreau exercised 14,262 SSAR awards on January 3, 2017.
(7)Ms. Jones exercised 30,212 SSAR awards on July 8, 2016 and 33,518 SSAR awards on January 13, 2017.
(8)Mr. Whiting exercised 16,158 SSAR awards on March 10, 2017.

PENSION 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, 2019. These plans are described below the table.

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, 2017. These plans are described below the table.

FISCAL 2017 PENSION BENEFITS TABLE

Name Plan Name Number of Years
Credited Service
 Present Value of
Accumulated Benefit(1)
 Payments During
Last Fiscal Year
 
Paul C. Varga Qualified 30.00 $1,041,931  
  Non-Qualified 30.00 12,862,407  
Jane C. Morreau Qualified 25.58 1,106,364  
  Non-Qualified 25.58 3,407,776  
Mark I. McCallum Qualified 13.75 692,000  
  Non-Qualified 13.75 2,822,647  
Jill A. Jones Qualified 17.17 566,310  
  Non-Qualified 17.17 1,954,251  
Lawson E. Whiting Qualified 19.83 566,291  
  Non-Qualified 19.83 946,239  

(1)Actuarial present value of each NEO’s accumulated pension benefit as of our FASB ASC Topic 715 measurement date, April 30, 2017, using a 4.09% discount rate, age 65 expected retirement age, and RP-2014 mortality table adjusted to 2006 with MP-2015 for employees and healthy annuitants with a fully generational projection using scale MP-2015.2019, using a 4.04% discount rate, expected retirement age of 65, and RP-2014 mortality table adjusted to 2006 with MP-2017 for employees and healthy annuitants with a fully generational projection using scale MP-2017.
(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)Mr. Hinrichs is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and paid in euros. The amount shown has been converted to U.S. dollars.

2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN

45

COMPENSATION TABLES •PENSION BENEFITS

 

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 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 “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. For employees whose compensation exceeds these limits, including our NEOs, we maintain a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan (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) 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) 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 reaches Social Security Retirement age.
Credited Service (Service) is the number of years and whole months during which the participant is employed by Brown-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

 

Generalized FormulaSample calculation: assume
FAC of $400,000, CC of $80,000,
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. Jane C.Ms. Morreau, Mr. McCallum and Mark I. McCallumMr. Hamel are the only NEOs who are 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 reduce their pension payment to purchase optional forms of payment that protect theira spouse or ensure a minimum payment period.

 

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 remaining amount becomes payable under the non-qualified pension plan.

 

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COMPENSATION TABLES •NON-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 37. The following table provides information on plan contributions and earnings for our NEOs for fiscal 2017:2019.

 

FISCAL 20172019 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)
  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)
Paul C. Varga$91,667$ —$1,200,021$(1,750,963)$6,345,436 
Lawson E. Whiting $— $— $— $— $—
Jane C. Morreau291,84675,6161,077,414  299,543  61,751  1,756,985
Mark I. McCallum154,574(100,457)1,242,589    52,628 204,641 1,002,006
Jill A. Jones80,87779,562(34,297)1,605,989 
Lawson E. Whiting 
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 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. Varga, Mr. McCallum and Ms. JonesMr. 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 2014 through 2016 (except for Mr. Whiting who was not an NEO until fiscal 2017): Mr. Varga: $4,924,495; Ms. Morreau: $657,992; Mr. McCallum: $809,530; and Ms. Jones: $926,932.United States.

 

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47
 

COMPENSATION TABLES  |  POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

POTENTIAL 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 an NEO in scope or terms of operation. We offer certain benefits to executives whose employment terminates before incentive awards are paid, depending upon the circumstances surrounding their termination. These benefits, shown in the table below, are intended to continue to link an executive’s compensation to Brown-Forman’s performance after the executive’s employment has ended and to avoid penalizing executives in situations where the termination was outside of their control.

