UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

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

Check the appropriate box:

o   Preliminary Proxy Statement

o  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x  Definitive Proxy Statement

o  Definitive Additional Materials

o   Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

(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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Portland, Oregon

April 8, 2015

Dear Shareholders:

You are cordially invited to attend our annual meeting of shareholders at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at our headquarters located at 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229. Details of the business to be conducted at the annual meeting are provided in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. At the annual meeting, we will also report on the company’s operations and respond to any questions you may have.

Your vote is very important. Whether or not you attend the annual meeting in person, it is important that your shares are represented and voted at the meeting.

If you attend the meeting, you will have the right to revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person. Please read “How You Can Vote” and “How You Can Revoke Your Proxy and/or Change Your Vote” in the Proxy Statement for further information.

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

14375 NW Science Park Drive

Portland, Oregon 97229

(503) 985-4000

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

May 19, 2015

 

Dear Shareholders:

Our annual meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229. The purpose of the meeting is:

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2015, are entitled to vote at the meeting. A list of shareholders will be available for inspection beginning April 20, 2015, at our corporate headquarters.

 

Portland, Oregon

April 8, 2015

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

SUMMARY OF PROCEDURES

Proxy Statement Information. The Board of Directors of Columbia Sportswear Company, an Oregon corporation, is soliciting proxies to be used at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Columbia’s headquarters, located at 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement, our 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders, and our form of proxy will be provided to shareholders on or about April 8, 2015. The expense of soliciting proxies, including the cost of preparing, assembling, and mailing the Notice, Proxy Statement, 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders and form of proxy, will be borne by Columbia. We will ask fiduciaries, custodians, brokerage houses and similar parties to forward copies of proxy materials to beneficial owners of our Common Stock, and we will reimburse these parties for their reasonable and customary charges for distribution expenses. Proxies may be solicited by use of the mail and the Internet, and our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile, and personal contact. No additional compensation will be paid for these services.

Electronic Delivery of Proxy Materials. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules, Columbia’s proxy materials are available to all shareholders on the Internet. Instead of receiving paper copies of the Notice, 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders, Proxy Statement and proxy card in the mail, you may access these communications electronically via the Internet. If you received any proxy materials in the mail this year and would like to receive the materials electronically next year, please write to us at Columbia Sportswear Company, Attention: Investor Relations, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229. Once you provide your consent to receive electronic delivery of proxy materials via the Internet, your consent will remain in effect until you revoke it.

Householding of Proxy Materials. The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice or set of proxy materials addressed to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” may be more convenient for shareholders and less expensive for companies. A number of brokers with accountholders who are company shareholders will be householding our Notice or proxy materials. If you have received notice from Columbia or your broker that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent to householding. If you wish to receive a separate set of our proxy materials now or in the future, we will promptly deliver a separate copy of these materials to you upon written or oral request made to us at Columbia Sportswear Company, Attention: Investor Relations, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229. You may also contact Investor Relations at (503) 985-4000 or colminvestorrelations@columbia.com. If at any time you no longer wish to participate in householding, please notify your broker or write to us at the address listed above. If you currently receive multiple copies of the proxy materials and would like to request householding, please contact your broker or write to us at the address above.

Who Can Vote. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2015 (the “record date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournments of the annual meeting. At the close of business on March 25, 2015, 70,391,936 shares of our Common Stock, the only authorized class of voting security of the company, were issued and outstanding. Because holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share, a total of 70,391,936 votes are entitled to be cast at the annual meeting.

How You Can Vote. Shareholders may vote in person at our annual meeting or by proxy. To vote by proxy:

All shares for which a proxy has been properly granted and not revoked will be voted at the annual meeting in accordance with your instructions. If you grant a proxy but do not give voting instructions, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors.

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How You Can Revoke Your Proxy and/or Change Your Vote. If you are a shareholder of record, you can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the annual meeting by:

If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, trust, or other nominee, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the nominee to be able to vote at the meeting.

Any written notice revoking a proxy should be sent to Columbia Sportswear Company, Attention: Peter J. Bragdon, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229, or hand-delivered to the Secretary at or before the vote at the annual meeting.

 

 

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information as of March 25, 2015, regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our Common Stock by (i) each person known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our Common Stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table (each, a “named executive officer”), and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. The address for each of our executive officers and our directors is 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229. Except as otherwise noted, the persons listed below have sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares owned by them.

 

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Involvement in Risk Oversight. Columbia’s management is responsible for identifying, assessing and managing the material risks facing Columbia. The Board of Directors generally oversees Columbia’s risk management practices and processes. The Board has delegated primary oversight of the management of (i) financial and accounting risks to the Audit Committee, (ii) compensation risk to the Compensation Committee and (iii) governance and compliance risks to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of these committees routinely reports to the Board on the management of these specific risk areas. To permit the Board and its committees to perform their respective risk oversight roles, individual members of management who supervise Columbia’s risk management report directly to the Board or the relevant committee of the Board responsible for overseeing the management of specific risks, as applicable. For this purpose, management has a high degree of access and communication with independent directors. Because a majority of the Board consist of independent directors and each committee of the Board consists solely of independent directors, Columbia’s risk oversight structure conforms to the Board’s leadership structure discussed below and Columbia’s belief that having a strong, independent group of directors is important for good governance.

The Board of Directors also oversees a process of risk assessment within Columbia that is designed to identify the most salient enterprise risks facing Columbia’s business, including interviews conducted seeking participants’ judgment and assessment of the relative likelihood and magnitude of risks identified. The overall assessment includes participation from company executives and a broad selection of managers. The results of the periodic assessment are reviewed by the entire Board. The Board believes that the process serves to identify material risks in a timely manner and to promote, when necessary, appropriate actions to address the management of the risks.

Finally, the Board oversees various organizational structures, policies and procedures at Columbia to promote ethical conduct and compliance with laws and regulations. For example, Columbia maintains a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for which a confidential compliance line has been established for employees or other stakeholders to report violations of the Code, and the chairs of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receive copies of all reports.

Corporate Governance Guidelines. Columbia’s Board of Directors has adopted and annually reviews Corporate Governance Guidelines that address:

A copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on our website at www.columbia.com.

Independence. The Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that are available for review on our website at www.columbia.com. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines , which adopt the standards for “independence” under applicable NASDAQ listing rules and Securities and Exchange Commission rules, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors must be independent, as determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Wasson and Messrs. Albers, Babson, Bryant, George, Klenz, Nelson and Stanton are independent and, accordingly, a majority of our Board of Directors are independent. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that all members of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent under the standards for independence applicable to members of each committee. There are no undisclosed transactions, relationships, or arrangements that were considered by the Board of Directors in connection with the determination of whether any particular director is independent.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Our Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that sets out basic principles to guide all of Columbia’s officers, directors and employees worldwide, as well as representatives, consultants and agents in their dealings with or on behalf of Columbia. We have established a confidential compliance line operated by an outside agency where stakeholders can report concerns anonymously. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics has been translated into various languages and is available to our employees. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.columbia.com.

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Communications with the Board. Any shareholder may communicate with the Board of Directors, individually or as a group, by writing to the member or members of the Board of Directors, c/o Peter J. Bragdon, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, Columbia Sportswear Company, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229. Communications should be sent by overnight or certified mail, return receipt requested. All communications will be compiled by the Secretary and submitted to the individual director or directors to whom the communications are addressed. Communications with the Board of Directors regarding recommendations of individuals for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to become nominees for election to the Board of Directors must be made in accordance with the Director Nomination Policy described below.

Board Leadership. Under our Board structure, leadership is provided primarily by the persons in the following positions, each of whom performs separate roles:

Gertrude Boyle is Chairman of the Board and Timothy P. Boyle is our Chief Executive Officer. Most of the functions typically performed by a chairman, such as convening and presiding over meetings of the Board, are performed by our Chief Executive Officer rather than our Chairman. As Chairman, Mrs. Boyle is recognized as a leader, keeper of institutional knowledge and significant stakeholder of Columbia. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Boyle is primarily responsible for Columbia’s general operations and implementing its business strategy. Mr. Boyle is also Columbia’s largest shareholder. For these reasons, the Board believes that, at this time, Columbia and its shareholders are best served by having the Chief Executive Officer convene, establish agenda items for, and preside over meetings of the Board.

Columbia believes that having a strong, independent group of directors is important for good governance, and the Board has been, and continues to be, a strong proponent of Board independence. Consequently, Columbia’s corporate governance structures and practices include several independent oversight mechanisms. For example,

Moreover, the Board believes Columbia’s corporate governance practices ensure that strong and independent directors will continue to effectively oversee Columbia’s management and key issues related to long-range business plans, strategy and risks, and integrity. Pursuant to these governance practices, the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in addition to his role as chairman of that committee:

In performing the duties described above, the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consults with the chairs of the appropriate Board committees and solicits their participation.

We intend to reexamine our Board leadership structure on an ongoing basis to ensure that it continues to meet Columbia’s needs.

Board Meetings. The Board of Directors met six times in 2014. Four executive sessions of the Board of Directors were held in 2014. Each director attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of each committee on which the director serves, except Mrs. Boyle and Ms. Wasson, who was appointed on March 19, 2015. We do not maintain a formal policy regarding director attendance at annual shareholder meetings. Three of our eleven directors attended our 2014 annual meeting of shareholders.

Board Committees. The Board of Directors has designated three standing committees. The Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee each operate under a written charter that is available for review on our website at www.columbia.com. The current membership of each committee and its principal functions, as well as the number of times it met during fiscal year 2014, are described below.

