UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. __ )
Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☒ Definitive Proxy Statement
☐ Definitive Additional Materials
☐ Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
(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 all boxes that apply):
☒ No fee required
☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
☐ Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders
Thursday, May 8, 2025
10:00 a.m., Pacific Time
The 2025 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) of Adeia Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The Annual Meeting will be held virtually, via live webcast. In order to attend you must register in advance at https://web.viewproxy.com/adea/2025 . To provide a safe, consistent and convenient experience to all stockholders regardless of location, the Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via live webcast on the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting. Stockholders virtually attending the Annual Meeting will be afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting. We encourage you to attend online and participate in the Annual Meeting, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote. We recommend that you log in a few minutes before the Annual Meeting to ensure you are logged in when the Annual Meeting starts.
The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:
These items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice. The Board of Directors (“Board”) has fixed the close of business on March 11, 2025 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournments of the Annual Meeting.
We are pleased to be furnishing proxy materials to stockholders primarily over the Internet. We believe that this process expedites stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials and lowers the costs of printing and distributing our Annual Meeting materials. On or about March 26, 2025, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) was mailed to our stockholders containing instructions on how to access our 2025 proxy statement and our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and how to vote online. The Notice also included instructions on how you can receive a copy of your Annual Meeting materials, including the notice of Annual Meeting, proxy statement, and proxy card by mail, via e-mail or by downloading them online. If you choose to receive your Annual Meeting materials by mail, the notice of Annual Meeting, proxy statement from the Board, proxy card and annual report will be enclosed. If you choose to receive your Annual Meeting materials via e-mail, the e-mail will contain voting instructions and links to the annual report and the proxy statement on the Internet, both of which are available at http://www.proxyvote.com and on our website at http://investors.adeia.com . If you access http://www.proxyvote.com using the instructions on the Notice, you will also be given the option to elect to receive future proxy materials by e-mail or in printed form by mail. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by e-mail, you will receive an e-mail next year with instructions containing a link to the annual meeting materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive future proxy materials by e-mail or in printed form by mail will remain in effect until you terminate such election.
In order to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are requested to submit your proxy over the Internet, by telephone or by mail.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting.
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By Order of the Board |
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Adeia Inc. /s/ Kevin Tanji KEVIN TANJI Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary San Jose, California |
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March 26, 2025 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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11 |
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16 |
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24 |
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STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL MEETINGS |
29 |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT |
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Summary of Certain Executive Compensation Polices and Practices |
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42 |
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48 |
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49 |
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54 |
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55 |
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58 |
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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON CHANGE TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL |
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PROPOSAL 2 – ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION |
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PROPOSAL 3 – RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS |
71 |
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4 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Adeia Inc.
3025 Orchard Parkway
San Jose, CA 95134
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 8, 2025
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use prior to or at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Adeia Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, herein referred to as the “Company” or “Adeia”), a Delaware corporation, to be held at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, May 8, 2025 and at any adjournments or postponements thereof for the following purposes:
We made this proxy statement and accompanying form of proxy available to stockholders beginning on March 26, 2025.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be Held on
May 8, 2025:
This proxy statement, form of proxy and the Company’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available electronically at http://www.proxyvote.com and on our website at http://investors.adeia.com .
5 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
ANNUAL MEETING SUMMARY
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Voting Matters |
Board Vote Recommendation |
Page Reference (for more detail) |
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Proposal 1 – Election of Directors |
FOR |
16 |
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation |
FOR |
66 |
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Proposal 3 – Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
FOR |
67 |
ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETIN G
What is the Purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will vote on: (1) the election of seven directors; (2) the compensation of our named executive officers, on an advisory (non-binding) basis; (3) the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2025; and (4) any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
Who is Entitled to Vote?
Only holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business on March 11, 2025 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. The outstanding common stock constitutes the only class of our securities entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and each holder of common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. No cumulative voting is permitted for the election of directors. At the close of business on March 11, 2025, there were [•] shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
What are the Board’ Recommendations on the Proposals?
The Board’s recommendation is set forth together with the description of each proposal in this proxy statement. In summary, the Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR each nominee for director; FOR the advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers; and FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm of the Company.
6 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
How do I Vote My Shares at the Annual Meeting?
We will be hosting the Annual Meeting via live webcast only. Any holder of record of shares of our common stock can attend the virtual Annual Meeting live online. In order to attend you must register in advance at https://web.viewproxy.com/adea/2025 . The Annual Meeting will start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Stockholders attending the Annual Meeting will be afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting. In order to enter the Annual Meeting, you will need the control number, which is included in the Notice or on your proxy card if you are a stockholder of record of shares of common stock or included with your voting instruction card and voting instructions received from your broker, bank or other agent if your shares of common stock are held in “street name.” Instructions on how to attend and participate online are available at https://web.viewproxy.com/adea/2025 . We recommend that you log in a few minutes before 10:00 a.m. Pacific time to ensure you are logged in when the Annual Meeting starts. The webcast will open 15 minutes before the start of the Annual Meeting. Stockholders whose shares are registered in their own names may vote by proxy by mail, over the Internet, by telephone or online during the Annual Meeting.
Instructions for voting by proxy over the Internet or by mail are set forth on the Notice mailed to you, or on the proxy card mailed to you if you chose to receive materials by mail. Instructions for voting by proxy by telephone are available on the Internet site identified on the Notice mailed to you if you chose to receive materials by mail. The Internet and telephone voting facilities will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 7, 2025. If you access http://www.proxyvote.com using the instructions on the Notice, you will also be given the option to elect to receive future proxy materials by e-mail or in printed form by mail. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by e-mail, you will receive an e-mail next year with instructions containing a link to the proxy materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive future proxy materials by e-mail or in printed form by mail will remain in effect until you terminate such election.
If you sign and return a proxy card by mail but do not give voting instructions, your shares will be voted (1) FOR ALL of the seven (7) nominees named in Proposal No. 1 in this proxy statement; (2) FOR the approval of compensation of our named executive officers (NEOs) as disclosed in this proxy statement; (3) FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2025; and (4) as the proxy holders deem advisable, in their discretion, on other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
To vote online during the Annual Meeting, follow the provided instructions to join the Annual Meeting at https://web.viewproxy.com/adea/2025 starting at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The webcast will open 15 minutes before the start of the Annual Meeting.
If your shares are held in street name, the voting instruction form sent to you by your broker, bank or other nominee should indicate whether the institution has a process for beneficial holders to provide voting instructions over the Internet or by telephone. A number of banks and brokerage firms participate in a program that permits stockholders whose shares are held in street name to direct their vote over the Internet or by telephone. If your bank or brokerage firm gives you this opportunity, the voting instructions from the bank or brokerage firm that accompany this proxy statement will tell you how to use the Internet or telephone to direct the vote of shares held in your account. If your voting instruction form does not include Internet or telephone information, please complete and return the voting instruction form in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided by your broker. Stockholders who vote by proxy over the Internet or by telephone need not return a proxy card or voting instruction form by mail, but may incur costs, such as usage charges, from telephone companies or Internet service providers.
Please note, however, that if your shares are held in “street name,” which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, and you wish to vote online during the Annual Meeting, you must follow the instructions from your broker, bank or other agent and will need to obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.
7 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Can I Change My Vote After I Return My Proxy Card?
Yes, any proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by filing with the Company’s Corporate Secretary an instrument revoking it or by submitting prior to the time of the Annual Meeting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Stockholders who have voted by proxy over the Internet or by telephone or have executed and returned a proxy and who then attend the Annual Meeting virtually and desire to vote at the Annual Meeting are requested to so notify the Corporate Secretary in writing prior to the time of the Annual Meeting. Attending the meeting will not revoke your proxy unless you specifically request it. We request that all such written notices of revocation to the Company be addressed to Kevin Tanji, Corporate Secretary, Adeia Inc., at the address of our principal executive offices at 3025 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, California 95134. Our telephone number is (408) 473-2500. Stockholders may also revoke their proxy by entering a new vote over the Internet or by telephone.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock as of the Record Date and your shares are held in “street name” by your broker, bank or other agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other agent.
What Does it Mean if I Get More than One Proxy Card?
If your shares are registered differently or are in more than one account, you may receive more than one proxy card. Sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
What Does “Householding” Mean and How Does it Affect Me?
We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC known as “householding.” This procedure allows multiple stockholders residing at the same address the convenience of receiving a single copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and proxy statement, if they have elected to receive proxy materials by mail. This allows us to save money by reducing the number of documents we must print and mail, and helps protect the environment as well. Householding is available to both registered stockholders (i.e., those stockholders with certificates registered in their name) and street name holders (i.e., those stockholders who hold their shares through a brokerage).
If you are a registered stockholder that has requested to receive proxy materials by mail and you have consented to our mailing of proxy materials and other stockholder information only to one account in your household, as identified by you, we will deliver or mail a single copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and proxy statement for all registered stockholders residing at the same address. Your consent will be perpetual unless you revoke it, which you may do at any time by contacting the Householding Department of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., at 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by calling 1-866-540-7095. If you revoke your consent, we will begin sending you individual copies of future mailings of these documents within 30 days after we receive your revocation notice. If you received a householding mailing this year, and you would like to receive additional copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and proxy statement mailed to you, please call Investor Relations at (408) 473-2500, send an e-mail request to IR@adeia.com , or write to c/o Investor Relations, Adeia Inc., 3025 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134, and we will promptly deliver the requested copy.
Registered stockholders that have requested to receive proxy materials by mail and have not consented to householding will continue to receive copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and our proxy statements for each registered stockholder residing at the same address. As a registered stockholder, you may elect to participate in householding and receive only a single copy of the Annual Reports on Form 10-K and proxy statements for all registered stockholders residing at the same address by contacting Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. as outlined above.
Stockholders who hold their shares through a brokerage may elect to participate in householding or revoke their consent to participate in householding by contacting their respective brokers.
8 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
What is a Quorum?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to take action at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders representing a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock present by virtual attendance or represented by proxy will constitute a quorum. We will appoint an election inspector for the meeting to determine whether or not a quorum is present and to tabulate votes cast by proxy or by virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting.
What Vote is Required to Approve Each Proposal?
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
The Company has adopted a majority vote standard for non-contested director elections and a plurality vote standard for contested director elections. The voting standard is discussed further under the section entitled “Proposal No. 1 – Election of Directors – Required Vote and Board’s Recommendation.”
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal is required to approve the non-binding advisory named executive officer compensation proposal. Abstentions have the same effect as negative votes on this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be counted for any purpose in determining whether this proposal has been approved.
Proposal 3 – Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal is required to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions have the same effect as negative votes on this proposal. As discussed below, we do not expect to have any broker non-vote for this proposal because Proposal 3 is considered a “routine” matter for which the broker has the discretionary authority to vote on behalf of the beneficial owners.
What are Broker Non-Votes?
If your shares are held by a broker, bank or other stockholder of record, in nominee name or otherwise (typically referred to as being held in “street name”) and you do not instruct your broker how to vote your shares, your broker will not have discretion to vote your shares on any of the non-routine matters. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, bank or other stockholder of record, exercising its fiduciary powers submits a proxy for the Annual Meeting but does not vote on a particular proposal because such holder does not have discretionary voting authority with respect to that proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Under the rules that govern brokers, brokers have the discretion to vote on routine matters but not on non-routine matters. At the Annual Meeting, Proposal 1 (Election of Directors) and Proposal 2 (Executive Compensation) are considered non-routine matters, and therefore brokers do not have the discretion to vote and broker non-votes may occur. Proposal 3 (ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) is treated as a routine matter; therefore we do not expect any broker non-votes for Proposal 3.
Broker non-votes will be counted as shares present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. We encourage you to provide instructions to your broker regarding the voting of your shares.
What Happens if I Abstain?
Proxies marked “abstain” will be counted as shares present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum, but for purposes of determining the outcome of a proposal, they will be treated as a “no” or “none” vote depending upon the matter to be voted upon. Please see “What Vote is Required to Approve Each Proposal?” above for the specific result of an abstention vote.
9 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
How Will Adeia Solicit Proxies?
We have retained Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. to assist in the distribution of proxy materials. The costs and expenses of preparing and mailing proxy solicitation materials for the Annual Meeting and other costs of the proxy solicitation will be borne by us. We expect to pay a fee in the amount of approximately $26,000 to Alliance Advisors as our proxy solicitor. Certain of our officers, employees and third parties may also solicit the submission of proxies authorizing the voting of shares in accordance with the Board’s recommendations. Such solicitations may be made by telephone, facsimile transmission or personal solicitation. No additional compensation will be paid to officers, directors or regular employees for such services. We may pay fees to other third-party solicitors. We will reimburse banks, brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in sending proxy material to stockholders.
10 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
PROXY SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting. Page references are supplied to help you find further information in this proxy statement.
References to “Adeia,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Adeia Inc. (formerly known as Xperi Holding Corporation) and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “SpinCo” refer to “Xperi Inc.”, which was separated from Adeia on October 1, 2022. References to “GAAP” refer to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. References to “RSUs” refer to time-based vesting restricted stock units. References to “PSUs” refer to company-designated performance-based vesting restricted stock units.
Background of Adeia
Adeia is a leading research and development (RD) and intellectual property (IP) licensing company that accelerates the adoption of innovative technologies in the media and semiconductor industries. Adeia’s fundamental innovations underpin technology solutions that are shaping and elevating the future of digital entertainment and electronics. Adeia’s IP portfolio powers the connected devices that touch the lives of millions of people around the world every day as they live, work and play.
On October 1, 2022, SpinCo, which was our product business, was separated through a tax-efficient spin-off transaction (the “Separation”) and became an independent, publicly traded company named Xperi Inc. We retain no ownership interest in SpinCo. Following the Separation, we retained our IP licensing business, changed our name to Adeia Inc. and began trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol “ADEA.”