 

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

 

Termination EventShort-Term Cash
Incentives
Long-Term Cash Incentives and
and Performance-Based
Restricted Stock
SSARs
Retirement(1)Awards granted in the fiscal year of termination are proratedpro-rated based on the time worked during thethat fiscal year, adjusted for performance, and paid at the same time and in the same manner as to active employees.Awards granted in the fiscal year of termination are pro-rated based on the time worked during that year, adjusted for performance, and paid soon after the 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 the fiscal year of termination are proratedpro-rated based on the time worked during the year, adjusted for performance, and paid at the end of or shortly following the performance period. Unpaidthat year. Other outstanding awards granted in prior fiscal years are not reduced, but are adjusted for performance and paid at the end of or shortly following the performance period.Awards granted in the fiscal year of termination are prorated based on the time worked during the year. Awards granted in prior fiscal years are not reduced. All awards become exercisable at the same time and in the same manner as for active employees. Retirees must exercise awards by the earlier of the original expiration date or the end of seven years following the date of retirement.
InvoluntaryNot for CauseAwards granted in the fiscal year of termination are prorated based on the time worked during the fiscal year, adjusted for performance, and paid at the same time and in the same manner as to active employees.Awards granted in the fiscal year of termination are prorated based on the time worked during the year, adjusted for performance, and paid at the end of or shortly following the performance period. Unpaid awards granted in prior fiscal years are not reduced, but are adjusted for performance and paid at the end of or shortly following the performance period.Awards granted in the fiscal year of termination are proratedpro-rated based on the time worked during the year. Awards granted in prior fiscal yearsOther outstanding awards are not reduced. All awards become exercisable at the same time and in the same manner as for active employees. Awards must be exercised by the original expiration date, or, if earlier, by the later of twelve months following the date of termination or twelve months following the first exercise date, but in no case beyond the original expiration date.
Death/PermanentDisabilityAwards granted in the fiscal year of termination are proratedpro-rated based on the time worked during thethat year and are paid upon termination at a target level of performance.Awards granted in the fiscal year of termination are proratedpro-rated based on the time worked during thethat year and become payable shortly after termination at a target level of performance. UnpaidOutstanding unpaid awards granted in prior fiscal years are not reduced and become payable shortly after termination at a target level of performance.Awards granted in the fiscal year of termination are proratedpro-rated based on the time worked during thethat year. UnpaidOther outstanding awards granted in fiscal years prior to death or permanent disability are not reduced. All awards become exercisable uponon the date of death or permanent disability. Awards must be exercised by the earlier of the expiration date or the end of five years following the date of death or termination of employment due to disability.
Voluntary Terminationor Involuntary for PoorPoor PerformanceAwards granted in the fiscal year of termination are forfeited.All unearned or nonvested awards are forfeited.Awards that are not vested at the time of terminationAll nonvested awards are forfeited. Awards that are exercisable at the time of terminationExercisable awards may be exercised for up to 30 days, but in no case beyondor, if earlier, until the original expiration date.
Involuntary for CauseAwards granted in the fiscal year of termination are forfeited.All unearned or nonvested awards are forfeited.All outstanding awards are forfeited.

 

(1)Retirement applies to those executives who leave Brown-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 ControlCHANGE 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, 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 an executive’s employment 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 Brown-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.

 

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COMPENSATION TABLES  POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR|  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, 2017,2019, the last day of our 20172019 fiscal year, under various scenarios. The compensation included is only amounts that 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 20172019 Pension Benefits Table on page 4546 and the amounts payable under deferred compensation plans that are disclosed in the Fiscal 2017 Non-qualified2019 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table on page 47.