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Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. George, Bryant, Nelson and Stanton. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets all applicable independence and financial literacy requirements. The Board has also determined that Mr. George is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. A description of the functions performed by the Audit Committee and Audit Committee activity is set forth below in “Report of the Audit Committee.” The Audit Committee met five times in 2014. Mr. George chairs the Audit Committee.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Albers, Babson and Klenz. The Compensation Committee determines compensation for the company’s executive officers and administers the company’s 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for determining compensation for the company’s executive officers and directors are described below in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The Compensation Committee met five times in 2014. Mr. Albers chairs the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee retained PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as its outside compensation consultant for 2014. The Committee chose PricewaterhouseCoopers primarily because of the competence, knowledge, background and reputation of the representative who advises the Committee. The consultant reports directly to the Committee. Based on direction from the Committee, PricewaterhouseCoopers provides the Committee with:

PricewaterhouseCoopers also:

PricewaterhouseCoopers reports on executive officer compensation matters and presents findings directly to the Compensation Committee, but does not provide recommendations on compensation decisions for individual executive officers. From time to time our Vice President of Global Human Resources provides information and feedback to PricewaterhouseCoopers on various compensation matters. Moreover, PricewaterhouseCoopers provides our Vice President of Global Human Resources and our Chief Executive Officer with copies of the information provided to the Committee.

In 2014, management separately engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to perform tax and information security consulting services. Tax and information security consulting arrangements are requested and approved by management separately from any work that is requested by the Compensation Committee. The PricewaterhouseCoopers representative who provides services to the Committee did not participate in these tax or information security consulting services. Also in 2014, Columbia subscribed to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ update service regarding regulatory developments in the European Union. The following is a summary of the approximate fees incurred by Columbia to PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2014 for all services, as categorized below:

 

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of Ms. Wasson and Messrs. Albers, Babson, Bryant, George, Klenz, Nelson and Stanton. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee develops and recommends corporate governance guidelines and standards for business conduct and ethics, identifies individuals qualified to become Board members, and makes recommendations regarding nominations for director. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider individuals recommended by shareholders for nomination as director in accordance with the procedures described under “Director Nomination Policy” below. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also oversees the annual self-evaluations of the Board and its committees and makes recommendations concerning the

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size, structure, composition and membership of the Board of Directors and its committees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met three times in 2014. Mr. Babson chairs the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Director Nomination Policy. Shareholders may recommend individuals for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to become nominees for election to the Board of Directors by submitting a written recommendation to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Peter J. Bragdon, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, Columbia Sportswear Company, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229. Communications should be sent by overnight or certified mail, return receipt requested. Submissions must include sufficient biographical information concerning the recommended individual, including age, five-year employment history with employer names and a description of the employer’s business, whether the individual can read and understand financial statements, and board memberships, if any, for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to consider. The submission must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders. Recommendations received by December 31, 2015 will be considered for nomination at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Recommendations received after December 31, 2015 and before the applicable deadline for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be considered for nomination at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In addition to shareholder recommendations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may identify potential director nominees through referrals by directors, officers, employees and third parties, including search firms, and internal research and recruitment activities.

Director Selection and Qualifications. Following the identification of director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets to discuss and consider each candidate’s qualifications and determines by majority vote the candidates who the Committee believes will best serve Columbia. In evaluating director candidates, the Committee considers a variety of factors, including the composition of the Board as a whole, the characteristics of each candidate, and the performance and continued tenure of incumbent Board members. The Committee considers these factors to evaluate potential candidates regardless of the source of the recommendation. The Committee believes that director candidates should possess high ethical character, business experience with high accomplishment in his or her respective field, the ability to read and understand financial statements, relevant expertise and experience, and the ability to exercise sound business judgment. Candidates must also be over 21 years of age. In addition, the Committee believes at least one member of the Board should meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and that a majority of the members of the Board should meet the definition of “independent director” under the applicable NASDAQ listing requirements. The Committee also believes key members of our management should participate as members of the Board. On March 19, 2015, the Board of Directors appointed Malia H. Wasson as a director and nominated her for election at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  See “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” below.

As described above, our Board believes that maintaining a strong, independent group of directors that comprises a majority of our Board is important for good governance, and eight of our eleven directors qualify as independent. The Board believes that all of our independent directors (i) are financially literate and (ii) possess the other qualities described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, including integrity and moral responsibility, the capacity to evaluate strategy and reach sound conclusions and the willingness and ability to devote the time required to fulfill the duties of a director. In addition, the Board places high value on the ability of individual directors to contribute to a constructive Board environment.

The Board believes that our directors, as a whole, provide the diversity of experience and skills necessary for a well-functioning board. All of our independent directors have substantial senior executive-level business experience. Each of Mrs. Boyle, Mr. Boyle and Ms. Bany are significant shareholders of Columbia, and as such their interests are aligned with other shareholders for building long-term shareholder value. For a more complete description of individual backgrounds, professional experiences, qualifications and skills, see the director profiles set forth under “Election of Directors” below.

Board Diversity. Columbia’s Corporate Governance Guidelines establish that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board is responsible for reviewing annually with the Board the desired skills and characteristics of new Board members and the composition of the Board as a whole. In assessing the appropriate composition of the Board, the Committee considers factors set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, including diversity. Although the Board does not maintain a specific policy with respect to Board diversity, the Board believes that the Board should be a diverse body, and the Committee considers a broad range of background and experience in its assessment. The Committee considers these and other factors as it oversees the annual Board and committee assessments.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. No member of our Compensation Committee is a past or present officer or employee of ours or any of our subsidiaries, nor has any member of our Compensation Committee had any relationship requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Likewise, none of our executive officers has served on the board of directors or compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity, where one of the other entity’s executive officers served on our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions. Joseph P. Boyle, son of Timothy P. Boyle and grandson of Gertrude Boyle, is employed by Columbia as the Vice President of Columbia Brand Merchandising and Design. In 2014, Joseph P. Boyle

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received an annualized salary of $211,150 and is eligible to receive bonus, equity and employment benefits available to other officers. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviewed and ratified Joseph P. Boyle’s compensation arrangements.

B2 Flight LLC, a limited liability company wholly owned by Timothy P. Boyle and his wife, leases its aircraft to Columbia for business use upon request and on a per use basis at prices comparable to commercial airfare for each business traveler. Columbia directly employs pilots and a mechanic for flight crew services and pays all related costs. Such costs are billed to and reimbursed by B2 Flight LLC, net of a portion allocable to Columbia’s business use of the aircraft. In 2014, Columbia paid B2 Flight LLC $160,581 for use of the aircraft. Columbia also incurred expenses totaling $94,565 for related flight crew services (net of $415,910 reimbursed by B2 Flight LLC). We believe that these transactions were on terms at least as fair to Columbia as those that would have been available in arm’s-length negotiated transactions.

Our Chairman, Gertrude Boyle, was the victim of a targeted crime, including an attempted kidnapping, in November 2010. In response to the incident, Columbia established security protocols recommended by an independent security review for Mrs. Boyle and hired a former police officer to oversee those protocols. The former police officer is an in-law of Timothy P. Boyle and receives an annual salary, which was $49,214 in 2014, and for which Mr. Boyle reimbursed Columbia in 2014.

Related Person Transactions Approval Process. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee generally approves in advance any transactions with an officer, director, 5% or greater shareholder, or any immediate family member of an officer, director, or 5% or greater shareholder (“related person”) pursuant to our related person transaction approval policy. A “related person transaction” is any actual or proposed transaction or series of transactions, either since the beginning of the last fiscal year or proposed, amounting to more than $120,000 in which Columbia was or is to be a participant, and in which a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Our policy requires that the Committee review the material facts of any transaction that could potentially qualify as a “related person transaction” and either approve or disapprove of our entry into the transaction. If advance Committee approval is not feasible, the related person transaction is considered, and if the Committee determines it to be appropriate, ratified at the Committee’s next regularly scheduled meeting. In determining whether to approve or ratify a transaction, the Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems to be appropriate, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated person in the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person’s direct or indirect interest in the transaction. If a related person transaction is ongoing, the Committee may establish guidelines for management to follow in its ongoing dealings with the related person. Thereafter, the Committee reviews and assesses ongoing relationships with the related person annually to confirm they are in compliance with the Committee’s guidelines and are appropriate.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance. Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers, directors, and persons who own more than 10% of our Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive officers, directors, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our Common Stock are required to furnish to us copies of all section 16(a) reports they file. Based solely on a review of reports that we received and on written representations from reporting persons regarding compliance, we believe that all section 16(a) transactions were reported on a timely basis in 2014.

 

 

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Our director compensation program is intended to enable us to:

In setting director compensation, we consider compensation offered to directors by other companies, the amount of time that our directors spend providing services to us, and the experience, skill and expertise that our directors have. Directors who are employees of Columbia receive no separate compensation for their service as directors.  