Business Highlights
Our 2024 total revenue was $376.0 million, representing a 3% decrease from the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to the execution of two long-term license agreements with Kioxia and Western Digital in the first quarter of 2023 for which a portion of the revenue was recognized up-front, and declines in royalty revenue from certain Pay-TV customers in 2024. The decline was partially offset by a multi-year license agreement with Amazon for access to our media portfolio that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2024 and an increase in recurring revenue from non-Pay-TV market verticals.
In 2024, we continued to execute new and renewal license agreements across multiple verticals and geographic regions, including the following:
New Deal Wins for Media :
Key Media Renewals in Consumer Electronics :
11 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Key Media Renewals in Pay-TV :
Key New Media Renewals :
Key Semiconductor Deals :
In addition to the deal momentum in 2024 highlighted above, the Company successfully executed on its operational and strategic goals, including the following highlights:
Governance Highlights
We are committed to high standards of corporate governance. The Company’s corporate governance program continues to feature the following:
12 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Governance and Sustainability
In December 2024, we published our first full environmental, social and governance report as a standalone company (the “2024 Report”). Our 2024 Report describes our impact through three key areas of priority: (1) “Growth with Integrity” through ethical business practices and governance and oversight at all levels of our organization, and by aligning our efforts with the most impactful opportunities to drive responsible growth; (2) “Progress Through People” by cultivating employee engagement and wellbeing, investing in employee development and promoting a diverse and inclusive culture where every individual is respected and has the opportunity to thrive; and (3) “Igniting Impact Through Innovative Technology” with a strong emphasis on research and development, IP protection and utilization, collaboration, innovation, market leadership and sustainable revenue growth.
13 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Board Nominees
The Board has nominated seven (7) individuals for election as directors.
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Name |
Age |
Director Since (1) |
Experience/Qualification |
Independent |
Independent Committee Memberships |
Other Current Board Memberships |
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Yes |
No |
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Paul E. Davis |
50 |
2022 |
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Chief Executive Officer and Chief Legal Officer expertise
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Extensive experience in digital media and entertainment
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Extensive IP licensing experience
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None
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None
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V. Sue Molina |
76 |
2022 |
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Extensive experience in public accounting
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Extensive experience in auditing and tax
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Audit Committee Chair
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Samba TV, Inc. (private)
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Daniel Moloney |
65 |
2020 |
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Extensive executive management, leadership and technological expertise and experience
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Extensive experience in telecommunications, technology and technology-enabled business service
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Compensation Committee
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None
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Tonia O’Connor |
55 |
2021 |
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Extensive executive management, sales, marketing and business development experience
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Extensive experience in the media and IP industries
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Compensation Committee Chair
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
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Strive International (private)
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Syracuse University Board of Trustees (private)
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Adam Rymer |
49 |
2023 |
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Extensive executive management, leadership and strategy experience
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Extensive experience in the media, technology and entertainment industries
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Audit Committee
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None
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Phyllis Turner-Brim |
60 |
2023 |
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Extensive executive management, leadership and legal experience
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Compensation Committee
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Houston Area Urban League (private)
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14 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
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Name |
Age |
Director Since (1) |
Experience/Qualification |
Independent |
Independent Committee Memberships |
Other Current Board Memberships |
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Yes |
No |
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Extensive experience in IP licensing
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair
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Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation (private)
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YMCA of Houston, TX (private)
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Sandeep Vij |
59 |
[N/A] |
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Public company Chief Executive Officer experience
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Extensive executive management, patent licensing, semiconductor and technology industry expertise and experience
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Extensive public company board director experience
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Audit Committee Nominee
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Nominee
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Coherent Corp.
(Nasdaq: COHR)
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Iridia, Inc. (private)
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KlearNow.AI (private)
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Kinetica (private)
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(1) Includes board service with legacy Xperi Holding Corporation.
15 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board has nominated the seven (7) individuals identified under “Director Nominees” below for election as directors, all of whom are currently directors of the Company, except Sandeep Vij, whose Board service would commence upon his election at the Annual Meeting.
Mr. Raghavendra Rau has provided notice that he would retire from the Board and would not seek re-election at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Rau will continue to serve as a director through the end of his term at the Annual Meeting.
Each of the nominees has agreed to be named in this proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected. Our Board is currently comprised of seven (7) members. Directors are elected at each annual meeting and hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified at the next annual meeting. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the persons named as proxy holders in the accompanying proxy intend to vote in favor of the election of the seven (7) nominees designated below to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. Of the seven (7) individuals nominated for election as directors at the Annual Meeting, three (3) are female and two (2) are part of an underrepresented community.
DIRECTOR NOMINEES
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Paul E. Davis Director Since 2022 Age 50 |
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Skills and Qualifications:
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Public company executive
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Extensive experience in semiconductors, digital media and entertainment
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Extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate securities matters and corporate governance
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B.A in history and political science from the University of California, San Diego
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J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law
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Current Directorships:
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None
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Past Directorships:
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None
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Current Adeia Committee Assignments:
•
None
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Paul E. Davis is our Chief Executive Officer and has served as a member of our Board since the Separation in October of 2022. Prior to the Separation, Mr. Davis served as the Chief Legal Officer and President of the IP Licensing business. Mr. Davis also served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Xperi Corporation, the predecessor to Xperi Holding Corporation, prior to the merger with TiVo Corporation in 2020. Mr. Davis joined the Company in 2011 and in 2013 was promoted to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Tessera Technologies, Inc., the predecessor to Xperi Corporation before the acquisition of DTS, Inc. in 2016. Before joining the Company, Mr. Davis was an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher Flom LLP, where his practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, corporate securities matters and corporate governance. Mr. Davis holds a B.A. in history and political science from the University of California, San Diego and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. The Board believes that Mr. Davis brings extensive legal, intellectual property, technological, and strategic expertise, given his experience as both a public company executive and an attorney, to his role as a member of the Board. |
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16 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
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V. Sue Molina Director Since 2022 Age 76 |
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Skills and Qualifications:
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Public company executive
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Extensive experience in public accounting and finance
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Extensive experience in auditing and tax
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Financial leadership and executive operational experience
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B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Arizona
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Masters in Accounting from the University of Arizona
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Current Directorships:
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Samba TV, Inc. (private)
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Past Directorships:
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DTS, Inc.
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Xperi Corporation
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Vital Voices Global Partnership (private)
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Current Adeia Committee Assignments:
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Audit Committee Chair
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V. Sue Molina has served as a member of our Board since October 2022 and is the Chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Molina previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of DTS, Inc. from January 2008 to December 2016 and Xperi Corporation from February 2018 to May 2020. Until 2004, Ms. Molina worked in public accounting for 27 years and was a Partner at both Ernst Young and Deloitte Touche. While at Deloitte, Ms. Molina was the National Partner in charge of the Initiative for the Retention and Advancement of Women. Ms. Molina holds a B.S. in business administration and an M.A. in accounting from the University of Arizona. The Board believes that Ms. Molina brings extensive public accounting and audit expertise, given her years of experience as a partner at both Ernst Young and Deloitte Touche, to her role as a member of the Board. |
|
17 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
|
|
Daniel Moloney Director Since 2020 Age 65 |
|
Skills and Qualifications:
•
Public and private company executive
•
Extensive experience in telecommunications, technology and technology-enabled business service industries
•
B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan
•
M.B.A. from the University of Chicago
|
|
|
Current Directorships:
•
None
|
|
|
Past Directorships:
•
Digital River (private)
•
TiVo Corporation
•
Polycom (private)
•
Stratus (private)
•
Plantronics, Inc. (dba Poly)
|
|
|
Current Adeia Committee Assignments:
•
Compensation Committee Member
|
|
|
Daniel Moloney serves as the Chairman of our Board and is a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Moloney has served as a member of our Board since June 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Moloney served as a member of the Board of Directors of TiVo Corporation, the predecessor to Xperi Holding Corporation, from September 2013 to June 2020. Mr. Moloney is currently a Senior Advisor at GiantLeap Capital, a growth equity firm, after having spent the prior 10 years with Siris Capital as an Executive Partner / Advisor. Prior to Siris, Mr. Moloney served as the President of Motorola Mobility, Inc., a leading provider of innovative technologies, products and services for the mobile and cable/wireline industries. Mr. Moloney has almost 30 years of senior executive management, leadership and technological expertise and experience. Prior to Motorola Mobility being spun out of Motorola in early 2011, Mr. Moloney served as the President of the Home Networks Mobility business within Motorola. Mr. Moloney joined Motorola as part of their acquisition of General Instrument in 2000, where he served in various leadership roles. Mr. Moloney holds a B.A. in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. The Board believes that Mr. Moloney brings extensive senior executive management, strategic and operational oversight, technological expertise and experience in telecommunications, technology and technology-enabled business service industries, to his role as a member of the Board. |
|
18 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
|
|
Tonia O’Connor Director Since 2021 Age 55 |
|
Skills and Qualifications:
•
Public and private company executive
•
Extensive sales and marketing experience
•
Extensive experience across the media and IP industries
•
Dual Degree, B.A. in broadcast journalism and international relations from Syracuse University
|
|
|
Current Directorships:
•
Syracuse University Board of Trustees (private)
•
Strive International (private)
|
|
|
Past Directorships:
•
fuboTV
•
BetterSpace (private)
•
GoldieBlox (private)
•
El Rey Network (private)
|
|
|
Current Adeia Committee Assignments:
•
Compensation Committee Chair
•
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member
|
|
|
Tonia O’Connor serves as a member of our Board and is the Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. O’Connor has served as a member of our Board since December 2021. Currently, Ms. O’Connor is the co-founder of The Kite, a leadership development venture that helps organizations achieve growth ambitions. Previously, Ms. O’Connor was the Chief Executive Officer of Tone It Up, a plant based, nutritional products company, a position she held from 2021 to 2023. Prior to joining Tone It Up, Ms. O’Connor served as the CEO of Chopra Global from 2019 to 2021 and the President and Chief Revenue Officer at Univision Communications, Inc. from 2008 to 2018. Prior to Univision, Ms. O’Connor held leadership roles at News Corp’s Gemstar. Ms. O’Connor also currently serves on the board of BetterSpace, a privately-held company, Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees, where she is a member of the Athletics, Academic Affairs and Advancement External Affairs Committees, and the national board of STRIVE, a Harlem-based nonprofit organization. Ms. O’Connor previously served on the boards of fuboTV from 2015 to 2018, GoldieBlox from 2018 to 2020, and El Rey Network from 2013 to 2018. Ms. O’Connor holds a dual degree from Syracuse University in broadcast journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School and international relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. The Board believes that Ms. O’Connor brings extensive expertise in executive and financial management and sales and marketing within the broader media and IP industries, to her role as a member of the Board. |
|
19 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
|
|
Adam Rymer Director Since 2023 Age 49 |
|
Skills and Qualifications:
•
Extensive experience in the media, entertainment and technology industries
•
B.A. in applied mathematics and economics from Harvard University
•
M.B.A. from The Wharton School
|
|
|
Current Directorships:
•
None
|
|
|
Past Directorships:
•
USA Volleyball National Governing Body (private, not-for-profit)
|
|
|
Current Adeia Committee Assignments:
•
Audit Committee Member
|
|
|
Adam Rymer serves as a member of our Board and a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Rymer has served as a member of our Board since August 2023. Mr. Rymer is currently the Chief Commercial Officer of Regal Cinemas, a position he has held since February 2025. Prior to that, from 2019 to 2025, Mr. Rymer was the President of Reason Advisory, a consultancy firm focused on the media, entertainment and technology sectors. The firm conducts extensive work on the future of consumer behavior, evolving business models and technology adoption. Previously, Mr. Rymer served as the Chief Product Officer of ProbablyMonsters, an independent video game developer. Prior to that, Mr. Rymer was the Chief Executive Officer of OpTic Gaming/Envy Gaming, where he was responsible for the company’s growth strategy from a leading global gaming and lifestyle organization into an industry leading media and entertainment platform. Prior to OpTic he was the President of Legendary Entertainment's Digital Networks Group. He was also the Co-Founder, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Lava Bear Films, a film financing and production company. Mr. Rymer began his career in the film industry with Universal Studios Motion Picture Group, where he held multiple roles including Senior Vice President of Digital Platforms. In this role, he set the strategic direction across new and emerging platforms including mobile, streaming and digital cinema. Mr. Rymer was also Vice President of Strategic Planning Business Development, where he was responsible for corporate level financial and strategic analysis across all domestic and international divisions of Universal Pictures. Mr. Rymer graduated from The Wharton School with a Master of Business Administration and Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts in applied mathematics and economics. The Board believes that Mr. Rymer brings extensive executive management, leadership and strategic experience in the media, technology and entertainment industries to his role as a member of the Board. |
|
20 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
|
|
Phyllis Turner-Brim Director Since 2023 Age 60 |
|
Skills and Qualifications:
•
Public and private company executive
•
Extensive legal, intellectual property and management expertise
•
B.S. in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology
•
J.D. from the University of Cincinnati
|
|
|
Current Directorships:
•
Houston Area Urban League (private)
•
Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation (private)
•
YMCA of Houston, TX (private)
|
|
|
Past Directorships:
•
American Intellectual Property Law Association (private)
•
American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation (private)
•
YMCA of Snohomish County WA (private)
|
|
|
Current Adeia Committee Assignments:
•
Compensation Committee Member
•
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member
|
|
|
Phyllis Turner-Brim serves as a member of our Board and is a member of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Turner-Brim has served as a member of our Board since November 2023. Ms. Turner-Brim is currently Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Products, Services and Brand Security at HP Inc. (“HP”) where she leads legal for HP’s Personal Systems, Print, Workforce Solutions, 3D Print and Incubation business units. Ms. Turner-Brim previously served as HP’s Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Innovation and Brand Protection, where she led HP’s global intellectual property function, including IP sales and licensing, patent development, strategy, enforcement and anti-counterfeiting. Prior to HP, Ms. Turner-Brim was the Vice President, Assistant General Counsel for Starbucks, where she was the legal executive at the intersection of IP and technology. Prior to Starbucks, she was Vice President, Chief IP Counsel for Intellectual Ventures where she led legal teams responsible for outbound licensing, strategic patent prosecution, patent acquisitions/divestitures and IP policy initiatives. She has held similar roles with Intermec Technologies Corp. (now Honeywell), Walmart Stores Inc., and Cabot Microelectronics Corp. Ms. Turner-Brim graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Juris Doctor degree and the Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. She is admitted to practice in Texas, Washington, Illinois and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Board believes that Ms. Turner-Brim brings extensive legal, intellectual property and management expertise, given her experience as both a public company executive and an attorney, to her role as a member of the Board. |
|
21 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
|
|
Sandeep Vij New Director Nominee (2025) Age 59 |
|
Skills and Qualifications:
•
Public and private company executive
•
Public company board experience
•
Extensive experience in technology and semiconductor industries
•
BS in electrical engineering from San Jose State University
•
MS in electrical engineering from Stanford University
|
|
|
Current Directorships:
•
Coherent Corp. (Nasdaq: COHR)
•
KlearNow.AI (private)
•
Kinetica (private)
•
Iridia (private)
|
|
|
Past Directorships:
•
MIPS Technologies Inc.