 

FISCAL 20172019 POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL TABLE(1)

 

Name Death
Benefit(1)
 Holiday
Bonus(2)
 STC(3) LTC(4) SSARs(5) PBRS(4) SRS(7) Total Death Benefit(2) Holiday Bonus(3) STC(4) LTC(5) PBRS(5) SSARs(6) Total
Paul C. Varga  
Lawson E. Whiting  
Voluntary Termination               
Involuntary Termination for Cause               
Involuntary Termination Not for Cause  $19,113 $1,847,850 $5,222,000 $162,931 $3,971,534  $11,223,428  $17,375 $812,600 $2,010,500 $1,275,886 $889,960 $5,006,321
Retirement  19,113 1,847,850 5,222,000 162,931 3,971,534  11,223,428  17,375 812,600 2,010,500 1,275,886 889,960 5,006,321
Death $2,000,000 19,113 1,455,000 4,620,000 162,931 3,666,305 $5,383,566 17,306,915 $2,000,000 17,375 850,000 1,997,500 956,707 889,960 6,711,542
Change in Control     162,931   162,931
Termination Upon Change in Control  19,113 1,455,000 4,620,000 162,931 3,666,305 6,729,457 16,652,806
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(6)(7)    
Voluntary Termination  $9,991 $537,600 $981,020 $35,845 $753,821  $2,318,277  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  9,991 537,600 981,020 35,845 753,821  2,318,277  10,425 432,000 1,098,240 1,546,255 1,330,537 4,417,457
Retirement  9,991 537,600 981,020 35,845 753,821  2,318,277  10,425 432,000 1,098,240 1,546,255 1,330,537 4,417,457
Death $2,994,000 9,991 420,000 867,500 35,845 700,426  5,027,762 2,000,000 10,425 450,000 1,086,000 1,224,729 1,330,537 6,101,691
Change in Control     35,845   35,845
Termination Upon Change in Control  9,991 420,000 867,500 35,845 700,426  2,033,762
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(6)(7)    
Voluntary Termination  $11,033 $576,000 $1,260,191 $36,518 $583,232  $2,466,974  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  11,033 576,000 1,260,191 36,518 583,232  2,466,974  11,364 443,106 1,320,100 1,146,655 1,002,858 3,924,083
Retirement  11,033 576,000 1,260,191 36,518 583,232  2,466,974  11,364 443,106 1,320,100 1,146,655 1,002,858 3,924,083
Death $2,000,000 11,033 450,000 1,157,100 36,518 584,650  4,239,301 2,000,000 11,364 463,500 1,302,900 904,781 1,002,858 5,685,403
Change in Control     36,518   36,518
Termination Upon Change in Control  11,033 450,000 1,157,100 36,518 584,650  2,239,301
Jill A. Jones  
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  $10,251 $560,560 $1,054,998 $27,293 $602,504  $2,255,606  8,948 295,404 487,363 846,710 1,480,965 3,119,390
Retirement  10,251 560,560 1,054,998 27,293 602,504  2,255,606  8,948 295,404 487,363 846,710 1,480,965 3,119,390
Death $2,000,000 10,251 440,000 989,500 27,293 572,347  4,039,391 1,672,000 8,948 309,000 481,013 668,122 1,480,965 4,620,048
Change in Control     27,293   27,293
Termination Upon Change in Control  10,251 440,000 989,500 27,293 572,347  2,039,391
Lawson E. Whiting  
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  8,253 384,000 982,500 16,124 387,604  1,778,481  7,989 343,915 609,026 502,387 392,783 1,856,100
Retirement  8,253 384,000 982,500 16,124 387,604  1,778,481  7,989 343,915 609,026 502,387 392,783 1,856,100
Death $2,536,000 8,253 300,000 912,500 16,124 344,782  4,117,659  7,989 357,500 602,129 389,925 392,783 1,750,326
Change in Control     16,124   16,124
Termination Upon Change in Control  8,253 300,000 912,500 16,124 344,782  1,581,659
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

 

2017

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49
 

COMPENSATION TABLESPOTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR  |  CHANGE IN CONTROL AND TERMINATION UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