Each director who is not a Columbia employee receives:

In connection with the biennial review of the director compensation program in 2013, the Board approved an increase in the total annual equity award value from $100,000 to $120,000. The increase was effective on June 3, 2014, the date of our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. One-third of the stock options become exercisable and one-third of the shares of restricted stock units vest annually (a) on the first anniversary of the first day of the first full calendar month following the date of grant (the “Vest Date”), and (b) on each of the subsequent two anniversaries following the first anniversary of the Vest Date. The date on which restricted stock units vest is referred to as a “vesting date.” If a vesting date falls on a weekend or any other day on which the Nasdaq Stock Market (“NSM”) or any national securities exchange on which the Common Stock then is principally traded (the “Exchange”) is not open, affected restricted stock units will vest on the next following NSM or Exchange business day, as the case may be. Directors may elect to receive equity compensation in lieu of all or half of the $60,000 annual board service fee, and may elect how they wish to allocate this amount between stock options and/or restricted stock unit awards that vest in full on the Vest Date. As described in more detail below, in 2014, two of our eight non-employee directors elected to receive equity compensation in lieu of half of their $60,000 annual board service fee for the twelve month period beginning June 3, 2014, and one of our non-employee directors elected to receive equity compensation in lieu of his entire $60,000 annual board service fee for the same period.

Non-employee directors who own more than $50 million of Columbia Common Stock may elect to receive cash in lieu of the annual equity award. Cash payments are made in a single lump sum based on the present value of $120,000 if paid over the three-year period applicable to the annual equity awards. Sarah A. Bany elected to receive cash in lieu of 2014 annual equity awards.

 

 

 

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2014 Director Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the compensation earned by each non-employee director in 2014.

 

 

 

 

The Compensation Committee biennially reviews our director compensation program and recommends any changes for Board approval. Annual cash fees are paid quarterly beginning on the date the director is elected by shareholders at our annual meeting of shareholders. The 2014 Director Compensation Table does not include any amounts paid to the directors for reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with meeting attendance. Mr. Bryant elected to receive equity compensation in the form of restricted stock units in lieu of $30,000 of the annual board service fee due to him for the twelve month period beginning June 3, 2014. Mr. Nelson elected to receive equity compensation in the form of restricted stock units and stock options in lieu of $30,000 of the annual board service fee due to him for the twelve month period beginning June 3, 2014. Mr. Stanton elected to receive equity compensation in the form of restricted stock units in lieu of the $60,000 annual board service fee due to him for the twelve month period beginning June 3, 2014. Equity compensation granted to these directors in lieu of their annual board service fees are included in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns of the Director Compensation Table.

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

A Board of eleven directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting. The directors are elected at each annual meeting to serve until the next annual meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified. Proxies received from shareholders, unless directed otherwise, will be voted FOR election of the following nominees: Mrs. Gertrude Boyle, Ms. Sarah A. Bany, Ms. Malia H. Wasson, and Messrs. Timothy P. Boyle, Murrey R. Albers, Stephen E. Babson, Andy D. Bryant, Edward S. George, Walter T. Klenz, Ronald E. Nelson and John W. Stanton. Each nominee is now a director of Columbia. If any of the nominees for director becomes unavailable for election for any reason, the proxy holders will have discretionary authority to vote pursuant to a proxy for a substitute or substitutes. Set forth below are the name, age and occupation of each of the nominees. Specific skills contributing to the nominee’s overall qualifications as a member of the Board are also highlighted.

Name, Principal Occupation, Other Directorships and Qualification Highlights

Gertrude Boyle (age 91) has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1970. Mrs. Boyle also served as Columbia’s President from 1970 to 1988. Mrs. Boyle is Timothy P. Boyle and Sarah A. Bany’s mother. Mrs. Boyle has been involved in the business throughout its various stages and, in particular, she has been an active participant in Columbia’s promotional campaigns. Mrs. Boyle’s philanthropic endeavors and leadership in the Portland community have been widely recognized and honored, enhancing Columbia’s community relationships.

Timothy P. Boyle (age 65) has served on the Board of Directors since 1978. Mr. Boyle joined Columbia in 1971 as General Manager and has served as Chief Executive Officer since 1988. Mr. Boyle is also a member of the board of directors of Northwest Natural Gas Company (NYSE: NWN) and Craft Brew Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: BREW). Mr. Boyle is Gertrude Boyle’s son and Sarah A. Bany’s brother. Mr. Boyle has spent his entire business career growing Columbia into one of the largest outerwear companies in the world. Mr. Boyle’s customer relationships, market knowledge and breadth of experience performing nearly every function within Columbia has resulted in a deep understanding of the business issues facing Columbia.

Sarah A. Bany (age 56) has served on the Board of Directors since 1988. Since 2001, Ms. Bany has been a co-owner of Moonstruck Chocolate Company. From 1979 to August 1998, Ms. Bany held various positions at Columbia, including Director of Retail Stores. Ms. Bany is Gertrude Boyle’s daughter and Timothy P. Boyle’s sister. Ms. Bany’s years of service at Columbia and her brand development experience has resulted in a deep understanding of Columbia’s business, particularly with respect to brand enhancement and marketing.

Murrey R. Albers (age 74) has served on the Board of Directors since July 1993. Mr. Albers chairs the Compensation Committee. Mr. Albers is Chief Executive Officer of United States Bakery, a bakery with operations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and California. Mr. Albers, who has been in his current position since June 1985, joined United States Bakery as general manager of Franz Bakery in 1975. Mr. Albers’ executive experience provides Columbia with insights into operations, acquisitions and valuable business relationships in the region where Columbia operates its headquarters.

Stephen E. Babson (age 64) has served on the Board of Directors since July 2002. Mr. Babson chairs the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Babson is a Managing Director of Endeavour Capital, a Northwest private equity firm, which he joined in 2002. Before that, Mr. Babson was an attorney at Stoel Rives LLP. Mr. Babson joined Stoel Rives in 1978, was a partner from 1984 to February 2002, and served as its chairman from July 1999 to February 2002. Mr. Babson serves on a number of boards of privately-held companies, including ESCO Corporation; Genesis Financial Solutions, Inc.; Good Food Holdings, LLC, owner of Bristol Farms and Metropolitan Market; New Seasons Market, LLC; Pendleton Woolen Mills, Inc.; USNR LLC; Vigor Industrial, LLC; and Zoom Management, Inc., dba ZoomCare.  Mr. Babson brings a combination of financial and legal expertise to the Board. His experience in a private equity firm provides Columbia with valuable insights related to capital markets, strategic planning and financial integrity.

Andy D. Bryant (age 64) has served on the Board of Directors since 2005. Mr. Bryant was named Chairman of the Board of Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC) in May, 2012. Previously, Mr. Bryant was named a director and Vice Chairman of Intel in July 2011 and most recently served as Executive Vice President of Technology, Manufacturing and Enterprise Services and Chief Administrative Officer of Intel Corporation until January 2012. Mr. Bryant joined Intel in 1981 as Controller for the Commercial Memory Systems Operation, became the Chief Financial Officer in February 1994, and was promoted to Senior Vice President in January 1999. Mr. Bryant expanded his role to Chief Financial and Enterprise Services Officer in December 1999, and was promoted to Chief Administrative Officer in October 2007. Prior to joining Intel, Mr. Bryant held positions in finance at Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corporation. Mr. Bryant served on the Board of Directors of Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS) from 1999 to 2005 and is a member of the board of directors of McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK). Mr. Bryant’s years of experience at a large, global public company provide operational, strategic planning and financial expertise to the Board.

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Edward S. George (age 78) has served on the Board of Directors since 1989. For 30 years, until his retirement, Mr. George worked in the banking industry. From 1980 to 1990, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Torrey Pines Bank and from 1991 to 1998 he served as a financial consultant. Mr. George also served as a director of First National Bank of San Diego until its sale in September 2002. Mr. George’s banking experience provides the Board and the Audit Committee, for which he serves as chair, with valuable financial expertise. The Board has designated Mr. George as an “audit committee financial expert.”

Walter T. Klenz (age 69) has served on the Board of Directors since 2000. He served as Managing Director of Beringer Blass Wine Estates from 2001 until his retirement in 2005. Mr. Klenz became President and Chief Executive Officer of Beringer Wine Estates in 1990, and Chairman of its board of directors in August 1997, and he served in those positions until the 2000 acquisition of Beringer Wine Estates by Foster’s Group Limited. Mr. Klenz joined Beringer Wine Estates in 1976 as Director of Marketing for the Beringer brand, where he also served as Chief Financial Officer from 1981 to 1990. He served as a director of America West Airlines from 1998 until 2005. Mr. Klenz also serves as a director of Vincraft Group, Free Flow Wines and J. Lohr Winery, all privately-held wine companies. Mr. Klenz brings a combination of global branding, distribution, financial and operational expertise to the Board.

Ronald E. Nelson (age 72) has served on the Board of Directors since 2011. He joined NIKE, Inc. in 1976 and went on to serve as Vice President from 1982 to 1997, overseeing a wide variety of operations, including NIKE’s early advertising, promotions and retail operations, global footwear sourcing and financing, and the global apparel division, and served as President of NIKE’s Japanese subsidiary from 1995 to1997, retiring from NIKE in 1997. Mr. Nelson served as an advisory board member to Columbia in the 1970s and today serves as an informal advisor to several small companies. Mr. Nelson’s broad and deep experience within the apparel and footwear industry provides the Board with insights and guidance regarding our global supply chain, marketing and growth strategies.

John W. Stanton (age 59) has served on the Board of Directors since 1997. Mr. Stanton is currently engaged in private investment activities, including Trilogy Equity Partners, which invests in wireless-related companies, and Trilogy International Partners, which operates wireless systems internationally. Mr. Stanton served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Western Wireless Corporation and its predecessor companies from 1992 until shortly after its acquisition by ALLTEL Corporation in 2005. From 1994 to 2002, Mr. Stanton also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VoiceStream Wireless Corporation. Mr. Stanton served as acting Chief Executive Officer of Clearwire Corporation (Nasdaq: CLWR) during 2011 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2011 until Clearwire’s acquisition by Sprint Nextel Corporation in July 2014. Mr. Stanton previously served on the Board of Directors of Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited and the Board of Directors of Thrive by Five. Mr. Stanton currently serves as a Trustee for Whitman College, Chairman of Year Up of Puget Sound, and serves on the boards of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT), Seattle Foundation and Aven Foundation. Mr. Stanton’s executive and entrepreneurial experiences provide Columbia with insights into global operations, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions and financial matters.