•
Coherent Inc.
|
|
|
Sandeep Vij has been nominated to become a member of our Board, commencing upon his election at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Vij is currently Managing Partner of Argean Capital, a private investment fund he co-founded in 2018. Previously, he held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer and was a member of the board of directors of MIPS Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of processor architectures and cores, from January 2010 until its sale in February 2013. In addition, Mr. Vij was the Vice President and General Manager of the Broadband and Consumer Division of Cavium Networks, Inc., a provider of highly integrated semiconductor products, from May 2008 to January 2010. Prior to that, he held the position of Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Services, and Support for Xilinx, Inc., a digital programmable logic device provider, from 2007 to April 2008. From 2001 to 2006, he held the position of Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Xilinx. From 1997 to 2001, he served as Vice President and General Manager of the General Products Division at Xilinx. Mr. Vij joined Xilinx in 1996 as Director of FPGA Marketing. He is a graduate of General Electric’s Edison Engineering Program and Advanced Courses in Engineering. He holds an MSEE from Stanford University and a BSEE from San Jose State University. Mr. Vij currently serves as member of the board of directors of Coherent Corp., a publicly-traded company, and serves on its Compensation and Human Capital Committee. The Board believes that Mr. Vij will bring extensive public company executive management and board, semiconductor and technology industry expertise and experience to his role as a member of the Board. |
|
Required Vote and Board’s Recommendation
Our Amended and Restated Bylaws (Bylaws) provide that, in an uncontested election, each director will be elected by a majority of votes cast. A “majority of votes cast” means the number of shares voted “for” a director exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast, and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors. Our Bylaws further provide that in a contested election, each director will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, which means that the nominees receiving the largest number of affirmative votes will be elected.
The Board recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the election of each of Paul E. Davis, V. Sue Molina, Daniel Moloney, Tonia O’Connor, Adam Rymer, Phyllis Turner-Brim, and Sandeep Vij.
22 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY
Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company’s Bylaws, our business, property and other affairs are managed by or under the direction of the Board and its committees. Members of the Board are kept informed of our business through discussions with our Chief Executive Officer and other officers and advisors, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating in meetings of the Board and its committees.
BOARD ROLE IN RISK MANAGEMENT
The Board oversees an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, designed to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and enhance stockholder value. Risk management includes not only understanding company specific risks and the steps management implements to manage those risks, but also what level of risk is acceptable and appropriate for the Company. Management is responsible for establishing our business strategy, identifying and assessing the related risks and implementing appropriate risk management practices. Our Board reviews our business strategy and management’s assessment of the related risk, and discusses with management the appropriate level of risk for the Company. For example, the Board annually reviews management’s enterprise risk management assessment, which is designed to (1) identify risks that can negatively impact the Company’s ability to achieve its business objectives; (2) estimate the magnitude of the potential risks; and (3) determine approaches to mitigate the identified risks. In addition, the Board, during the Company’s quarterly Board meetings, advises and directs management with respect to strategic business risks, litigation risks, and risks related to the Company’s acquisition strategy, among others. The Board also delegates oversight to Board committees to oversee selected elements of risk.
The Audit Committee of the Board (“Audit Committee”) oversees financial risk exposures, including monitoring the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, internal controls over financial reporting, and the independence of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee receives periodic internal controls and related assessments from the Company’s finance department, internal audit function and an annual attestation report on internal control over financial reporting from the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to compliance matters and meets at least quarterly with our finance department, internal auditor, independent registered public accounting firm and internal or external legal counsel to discuss risks related to our financial reporting function. In addition, the Audit Committee ensures that the Company’s business is conducted with the highest standards of ethical conduct in compliance with applicable laws and regulations by monitoring our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy and our Corporate Compliance Hotline. The Audit Committee also discusses other risk assessment and risk management policies of the Company periodically with management, including the Audit Committee’s oversight of the Company’s cybersecurity risk. To that end, the Audit Committee periodically meets with and receives reports and updates from business personnel responsible for overseeing cybersecurity risk management and response planning as part of its regular risk assessment and monitoring procedures.
The Compensation Committee of the Board (“Compensation Committee”) participates in the design of compensation structures that avoid creating incentives that encourage a level of risk-taking behavior inconsistent with the Company’s business strategy, as is further described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Risk Management sections below.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (“Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”) oversees governance-related risks by working with management to establish corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company and making recommendations regarding director nominees, the determination of director independence, Board leadership structure and membership on Board committees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also evaluates existing directors and the Board as a whole.
23 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
BOARD AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD; DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The Board currently consists of seven (7) persons. Mr. Davis is CEO of the Company. Mssrs. Moloney and Rymer and Mses. Molina, Turner-Brim and O’Connor are not, and have never been, employees of our Company or any of our subsidiaries.
The Board currently has the following three standing committees, with the following members:
|
Member |
Audit |
Compensation |
Nominating and Corporate Governance |
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
|
|
|
V. Sue Molina
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel Moloney
|
|
|
|
|
Tonia O’Connor |
|
|
|
|
Raghavendra Rau |
|
|
|
|
Adam Rymer |
|
|
|
|
Phyllis Turner-Brim |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During 2024, the Board held a total of ten (10) meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of the total number of Board meetings and total number of meetings of Board committees on which such director served during the time he or she served on the Board or committees.
The Board has determined that all of the Company’s directors nominated for election, other than Mr. Davis, are “independent directors” as such term is defined in applicable Nasdaq corporate governance rules.
The Board has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. At the beginning of 2024, we changed the composition of these committees as reflected above. The Audit Committee has been established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. Each of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed entirely of independent directors in accordance with current Nasdaq listing standards. Furthermore, each member of our Audit Committee meets the enhanced independence standards established by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rulemaking of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Board has further determined that Ms. Molina, Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board, is an “Audit Committee Financial Expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, by virtue of her relevant experience listed in her biographical summary provided above in the section entitled “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors.” Copies of our Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Compensation Committee charters and our corporate governance guidelines are available, free of charge, on our website at http://investors.adeia.com/corporate-governance/governance-overview . The Board from time to time may form such other committees as it deems appropriate to further the purposes of the Board.
24 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee oversees the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and reviews the annual audit plan, the results of the independent audit, and the report and recommendations of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee has sole authority for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm and to approve any significant non-audit relationship with the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee reviews and determines the scope and roles and responsibilities of the internal audit function. The Audit Committee is also responsible for preparing the report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Ms. Molina, Mr. Rau, and Mr. Rymer. Ms. Molina is the Chair of the Audit Committee and all committee members are financially literate under the Nasdaq standards. During 2024, the Audit Committee held six (6) meetings.
Mr. Rau, a member of the Audit Committee, has provided notice that he would retire from the Board and would not seek re-election at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Rau will continue to serve as a director and a member of the Audit Committee through the end of his term at the Annual Meeting. If elected as a director of the Board at the Annual Meeting, Mr. Vij will serve as a member of the Audit Committee.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee approves our goals and objectives relevant to compensation, stays informed as to market levels of compensation and, based on evaluations submitted by management, establishes compensation for our executive officers that correspond to our goals and objectives.
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relating to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers and evaluates the performance of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers in light of these goals and objectives. The Compensation Committee also recommends to our Board compensation levels for the non-employee members of the Board. In addition, the Compensation Committee produces an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our proxy statement and annual report on Form 10-K. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Moloney, Ms. O’Connor, and Ms. Turner-Brim. Ms. O’Connor is the Chair of the Compensation Committee. During 2024, the Compensation Committee held five (5) meetings.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for recommending to our Board individuals to be nominated as directors and committee members. This includes evaluation of new candidates as well as evaluation of current directors. In evaluating the current directors the committee conducted a thorough self-evaluation process, which included the use of questionnaires. This committee is also responsible for developing and recommending to the Board our corporate governance guidelines, as well as reviewing and recommending revisions to the guidelines on a regular basis. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is currently comprised of Ms. O’Connor, Mr. Rau, and Ms. Turner-Brim. Mr. Rau is the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. During 2024, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held six (6) meetings.
Mr. Rau, the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has provided notice that he would retire from the Board and would not seek re-election at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Rau will continue to serve as a director and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through the end of his term at the Annual Meeting. If re-elected, Ms. Turner-Brim will serve as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee from and after the Annual Meeting. If elected as a director of the Board at the Annual Meeting, Mr. Vij will serve as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
25 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
We are committed to having a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and opinions on our board. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account a number of the following factors when considering director nominees:
The director qualifications developed to date focus on what the Board believes to be essential competencies to effectively serve on the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider the following criteria, among others, in recommending candidates for election to the board:
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole, with the objective of assembling a Board that can best perpetuate the success of the Company and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is committed to recruiting additional directors to the Board to ensure that it has the necessary diversity of experience to oversee the management of the Company’s business.
Prior to each annual meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected, and whenever there is otherwise a vacancy on the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider incumbent Board members and other well-qualified individuals as potential director nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will determine whether to retain an executive search firm to identify Board candidates, and if so, will identify the search firm and approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms and will specify for the search firm the criteria to use in identifying potential candidates, consistent with the director qualification criteria described above. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review each potential candidate. Management may assist the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in the review process at the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s direction. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will select the candidate or candidates it believes are the most qualified to recommend to the Board for selection as a director nominee.
26 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Sandeep Vij was presented as a director candidate to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by an executive search firm and was evaluated by our Board in accordance with the procedures described in this section. Mr. Vij brings to the Board extensive public company executive management and board, semiconductor and technology industry expertise and experience.
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates recommended by our stockholders in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. Such recommendations must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o the Corporate Secretary, Adeia Inc., 3025 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134, no later than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date on which the Company’s proxy statement was mailed or made available to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders. The recommendations must be accompanied by the following information: the name and address of the nominating stockholder, a representation that the nominating stockholder is a stockholder of record, a representation that the nominating stockholder intends to appear in person (or by virtual attendance) or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the person or persons specified, information regarding each nominee that would be required to be included in a proxy statement, a description of any arrangements or understandings between the nominating stockholder and the nominee, and the consent of each nominee to serve as a director, if elected. Candidates recommended by the stockholders are evaluated in the same manner as candidates identified by a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee member.
Each of the nominees for election as director at the Annual Meeting is recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and each nominee is presently a director and stands for re-election by the stockholders, except Sandeep Vij, whose Board service would commence upon his election at the Annual Meeting.
Pursuant to our Bylaws, stockholders who wish to nominate persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting must be a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the notice and at the annual meeting, must be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and must comply with the notice provisions in our Bylaws. A stockholder’s notice of nomination to be made at an annual meeting must be delivered to our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting. However, if an annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, the notice must be delivered no later than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting was made. A stockholder’s notice of nomination to be made at a special meeting at which the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting must be delivered to our principal executive offices not earlier than the 120th day prior to and not later than the 90th day prior to such special meeting or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which first public announcement of the date of such special meeting was made. The stockholder’s notice must include the following information for the person making the nomination:
27 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
The stockholder’s notice must also include the following information for each proposed director nominee:
The stockholder’s notice must be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information required to be provided in the notice is true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten business days prior to the meeting.
The chair of the meeting will determine if the procedures in the Bylaws have been followed, and if not, declare that the nomination be disregarded. The nominee must be willing to provide any other information reasonably requested by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in connection with its evaluation of the nominee’s independence.
In addition to satisfying all of the requirements under our Bylaws, any stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the company’s nominees at the next annual meeting must also comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. The advance notice requirement under Rule 14a-19 does not override or supersede the longer advance notice requirement under our Bylaws. For additional information, see “Stockholder Proposals for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.”
Other Committees
Our Board may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.
28 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL MEETINGS
Stockholders may send correspondence to the Board or any member of the Board, c/o the Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices at the address set forth above. The Corporate Secretary will review all correspondence addressed to the Board, or any individual Board member, for any inappropriate correspondence and correspondence more suitably directed to management. However, the Corporate Secretary will summarize all correspondence not forwarded to the Board and make the correspondence available to the Board for its review at the Board’s request. The Corporate Secretary will forward stockholder communications to the Board prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board following the receipt of the communication.