(1)Mr. Varga’s employment with Brown-Forman ended on December 31, 2018 following his retirement.
(2)Death benefit includes amounts provided by Brown-Forman as an insurance benefit (generally available to all salaried employees) and additional amounts elected and paid for by each NEO as optional insurance coverage.
(2)(3)ProratedPro-rated holiday bonus is provided in the event of involuntary termination not-for-cause, retirement, death/permanent disability, involuntary termination not-for-cause, and termination upon change in control. Holiday bonus is calculated based on a December 1 to November 30 payment cycle.
(3)(4)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 2017.2019. 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 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 20172019 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, 2017,2019, market value of restricted shares granted in fiscal 20152017 and the estimated maximum possible payout of 150% of target for awards granted in fiscal years 20162018 and 2017, respectively.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, 2017,2019, market value of restricted shares granted in fiscal 20152017 and the estimated possible payout of 100% of target for awards granted in fiscal years 20162018 and 2017.2019. 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-cause must exercise their SSARs by the sooner of the original expiration date or twelve12 months following vesting or, if vested, twelve12 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 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, 2017.2019.
(6)(7)As retirement-eligibleretirement eligible NEOs, each of Ms. Morreau, Mr. McCallum, Mr. Hamel, and Mr. McCallumHinrichs would each be treated as a retiree in the event of a voluntary termination.
(7)On July 25, 2013, 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 one-time specialpro-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 grant of 67,513 Class A shares. During the performance period, dividends accrued and were credited as additional 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 performance measures as the initial grant. In the event of death or disability this award will vest immediatelytime and be prorated based on the number of months employed during the performance period, with the Committee retaining the discretion to reduce the award. 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, but the Committee retains the 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 ofsame manner as active employees. His outstanding SSARs will also continue to vest on a pro-rated basis at the award.same time and in the same manner as they do for active employees.

 

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PROPOSAL 2:

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

At this year’s Annual Meeting, we will ask stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as described in this Proxy Statement. At the 2011 Annual Meeting, stockholders approved a proposal to hold this vote every three years. Although this “say-on-pay” vote is required by federal law, the voting results are not binding on Brown-Forman, our Board of Directors, or the Compensation Committee. However, the Board values our stockholders’ opinions, and the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the advisory vote when making future executive compensation decisions.

As described in detail in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, which begins on page 24, we believe in pay for performance and aim to achieve this primarily through our short-term and long-term incentive programs. These programs utilize metrics to compare our performance to that of our peers — a process that we believe ensures objective performance standards, reinforces competitive and innovative thinking, and demonstrates the value provided to our stockholders.

We urge you to read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section and to review all other executive compensation information in this Proxy Statement to learn about our compensation objectives and practices, our fiscal 2017 performance, and how our compensation payouts reflect that performance.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, on a nonbinding advisory basis, the compensation of Brown-Forman’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the related narrative, tabular and graphic disclosures.”

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE“FOR”THE APPROVAL OF THE NONBINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

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PROPOSAL 3:

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In 2011, stockholders had the opportunity to cast a nonbinding advisory vote on how frequently Brown-Forman should seek a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation. This vote, which is required by federal law, asks stockholders to indicate whether they prefer the “say-on-pay” vote to occur every one, two, or three years. In 2011, our stockholders approved, and we implemented, a three-year frequency for advisory votes on executive compensation.Stock Ownership

 

At the 2017 Annual Meeting, we will again ask stockholders to cast another nonbinding advisory vote on how frequently Brown-Forman should seek an advisory vote on executive compensation, with a choice of every one, two, or three years. The results of this advisory vote are not binding on Brown-Forman, our Board of Directors, or the Compensation Committee. However, the Compensation Committee and the Board will consider the outcome of the vote when determining the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation. Notwithstanding the Board’s recommendation or the outcome of the stockholder vote, the Board may in the future decide to conduct advisory votes on a more or less frequent basis (but not less than the law requires) and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with stockholders, the adoption of material changes to compensation programs, or changes in the regulatory environment surrounding executive compensation.