Malia H. Wasson (age 56) was elected to the Board of Directors in 2015. Ms. Wasson worked at U.S. Bank of Oregon for over 25 years, serving as President of Oregon and Southwest Washington from 2005-2015. She served as U.S. Bank’s senior executive in the region and led the U.S. Bank Board in Portland. In addition to her role as President, she led the Oregon Commercial Banking group for U.S. Bank, which provides a wide variety of financial services to middle market companies. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, Ms. Wasson held various commercial lending positions with the former Oregon Bank and Security Pacific Bank of Oregon. Ms. Wasson currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Northwest Natural Gas Company (NYSE: NWN) and serves on boards of numerous civic and business organizations including Oregon Health Sciences University Foundation, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and the American Leadership Forum as a Senior Fellow. Ms. Wasson also currently serves as chair of the Oregon Business Council and the Oregon Business Plan Steering Committee. Ms. Wasson’s extensive experience in commercial banking, finance and accounting, as well as local and regional leadership, will enable her to provide insight and advice to Columbia on strategic matters, including, but not limited to, merger and acquisitions, consumer and commercial businesses, public and government policy and relations, and human resources and diversity.

 

 

 

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RECOMMENDATION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR election of the nominees named in this Proxy Statement. If a quorum of shareholders is present at the annual meeting, the eleven nominees for election as directors who receive the greatest number of votes cast at the meeting will be elected directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the annual meeting, but will have no effect on the results of the vote. If any of the nominees for directors at the annual meeting becomes unavailable for election for any reason, the proxy holders will have discretionary authority to vote pursuant to the proxy for a substitute or substitutes. Shares held through a broker or other nominee who is a New York Stock Exchange member organization will only be voted in favor of the director nominees if the shareholder provides specific voting instructions to the broker or other nominee to vote the shares in favor of that proposal.

 

 

 

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the company’s financial statements and for maintaining appropriate financial reporting controls and procedures designed to reasonably ensure such integrity. As described more fully in its charter, the Audit Committee’s role is to assist the Board in its governance, guidance, and oversight regarding the financial information provided by the company to the public or governmental bodies, the company’s systems of internal controls, and the company’s auditing, accounting, and financial reporting processes in general. A copy of the Audit Committee’s charter, which is reviewed and reassessed by the Audit Committee on an annual basis, is available at www.columbia.com.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, the company’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee oversees the relationship between the company and its independent registered public accounting firm, including appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing and pre-approving the scope of services and related fees to be paid to the independent registered public accounting firm, and assessing the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. The Audit Committee regularly meets with management and the company’s independent registered public accounting firm to discuss, among other things, the preparation of the financial statements, including key accounting and reporting issues.

The Audit Committee has:

In considering the nature of the non-audit services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Audit Committee determined that these services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services.

Based on the Audit Committee’s review and the meetings, discussions and reports described above, and subject to the limitations of the Audit Committee’s role and responsibilities referred to above and in the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 be included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Members of the Audit Committee:

Edward S. George—Chairman

Andy D. Bryant

Ronald E. Nelson

John W. Stanton

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2015 fiscal year, subject to ratification of the selection by our shareholders at our annual meeting.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

For work performed in regard to fiscal years 2013 and 2014, we incurred the following fees for services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP, as categorized below:

 

 

Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at the annual meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. They do not plan to make a statement but will have an opportunity to make a statement if they wish.

Pre-Approval Policy

All of the services performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2014 were pre-approved in accordance with the pre-approval policy and procedures adopted by the Audit Committee. This policy describes the permitted audit, audit-related, tax, and other services (collectively, the “Disclosure Categories”) that the independent auditors may perform. The policy requires the Audit Committee to review at each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting (a) a description of the services provided or expected to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in each of the Disclosure Categories and the related fees and costs, and (b) a list of newly requested services subject to pre-approval since the last regularly scheduled meeting. Generally, pre-approval is provided at regularly scheduled meetings; however, the authority to pre-approve services between meetings, as necessary, has been delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Chairman provides an update to the Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting of any services for which he granted specific pre-approval.

 

 

 

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RECOMMENDATION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Columbia’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2015 fiscal year. This proposal will be approved if a quorum is present at the meeting and the votes cast in favor of this proposal exceed the votes cast opposing this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the annual meeting, but will have no effect on the results of the vote. The proxies will be voted on this proposal in accordance with the instructions specified on the proxy form. If no instructions are given, proxies will be voted for approval of the adoption of this proposal.

 

 

 

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K and, based on its review and the discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and this Proxy Statement.

Members of the Compensation Committee:

Murrey R. Albers—Chairman

Stephen E. Babson

Walter T. Klenz

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis, or CD&A, discusses our compensation program for our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, our Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers in 2014, whom we collectively refer to as our named executive officers. Our named executive officers for 2014 are:

In this CD&A, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “the company” refer to Columbia Sportswear Company and not to the Compensation Committee. The compensation programs for our named executive officers, except for Mr. Fogliato who is employed at our Geneva, Switzerland office, also generally apply to our other senior officers who are based in the U.S., and references in this CD&A to executive officers generally include the named executive officers and the other senior officers who are based in the U.S.

Executive Summary

In 2014, Columbia’s net sales increased 25% compared to 2013, to $2.1 billion. Our full year operating margin was 9.5%, an increase from 7.8% for 2013.

Columbia’s executive compensation program aims to reward performance; our executive officers realize a significant portion of their compensation only when we achieve annual and long-term business goals and when our stock price increases. Outside of the U.S. we provide compensation components based on compensation practices for the applicable local geographic region. The following are highlights related to Columbia’s 2014 compensation program for our named executive officers based in the U.S.  

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Pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement entered into upon initial employment with Columbia, Mr. Fogliato received a new hire bonus of $301,710 and his annual, short-term incentive compensation award for 2014 and 2015 was guaranteed at 100% of the target amount.

Overview of Executive Compensation Program

In this CD&A, we describe our overall compensation philosophy, objectives and practices. Our compensation philosophy and objectives generally apply to all of our employees, and most of our key employees are eligible to participate in the three main components of our compensation program: base salary, annual cash bonus, and long-term incentives. The relative value of each of these components of our compensation program varies from year to year and for each individual employee, depending on our financial and stock price performance and the employee’s role and responsibilities. 

Compensation objectives

Leadership and motivation of our executive officers are critical to our long-term success and the market for high-quality executive officers in our industry remains competitive. Our challenge is to offer a compensation program that is competitive and at the same time reinforces our core values of innovation, product quality, performance and execution in support of our corporate strategies and operating plans.

Compensation program design

Our compensation program for our executive officers is designed to reward our executive officers competitively when they achieve targeted annual performance goals, increase shareholder value and maintain long-term careers with us. In our view, a competitive pay package in our industry includes a salary that provides for a minimum level of compensation for an executive officer, a meaningful bonus tied to achievement of both corporate and individual objectives, equity and long-term incentives that offer significant rewards if the market price of our Common Stock increases in the future, and benefits that aim to be competitive with what are offered by companies similar to ours. The total compensation package for our executive officers who are based in the U.S. is substantially weighted toward incentive compensation tied to corporate and individual performance and equity incentives. Therefore, when targeted performance levels are not achieved and/or our stock price decreases, executive officer compensation is substantially reduced. When targeted performance levels are exceeded and our stock price increases, executive officer compensation is substantially increased.  In addition, the desire to attract and hire key talent can cause near term compensation to exceed annualized levels for program design components. For our executive officers who are not based in the U.S., including Mr. Fogliato, we provide competitive compensation packages for the applicable local geographic market that typically differ in structure from those for our executive officers based in the U.S.

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Risk and Compensation

We believe our compensation programs for executive officers are designed to encourage prudent risk taking to achieve long-term shareholder value. A variety of principles and practices contribute to the alignment of our executive compensation programs with our overall risk profile, including:

 

Components of compensation

We have a relatively simple compensation program. For 2014, our compensation program for named executive officers who are based in the U.S. included the following four main components:

These components constitute what we refer to as “total direct compensation” with respect to each named executive officer based in the U.S. We also provide compensation for our named executive officers based in the U.S. in the form of various other employee

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benefits and perquisites that are generally available to all our U.S. employees. Each of these elements helps us achieve the objectives of our compensation program, and we believe that, together, they have been and will continue to be effective in achieving our overall objectives.

Mr. Fogliato is the only named executive officer based outside the U.S. Accordingly, in addition to the elements of base salary, annual, short-term incentive compensation, and equity-based incentive compensation consisting of stock options and time-based RSUs provided to our U.S. based named executive officers, Mr. Fogliato may also receive long-term cash incentive compensation and various other employee benefits and perquisites that are generally available to other employees in Europe. We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Fogliato upon joining the company, as is customary for employees in Europe. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Fogliato received a new hire bonus, as well as an annual, short-term incentive compensation award. These awards are included in the amounts attributable to Mr. Fogliato in the Summary Compensation Table.