Directors are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting. All members of the Board who were then in office attended our last Annual Meeting in May 2024.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTOR S
Our director compensation policy provides for an annual retainer of $50,000 for our non-employee directors. In addition to our non-employee director annual retainer, our non-executive chairman of the Board receives an additional annual retainer of $65,000. In addition, we pay each of our non-employee directors the following annual retainers for their service as a member, or chair, as applicable, of our Board committees:
|
Annual Retainers for Committee Members: |
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Committee |
|
$ |
12,000 |
|
|
Compensation Committee |
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
|
Annual Retainers for Committee Chairs: |
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Committee |
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
Compensation Committee |
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
All Board and committee retainers are paid in equal quarterly installments over the course of each year of a director’s service on the Board or applicable committee. We also reimburse all non-employee directors for reasonable expenses related to our Board or committee meetings. Annually, each of our non-employee directors receives RSUs under our stockholder-approved equity plan. The number of shares of common stock subject to the RSU award is determined by dividing (1) $190,000 by (2) the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of grant.
A non-employee director who is initially appointed after any annual meeting of stockholders will receive a RSU award on the date of his or her initial appointment to the Board equal to the pro-rated amount of the annual grant.
Annual RSU awards (or any pro-rated grants for directors initially appointed between annual meetings) vest on the earlier to occur of the first anniversary of the date of grant and the next annual meeting of stockholders.
29 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
The following table shows compensation information for our non-employee directors for 2024, including those directors who were initially appointed to our Board after our last annual meeting of stockholders in May 2024.
2024 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
Name |
|
Fees Earned
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Daniel Moloney |
|
$ |
123,000 |
|
|
$ |
190,012 |
|
|
$ |
313,012 |
|
|
|
|
V. Sue Molina |
|
$ |
75,000 |
|
|
$ |
190,012 |
|
|
$ |
265,012 |
|
|
|
|
Raghavendra Rau |
|
$ |
77,000 |
|
|
$ |
190,012 |
|
|
$ |
267,012 |
|
|
|
|
Tonia O’Connor |
|
$ |
76,000 |
|
|
$ |
190,012 |
|
|
$ |
266,012 |
|
|
|
|
Adam Rymer |
|
$ |
62,000 |
|
|
$ |
190,012 |
|
|
$ |
252,012 |
|
|
|
|
Phyllis Turner-Brim |
|
$ |
64,000 |
|
|
$ |
190,012 |
|
|
$ |
254,012 |
|
|
(1) The amounts in this column represent annual cash retainers, including additional annual cash retainers for service as a member, or chair, as applicable, of our Board committees.
(2) The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value for stock awards granted to our non-employee directors in 2024, measured in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures, and do not reflect whether the recipient has actually realized a financial benefit from these awards. For the methodology of how the aggregate grant date fair value amount is calculated, please see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2025. The aggregate number of shares subject to unvested RSU awards outstanding for each non-employee director at December 31, 2024 was: Ms. Molina: 16,920; Mr. Moloney: 16,920; Ms. O’Connor: 16,920; Mr. Rau: 16,920; Mr. Rymer: 16,920 and Ms. Turner-Brim: 16,920.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
We have two equity compensation plans that have been approved by our stockholders: the Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In addition, on June 1, 2020, in connection with the merger of the Company with TiVo Corporation, the Company assumed all then-outstanding stock options, awards, and shares available and reserved for issuance under the TiVo Corporation 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) and other legacy equity incentive plans of TiVo Corporation (together with the 2008 Plan, the “Legacy Plans”), however we have not issued any awards under these Legacy Plans since the Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan was first amended in 2022, and we have determined that we will not issue any shares under these Legacy Plans in the future. Therefore, the Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan will be the only equity plan under which we grant equity awards to individuals in the service of our current business model.
The following table sets forth the number and weighted average exercise price of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights, and the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under all of our equity compensation plans, at December 31, 2024.
30 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
|
Plan category |
|
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
|
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
|
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
8,625,902 |
(1) |
— |
|
13,112,795 |
(2) |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
Total |
|
8,625,902 |
|
— |
|
13,112,795 |
|
(1) Includes 7,271,232 shares issuable under the Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan upon the vesting of outstanding RSU awards and PSU awards at target levels and 1,354,670 shares issuable under the Legacy Plans upon the vesting of outstanding RSU awards. Excludes outstanding purchase rights under the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(2) Includes 8,068,585 shares remaining available for future issuance under the Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and 5,044,210 shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Excludes all shares remaining available for future issuance under the Legacy Plans since we have determined that we will not issue any shares under the Legacy Plans.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER S
Set forth below are the name, age and position of each of our executive officers as of March 26, 2025.
|
Name |
Age |
Position(s) |
|
Paul E. Davis |
50 |
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
Keith A. Jones |
54 |
Chief Financial Officer |
|
Kevin Tanji |
47 |
Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary |
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
52 |
Chief Licensing Officer General Manager, Media |
|
Dana Escobar |
57 |
Chief Licensing Officer General Manager, Semiconductor |
31 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
The following are biographical summaries of our executive officers other than Mr. Davis, for whom a biographical summary is set forth under “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors”.
Keith A. Jones is our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company in 2022, Mr. Jones served as Vice President of Finance and Interim Chief Financial Officer at Rambus where he was responsible for the company’s global finance organization, including financial management, planning, tax, treasury, internal controls, and reporting. Prior to that, Mr. Jones also served as Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller and Vice President of Finance at Rambus. Before joining Rambus in February of 2018, Mr. Jones served as World-Wide Corporate Controller, Vice President of Finance and the Principal Accounting Officer at ShoreTel Inc., prior to its acquisition by Mitel Networks Corporation, from January 2011 until February 2018. At ShoreTel, Keith oversaw the reporting, internal controls and treasury-related activities of the company. Before joining ShoreTel, Mr. Jones served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance at PDF Solutions, Inc., from July 2003 until March 2010, where he oversaw the overall financial management of the company, including planning, tax, treasury, controls, reporting and MA related activities. Prior to joining PDF Solutions, Mr. Jones served in senior leadership positions at Interwoven, Inc. from September 2001 until July 2003 and e-Time Capital, Inc. from April 2000 until July 2001. Mr. Jones started his career serving as an Audit Manager with Deloitte Touche LLP from July 1994 until April 2000. Mr. Jones holds a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in accounting from California State University, Fresno.
Kevin Tanji is our Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. Prior to the Separation of our product business on October 1, 2022, Mr. Tanji served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel, IP, where he was the head of legal for our IP business. Mr. Tanji served as Senior Vice President, Commercial Legal Affairs of TiVo Corporation, the predecessor to Xperi Holding Corporation, from 2016 to 2020, where he was the head of commercial legal affairs. From 2010 until 2016, Mr. Tanji served as Director, Commercial Legal Affairs of Rovi Corporation. Prior to 2010, Mr. Tanji was a corporate finance attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher Flom LLP. Mr. Tanji holds a B.S. in biology, summa cum laude with departmental highest honors, from University of California, Los Angeles and a J.D. from University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Mark Kokes is our Chief Licensing Officer and General Manager, Media. Prior to joining the Company as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Media in 2021, Dr. Kokes held the position of Chief Intellectual Property Officer for NantWorks and the Nant family of companies, a large healthcare conglomerate based in Los Angeles, California. Preceding NantWorks, Dr. Kokes was promoted to the role of Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property, Licensing and Standards at BlackBerry where he was responsible for the monetization of its aggregate intellectual property portfolio as well as BlackBerry’s numerous research and technology standardization efforts. Prior to joining BlackBerry in late 2014, Dr. Kokes held the position of Vice President of Corporate Development and Intellectual Property Licensing at Intertrust Technologies Corporation, a licensor of technology and intellectual property in the area of trusted distributed computing and cybersecurity. Dr. Kokes is a 15-year veteran of the mobile industry. Preceding his time at Intertrust, Dr. Kokes held a series of senior engineering, corporate strategy and intellectual property related positions at Nokia Research Center, Sony Ericsson’s Corporate Technology Office and HTC’s Corporate Strategy Group. Dr Kokes is an inventor on 14 US and international patents, has co-authored several additional international patent applications and has published many academic articles and book chapters on various research topics. Dr. Kokes holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, as well as both a M.S. and B.S., summa cum laude, from Texas AM University in College Station, Texas.
Dana Escobar is our Chief Licensing Officer and General Manager, Semiconductor. Prior to the Separation, Mr. Escobar served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Semiconductor IP at Xperi Holding Corporation. Mr. Escobar joined the Company in 2020 as Vice President of IP Licensing. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Escobar was Vice President of IP Licensing at GE, Chief IP Counsel at Sharp Laboratories of America and Director of Sharp Corporation’s U.S. IP Center, Senior Director of IP Licensing at LSI Corporation/Avago, Licensing Litigation Attorney at Discovision Associates and a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County. Mr. Escobar holds a J.D. from the University of California Los Angeles, School of Law and a B.A. degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles.
32 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMEN T
The following table sets forth information as of the record date, March 11, 2025, with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock by (i) each person who we know beneficially owns more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each director and each director nominee, (iii) each named executive officer, and (iv) all current directors, nominees and executive officers as a group.
The number of shares of common stock outstanding used in calculating the percentage for each listed person or entity includes common stock underlying options held by the person or entity that are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2025, and common stock underlying RSUs held by the person or entity that will vest within 60 days of March 11, 2025, but excludes common stock underlying options and RSUs held by any other person or entity. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 108,444,911 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 11, 2025. The address for all our current directors and executive officers is c/o Adeia Inc., 3025 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, California 95134.
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Number of
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
|
Five Percent Stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BlackRock, Inc. (1) |
|
17,723,529 |
|
16.3% |
|
|
|
Vanguard Group, Inc. (2) |
|
13,985,101 |
|
12.9% |
|
|
|
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (3) |
|
13,432,165 |
|
12.4% |
|
|
|
Directors and Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul E. Davis (4) |
|
544,809 |
|
0.5% |
|
|
|
V. Sue Molina (5) |
|
58,544 |
|
0.1% |
|
|
|
Daniel Moloney (5) |
|
96,200 |
|
0.1% |
|
|
|
Tonia O’Connor (5) |
|
53,152 |
|
0.0% |
|
|
|
Raghavendra Rau (5) |
|
198,897 |
|
0.2% |
|
|
|
Adam Rymer (5) |
|
31,930 |
|
0.0% |
|
|
|
Phyllis Turner-Brim (5) |
|
28,380 |
|
0.0% |
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
180,635 |
|
0.2% |
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
185,098 |
|
0.2% |
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
118,004 |
|
0.1% |
|
|
|
Dana Escobar (6) |
|
136,853 |
|
0.1% |
|
|
|
All current directors and NEOs as a group (11 persons) |
|
1,632,502 |
|
1.5% |
|
*Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock
(1) The address for BlackRock, Inc. is 50 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10001. Black Rock, Inc. has sole voting power as to 17,579,923 shares and sole dispositive power as to 17,723,529 shares. The information in this table and footnote is based solely on information contained in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 22, 2024 by Black Rock, Inc.
(2) The address for Vanguard Group, Inc. is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA, 19355. Vanguard Group, Inc. has shared voting power as to 252,736 shares, sole dispositive power as to 13,621,489 shares and shared dispositive power as to 363,612 shares. The information in this table and footnote is based solely on information contained in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024 by Vanguard Group, Inc.
33 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
(3) The address for Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (“AFI”) is 145 Ameriprise Financial Center, Minneapolis, MN 55474. AFI has shared voting power as to 12,581,895 shares and shared dispositive power as to 13,432,165 shares. Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (“CMIA”) has shared voting power as to 12,581,895 shares and shared dispositive power as to 12,832,969 shares. Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund (“Fund”) has sole voting power and shared dispositive power as to 7,375,506 shares. CMIA and AFI do not directly own any shares of common stock. CMIA is the investment adviser to the Fund. AFI is the parent holding company of CMIA. CMIA and AFI do not directly own any shares of common stock. As the investment adviser to the Fund, CMIA may be deemed to beneficially own the shares reported herein by the accounts. As the parent holding company of CMIA, AFI may be deemed to beneficially own the shares reported herein by the accounts. Each of CMIA and AFI disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares reported herein. The information in this table and footnote is based solely on information contained in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024 by Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
(4) Includes approximately 78,217 PSUs that vest within 60 days of the record date.
(5) Includes 16,920 RSUs that vest within 60 days of the record date.
(6) Includes 5,000 RSUs that vest within 60 days of the record date.
C OMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CDA”) describes the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, objectives and programs, as well as the compensation-related actions taken in 2024 with respect to our named executive officers, or “NEOs”.
The following discussion and analysis contains statements regarding the Company’s performance targets and goals used in setting compensation for our NEOs. These targets and goals are disclosed in the limited context of the Company’s compensation programs and should not be understood to be statements of management’s future expectations or estimates of future results or other guidance. The Company specifically cautions investors not to apply these statements to other contexts.
Our NEOs for 2024 are identified as follows:
34 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
We have designed our executive compensation program to pay and reward our executive officers, including our NEOs, in alignment with the overall strategic and financial performance of the Company, with the ultimate goal of building long-term stockholder value. We construct our compensation packages to provide remuneration sufficient to attract, retain and motivate our executive officers to exert their best efforts in the highly competitive, media and semiconductor IP licensing environments in which we operate. The compensation of our NEOs is comprised of base salaries, annual performance-based cash incentives, and long-term incentives delivered in the form of equity awards that are earned over a multi-year period. Our approach to short-term incentive compensation is to pay for current results and strategic actions taken that are expected to translate into improved future financial performance. Combined with our emphasis on long-term equity awards, we believe this approach appropriately motivates, rewards and retains our executive officers, while providing strong alignment with our stockholders. We hold our executive officers to stringent performance standards and, as a result, our executive compensation plans are designed to pay competitively if strategic and financial performance objectives are met and less so if variable pay metrics are not met.