The Board of Directors, upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, proposes that future advisory votes on Brown-Forman executive compensation be held every three years for the following primary reasons:

Our Company’s executive compensation programs are designed to reward sustainable long-term growth and performance.
Our compensation philosophy has been consistently applied, and our compensation programs typically do not change materially from year to year.
A substantial portion of the total compensation we pay our Named Executive Officers is delivered in incentive compensation with one-year and three-year performance periods. A nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation every three years will give stockholders the ability to properly assess our long-term compensation strategies with the hindsight of three years of performance.
Stockholders have other mechanisms, such as requirements for stockholder approval of equity-based compensation plans and other compensation-related matters, for providing input on our executive compensation programs in years when the advisory votes would not occur.
A nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation every three years will allow sufficient time for the Compensation Committee to evaluate the results of the most recent vote and to implement changes, if necessary, to our executive compensation programs.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR“EVERY THREE YEARS”AS THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

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STOCK OWNERSHIP

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF MORE THAN 5% OF THE COMPANY’SBROWN-FORMAN’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, 2017.2019. Each of the beneficial owners listed in the table is an entity controlled by Brown family members.

 

The aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned by the persons in this table is 106,682,221113,058,963 shares, or 63.1%66.9% of the 169,051,360168,999,423 shares of Class A sharescommon stock outstanding as of the close of business on April 30, 2017.2019. 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 Address Sole Shared Total Percent of Class
Wolf Pen Branch, LP 88,473,917  88,473,917 52.3%
Wolf Pen Branch GP, LLC(2)        
4969 U.S. Highway 42, Suite 2000        
Louisville, Kentucky 40222        
Avish Agincourt, LLC 18,208,304  18,208,304 10.8%
829 West Main Street        
Louisville, Kentucky 40202        
  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%

(1)Based upon information furnished to Brown-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)Wolf Pen Branch, LP, has sole voting power with respect to the shares reflected in the table and sole investment power with respect to 42,000,000 shares of Class A common stock. Wolf Pen Branch GP, LLC, has voting and investment power with respect to the same shares by virtue of serving as general partner of Wolf Pen Branch, LP.

 

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STOCK OWNERSHIP|  STOCK OWNED BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

STOCK OWNED BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth, as of April 30, 2017,2019, 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, 2017,2019, there were 169,051,360168,999,423 shares of Class A common stock and 215,034,976308,172,788 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, 20172019

 

 Class A Common Stock(2)(3)
Voting or Investment Power
    Class B Common Stock(2)(3)
Investment Power
   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  Sole  Shared Total  % of Class Sole  Shared  Total  % of Class
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne       *  53,332    53,332  *       * 66,665    66,665  *
Campbell P. Brown(4) 3,917,120    3,917,120  2.3% 1,250,923(5)(6) 72  1,250,995  *  3,917,120   3,917,120  2.3% 2,554,484(5)(6)  220,180  2,774,664  *
Geo. Garvin Brown IV(4) 3,696,227  18,012  3,714,239  2.2% 1,308,783(6)(7) 5,946  1,314,729  *  3,466,933  18,012 3,484,945  2.1% 2,077,357(7)  11,935  2,089,292  *
Stuart R. Brown 720,620  2,160  722,780  *  281,936  6,858  288,794  *  1,427,350(8)   1,427,350  * 478,460(9)  9,739  488,199  *
Bruce L. Byrnes       *        *       *       *
John D. Cook       *  43,504    43,504  *       * 37,184    37,184  *
Marshall B. Farrer(4)       *  26,546    26,546  *       * 36,808    36,808  *
Laura L. Frazier 427,490    427,490  *  459,218    459,218  *  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) 1,290,556  487,317  1,777,873  1.1% 251,924  115,210(8) 367,134  *  1,183,964  5,559 1,189,523  * 562,676(10)  8,566(11)  571,242  *
Jill A. Jones 48,280    48,280  *  99,275(6) 185  99,460  * 
Mark I. McCallum 44,564    44,564  *  253,800  54  253,854  *  50,731   50,731  * 290,491    290,491  *
Jane C. Morreau 21,387    21,387  *  150,550    150,550  *  28,567   28,567  * 224,994    224,994  *
Michael J. Roney       *        *       *       *
Tracy L. Skeans      *       *
Michael A. Todman       *        *       *       *
Paul C. Varga 487,859    487,859  *  825,126    825,126  *  449,312   449,312  * 1,459,728    1,459,728  *
Lawson E. Whiting 1,989    1,989  *  61,936    61,936  *  5,797   5,797  * 129,274    129,274  *
All Directors and ExecutiveOfficers as a Group(24 persons,including those named above)(9) 10,691,219  507,489  11,198,708(10) 6.7% 5,571,701  128,325  5,700,026(11) 2.7%
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).