Compensation process

The Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee approves all executive officer compensation decisions. Each year, the Committee reviews and evaluates the compensation paid to our executive officers and determines the base salary, target bonus and the long-term cash and equity related grants for each executive officer.

The use and weight of each compensation component is based on a subjective determination by the Compensation Committee of the importance of each component in meeting our overall objectives. In general, for our named executive officers based in the U.S., we seek to put a significant amount of each named executive officer’s potential total direct compensation “at risk” based on corporate, individual and stock price performance. As a result, compensation paid on an ongoing, current basis in the form of base salary, benefits and perquisites generally represents less than half of each such named executive officer’s potential total direct compensation at target performance levels. We believe annual compensation paid to our named executive officers based in the U.S., other than Mrs. Boyle and Mr. Boyle, in the form of cash generally should represent approximately 60% to 65%, and consequently non-cash compensation generally should represent approximately 35% to 40%, of each such named executive officer’s potential total compensation at target performance levels. Our CEO, who currently holds approximately 40% of our outstanding Common Stock, and our Chairman, who currently holds approximately 15% of our outstanding Common Stock, have not historically received, and in 2014 did not receive, any equity compensation awards. Mr. Fogliato, who is not based in the U.S., receives approximately 87% of his annual compensation in the form of cash and approximately 13% as non-cash compensation.

Although we do not engage in traditional benchmarking, as part of our process for determining compensation for our named executive officers, we review compensation analyses provided by our independent compensation consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.  As described in more detail below, the analyses include an estimate of the 25^th percentile, median and 75^th percentile positions for base salary, target total cash compensation (base salary plus target bonus), and target total direct compensation (base salary plus target bonus plus equity related grants) for each of our named executive officers. In determining competitive, reasonable and appropriate levels of compensation for our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee subjectively considers the relationship between the amount of compensation and the approximate median for each of these compensation measures. The Committee also considers several other factors when determining appropriate compensation levels for each executive officer, including:

The Committee’s approach to evaluating these factors is subjective and not formulaic, and the Compensation Committee may place more or less weight on a particular factor when determining a specific executive officer’s compensation.  For Mr. Fogliato, our executive officer not based in the U.S., the Committee generally placed more emphasis on the competiveness of the individual’s package based on applicable, local geographic market compensation levels necessary to attract talent in Europe.

In determining the total compensation for each executive officer other than our CEO, the Compensation Committee considers the specific recommendations of our CEO and our Vice President of Global Human Resources and other factors it deems relevant. Recommendations to the Committee typically include discussion of the role and responsibilities of the executive officer within the company, the performance of the executive officer, the expected future contributions of the executive officer, the executive officer’s own expectations, and competitive and market considerations. Although our CEO and our Vice President of Global Human Resources make recommendations regarding the executive officers, neither participates in the discussions concerning his or her own compensation.

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The Compensation Committee considers, in addition to the factors described above:

The amount of past compensation, including annual bonus awards and amounts realized or realizable from prior equity awards, is considered but is generally not the most significant factor in the Committee’s evaluation because bonuses are awarded for annual performance and equity awards are granted as part of the target total direct compensation the Committee establishes each year.

Competitive survey information

The Committee reviews multiple compensation survey sources analyzed by its independent compensation consultant, including general industry surveys, retail/wholesale surveys, and apparel industry surveys. Data represented in these surveys are submitted confidentially by participating companies. Each survey provides a comprehensive list of all companies that participated in the survey, but compensation information is reported statistically without identifying company participants by name. We do not benchmark against specific companies or a specific peer group of companies. We participate in the Towers Watson (retail/wholesale and general industry) and IPAS^® (apparel/footwear retail industry) specialty surveys. Our independent compensation consultant compiles the data from these sources and from surveys purchased from Mercer Human Resource Consulting (general industry) and Towers Watson (general industry). These surveys include participating companies that are both smaller and larger than we are based on annual revenues and market capitalization. We generally focus on a subset of companies within a comparable range of revenues (typically between 50% and 200% of our annual revenues) or apply revenue-based regression analysis to the survey data for comparability purposes. The result of our analysis is an approximate “market composite” for each element of compensation for each executive officer. Although the Committee does not use this data formulaically, it considers the median, or 50^th percentile, of the composite data as one among many factors in its subjective analysis regarding the appropriate amounts and types of executive compensation.

 Tax deductibility

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the amount that we may deduct for compensation paid to our CEO and to each of our three most highly compensated officers (other than the CEO and the Chief Financial Officer) to $1,000,000 per person in any year. Compensation that qualifies as “performance-based” is excluded for purposes of calculating the amount of compensation subject to the $1,000,000 limit.

The Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) when determining the compensation of executive officers. Compensation paid under our executive officer incentive plans for our executive officer’s is generally designed in a manner intended to satisfy the requirements under Section 162(m) for qualified performance-based compensation. In some circumstances, however, the Committee may approve compensation that will not meet such requirements as a means to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for our executive officers and promote varying corporate goals. For example, in 2011, the Committee awarded Mr. Timm, a one-time $1 million (grant date fair value) extraordinary long-term equity award of which a portion may not be deductible under Section 162(m). In any event, the Committee intends to maintain an approach to executive officer compensation that strongly links pay to performance.

Analysis of 2014 named executive officer compensation

General

Our competitive compensation analyses for 2014 identified relevant market survey data for all our named executive officers except Mrs. Boyle. The Compensation Committee, with the concurrence of our independent compensation consultant, determined that the available competitive market survey data did not adequately reflect Mrs. Boyle’s role, scope of work and responsibilities. Mrs. Boyle plays a prominent role in our civic and community relations activities. The Committee determined that establishing Mrs. Boyle’s target total direct compensation relative to that of our President and CEO is an appropriate approach in the absence of relevant competitive market survey data. For 2014, the Committee determined that Mrs. Boyle’s target total direct compensation should be approximately between 60% and 70% of our President and CEO’s target total direct compensation.

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The 2014 Target Total Direct Compensation table below summarizes the target total direct compensation levels established by the Compensation Committee. Following the table, we discuss each compensation element summarized in the table.

2014 Target Total Direct Compensation

 

 

 As part of the Committee’s analysis in establishing 2014 compensation, it noted that, assuming that the target bonus levels and equity-based incentives performance targets were achieved for Messrs. Timm and Cusick, total direct compensation (annual salary plus target bonus plus the estimated and probable fair value of equity incentives) was in a range between the 50^th and 75^th percentile of the competitive median. Mr. Boyle’s total direct compensation was substantially below the competitive market median, reflecting the fact that Mr. Boyle does not receive grants of equity-based incentives because he owns a substantial amount of our Common Stock.

Excluding our Chairman and our CEO, neither of whom received equity-based incentives, the total direct compensation of our named executive officers based in the U.S. for 2014 consisted, on average, of the following proportions of components: 37% in base salary, 23% in target short-term incentive compensation, and 40% in equity-based incentives. The total direct compensation for Mr. Fogliato consisted of 40% in base salary, 47% in target short-term incentive compensation, and 13% in equity-based incentives. We believe that our compensation program for named executive officers is aligned with shareholders’ interests as a result of the significant variable and long-term structure of target total direct compensation, and the manner in which the variable compensation is determined.

Base salary

We provide an annual base salary to each named executive officer based in large part on job responsibility, experience level, individual performance, and the amount and nature of the other compensation paid to the named executive officer. The Compensation Committee reviews each named executive officer’s salary annually and makes adjustments when appropriate to reflect competitive market factors and the individual factors described above under “Compensation process.”

We increased base salaries for 2014 for Mr. Boyle and Mrs. Boyle to reinstate market rates of base compensation for each of them following two years of reduced salaries in recognition of Columbia’s strong performance in 2013 and anticipated continued strong performance for 2014. Mr. Boyle’s 2014 base salary reflects a $5,000 increase over his 2011 base salary. Mrs. Boyle’s 2014 base salary equals her 2011 base salary.

Short-term incentive compensation

We have established an Executive Incentive Compensation Plan for executive officers that provides for the payment of annual cash bonuses to motivate and reward achievement of corporate and personal objectives. We may also award discretionary cash bonuses. Any discretionary cash bonuses are made outside of the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.

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The following table summarizes the various components of the potential 2014 bonus payouts under the plan as approved by the Committee.

2014 Target Bonus Components

 

 

We considered market composite data as one among many factors in our subjective analysis regarding the appropriate bonus target for each executive officer. Assuming the target bonus levels were achieved, Mr. Boyle’s total annual cash compensation (annual salary plus target bonus) for 2014 was 16% above the competitive market median total cash compensation. Mrs. Boyle’s total cash compensation was set at approximately 60% of our CEO’s total cash compensation. Total cash compensation for each of our other named executive officers ranged between 13% and 23% compared to the market median of the competitive market data reviewed by the Compensation Committee.

The amount of the actual cash bonus paid under the plan to each named executive officer is based on the extent to which the company meets or exceeds a company performance target set by the Compensation Committee and the named executive officer meets or exceeds individual performance objectives. For our named executive officers based in the U.S. the company performance component for 2014 was based on achieving a specified level of pre-tax net income, excluding bonus payments and specified extraordinary items, to align with our strategic plan and expectations regarding our performance. For 2014, the pre-tax income target set by the Committee was $185,193,000 before income tax and bonus expense and excluding specific extraordinary items. Mr. Fogliato’s 2014 individual performance component represents 20% and the company performance component represents 30% of his overall 50% target bonus, as a percent of annual salary.  Mr. Fogliato’s company performance component, as a percent of annual salary, is split and based on achieving global (10%) and regional (20%) performance targets as follows: (a) global performance target was identical to those applicable to U.S. based named executive officers and based on achieving a specified level of pre-tax net income, excluding bonus payments and specified extraordinary items, and (b) regional performance target was based on achieving a specified level of European direct operating income, before bonus payments and after shared services allocations. Pursuant to Mr. Fogliato’s employment agreement, payment of his annual short-term incentive compensation award for 2014 was guaranteed at 100% of the target amount, but the company performance component paid at 120% of target due to actual regional and global performance.