The Compensation Committee has established the following set of objectives for our executive compensation program:
2024 Executive Compensation Highlights
Our executive compensation program plays an important role in attracting, retaining and rewarding individuals with the ability and vision to lead our business, drive our long-term success and deliver stockholder value.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
The compensation package for Mr. Davis reflects the market value of his role, achievement of short and long-term objectives, and his expertise in the broad IP and technology licensing industry. We believe this market competitive compensation package and structure aligns Mr. Davis’s interests with our stockholders in the pursuit of long term-value creation.
35 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
The chart below illustrates the mix of the target total direct compensation for Mr. Davis in 2024 and its heavy weighting towards “at-risk” and long-term pay incentives.
CEO 2024 Target Compensation
The graphic above includes Mr. Davis’s annualized base salary and annual bonus under the Incentive Compensation Plan for 2024. The long-term incentive compensation (stock awards) percentage is based on the grant date fair value of the underlying equity awards (at target, in the case of PSU awards) and does not represent the compensation actually realized or currently realizable by him from such awards. The RSUs vest in four equal installments upon completion of each year of service over a four-year period. The PSUs are earned and vest after three years based upon the achievement of a three-year stock price appreciation target along with a relative total stockholder return (“TSR”) modifier, and long-term revenue performance, with each being weighted 50%.
Pay-for-Performance
Our Incentive Compensation Plan is structured to only pay when rigorous financial, business and strategic goals are achieved. Overall, we met or exceeded the majority of our financial, business and strategic goals in 2024. To align with investors, the Compensation Committee and management agreed that the corporate achievement of our Incentive Compensation Plan could not exceed 100% if revenue did not meet the Company’s revenue target. 2024 revenue achievement fell short of target primarily as a result of the timing of a significant semiconductor deal pushing out past 2024. As a result, the Corporate Factor Achievement was deemed to be 100% of target despite the total weighted achievement of the goals for the Incentive Compensation Plan totaling 115%. See the “Incentive Compensation Plan Achievement” section below for a further description.
36 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Summary of Certain Executive Compensation Policies and Practices
We endeavor to maintain sound corporate governance standards consistent with our executive compensation policies and practices. We have adopted the following policies and practices with respect to the executive compensation program in which our NEOs participate:
|
|
WHAT WE DO |
|
WHAT WE DON’T DO |
|
|
Pay for Performance: We link pay to performance and stockholder interests by heavily weighting target total direct compensation to the achievement of strong financial performance and a balanced mix of performance metrics established in advance by the Compensation Committee. |
☒ |
No Tax Gross-Ups: We do not provide tax gross-ups to our NEOs for excess parachute payments or other benefits. |
|
|
Independent Compensation Advisor: The Compensation Committee selects and engages its own independent advisor. During 2024, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensia, an independent national compensation consulting firm, to assist with its responsibilities. |
☒ |
No “Single Trigger” Cash Severance Payments: We do not have “single trigger” cash severance payments payable solely on account of the occurrence of a change in control event. |
|
|
Thoughtful Peer Group Analysis: The Compensation Committee reviews external market data when making compensation decisions and annually reviews our compensation peer group with its independent compensation consultant. |
☒ |
No Perquisites: We do not generally provide perquisites or other personal benefits to executives, such as club memberships, or supplemental executive retirement plans. |
|
|
Thorough Compensation Risk Assessment: The Compensation Committee conducts an annual assessment of the Company’s executive and broad- based compensation programs to ensure prudent risk management. |
☒ |
No Hedging in Company Securities: Our employees, including our executives and directors are prohibited from engaging in any hedging transaction with respect to Company equity securities (vested or unvested). |
|
|
Compensation Committee Independence and Experience: The Compensation Committee is comprised solely of independent directors who have extensive experience. |
☒ |
No Pledging of Company Securities: Our executives and directors are prohibited from pledging Company securities. |
|
|
Stock Ownership Guidelines: Executives and directors are subject to stock ownership guidelines equal to a multiple of their respective annual base salaries (3x for our CEO and 1x for other executives) or Board retainers (3x for directors). |
☒ |
No Guaranteed Bonuses: We do not provide guaranteed minimum bonuses or uncapped incentives under our Incentive Compensation Plan. |
|
|
Compensation Recovery (“Clawback”) Policy: We maintain a Clawback policy regarding accounting restatements in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 10D-1 and corresponding Nasdaq listing standards, and an additional standalone clawback provision in the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan applicable to holders of our equity awards (including all time-vesting equity awards). |
☒ |
No Re-Pricing or Discounted Options / SARs: We do not re-price underwater awards and do not provide discounted stock options or stock appreciation rights. Further, the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan prohibits repricing of stock options or stock appreciation rights without stockholder approval. |
|
|
Insider Trading Policy: We have adopted an Insider Trading policy and procedures governing the purchase, sale and/or other disposition of our securities by |
☒ |
No Dividends Paid or Accrued on Awards Prior to Vesting |
37 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
|
|
WHAT WE DO |
|
WHAT WE DON’T DO |
|
|
directors, officers and employees, or the Company itself, that we believe are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations and any listing standards applicable to the Company. |
|
|
|
|
Negative Discretion: The Compensation Committee has the right to exercise negative discretion over executive incentive plan payments. |
☒ |
No Executive Officer Employment Contracts |
38 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Compensation-Setting Process
Roles and Responsibilities
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee oversees our executive compensation program, including the review and approval of compensation for our NEOs. In designing and implementing the various components of our 2024 executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee considered market and industry practices and trends and input from the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant and management, as well as the impact of our compensation program on our financial results. While the Compensation Committee considers all factors in its deliberations, it places no formal weighting on any one factor. The Compensation Committee retains the authority under our Incentive Compensation Plan to authorize bonus payments to our NEOs that are less than the bonus payments that would otherwise be awarded based on our achievement of the performance goals established for the plan.
The Compensation Committee gathered data on our CEO’s performance through several channels, including qualitative and quantitative assessments of the Company’s performance, discussions with other members of the management team and discussions with other members of our Board.
Each Compensation Committee meeting ordinarily includes an executive session without members of our management team present. For additional information about the responsibilities of the Compensation Committee, please see the section titled “Board and Committees of the Board”.
Role of the Compensation Committee’s Consultant
The Compensation Committee retained Compensia, a national compensation consulting firm, to assist it in the determination of the key elements of our executive compensation program. See discussion in the “Setting Executive Compensation” section below for a discussion regarding the 2024 compensation peer group. Compensia provided advice to the Compensation Committee with respect to competitive practices and the amounts and nature of compensation paid to executive officers in similar organizations. Compensia also advised on, among other things, structuring our various compensation programs and understanding competitive levels of base salary, Incentive Compensation Plan and other long-term incentive compensation payable to our executive officers. Compensia reports to and is accountable to the Compensation Committee and may not conduct any other work for us without the authorization of the Compensation Committee. Compensia did not provide any services to us in 2024 beyond its engagement as an advisor to the Compensation Committee on executive and Board compensation matters. After review and consultation with Compensia, the Compensation Committee has determined that Compensia is independent and there is no conflict of interest resulting from retaining Compensia currently or during the year ended December 31, 2024. In reaching these conclusions, the Compensation Committee considered the factors set forth in Exchange Act Rule 10C-1 and Nasdaq listing standards.
Role of the Chief Executive Officer
To aid the Compensation Committee in making its 2024 compensation determinations, our CEO, provided recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding the compensation of all executive officers, excluding himself. Each NEO other than our CEO, in turn, participated in an annual performance review with our CEO to provide input about their contributions to our success for the period being assessed.
For purposes of our annual and long-term incentive compensation programs, corporate performance goals for 2024 awards were based on the Company’s 2024 financial plan as approved by our Board. Our CEO, after discussions with the management team, then recommended a subset of these goals to the Compensation Committee as the corporate performance goals underlying our Incentive Compensation Plan and performance-based equity awards. We believe that the achievement of these performance goals is based on the successful efforts and contributions of our NEOs.
39 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Setting Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee reviews competitive compensation practices and the financial performance of comparable companies, typically, at least annually. This analysis provides the necessary background to the Compensation Committee to ensure that compensation opportunities for our executive officers are competitive with compensation practices among comparable companies and that actual compensation paid to our executive officers is appropriately aligned with our performance in the past year.
Peer Group
Compensia worked with the Compensation Committee to identify a peer group of companies to be used in the competitive assessment of 2024 compensation that are representative of the type of companies with which we may compete with for executive talent. In selecting peer companies, we used a number of targeted criteria designed to reflect our business structure. Given the limited number of directly comparable companies from a business perspective, the criteria were expanded in some cases to include companies that the Compensation Committee considered to be a close fit in terms of business focus and/or with which we might compete for executive talent. As a result, some companies may not satisfy all of the selection criteria. Our compensation peer group is based on the following criteria:
Following our annual review process, we may make adjustments to our peer group if necessary to ensure companies included continue to meet the criteria outlined above. Following its review in June 2023, the Compensation Committee did not make any changes to our peer group for 2024.
|
2024 COMPENSATION PEER GROUP |
|
|
•
Cass Information Systems
•
CEVA
•
Consensus Cloud Solutions
•
Dolby Laboratories
•
Everi Holdings
•
EVERTEC
•
Gogo
•
InterDigital
•
Mitek Systems
|
•
Open Lending
•
Progress Software
•
PubMatic
•
Rambus
•
Semtech
•
TechTarget
•
Thryv Holdings
•
Universal Display
•
Verra Mobility
|
Market Survey Data
Although we maintain the compensation peer group for executive compensation and performance reference purposes, the peer group compensation data is limited to publicly available information and therefore does not necessarily provide comparisons for all executive officers. In contrast, broad executive compensation survey data has the advantage of including data on executive positions beyond what is available in public filings, but may not be specific to the selected companies in the peer group. In light of this, the Compensation Committee also reviewed data from the Radford McLagan Compensation Survey, filtered to public companies in the U.S. primarily from technology industries with revenues between $100 million and $1.5 billion for our NEOs.
40 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
We believe that by utilizing both publicly available peer group data and the survey data from the published surveys in which we participate, we are able to develop the best set of robust competitive data reasonably available for use in making compensation decisions. The Compensation Committee, when making compensation adjustments for our NEOs, reviews the publicly available peer group data and the survey data to ensure that, following any compensation adjustment, the total compensation of NEOs falls within the Company’s guidelines.
Experience and Performance Factors
Based on the objectives outlined above, the Compensation Committee strives to set target total direct compensation opportunities at competitive levels for the markets in which we compete for executive talent and that are appropriate for the skills, experience and performance of each individual. However, the Compensation Committee does not establish compensation levels based solely on benchmarking. The Compensation Committee also relies on the judgment of its members in making compensation decisions regarding base salaries, target annual cash incentive opportunities and long-term equity incentive awards after reviewing our performance and carefully evaluating each NEO’s performance during the year, leadership qualities, business responsibilities, tenure with the Company, current compensation arrangements and long-term potential to enhance stockholder value. The Compensation Committee does not guarantee that any NEO will receive a specific market-derived compensation level.
In addition, the Compensation Committee has taken the approach of determining the mix of compensation elements, such as base salary, target annual cash incentive opportunities and equity awards, on an individual basis. The Compensation Committee allocates target total direct compensation between cash and equity compensation based on a number of objective and subjective factors, including competitive practices among the comparable companies, the role and responsibilities of the individual executive officer, and the nature of the behaviors the incentives are intended to motivate. The Compensation Committee’s philosophy is to balance compensation between long-term and short-term compensation, cash and non-cash compensation, and to take into account the roles and responsibilities of the individual executive officer.
Impact of 2024 “Say-on-Pay” Vote
We held our most recent “say-on-pay” vote in 2024 and over 97% of the votes cast on such proposal were voted in favor of the compensation of our NEOs. The Compensation Committee will continue to take into account future stockholder advisory votes on named executive officer compensation and other relevant market developments affecting executive officer compensation in order to determine whether any subsequent changes to our executive compensation program and policies are warranted to reflect stockholder concerns or to address market developments.
41 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation Components
The graphic below includes the components of the NEOs’ 2024 target total direct compensation.
Base Salary
The base salary for each executive officer, including each NEO, is initially established through negotiation at the time the individual is hired or promoted into such role, taking into account the Company’s needs, the executive’s qualifications, experience, an analysis of competitive market data, overall compensation arrangements, internal equity and relevant survey data. In determining whether to make subsequent adjustments to the base salaries of our executive officers, the Compensation Committee reviews information regarding compensation paid to individuals holding comparable positions at our peer group companies, as well as relevant market data from the applicable Radford McLagan Compensation Survey. In addition, the Compensation Committee determines whether to approve increases to our executive officers’ base salaries based upon the Company’s performance, their individual performance in accomplishing functional or team goals, changes in duties and responsibilities and the recommendations of our CEO (except with respect to his own base salary). No formulaic or guaranteed base salary increases are provided to our NEOs. In 2024, the Compensation Committee did not set the various components of executive compensation at a certain target percentile within our compensation peer group. The base salary of each executive officer for 2024 is generally competitive with the peer and survey salary data reviewed by the Compensation Committee.
The target 2024 base salaries for each NEO are set forth in “Annual Performance-Based Cash Incentive Compensation Plan” below and actual base salaries paid are set forth in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table.”