 

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STOCK OWNERSHIP|  DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE16(a) REPORTS

 

(3)Includes the following Class B SSARs that are currently exercisable or that will become exercisable on or before June 29, 20172019 (60 days after April 30, 2017)2019). Class A and 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 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, 2017, and also isare not included in the main table.
  Class A Class B
Name Restricted Stock  Deferred Stock Units SSARs  Deferred Stock Units
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne   15,773   10,526
Campbell P. Brown   — 7,436  —
Geo. Garvin Brown IV   12,485 12,512  —
Bruce L. Byrnes   9,747   6,831
John D. Cook   15,773 43,504  10,526
Marshall B. Farrer   — 24,420  —
Laura L. Frazier   —   —
Augusta Brown Holland   3,424   —
Jill A. Jones 2,668  — 62,182  —
Mark I. McCallum 3,059  — 243,086  —
Jane C. Morreau 3,094  — 144,414  —
Michael J. Roney   11,909   —
Michael A. Todman   8,259   —
Paul C. Varga 15,920  — 623,260  —
Lawson E. Whiting 1,351  — 61,936  —

  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)Campbell P. Brown, Geo. Garvin Brown IV, Marshall B. Farrer, and Augusta Brown Holland eachdo not hold no voting power over any shares of Class A common stock. Each holds sole or shared investment power over the shares of Class A sharescommon stock presented in the table.
(5)Includes 120,000150,000 shares of Class B common stock pledged as security.
(6)Includes Class B common stock held in the 401(k) plan as of the close of business on April 30, 2016,2019, as follows: Campbell P. Brown, 16,16121,918 shares; Geo. Garvin Brown IV, 26,263 shares; Jill A. Jones, 11,611Matthew E. Hamel, 16,463 shares.
(7)Includes 880,892991,114 shares of Class B common stock pledged as security.
(8)Includes 4,712414,734 shares of Class A common stock pledged as security.
(9)Includes 103,840 shares of Class B common stock pledged as security.
(9)(10)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 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 77,370130,867 Class A deferred stock units,DSUs, which are not included in the main table.
(11)(14)Includes 1,687,3882,357,284 Class B SSARs held by all directors and executive officers as a group that are exercisable on or before June 29, 20172019 (60 days after April 30, 2017)2019). Directors and executive officers as a group hold 27,88263,001 Class B deferred stock units,DSUs, which are not included in the main table.

 

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE16(a) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (Securities Exchange Act)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 2017,2019, all transactions were reported on a timely basis except for the following late filings: one holding omitted from Form 3 by Ralph de Chabert; two holdings omitted from Form 3 by Lisa Steiner; Form 4 by Jill A. JonesLaura L. Frazier reporting one transaction; Form 4gift transactions by Campbell P. Brown reporting two transactions; and Form 4 by Stuart R. Brown reporting one transaction.family trusts from a 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.

In 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 $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.

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AUDIT MATTERS

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 AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit 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 retaining, compensating, and overseeing the independent registered public accounting firm on behalf of the Board.