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Over the past five years, for named executive officers based in the U.S., we have achieved:

The Committee intends to set the threshold and stretch company performance target levels so that the relative difficulty of achieving the company performance target level is consistent from year to year.

The remaining portion of the total bonus for each named executive officer was based on the named executive officer’s individual performance during the year. The maximum individual performance component for named executive officers based in the U.S. is limited to 20%. Mr. Fogliato’s individual performance component is limited to 40%.  The individual performance objectives, other than those of the CEO, were set early in 2014 by our CEO and consist of financial, operational, brand and product, and personal goals. The amount of actual cash bonus paid to each named executive officer under this portion of the bonus is based in large part on our CEO’s assessment of the named executive officer’s performance against those objectives. The Committee makes its own determination about whether Mr. Boyle has met or exceeded his individual performance objectives, which were set early in 2014 by the Committee and consist of short-term operational goals, long-term strategic goals, and leadership objectives. To the extent that a named executive officer has met or exceeded the individual performance objectives and company performance was at least 65% of the pre-tax income target under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, the Committee may award to the named executive officer this portion of the bonus amount based on achievement of the individual performance objectives. If the Committee determines that a named executive officer has not met the individual performance objectives, the corresponding bonus amount may be reduced or eliminated.  

For 2014, we achieved net income of 129.8% of the company performance target set by the Compensation Committee, however; achievement was limited to 120%, the maximum under the stretch company performance component.  Accordingly, the company performance component for our named executive officers based in the U.S. was earned and payable, and the individual performance component was eligible to be payable, under the plan. The table below summarizes the actual bonus payouts for 2014. Based on the CEO’s assessments, each of the named executive officers based in the U.S., other than the Chairman and the CEO, was awarded 100% of his individual performance component target bonus. Based on the Committee’s assessment of each of the Chairman and the CEO’s performance for 2014, the Committee awarded the Chairman 100% of her individual performance component target bonus, and the Committee awarded the CEO 100% of his individual performance component target bonus. Pursuant to Mr. Fogliato’s employment agreement, payment of his annual short-term incentive compensation award for 2014 was guaranteed at 100% of the target amount, but the company performance component paid at 120% of target due to actual regional and global performance.

In 2014, pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Fogliato also received a discretionary new hire bonus of $301,710 payable in two equal installments occurring at three months from hire date and six months from hire date.  

2014 Actual Bonuses

 

 

 

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Long-term cash and equity-based incentives

Equity-based incentives represent a direct link between executive officer compensation and shareholder returns. In light of this, we believe that offering equity incentives to our executive officers that become more valuable if the market price of our Common Stock increases provides an appropriate additional incentive to the executive officers to work toward this goal. Our equity awards to named executive officers based in the U.S., excluding our Chairman and our CEO who do not receive equity awards, take the form of stock options and both performance-based and time-based RSUs. Mr. Fogliato receives equity awards in the form of stock options and time-based RSUs.

Stock options are a primary component of our long-term incentive compensation awards. Stock options offer the possibility of substantial gains if our stock appreciates significantly, but no value and little incentive if our stock price drops. Stock options granted under our equity compensation plan have exercise prices not less than 100% of the closing market price of our Common Stock on the date of the option grant. RSUs, both time-based and performance-based, offer similar incentives to stock options since they reward increases in the market price of our Common Stock, and in that way tie the interests of executive officers to our shareholders’ interests. Unlike stock options, however, these awards can provide retention value even if our stock price does not increase, and also subject executive officers to the same downside risk experienced by shareholders. We also believe that RSUs and restricted stock are being used increasingly by other companies as significant equity incentives for executives and we need to offer these types of incentives to remain competitive in attracting and retaining executive officers.

We have established appropriate written policies and practices regarding the timing and pricing of equity awards.

The Compensation Committee has established the following mix of forms of annual equity awards for named executive officers based in the U.S., other than our Chairman and our CEO, for delivering the expected value of overall long-term incentives:

 

 

For Mr. Fogliato, the Committee awarded 50% stock options and 50% time-based RSUs, but he does not receive performance-based RSUs.  We chose these types of awards and established these relative weights based on the recommendation of our independent compensation consultant to provide an effective incentive for the executive officers. The Compensation Committee awarded a competitive value of RSUs and stock options that, when added to the particular named executive officer’s target total cash compensation, resulted in a target total direct compensation level that the Committee determined was reasonable and appropriate. We do not believe that the estimated fair value of our equity-based incentives reflected in the Summary Compensation Table and the 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table is a measure of the compensation actually received or that may be received by our named executive officers. The potential appreciation in the value of these equity-based incentives if the market price of our Common Stock increases is designed to motivate our executive officers.

The Committee also made a separate, long-term incentive cash award to our CEO in March 2014. The long-term incentive cash award is intended to tie a portion of Mr. Boyle’s compensation to the same multi-year operating goals to which the vesting of performance-based RSU awards for other executive officers based in the U.S. are subject.

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The number of performance-based RSUs that vest, and the percentage of Mr. Boyle’s long-term incentive cash award that vests, are determined by reference to achievement of specified performance goals during the performance period. Similar to 2013, for performance-based RSU grants for the 2014 through 2016 performance period, if cumulative operating income and average return on invested capital are realized above minimum levels, each named executive officer may be awarded from 0% to 185% of the number of shares targeted, depending on the relative achievement of the target levels. If minimum levels of cumulative operating income and average return on invested capital are not met, rather than the RSUs being forfeited, a percentage of the RSUs nonetheless will vest if our average operating margin over the 2014 through 2016 period exceeds the 25^th percentile rank relative to a three-year average operating margin of a specified peer group of companies. Generally, the Compensation Committee intends to set the minimum and maximum levels of cumulative operating income and average return on invested capital so that the relative difficulty of achieving these levels is consistent over each performance period.  The Committee intended that the secondary measure of relative three-year average operating margin performance against an industry peer group would provide a means of earning performance shares during periods of significant volatility and provide a reward for managing through difficult business cycles, controlling for industry effects. Under this secondary performance measure, if Columbia’s three-year average operating margin is below the 25^th percentile of the peer group, no RSUs vest. The percentage of the shares subject to the three-year average operating margin performance criteria that vest if this secondary measure is used and our three-year operating margin is above the 25^th percentile of the peer group is as follows:

 

 

The relative operating margin measure compares our three-year average operating margin to a peer group consisting of the following companies: Carters, Inc., Deckers Outdoor Group, Hanesbrands Inc., Fifth and Pacific Co., Jones Apparel Group, NIKE Inc., Oxford Industries, Philips-Van Heusen Corporation, Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., Quiksilver, Under Armour Inc., VF Corporation and Wolverine World Wide Inc. The companies in the peer group were approved by the Compensation Committee, and were chosen based on their comparability with our business.

If data becomes unavailable for any company during the three-year cycle, due to a transaction or otherwise, operating margin for that company will be averaged over the period for which data is available.

In 2012, the Committee granted RSU awards for the performance period 2012-2014 with the following targets:

 

 

The minimum levels of operating income and return on invested capital were exceeded for the 2012-2014 performance period. Each eligible named executive officer received 145.6% of his initial award following certification of results by the Compensation Committee on February 27, 2015. The percentage of the award payable was determined by interpolation between data points. Because awards were paid out under the operating income and return on invested capital measure, no awards were payable under the secondary measure of average operating margin against our peer group.  As a result, on February 27, 2015, Mr. Timm earned 9,462 shares and Mr. Cusick earned 6,812 shares of Columbia common stock.

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Change in control severance plan

Specified key employees, including the named executive officers based in the U.S., based on level of position, are eligible to participate in a change of control severance plan that offers income protection in the event that the participant’s employment with us is involuntarily terminated other than for cause. The plan also secures for the benefit of Columbia the services of the eligible employees, including the named executive officers based in the U.S., in the event of a potential or actual change in control. Mr. Boyle and Mrs. Boyle are not eligible to participate in the plan. Mr. Fogliato is entitled to receive certain severance payments pursuant to his employment agreement. The Board believes these types of arrangements are common for companies against which we compete for talented key personnel and are beneficial for management recruitment purposes. For a description of the benefits to which the participating named executive officers would be entitled under the plan, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control,” below.

2014 Summary Compensation Table

 

 

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2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

 

 

 

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Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Salary

Salaries paid to our named executive officers are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table. The amounts set forth in the “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table include payments in 2014 for cash-out of personal time off. As a result, the salary paid to a named executive officer during the year (as reported on a cash basis in the Summary Compensation Table) may vary from the executive officer’s annualized salary. For fiscal 2014, salaries paid to our named executive officers (including the cash-out for personal time off) accounted for the following percentages of each named executive officer’s total compensation, as reported in the “total” column of the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Boyle (29%), Mrs. Boyle (50%), Mr. Timm (28%), Mr. Cusick (35%), and Mr. Fogliato (34%). Any salary increases are effective in March of each respective year.