42 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Annual Performance-Based Cash Incentive Compensation Plan
Our executive officers, including our NEOs, are eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash incentive bonus, which we refer to as our “Incentive Compensation Plan”. The target and maximum annual cash incentive opportunities for our NEOs participating expressed as a percentage of base salary, were as follows:
|
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
100% |
|
200% |
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
75% |
|
150% |
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
60% |
|
120% |
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
60% |
|
120% |
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
60% |
|
120% |
|
Participants may receive a smaller award (or no award) if we do not achieve a target level of performance and a larger award (capped at a level that provides our executive officers an opportunity to earn larger awards by exceeding performance objectives based on the multiplier discussed below) if we exceed the target level of performance. Payments of above-target bonuses may be made in the Compensation Committee’s discretion, only if we exceed our corporate financial objectives.
Weighted Performance Goals
Bonuses paid to our NEOs under our Incentive Compensation Plan were based on our achievement of specific pre-established corporate performance goals and upon an evaluation of the individual executive officer’s performance for their efforts tied to such goals for the year, see “Approved Individual Factor” in the Incentive Compensation Plan Achievement below. The corporate performance goals for 2024 were a combination of financial Company goals (related to revenue and Non-GAAP operating expenses excluding litigation) and non-financial Company goals that are all directly supportive of our short-term and long-term strategic plans. The weighted goal categories for 2024 for each NEO are set forth below:
|
|
|
|
Financial Goals |
|
|
|
||
|
|
NEO
|
|
Revenue (1) |
|
Non-GAAP Operating Expenses (excluding litigation) (2) |
|
Non-Financial Company Goals |
|
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
50% |
|
30% |
|
20% |
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
50% |
|
30% |
|
20% |
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
50% |
|
30% |
|
20% |
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
50% |
|
30% |
|
20% |
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
50% |
|
30% |
|
20% |
|
(1) The revenue goal was based on achieving the midpoint of our revenue guidance for the Company. For more information on the revenue goal of the Incentive Compensation Plan, see the sections entitled “2024 Revenue Goal and Achievement” below.
(2) We define Non-GAAP operating expenses (excluding litigation) as GAAP operating expenses adjusted for one-time or ongoing intangibles amortization charges, costs related to actual or planned business combinations including transaction fees, integration costs, severance, facility closures, and retention bonuses, separation costs, all forms of stock-based compensation, loss on debt extinguishment, expensed debt refinancing costs, impairment of intangible assets, impact of certain foreign currency adjustments, discontinued operations and related tax effects.
43 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
2024 Revenue Goal and Achievement
Set forth below is the Company’s revenue goal (with linear interpolation), as well as the Company’s actual results for such goal, for purposes of the Incentive Compensation Plan.
|
Revenue Goal |
||||
|
0% Payout |
Threshold (50% Payout) |
Target (100% Payout) |
Maximum (200% payout) |
Achievement (1) |
|
Less than $360 million in total revenue |
$360 million in total revenue |
$400 million in total revenue |
$440 million in total revenue |
70% achieved with $376.0 million in total revenue |
(1) The Compensation Committee approved 70% achievement of the Company’s revenue goal based on linear interpolation between 50% at $360 million and 100% at $400 million.
2024 Non-GAAP Operating Expenses (excluding litigation) Goal and Achievement
Set forth below is the Company’s Non-GAAP operating expenses, excluding litigation goal (with linear interpolation between achievement levels), as well as the Company’s actual results for such goal, for purposes of the Incentive Compensation Plan.
|
Non-GAAP Operating Expenses (excluding litigation) Goal |
||||
|
0% Payout |
Threshold (50% Payout) |
Target (100% Payout) |
Maximum (200% Payout) |
Achievement (1) |
|
More than $142 million in total Non-GAAP operating expenses (excluding litigation) |
$142 million in total Non-GAAP operating expenses (excluding litigation) |
$137 million in total Non-GAAP operating expenses (excluding litigation) |
$132 million in total Non-GAAP operating expenses (excluding litigation) |
200% achieved with $130.1 million in total Non-GAAP operating expenses (excluding litigation) |
(1) The Compensation Committee approved 200% achievement of the Company’s Non-GAAP operating expenses (excluding litigation) goal based on achieving $130.1 million.
2024 Strategic and Business Goals and Achievement
Set forth below are the Company goals for purposes of the Incentive Compensation Plan. The evaluation of each NEO’s individual performance under the Incentive Compensation Plan was based on an evaluation of the individual officer’s efforts tied to these goals.
|
Strategic and Business Goals |
|
|
Key Goal |
Outcome (1) |
|
Progress on the long-range strategy by completing foundational work during the year |
Achieved strategic pipeline development and key deal closures that included new customers. Launched strategic litigation. |
|
Foster an inclusive environment where our people are engaged and work in a way that enables productivity and well-being |
Achieved strong employee engagement score that included positive response on sense of belonging. Employees see themselves growing and developing their career at the company. |
|
Build and improve governance, internal systems and processes for speed, scale, and efficiency |
Completed implementation and adoption of cross-functional tools and processes. |
|
Demonstrate our strength in invention by developing our patent portfolio |
Achieved new patent filings, in alignment with strategic portfolio roadmap. |
(1) The Compensation Committee approved 100% achievement of the Company’s Strategic and Business goals based on the highlighted outcomes.
44 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Incentive Compensation Plan Achievement
To align with investors, the Compensation Committee and management agreed that the corporate achievement of our Incentive Compensation Plan could not exceed 100% if revenue did not meet the Company’s revenue target. 2024 revenue achievement fell short of target and as a result, the Corporate Factor Achievement was deemed to be 100% of target despite the total weighted achievement of the goals for the Incentive Compensation Plan totaling 115%. Bonuses paid to our NEOs under our Incentive Compensation Plan were based on our achievement of specific pre-established corporate performance goals and upon an evaluation of the individual executive officer’s performance for their efforts tied to such goals for the year, which individual executive officer’s assessed achievement is reflected under the Approved Individual Factor in the table below. Accordingly, the annual performance-based cash incentive bonuses under the Incentive Compensation Plan paid to our NEOs were calculated as follows:
|
|
|
Approved Salary |
|
|
Approved Bonus Target |
|
|
Approved Bonus Target |
|
|
Corporate Factor Achievement (1) |
|
|
Approved Individual Factor (2) |
|
|
Approved Bonus Payout |
|
||||||
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
$ |
625,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
625,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
80 |
% |
|
$ |
600,000 |
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
$ |
445,000 |
|
|
|
75 |
% |
|
$ |
333,750 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
333,750 |
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
$ |
425,000 |
|
|
|
60 |
% |
|
$ |
255,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
255,000 |
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
$ |
415,000 |
|
|
|
60 |
% |
|
$ |
249,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
249,000 |
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
$ |
410,000 |
|
|
|
60 |
% |
|
$ |
246,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
80 |
% |
|
$ |
236,160 |
|
(1) The “Corporate Factor Achievement” column accounts for 80% of NEO’s bonus payout
(2) The “Approved Individual Factor” column accounts for 20% of NEO’s bonus payout
Long-Term Compensation
Our long-term equity incentive compensation program is intended to provide our executive officers, including our NEOs, with opportunities to participate in the appreciation of our stock price and to create equity award value that will provide a financial incentive for our executive officers to remain with and work for the continued success of the Company.
Our long-term equity incentive award program is generally comprised of two equity award vehicles, although the mix of such awards granted by the Compensation Committee to our NEOs may vary from year to year based on the Compensation Committee’s determinations regarding the appropriate incentives for such year:
2024 Equity Awards
Consistent with its approach in 2023, the Compensation Committee determined that the annual equity awards granted to our NEOs in 2024 should consist of time-vesting RSU awards and performance-vesting PSU awards as set forth in the table below. The Compensation Committee determined that these two types of equity awards provided the appropriate balance of long-term incentives for our executive officers in 2024.
45 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
In setting the mix of the two types of equity awards for 2024, the Compensation Committee determined that a substantial portion of the equity awards should consist of awards that vest based on our performance, in the form of stock price appreciation and long-term revenue performance. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee structured performance-based awards to account for 60% of our CEO’s annual equity awards and 50% of all other NEOs’ annual equity awards.
Target award values were established based on an analysis of competitive market data, individual performance and criticality and the retention value of existing equity awards. The Compensation Committee believes that the award values, combined with its mix of equity compensation vehicles, reflects our commitment to pay for performance, with resulting compensation above the median of our peers for performance that exceeds target goals and compensation below the median of our peers if our performance goals are not achieved.
The Compensation Committee approved a total target dollar value for each NEO’s annual equity awards, which we refer to as the grant date target value. These grant date target values are based on the analysis of competitive market data and other factors described above, and the allocation of such value to each of the two forms of equity awards is a 60%/40% mix of PSUs and RSUs for our CEO and a 50%/50% mix of PSUs and RSUs for all other NEOs. The actual number of PSUs and RSUs granted on March 1, 2024 was calculated using the 90-day average stock price preceding the grant date (dividing the applicable grant date target value by such stock price average to arrive at the target number of PSUs and the number of RSUs).
The following awards were granted in 2024 to our NEOs:
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Target Value $ |
|
RSUs |
|
PSUs |
|
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
$5,000,000 |
|
184,500 |
|
276,750 |
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
$2,000,000 |
|
92,250 |
|
92,250 |
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
$1,750,000 |
|
80,720 |
|
80,720 |
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
$1,500,000 |
|
69,190 |
|
69,190 |
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
$1,500,000 |
|
69,190 |
|
69,190 |
|
2024 PSU Award Vesting Criteria
The 2024 PSU awards were structured to be based entirely on a three-year performance period and are eligible to be earned and vest on a “cliff basis”, if at all, on the third anniversary of the vesting commencement date based upon the achievement of a three-year stock price appreciation target along with a relative TSR modifier and long-term revenue performance, with each being weighted 50%, as reflected below. The Compensation Committee carefully set the PSU award performance goals to be rigorous and ultimately to align management and our stockholders’ interests. The target was set at a level the Compensation Committee determined to be competitively challenging, with the maximum metric requiring a higher level of performance. Further, the earning and vesting of the performance awards is conditioned upon the recipient remaining employed with the Company through the vesting date.
The Compensation Committee structured the stock appreciation goal, TSR modifier and revenue target to be based on a three-year measurement period, to enhance the long-term nature of the award and therefore incentivize sustained stock price performance, distinguish long-term incentive award and short-term incentive award goals and further align the interests of our executive officers with our long-term stockholder interests.
The range of threshold, target and maximum levels (with linear interpolation between levels) for the three-year stock price performance and resulting vesting are as follows:
|
|
Stock Price
|
|
Payout
|
|
Required
|
|
|
|
$13.55 |
|
0% |
|
25% |
|
|
|
$13.55 |
|
50% |
|
25% |
|
|
|
$14.63 |
|
100% |
|
35% |
|
|
|
$18.43 |
|
200% |
|
70% |
|
46 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
The stock price appreciation targets are based on the appreciation of our 90-day average stock price preceding the date of grant, which was $10.84 per share. The performance metric is based on the highest 30-day average price in the last six months of the three-year performance period.
The relative TSR assessment uses the Russell 2000 Index as the benchmark and it will be calculated over the same three-year performance period and will adjust the stock appreciation achievement factor by +/-20%. The relative TSR performance is to be determined using our 90-trading-day average stock price prior to both the beginning and the ending of the performance period. Any payout will be limited to 100% if our absolute TSR is negative.
Payout modifier levels range from 80% to 120% (with linear interpolation) for our relative TSR percentile rank ranging from the 25th to the 75th percentiles as summarized in the following table.
|
|
Russell 2000
|
|
TSR Modifier |
|
|
|
|
|
≥ 75 th |
|
120% |
|
Linear |
|
|
|
50 th |
|
100% |
|
interpolation |
|
|
|
≤ 25 th |
|
80% |
|
between points |
|
The range of threshold, target, and maximum levels (with linear interpolation) for the three-year long-term revenue performance and resulting vesting are as follows:
|
|
Revenue |
|
Payout
|
|
Required CAGR
|
|
|
|
$425M |
|
0% |
|
3% |
|
|
|
$425M |
|
50% |
|
3% |
|
|
|
$463M |
|
100% |
|
6% |
|
|
|
$503M |
|
200% |
|
9% |
|
At the end of the performance period, the Compensation Committee will determine the level of achievement of revenue performance and the stock price appreciation as well as the relative TSR achievement for the three-year performance period and then apply the resulting vesting factor to the award amount to determine the total amount that will be considered earned and vested. Depending on the level of achievement, no shares will be issuable if performance is below the threshold performance level and twice the number of target number of shares will be issuable if the maximum performance level is achieved.
Shares will vest upon the Compensation Committee’s certification of our revenue and stock price performance and relative TSR at the end of the performance period subject to each participant’s continued employment or consulting relationship with the Company through the end of the performance period.
Upon a change in control of the Company, consistent with PSUs granted under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan in prior years, the 2024 PSUs will “single trigger” vest (i) based on the change of control price for the stock price performance component, and (ii) at target for the revenue performance component.
2021 PSU – Forfeited
The 2021 PSU awards granted on March 1, 2021 were based entirely on a three-year performance period and were eligible to vest on a cliff basis, if at all, on March 1, 2024 based upon the achievement of a three-year stock price appreciation target along with a relative TSR modifier. The target was set at a level the Compensation Committee determined to be competitively challenging. The Compensation Committee certified the level of achievement of the 2021 PSU awards and determined that, effective as of March 1, 2024, no shares were issuable in respect of the 2021 PSU awards, and the 2021 PSU awards were forfeited.
47 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Equity Grant Decision
The Company provides the following discussion of the timing of equity incentive compensation awards in relation to the disclosure of material nonpublic information, as required by Item 402(x) of Regulation S-K. Generally,
The equity compensation awards have historically included RSUs, PSUs, and stock options, however, the Company did not grant any stock options to executive officers of the Company for several years, and no current NEOs have any outstanding options.