 

On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee retained PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (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 2017.2019. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and PwC the audited financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017.2019. 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. 1031, 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, 2017.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Michael A. Todman, Chair

Bruce L. Byrnes

John D. Cook2019.

 

56AUDIT COMMITTEE

BROWN-FORMANMichael A. Todman, Chair
2017Bruce L. Byrnes
Kathleen M. Gutmann
Tracy L. Skeans

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AUDIT MATTERS •Audit MattersAUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES  |  Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The following table presents the fees Brown-Forman incurred for the professional services provided by PwC for fiscal years 20162018 and 2017.2019. All such fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the policy described below.

 

Fiscal Years Fiscal Years
2016 2017 2018 2019
Audit Fees$1,597,000 $2,241,000 $2,417,000  $2,468,000
Audit-Related Fees210,000 163,000  230,000   60,000
Tax Fees385,000 637,000  613,000   564,000
All Other Fees6,000 3,000  3,000   24,000
Total$2,198,000 $3,044,000 $3,263,000  $3,116,000

 

Audit Fees

This category consists of the audit of Brown-Forman’s annual financial statements included in the 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 quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, 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 2017, this category also included feesplans as well as for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the audit or review of Brown-Forman’s financial statements but are not included in the Audit Fees category.category, such as assistance with interpretation of 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 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 Brown-Forman by its independent registered public accounting firm, subject to thede minimisexception for non-audit services described in the Securities Exchange Act.Act of 1934. The Audit Committee pre-approved the fiscal 20172019 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 any 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 Brown-Forman’s designated executive officers. In addition, the Audit Committee has a policy that limits Brown-Forman’s ability to hire certain current and former employees of our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

2017

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AUDIT MATTERS •Audit Matters  APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM|  Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has appointed PwC to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2018.2020. Through its predecessor Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., PwC has served as Brown-Forman’s auditor continuously since 1933. A representative of PwC will attend the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. We know of no direct or material indirect financial interest that PwC has in Brown-Forman or any of our subsidiaries, or of any connection between Brown-Forman or any of our subsidiaries with PwC in the capacity of promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee.

 

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OTHER INFORMATION

 

Other Information

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Related Person Transactions

Rules and policies.SEC regulations require disclosure of certain transactions between Brown-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 our voting securities, and any immediate family member of any such person. To ascertain information regarding related person transactions, Brown-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, 2016,2018, or any such proposed transaction. TheIn accordance with our Related Person Transactions Policy, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing, and if appropriate, approving or ratifying related person transactions. The Audit Committee reviewed and approved all suchthe transactions described below for fiscal 2017.2019.

 

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, 2017,2019, we employed fourtwo individuals — Campbell P. Brown Christopher L. Brown, Suzanne Brown Siegel, 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 paid to each of these employees during fiscal 20172019 was: Campbell P. Brown $480,803; Christopher L. Brown $179,965; Suzanne Brown Siegel $142,717;$560,875 and Marshall B. Farrer $490,239.$491,791.

 

Other transactions.Laura Lee Brown is a member of the Brown family and was a 5% beneficial owner of Brown-Forman’s voting stock for part of fiscal 2017. 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 2017, our expense under this arrangement was $209,710. In addition, Ms. Brown and Mr. Wilson are owners of the 21c Museum Hotel and Proof on Main restaurant (21c and Proof). During fiscal 2017, 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 2017 for these expenses was $256,157.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 Brown-Forman, and no executive officer of Brown-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 2017year 2019 or as of the date of this Proxy Statement.

 

Other Proposed Action at the Meeting

As of June 27, 2017,25, 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.