Bonus

Discretionary bonuses paid to our named executive officers are set forth in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table. The discretionary bonuses are described in further detail under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Overview of Executive Compensation Program—Analysis of 2014 named executive officer compensation—Short-term incentive compensation” above.

Stock Awards

We awarded time-based and/or performance-based RSUs to our named executive officers under our 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. The amounts set forth in the “Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards” column of the 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table represent the threshold, target, and maximum number of performance-based RSUs that may be earned by each of the named executive officers based in the U.S. during the January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016 performance period, depending on the extent to which company performance goals are met or exceeded. RSUs earned during the performance period will vest approximately in March 2017, upon approval by the Compensation Committee. The amounts set forth in the “All Other Stock Awards” column of the 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table represent the number of time-based RSUs granted to each named executive officer, of which 25% of the RSUs shall vest annually (a) on the first anniversary of the first day of the first full calendar month following the date of grant (the “Vest Date”), and (b) on each of the subsequent three anniversaries following the first anniversary of the Vest Date. The date on which RSUs vest is referred to as a “vesting date.” The RSUs shall become vested on a respective vesting date only to the extent the recipient is an employee of the company continuously from the award date to the vesting date. If a vesting date falls on a weekend or any other day on which the NSM or Exchange is not open, affected RSUs will vest on the next following NSM or Exchange business day, as the case may be.

Option Awards

We awarded stock options to our named executive officers under our 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. The options granted to our named executive officers are set forth in the “All Other Option Awards” column of the 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table and vest and become exercisable with respect to 25% of the shares on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date.

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation

The Executive Incentive Compensation Plan pursuant to which we grant non-equity incentive plan awards is designed in a manner intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code for qualified performance-based compensation. The Compensation Committee generally determines the structure of the overall short-term incentive program under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan at the beginning of the year. In setting the structure and the amount of the overall bonus target, the Committee considers the company’s strategic goals and plan, its operational and financial budget, and other factors, all of which are designed to improve shareholder value. The maximum bonus payable to any executive officer under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan for a calendar year is $2 million.

We may or may not award an annual cash bonus under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, and any amount actually paid generally varies according to the achievement of company and individual performance objectives.

The Compensation Committee establishes targets for our incentive programs early in the fiscal year based upon current forecasts, business strategies and expectations. The Committee has the discretion, at or prior to the time it sets the performance target, to include or exclude any extraordinary items affecting the performance target and to adjust the performance target to take into account changes in accounting.

The Compensation Committee also generally may reduce or completely eliminate the amount payable under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan to a named executive officer based on factors that it determines warrant such a reduction or elimination.

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Historically, the Committee has not exercised this discretion to any significant degree. Under the plan, the Committee has no discretion to increase any amount payable to a named executive officer.

The amounts set forth in the “Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards” column of the 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table include the threshold, target, and maximum payout amounts payable for achieving the corporate and individual performance objectives under the company’s Executive Incentive Compensation Plan for 2014 awards. A discussion of the corporate performance targets that were achieved is set forth under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Analysis of 2014 named executive officer compensation—Short-term incentive compensation” above. For fiscal 2014, the aggregate value of bonuses paid under our Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Plan to our named executive officers accounted for the following percentages of each named executive officer’s total compensation reported in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Boyle (70%), Mrs. Boyle (49%), Mr. Timm (34%), Mr. Cusick (30%), and Mr. Fogliato (27%).

For Mr. Boyle, the amounts set forth in the “Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards” column of the 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table also include the threshold, target, and maximum payout amounts payable for his long-term incentive cash award for the January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016 performance period, depending on the extent to which company performance goals are met or exceeded. We anticipate that the Compensation Committee will determine the amount Mr. Boyle earns under his long-term incentive cash award for this performance period in March 2017.

All Other Compensation

All other compensation of our named executive officers is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2014 and described in greater detail in footnote 3 to the table.

Our 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan is our tax qualified retirement savings plan pursuant to which our U.S. employees, including the named executive officers based in the U.S., are able to make pre-tax contributions from their cash compensation. Typically, we make matching contributions for all participants each year equal to 100% of their elective deferrals up to 4% of their total eligible compensation and 50% of their elective deferrals from 4% to 6% of eligible annual compensation. We also may make annual profit sharing contributions to the accounts of our employees under the 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. The contribution consists of amounts that are allocated among eligible employees based on a percentage of their annual salary. The total profit sharing contribution, if any, is determined each year by the Board of Directors. For 2014, the Board of Directors approved a profit sharing contribution of $1,500,000. The Internal Revenue Code limits the amount of compensation that can be deferred under the 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, and also limits the amount of salary and bonus with respect to which matching contributions and profit sharing contributions can be made under that plan. Accordingly, we provide our executive officers and other highly compensated employees with the opportunity to defer their compensation, including amounts in excess of the tax law limit, under our nonqualified 401(k) Excess Plan. Under the plan, the participants may elect to defer up to 70% of eligible compensation and we may make matching contributions for the participants equal to 100% of their elective deferrals up to 4% of their total eligible compensation and 50% of their elective deferrals from 4% to 6% of their total eligible compensation, minus the matching contribution the participant would have been eligible to receive under the qualified 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. See the “2014 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” table below.  Mr. Fogliato does not participate in our 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan or 401(k) Excess Plan.

We provide our named executive officers with competitive benefits and, we generally do not provide perquisites or tax reimbursements or other benefits to the named executive officers based in the U.S. that are not available to other employees based in the U.S. In addition to our 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and 401(k) Excess Plan described above, in 2014, our named executive officers based in the U.S. were offered other benefits that were substantially the same as those offered to all of our U.S. employees. These benefits included medical, dental and vision insurance. We also provide an enhanced long-term disability benefit to our named executive officers based in the U.S. This benefit is designed to provide additional protection to our named executive officers in the event of catastrophic illness or disability. We provide our Chairman, our CEO, and our CEO’s qualifying family members with medical insurance at no cost to those individuals, and we reimburse our Chairman and our CEO for health care plan deductibles, co-payments, and other out-of-pocket health care expenses up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100,000 per individual and each dependent per year. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Fogliato receives additional perquisites that are customary for management employees in his geographic location, including: a monthly housing allowance for up to 36 months from the date his employment commenced; reimbursement of his expenses for car, fuel and maintenance (this benefit is also available to all of our European directors); a dependent medical allowance (this benefit is also available to all of our European directors at this level); and reimbursement for tax assistance up to approximately $5,000 per year for the duration of his employment.

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2014 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

 

 

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2014 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

 

 

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2014 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

The named executive officers based in the U.S. are eligible to participate in our 401(k) Excess Plan. Contributions based on salary and bonus in excess of the current tax law limit applicable for our qualified 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan are made as company contributions under the 401(k) Excess Plan. Under the plan, the participants may elect to defer up to 70% of eligible compensation and we may make matching contributions for the participants equal to 100% of their elective deferrals up to 4% of their total eligible compensation and 50% of their elective deferrals from 4% to 6% of their total eligible compensation, minus the matching contribution the participant would have been eligible to receive under the qualified 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. The Board or the company’s CEO may change or eliminate matching contributions to the 401(k) Excess Plan at any time, and such change or elimination may, to the extent designated by the Board or the CEO, be retroactive to the first day of the Excess Plan year in which the change or elimination is adopted by the Board or the CEO. Our matching contribution for 2014 to the accounts of the named executive officers based in the U.S. under the qualified and nonqualified plans are included under the heading “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table above.

Amounts deferred under the 401(k) Excess Plan are credited to a participant’s account under the 401(k) Excess Plan. Each participant may allocate his or her account among a combination of six investment funds available under the 401(k) Excess Plan. Participants’ accounts are adjusted to reflect the investment performance of the funds selected by the participants. Participants can change the allocation of their account balances quarterly. The funds available under the 401(k) Excess Plan consist of a money market fund and five mutual funds ranging from a conservative to growth investment objective. The money market fund had an annualized return of .03% and the mutual funds had annualized returns ranging from 3.51% to 4.99% in 2014. Amounts credited to participants’ accounts are invested by us in actual investments matching the investment options selected by the participants to ensure that we do not bear any investment risk related to participants’ investment choices.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Pursuant to our Change in Control Severance Plan we have agreed to provide certain benefits to some of our named executive officers based in the U.S. in the event that the executive’s employment with Columbia is involuntarily terminated without “cause” other than in connection with a change in control, or in the event that, in connection with a change in control, the executive’s employment with Columbia is terminated by us other than for “cause” or by the executive for “good reason.” Neither our CEO nor our Chairman is eligible to participate in the plan. Pursuant to Mr. Fogliato’s employment agreement, we have agreed to provide certain benefits in the event that his employment with Columbia is involuntarily terminated, except in instances of misconduct.  The Board believes that these types of arrangements are common for companies against which we compete for talented key personnel and are beneficial for management recruitment purposes.

In our plans and agreements, “cause” generally includes personal dishonesty intended to result in substantial personal enrichment, conviction of a felony that is injurious to Columbia, willful acts that constitute gross misconduct that is injurious to Columbia, continued substantial violations of employment duties that are willful and deliberate and other substantial violations of the plan, including violation of Columbia’s Code of Conduct or other restrictive covenants agreed to under the plan. Pursuant to Mr. Fogliato’s employment agreement, termination for misconduct would be similarly applied. “Good reason” generally includes a change in position or responsibilities that does not represent a promotion, a decrease in compensation, or a home office relocation of over 75 miles.