Other Compensation
Employee Benefits
We maintain a Section 401(k) Savings/Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) to cover eligible employees of the Company and any designated affiliate in the U.S., including our NEOs. The 401(k) Plan permits eligible employees to defer up to 100% of eligible salary until the IRS annual contribution limits are met. The employees’ elective deferrals are immediately vested and non-forfeitable upon contribution to the 401(k) Plan. We currently make discretionary matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to a maximum of 3% of the participant’s eligible annual compensation and subject to certain other limits. Employer contributions to the 401(k) Plan are vested at 100%.
In addition, our executive officers, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, such as medical, dental, vision, group life and disability insurance, in each case on the same basis as other employees, subject to applicable law. We also provide vacation and other paid holidays to all employees, including our executive officers.
Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements
We have entered into change in control severance agreements with our executive officers, including our NEOs, to provide appropriate post-employment compensation arrangements in the event of certain terminations of employment, including in connection with a change in control of the Company. The Compensation Committee believes these types of agreements are essential in order to attract and retain qualified executive officers and promote stability and continuity in our senior management team. We believe that the stability and continuity provided by these agreements are in the best interests of our stockholders. For details, including an estimate of the amounts payable to our NEOs under their change in control severance agreements see “Termination of Employment Arrangements and Change in Control Arrangements” below.
48 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Other Compensation Related Policies
Stock Ownership Guidelines
We maintain stock ownership guidelines that apply to our (a) CEO, each other executive officer of the Company within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(f) and each other employee who reports directly to our CEO (each, an “Executive”) and (b) all non-employee members of the Board (each, a “Non-Employee Director”). Subject to a five-year grace period from the time he or she becomes an Executive, each Executive will be expected to own shares of our common stock with a market value equal to the following amounts for as long as he or she remains an Executive:
|
|
Title |
|
Ownership Threshold |
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
Three times (3x) base salary |
|
|
|
Other Executives |
|
One times (1x) base salary |
|
Subject to a three-year grace period from the time he or she joins the Board, each Non-Employee Director will be expected to own shares of our common stock with a market value equal to three times (3x) the value of the Non-Employee Director’s annual cash retainer (excluding any annual cash retainer for committee membership or chairmanship) for as long as he or she remains a Non-Employee Director. As of December 31, 2024, all Executives (including our CEO) and Non-Employee Directors were in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines or had additional time within which to come into compliance with such guidelines. For purposes of calculating stock ownership, we exclude unvested PSUs for which actual Company performance has not been certified as well as any stock options (whether vested or unvested), whereas unvested RSUs are counted for these purposes.
Insider Trading Policy
We have
Compensation Recovery (“Clawback”) Policy
Effective as of October 24, 2023, we adopted our Amended and Restated Compensation Recovery Policy (the “Compensation Recovery Policy”) regarding accounting restatements in connection with Exchange Act Rule 10D-1 and corresponding Nasdaq listing standards. The Compensation Recovery Policy generally requires recoupment of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation (including any compensation granted, earned, or vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of a financial reporting measure) received by current and former executive officers (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 10D-1), including our NEOs, during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under U.S. federal securities laws.
The Compensation Recovery Policy also applies to incentive-based compensation received during the applicable recovery period by such other key employees of the Company who may from time to time be determined to be deemed subject to the policy by the Compensation Committee (or such other body authorized to administer the policy from time to time).
In addition, the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan permits the Board or its administrator, the Compensation Committee, to provide, in an award agreement or otherwise, or to require a holder of any of our equity awards under the plan (including all time-vesting equity awards), to agree that any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the holder upon any receipt or exercise of the award, or upon the receipt or resale of any shares underlying the award, will be subject to recoupment if the holder (x) engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, or (y) incurs a termination of service for cause.
49 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Derivatives Trading and Hedging Policy
Our insider trading policy prohibits the pledging, trading of derivatives or the hedging of our equity securities by our employees, including our executive officers, and directors. Specifically, they may not, at any time:
Risk Assessment
In March of 2025, management of the Company assessed its compensation policies and programs for all employees for purposes of determining the relationship of such policies and programs and the enterprise risks faced by the Company and presented its assessment to the Compensation Committee. Based on its assessment, management recommended, and the Compensation Committee concluded, that none of our compensation policies or programs create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. In connection with their review, the management and the Compensation Committee noted certain key attributes of its compensation programs and policies that help to reduce the likelihood of excessive risk taking, which also apply to our executive compensation program, including:
Tax and Accounting Considerations
Deduction Limitation
Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction to a publicly-held company for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to its “covered employees” which generally includes all NEOs. While the Compensation Committee considers the tax deductibility of each element of executive compensation as a factor in our overall compensation program as it deems appropriate, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to approve compensation that exceeds deductibility limits if it determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.
50 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Accounting Treatment
We account for stock-based awards to our employees under the rules of FASB ASC Topic 718, which requires us to record the compensation expense over the service period of the award. Accounting rules also require us to record cash compensation as an expense during the period in which the award is earned and accrued.
Termination of Employment Arrangements and Change in Control Arrangements
The Company provides for certain severance payments and benefits if an executive officer’s employment is involuntarily or constructively terminated. In addition, the Company provides enhanced severance payments and benefits if such a termination of employment occurs in connection with a change in control of the Company. Such severance payments and benefits are designed to alleviate the financial impact of an involuntary termination of employment through salary, bonus and health benefit continuation and with the intent of providing for a stable work environment. The Company believes that reasonable severance payments and benefits for those NEOs with whom we have entered into severance agreements are important because it may be difficult for these NEOs to find comparable employment within a short period of time following certain qualifying terminations of employment. The Company also believes these payments and benefits are a means of reinforcing and encouraging the continued attention and dedication of key executive officers of the Company to their duties of employment without personal distraction or a conflict of interest in circumstances which could arise from the occurrence of a change in control of the Company. We believe that the interests of stockholders will be best served if the interests of our executive officers are aligned with them, and providing change in control payments and benefits should eliminate, or at least reduce, the reluctance of senior management to pursue potential change in control transactions that may be in the best interests of our stockholders.
The Company extends change in control payments and benefits because they are essential to help the Company fulfill its objectives of attracting and retaining key managerial talent. These arrangements are intended to be competitive within our industry and company size and are necessary to attract highly qualified individuals and encourage them to remain employed with the Company. In making the decision to extend the payment and benefits, the Compensation Committee relied on data prepared by its independent compensation consultant that the programs are representative of market practice, both in terms of design and cost.
Amended and Restated Change in Control Severance Agreement with Mr. Davis
On February 9, 2023, we entered into an amended and restated change in control severance agreement with Mr. Davis, our CEO (the “CEO Severance Agreement”).
The CEO Severance Agreement has an initial term of three years, plus reoccurring one-year automatic renewals. The then-effective term of the CEO Severance Agreement will automatically be extended for 12 months following a change in control of the Company if the term would otherwise have expired during such period.
The CEO Severance Agreement provides that, if Mr. Davis’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or if he resigns for “good reason”, in each case, more than three months prior to a change in control or more than 12 months following a change in control, Mr. Davis will be entitled to receive the following payments and benefits:
51 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
If Mr. Davis’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or if he resigns for “good reason”, in each case, within three months prior to a change in control or within twelve months following a change in control, the CEO Severance Agreement provides that Mr. Davis will be entitled to receive the following payments and benefits:
The severance payments and benefits (other than the Accrued Obligations) are subject to Mr. Davis’s execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company and continued compliance with the confidentiality and proprietary rights covenant set forth in the CEO Severance Agreement.
Severance Agreements with the Other Named Executive Officers
On February 9, 2023 the Company entered into severance agreements with each of (i) Keith A. Jones, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer; (ii) Dr. Mark Kokes, the Company’s Chief Licensing Officer General Manager, Media; (iii) Kevin Tanji, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary; and (iv) Dana Escobar, the Company’s Chief Licensing Officer General Manager, Semiconductor (collectively, the “NEO Severance Agreements”).
Each of the NEO Severance Agreements has an initial term of three years, plus reoccurring one-year automatic renewals. The then-effective term of the NEO Severance Agreements will automatically be extended for 12 months following a change in control of the Company if the term would otherwise have expired during such period.
Each of the NEO Severance Agreements provide that, if the executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” more than three months prior to a change in control or more than 12 months following a change in control, the executive officer will be entitled to receive the following payments and benefits:
If the executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or if the executive officer resigns for “good reason”, in each case, within three months prior to a change in control or within 12 months following a change in control, each NEO Severance Agreement provides that the executive officer will be entitled to receive the following payments and benefits:
52 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
The severance payments and benefits (other than the Accrued Obligations) are subject to the respective executive officer’s execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company and continued compliance with the confidentiality and proprietary rights covenant set forth in the NEO Severance Agreement.
Defined Terms Related to CEO Severance Agreement and NEO Severance Agreement
For purposes of the severance agreements, “cause” means, generally, an executive officer’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties, the executive officer’s willful and habitual neglect of or failure to perform his duties, the executive officer’s commission of any material act of fraud, dishonesty or financial or accounting impropriety with respect to our Company which results in a personal benefit to the executive, the executive officer’s failure to cooperate with us in any investigation or formal proceeding initiated by a governmental authority or otherwise approved by our Board or the Audit Committee of the Board, the executive officer’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to felony criminal conduct (other than moving vehicle violations), the executive officer’s material violation of our confidentiality and proprietary rights agreement or any similar agreement with the Company, or the executive officer’s material breach of any obligation or duty under the agreement or any written employment or other written policies of our Company.
For purposes of the severance agreements, “good reason” means, generally, a material diminution in the executive officer’s authority, duties or responsibilities, a material diminution in the executive officer’s base compensation or target bonus opportunity, unless such a reduction is imposed across-the-board to senior management, a material change in the geographic location at which the executive officer must perform his duties, or any other action that constitutes our material breach of the agreement.
For purposes of the severance agreements, “change in control” is generally defined as:
Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan
We routinely grant our executive officers stock awards pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. In the event of a change in control of the Company, if the successor corporation refuses to assume the awards, or to substitute substantially equivalent awards, the vesting of each outstanding award will be subject to accelerated vesting such that 100% of the awards will become vested and exercisable or payable, as applicable.
53 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee has furnished this report on executive compensation.
This report, filed in accordance with Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K, should be read in conjunction with the other information relating to executive compensation which is contained elsewhere in this proxy statement and is not repeated here.
In this context, the Compensation Committee hereby reports as follows:
|
|
March 20, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE TONIA O’CONNOR, CHAIR DANIEL MOLONEY PHYLLIS TURNER-BRIM |
54 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
2024 Summary Compensation of NEOs
2024 Summary Compensation Table
The table below sets forth, for the year ended December 31, 2024, the base salary, stock awards, and annual cash incentive compensation amounts earned by and all other compensation paid to our NEOs in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
|
Bonus ($) (1) |
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
|
|
|
All Other Compensation
|
|
|
Total ($) |
|
|
||||||
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
625,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
5,893,530 |
|
|
$ |
600,000 |
|
|
$ |
35,793 |
|
|
$ |
7,154,323 |
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2023 |
|
$ |
625,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
4,205,746 |
|
|
$ |
575,625 |
|
|
$ |
12,256 |
|
|
$ |
5,418,627 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
$ |
507,917 |
|
(5) |
$ |
500,000 |
|
|
$ |
10,119,620 |
|
|
$ |
534,250 |
|
|
$ |
10,500 |
|
|
$ |
11,672,287 |
|
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
437,500 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
2,309,802 |
|
|
$ |
333,750 |
|
|
$ |
45,932 |
|
|
$ |
3,126,984 |
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
2023 |
|
$ |
415,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
2,834,514 |
|
|
$ |
286,661 |
|
|
$ |
11,681 |
|
|
$ |
3,547,856 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
$ |
165,057 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,143,385 |
|
|
$ |
117,150 |
|
|
$ |
3,650 |
|
|
$ |
2,529,242 |
|
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
418,750 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
2,021,108 |
|
|
$ |
255,000 |
|
|
$ |
28,400 |
|
|
$ |
2,723,258 |
|
|
|
|
Chief Legal Officer Corporate Secretary |
|
2023 |
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,542,956 |
|
|
$ |
221,040 |
|
|
$ |
11,667 |
|
|
$ |
2,175,663 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
$ |
374,086 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,466,630 |
|
|
$ |
205,152 |
|
|
$ |
10,551 |
|
|
$ |
2,056,419 |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
415,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,732,414 |
|
|
$ |
249,000 |
|
|
$ |
28,242 |
|
|
$ |
2,424,656 |
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Licensing Officer General Manager, Media |
|
2023 |
|
$ |
415,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,542,956 |
|
|
$ |
220,156 |
|
|
$ |
12,063 |
|
|
$ |
2,190,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
$ |
384,793 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
666,217 |
|
|
$ |
212,845 |
|
|
$ |
10,567 |
|
|
$ |
1,274,422 |
|
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
401,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,732,414 |
|
|
$ |
236,160 |
|
|
$ |
36,923 |
|
|
$ |
2,406,747 |
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Licensing Officer General Manager, Semiconductor |
|
2023 |
|
$ |
375,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
977,208 |
|
|
$ |
189,956 |
|
|
$ |
11,644 |
|
|
$ |
1,553,808 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
$ |
324,931 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,008,205 |
|
|
$ |
310,640 |
|
|
$ |
10,537 |
|
|
$ |
1,654,313 |
|
|
(1) For 2022, the bonus payment reported in the “Bonus” column includes a cash bonus for Mr. Davis as a result of the added responsibility he assumed throughout the year and a signing-bonus for Mr. Jones.