 

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OTHER INFORMATION •STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 20182020 ANNUAL MEETING

To be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholder proposals must be sent to 850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40210, no later than February 27, 2018.26, 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-sponsored proxy materials. Any notice of a proposal submitted outside the process of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act Rule 14a-8,of 1934, as amended, that a stockholder intends to bring at our 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders should be submitted by May 13, 2018,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 next year’sour 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 27, 201725, 2019

 

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BROWN-FORMAN2017 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Appendix A

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 (not substitutes for) our results of operations and other measures reported under GAAP. Other companies may not define or calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same way.

“Underlying change” in measures of statements of operations.We present changes in certain measures, or line items, of the statements of operations that are adjusted to an “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 distributor inventories, and (d) the establishment of our charitable foundation. We explain these adjustments below.

“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.
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.

2019 PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSBROWN-FORMAN    59

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

 

WE ENRICH THE EXPERIENCE
OF LIFE BY RESPONSIBLY
BUILDING BEVERAGE
ALCOHOL BRANDS, IN OUR
OWN WAY, THAT THRIVE AND
ENDURE FOR GENERATIONS.

Our Priorities

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

 

 

OUR STORY:
BUILDING FOREVER

EVERYTHING WE DO TODAY DETERMINES WHO

AND WHERE WE WILL BE TOMORROW.

As this next generation begins, so does our 150th year. We look forward to celebrating our past, in part by doing what we have always done: making the most of our future.

 


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


VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com
Electronic Voting Instructions

AvailableUse 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, hours a day, 7 days a week!
Instead of mailing2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you may choose oneaccess 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 voting methods outlined belowInternet. 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 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.,voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, on Thursday,Wednesday, July 27, 2017.24, 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.Vote online
• Go towww.investorvote.com/BFB
• Or scan the QR code with your smartphone
• Follow the steps outlined on the secure websiteDETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

 

BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION  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.)
Using ablack ink pen, mark your votes with anXas shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.xThere isNO CHARGE to you for the call
Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message

Annual Meeting Proxy Card

6 IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED ONLINEOR BY TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.6

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.

 Proposals —The Board of Directors recommends a voteFOR the election of all the nominees listed,FOR Proposal 2, and for “EVERY THREE YEARS” on Proposal 3.
1.Election of Directors:ForAgainstAbstainForAgainstAbstainForAgainstAbstain
01 - Patrick Bousquet- Chavanneooo02 - Campbell P. Brownooo03 - Geo. Garvin Brown IVooo
04 - Stuart R. Brownooo05 - Bruce L. Byrnesooo06 - John D. Cookooo
07 - Marshall B. Farrerooo08 - Laura L. Frazierooo09 - Kathleen M. Gutmannooo
10 - Augusta Brown Hollandooo11 - Michael J. Roneyooo12 - Michael A. Todmanooo
13 - Paul C. Vargaooo        

  ForAgainstAbstain    1 Year2 Years3 YearsAbstain
2.Nonbinding advisory vote to approve our executive compensationooo 3.Nonbinding advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation oooo

 Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

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.
 /      /    

IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOUMUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD.

C 1234567890

1 U P X
J N T

3 3 6 8 8 8 1
 

MR

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS 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

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.

02MLUE

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

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.

If you do not vote online or by telephone, please sign and date this proxy card
and return it promptly inImportant Notice Regarding the enclosed postage-paid envelope so your
shares may be represented at the Annual Meeting.

TheAvailability of Proxy Materials are available for review at:
www.brown-forman.com/investors/annual-report/

6 IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED ONLINEOR BY TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.6

PROXY – BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION

This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on July 27, 2017.

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 “Company”) standing of record in the name of the undersigned at the close of business on June 19, 2017, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on July 27, 2017, 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.Stockholders are available
at www.proxyvote.com.

 

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 on Proposal 1, “FOR” Proposal 2, and for “EVERY THREE YEARS” on Proposal 3. 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. 

E81345-P27043

 Non-Voting Items

Change of AddressTHIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON JULY 25, 2019.
— Please print new address below.
 

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
IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOUMUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C
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 BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD.REVERSE SIDE