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Termination without cause or for good reason, following a change in control

Cash Severance Benefit. The change in control severance plan provides that each named executive officer based in the U.S., other than Mr. Boyle and Mrs. Boyle, would receive cash severance benefits payable if the officer’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” or by the officer for “good reason” within 12 months following a change in control. In the event of a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control, the cash severance payment for Mr. Timm would be equal to 3.75 times, and for Mr. Cusick would be equal to 3.0 times the sum of their respective base annual salary. These amounts are payable in a lump sum following the participant’s signing of a waiver and release of claims and no later than two and one half months after the end of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred.

Insurance Continuation. In the event of a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control, each of Mr. Timm and Mr. Cusick would receive health insurance benefits for the shorter of 18 months or the COBRA coverage period.

Equity Acceleration. In the event of a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control, outstanding options and time-based RSUs held by a named executive officer based in the U.S. would accelerate in full, and performance-based RSUs would accelerate to the extent earned as of that date, determined on a pro-rated basis for the applicable performance period.

The following table shows the estimated change in control benefits that would have been payable to each of the eligible named executive officers if the named executive officer were terminated by us without cause, or if the named executive officer terminated his employment for good reason, within 12 months following a change in control, as of December 31, 2014. Mr. Fogliato does not have benefits in connection with a change in control.

 

 

Termination without cause

Cash Severance Benefit. The Change in Control Severance Plan provides that each named executive officer based in the U.S., other than Mr. Boyle and Mrs. Boyle, would receive cash severance benefits payable if the officer’s employment is terminated by us at any time without “cause.” Mr. Fogliato would receive a similar severance benefit pursuant to his employment agreement. In the event that a named executive officer’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” and not in connection with a change in control, the cash severance benefit payment for Mr. Timm would be equal to 3.0 times, and for Mr. Cusick would be equal to 2.25 times his respective base annual salary, and for Mr. Fogliato would be equal to his base annual salary. These amounts are payable to named executive officers based in the U.S. in a lump sum following the participant’s signing of a waiver and release of claims and no later than two and one half months after the end of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred.

Insurance Continuation. In the event of a termination other than in connection with a change in control, each of Mr. Timm and Mr. Cusick would receive health insurance benefits for the shorter of 18 months or the COBRA coverage period.

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Equity Acceleration. In the event of a termination other than in connection with a change in control, the vesting of neither options nor RSUs would accelerate.

The following table shows the estimated severance benefits that would have been payable to each of the eligible named executive officers if his employment was terminated by us without “cause” on December 31, 2014.

 

 

Termination due to Death or Disability

The following table shows the estimated payout for each named executive officer had his or her employment terminated on December 31, 2014 as a result of death or disability. The time-based RSU award agreement generally requires the officer to be employed by us on the date of issuance to receive an award payout, but provides that if employment terminates earlier as a result of death or disability the officer will be entitled to acceleration of all unvested shares.

 

 

Termination due to Retirement

The following table shows the estimated payout for each named executive officer had his or her employment terminated on December 31, 2014 as a result of retirement.

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 3: ADVISORY VOTE (NON-BINDING) APPROVING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Shareholders are provided with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve executive compensation as described below. Columbia values the views of its shareholders and is committed to excellence in the design and effectiveness of Columbia’s executive compensation program.

Columbia’s executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and motivate key, highly-talented executive officers and to align executive officer and shareholder financial interests, while encouraging prudent risk taking in order to achieve long-term shareholder objectives. Columbia believes that its executive compensation program, which includes long-term equity awards as a significant component of an executive officer’s overall compensation opportunity, satisfies this goal and is strongly aligned with the long-term interests of its shareholders. Columbia’s total shareholder return over the prior 1-, 3- and 5-year periods was 14.70%, 100.45% and 153%, respectively.

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement describes our executive compensation program and the decisions made by the Compensation Committee in 2014 in more detail. Highlights of the program for our named executive officers based in the U.S. include the following:

Pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement entered into upon initial employment with Columbia, Mr. Fogliato received a new hire bonus of $301,710 and his annual, short-term incentive compensation award for 2014 and 2015 was guaranteed at 100% of the target amount.

Columbia believes the compensation program for the named executive officers helped to motivate the executive officers and encouraged appropriate risk-taking in order to achieve strong financial performance amid continuing global macroeconomic challenges.

We are asking for shareholder approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules, which include the disclosures under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the compensation tables and the footnotes and narrative discussion following the compensation tables. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the policies and practices described in this proxy statement.

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Although this vote is advisory and non-binding on the Board or the company, the Board and the Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering Columbia’s executive compensation program, value the opinions expressed by shareholders in their vote on this proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation policies and decisions for named executive officers.

RECOMMENDATION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board recommends a vote FOR approval of the compensation of the company’s named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules (which disclosure includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the narrative disclosures that accompany the compensation tables). This proposal will be approved if a quorum is present at the meeting and the votes cast in favor of this proposal exceed the votes cast opposing this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the annual meeting, but will have no effect on the results of the vote. The proxies will be voted on this proposal in accordance with the instructions specified on the proxy form.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Form 10-K. We will provide without charge upon the written request of any beneficial owner of shares of our Common Stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2014. Written requests should be mailed to Peter J. Bragdon, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, Columbia Sportswear Company, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229.

Other Materials. All materials filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission may be obtained at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

Shareholder Proposals to be Included in Columbia’s Proxy Statement. To be considered for inclusion in proxy materials for our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, a shareholder proposal must be received by Columbia by December 10, 2015.

Shareholder Proposals Not in Columbia’s Proxy Statement. Shareholders may present proposals for action at this annual meeting or at another annual meeting of shareholders in accordance with the Columbia’s bylaws, a copy of which is available upon written request to Columbia Sportswear Company, Attention: Peter J. Bragdon, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, 14375 NW Science Park Drive, Portland, Oregon 97229. A shareholder must deliver timely notice of the proposed business to the Secretary. For purposes of our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, to be timely, the notice must be received by Columbia no earlier than December 10, 2015, and no later than January 9, 2016.

Discretionary Authority. The proxies to be solicited by us through our Board of Directors for our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders will confer discretionary authority on the proxy holders to vote on any shareholder proposal presented at the annual meeting if we fail to receive notice of the shareholder’s proposal for the meeting by January 9, 2016.

Shareholder Nominations for Director. Shareholders may nominate directly candidates for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting in accordance with the company’s bylaws by delivering timely notice in writing to the Secretary, as described above. The notice must include (a) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination, (b) the name, age, business address and residence address of each nominee, (c) the principal occupation or employment of each nominee, (d) the class and number of shares of the company that are beneficially owned by each nominee and by the nominating shareholder, (e) any other information concerning the nominee that must be disclosed in proxy solicitations pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (f) the signed consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the company if elected.

 

Portland, Oregon

April 8, 2015

 

 

 

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2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

3:00 p.m. Pacific Time

Columbia Sportswear Company

14375 NW Science Park Drive

Portland, Oregon 97229

(503) 985-4000

DIRECTIONS

From I-5 North of Portland:

●Take I-5 South to I-405 South

●Follow I-405 South to Hwy. 26 West

From I-5 South of Portland:

●Take I-5 North to Hwy. 217 North

●Follow Hwy. 217 North to Hwy 26 West

From Highway 26 West, take Exit #67/Murray Blvd. Turn right on Murray Blvd., left on NW Science Park Drive, and right into our parking lot at 14375 NW Science Park Drive

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY  14375 NW SCIENCE PARK DRIVE  PORTLAND, OR 97229   VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com   Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery  of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date  or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site  and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic  voting instruction form.   ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS   If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy  materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards  and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic  delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and,  when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials  electronically in future years.   VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903   Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until   11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date.  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 Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way,  Edgewood, NY 11717.   M86793-P61667   COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY To withhold authority to vote for any individual  For Withhold For All   All All Except nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the  The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.  the following:    1. Election of Directors !  !  !  Nominees:   01) Gertrude Boyle 07) Edward S. George  02) Timothy P. Boyle 08) Walter T. Klenz  03) Sarah A. Bany 09) Ronald E. Nelson  04) Murrey R. Albers 10) John W. Stanton  05) Stephen E. Babson 11) Malia H. Wasson  06) Andy D. Bryant    The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3: For Against Abstain   2. To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2015.  !  !  !    3. To approve, by non-binding vote, executive compensation.  !  !  !    For addr ess changes/comments, mark her e.   !    (see reverse for instructions)   Yes No   Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting.   !  !    Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor,  administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign  personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate  or partnership name by authorized officer.

 

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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:   The Notice and Proxy Statement and 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.proxyvote.com.   M86794-P61667   COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY  SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS  MAY 19, 2015    The undersigned hereby appoints Gertrude Boyle, Timothy P. Boyle, Thomas B. Cusick and Peter J. Bragdon, and each of  them, with power to act without the other and with full power of substitution, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact and hereby  authorizes them to represent and vote, as designated on the reverse side, all the shares of Columbia Sportswear Company  Common Stock that the signatory on the reverse side is entitled to vote, and, in their discretion, to vote upon any  other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Columbia Sportswear Company  to be held May 19, 2015 or at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting, with all powers which the  signatory on the reverse side would possess if personally present. If any of the nominees for director becomes unavailable  for election for any reason, the proxy holders will have discretionary authority to vote for a substitute or substitutes.   THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF THE  SIGNED PROXY IS RETURNED BUT NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE IN THEIR DISCRETION  UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.   Address Changes/Comments: _______________________________________________________________________________   (If you noted any Address Changes and/or Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)   Continued and to be signed on reverse side