(2) The dollar amount reported in the Stock Awards column is equal to the aggregate grant-date fair value of the RSU and PSU awards granted during each reported year, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of any estimated forfeitures related to service-vesting conditions. The assumptions used in the calculation of the FASB ASC Topic 718 grant-date fair value of each such award are set forth in Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2025. For RSU awards, the grant date fair value was determined using the closing share price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair value of PSU awards that vest based on Company stock price appreciation and long-term revenue achievement was estimated utilizing the Monte Carlo valuation model, using the fair value of the Company’s common stock with the effect of market conditions on the date of grant, and assumes the performance goals will be attained. The grant-date fair values of the 2024 PSU awards assuming maximum attainment of the performance goals are as follow:
|
|
|
|
Grant Date Fair Value at Maximum Attainment ($) |
|
|
|
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
$ |
7,643,835 |
|
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
$ |
2,547,945 |
|
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
$ |
2,229,486 |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
$ |
1,911,028 |
|
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
$ |
1,911,028 |
|
|
(3) Represents the annual cash incentive compensation plan, which is based on the level of attainment of individual goals and corporate performance goals payable under the Incentive Compensation Plan. See further details in the section entitled “Executive Compensation Components – Annual Performance-Based Cash Incentive Compensation Plan.”
55 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
(4) For each of our NEOs, the amounts in the “All Other Compensation” column for 2024 consists of the following payments and benefits paid by the Company to or on behalf of the NEOs.
|
|
Name |
|
401(k) Employer Match ($) |
|
|
Life Insurance Premiums ($) |
|
|
Medical Insurance Premiums ($) |
|
Other |
|
|
Total ($) |
|
|
|||||
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
$ |
10,350 |
|
|
$ |
1,860 |
|
|
$ |
23,195 |
|
$ |
388 |
|
|
$ |
35,793 |
|
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
$ |
10,350 |
|
|
$ |
1,546 |
|
|
$ |
34,036 |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
45,932 |
|
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
$ |
10,350 |
|
|
$ |
1,117 |
|
|
$ |
16,351 |
|
$ |
582 |
|
|
$ |
28,400 |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
$ |
10,350 |
|
|
$ |
1,159 |
|
|
$ |
16,351 |
|
$ |
382 |
|
|
$ |
28,242 |
|
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
$ |
10,350 |
|
|
$ |
1,046 |
|
|
$ |
25,527 |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
36,923 |
|
|
(5) For 2022, the salary for Mr. Davis reported in the “Salary” column includes an increase in his base salary to $625,000 effective on November 1, 2022 commensurate with his added responsibilities as CEO of the Company.
2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The table below sets forth information concerning grants of plan-based awards in 2024 to our NEOs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) |
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Name |
|
Grant
|
|
Approval
|
|
Threshold
|
|
|
Target
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Threshold
|
|
|
Target
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (3) |
|
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards ($) (4) |
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
|
312,500 |
|
|
|
625,000 |
|
|
|
1,250,000 |
|
|
|
138,375 |
|
|
|
276,750 |
|
|
|
553,500 |
|
|
|
184,500 |
|
|
$ |
5,893,530 |
|
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
|
166,875 |
|
|
|
333,750 |
|
|
|
667,500 |
|
|
|
46,125 |
|
|
|
92,250 |
|
|
|
184,500 |
|
|
|
92,250 |
|
|
$ |
2,309,802 |
|
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
|
127,500 |
|
|
|
255,000 |
|
|
|
510,000 |
|
|
|
40,360 |
|
|
|
80,720 |
|
|
|
161,440 |
|
|
|
80,720 |
|
|
$ |
2,021,108 |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
|
124,500 |
|
|
|
249,000 |
|
|
|
498,000 |
|
|
|
34,595 |
|
|
|
69,190 |
|
|
|
138,380 |
|
|
|
69,190 |
|
|
$ |
1,732,414 |
|
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
3/1/2024 |
|
|
123,000 |
|
|
|
246,000 |
|
|
|
492,000 |
|
|
|
34,595 |
|
|
|
69,190 |
|
|
|
138,380 |
|
|
|
69,190 |
|
|
$ |
1,732,414 |
|
|
(1) NEOs are eligible for these awards under the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan. See further details in the “Executive Compensation Components – Annual Performance-Based Cash Incentive Compensation Plan” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above, which includes the actual bonus attainment approved by the Compensation Committee.
(2) Equity Incentive Plan Awards represents PSU awards granted to our NEOs with a three-year cliff vesting period. The goals and objectives set by the Compensation Committee for the earnout of these PSUs are described in the “Long-Term Compensation” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above. The PSU awards are subject to acceleration of vesting pursuant to agreements entered into with our NEOs as described in the “Termination of Employment Arrangements and Change in Control Arrangements” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above.
(3) Reflects RSU awards granted to our NEOs that vest as follows: 25% of the shares subject to the equity awards will vest annually, subject to the NEOs continued service as an employee, consultant or director of the Company on the applicable vesting date. The RSU awards are subject to acceleration of vesting pursuant to agreements entered into with our NEOs as described in the “Termination of Employment Arrangements and Change in Control Arrangements” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above.
(4) The amounts reflected in this column represent the grant date fair value, measured in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of any estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions, and does not reflect whether the recipient has actually realized a financial benefit from these awards. For the methodology of how the grant date fair value is calculated for the stock awards, please see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2025. For RSU awards, the grant date fair value was determined using the closing share price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair value of PSU awards that vest based on Company stock price appreciation was estimated utilizing the Monte Carlo valuation model, using the fair value of the Company’s common stock with the effect of market conditions, and assumes the performance goals will be attained at target.
56 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
2024 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
The table below sets forth information concerning the number and value of unvested stock awards held by the NEOs at December 31, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
|
|
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares or Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
3/1/2021 |
|
|
7,118 |
|
|
$ |
99,510 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4/29/2022 |
|
|
18,042 |
|
|
$ |
252,227 |
|
|
|
32,297 |
|
|
$ |
451,505 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6/1/2022 |
|
|
207,009 |
|
|
$ |
2,893,986 |
|
|
|
207,010 |
|
|
$ |
2,893,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/2023 |
|
|
111,430 |
|
|
$ |
1,557,791 |
|
|
|
111,431 |
|
|
$ |
1,557,798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/9/2024 |
|
|
184,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,579,310 |
|
|
|
138,375 |
|
|
$ |
1,934,483 |
|
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
8/15/2022 |
|
|
116,268 |
|
|
$ |
1,625,427 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/2023 |
|
|
41,647 |
|
|
$ |
582,225 |
|
|
|
92,952 |
|
|
$ |
1,299,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/9/2024 |
|
|
92,250 |
|
|
$ |
1,289,655 |
|
|
|
46,125 |
|
|
$ |
644,828 |
|
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
3/9/2021 |
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
$ |
87,375 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/22/2022 |
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
$ |
174,750 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/19/2022 |
|
|
31,968 |
|
|
$ |
446,913 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/2023 |
|
|
52,233 |
|
|
$ |
730,217 |
|
|
|
34,822 |
|
|
$ |
486,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/9/2024 |
|
|
80,720 |
|
|
$ |
1,128,466 |
|
|
|
40,360 |
|
|
$ |
564,233 |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
11/15/2021 |
|
|
12,325 |
|
|
$ |
172,304 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/19/2022 |
|
|
31,968 |
|
|
$ |
446,913 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/2023 |
|
|
52,233 |
|
|
$ |
730,217 |
|
|
|
34,822 |
|
|
$ |
486,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/9/2024 |
|
|
69,190 |
|
|
$ |
967,276 |
|
|
|
34,595 |
|
|
$ |
483,638 |
|
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
3/9/2021 |
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
$ |
26,213 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/22/2022 |
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
$ |
52,425 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/16/2022 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
139,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/19/2022 |
|
|
26,640 |
|
|
$ |
372,427 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/2023 |
|
|
33,081 |
|
|
$ |
462,472 |
|
|
|
22,054 |
|
|
$ |
308,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/9/2024 |
|
|
69,190 |
|
|
$ |
967,276 |
|
|
|
34,595 |
|
|
$ |
483,638 |
|
|
(1) Reflects RSU awards that vest as follows: 25% of the shares subject to the equity awards will vest annually, subject to the NEOs continued service as an employee, consultant or director of the Company on the applicable vesting date. The RSU awards are subject to acceleration of vesting pursuant to agreements entered into with the respective NEO as described and referenced under the “Termination of Employment Arrangements and Change in Control Arrangements” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above.
(2) This value is based on the December 31, 2024 closing price per share of our common stock of $13.98 as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market and for PSU awards granted to our NEOs, at 50% of target.
(3) Represent PSU awards granted to our NEOs with a three-year cliff vesting period. The goals and objectives set by the Compensation Committee for the earn out of these PSUs are described in the “Long-Term Compensation” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above. The PSU awards are subject to acceleration of vesting pursuant to agreements entered into with our NEOs as described in the “Termination of Employment Arrangements and Change in Control Arrangements” section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above.
57 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
2024 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
The table below sets forth information concerning the number of shares acquired on vesting of stock awards in 2024 and the value realized upon vesting by such NEOs. Our NEOs did not exercise any stock options during 2024.
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|||||
|
|
Name |
|
Number of
|
|
|
Value Realized
|
|
|
||
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
|
165,541 |
|
|
$ |
1,940,002 |
|
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
|
72,018 |
|
|
$ |
805,369 |
|
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
|
54,510 |
|
|
$ |
652,264 |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
|
45,720 |
|
|
$ |
553,283 |
|
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
|
36,144 |
|
|
$ |
423,472 |
|
|
(1) Amounts realized from the vesting of stock awards are calculated by multiplying the number of shares that vested by the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the vesting date.
2024 PENSION BENEFITS
We do not offer any plans that provide for specified retirement payments and benefits other than a tax-qualified Section 401(k) plan generally available to all employees.
2024 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
We do not offer nonqualified deferred compensation to our employees.
58 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following table and footnotes describe certain potential payments that each NEO would receive upon certain terminations of employment, including a termination of employment in connection with a change in control of the Company, assuming (1) that the termination and/or change in control, if applicable, occurred on December 31, 2024, and (2) a price per share of our common stock of $13.98, which represents the closing market price of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 31, 2024, the last trading day of 2024. For more information on the terms of the severance agreements with our NEOs and the terms of the equity incentive awards held by our NEOs under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, see “Termination of Employment Arrangements and Change in Control Arrangements” and “Long-Term Compensation”, respectively, in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above.
|
|
Name |
|
Triggering Event |
|
Cash Severance |
|
|
Value of Stock Award Acceleration |
|
|
Health Benefits |
|
|
Total |
|
|
||||
|
|
Paul E. Davis |
|
Resignation for Good Reason or Termination Other Than for Cause More Than 3 Months Prior or More Than 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
1,875,000 |
|
|
$ |
10,615,233 |
|
|
$ |
51,135 |
|
|
$ |
12,541,368 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation for Good Reason or Termination Other Than for Cause Within 3 Months Prior or Within 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
2,500,000 |
|
|
$ |
21,645,983 |
|
|
$ |
68,180 |
|
|
$ |
24,214,163 |
|
|
|
|
Keith A. Jones |
|
Termination Other Than for Cause More Than 3 Months Prior or More Than 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
778,750 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
48,767 |
|
|
$ |
827,517 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation for Good Reason or Termination Other Than for Cause Within 3 Months Prior or Within 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
778,750 |
|
|
$ |
6,854,955 |
|
|
$ |
48,767 |
|
|
$ |
7,682,472 |
|
|
|
|
Kevin Tanji |
|
Termination Other Than for Cause More Than 3 Months Prior or More Than 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
680,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
31,040 |
|
|
$ |
711,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation for Good Reason or Termination Other Than for Cause Within 3 Months Prior or Within 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
680,000 |
|
|
$ |
4,373,807 |
|
|
$ |
31,040 |
|
|
$ |
5,084,847 |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Mark Kokes |
|
Termination Other Than for Cause More Than 3 Months Prior or More Than 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
664,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
31,040 |
|
|
$ |
695,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation for Good Reason or Termination Other Than for Cause Within 3 Months Prior or Within 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
664,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,985,859 |
|
|
$ |
31,040 |
|
|
$ |
4,680,899 |
|
|
|
|
Dana Escobar |
|
Termination Other Than for Cause More Than 3 Months Prior or More Than 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
656,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
34,357 |
|
|
$ |
690,357 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation for Good Reason or Termination Other Than for Cause Within 3 Months Prior or Within 12 Months Following a Change in Control |
|
$ |
656,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,379,047 |
|
|
$ |
34,357 |
|
|
$ |
4,069,404 |
|
|
59 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Assuming (1) that the change in control occurred on December 31, 2024, and (2) a price per share of our common stock of $13.98, which represents the closing market price of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 31, 2024, the last trading day of 2024, the value of the unvested PSUs held by each NEO that would have accelerated in connection with the consummation of such change in control is as follows: Mr. Davis: $14,263,159; Mr. Jones: $3,357,648; Mr. Tanji: $1,806,086; Dr. Kokes: $1,669,150; and Mr. Escobar: $1,358,433. For more information on the terms of the severance agreements with our NEOs and the terms of the equity incentive awards held by our NEOs under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, see “Termination of Employment Arrangements and Change in Control Arrangements” and “Long-Term Compensation”, respectively, in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above.
CEO PAY RATIO
Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K requires us to disclose the ratio of our CEO’s annual total compensation to the annual total compensation of the “median compensated” employee of all our employees (other than our CEO). This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll records and the methodology described below. Because SEC rules for identifying the median of the annual total compensation of all employees allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, apply certain exclusions, and make reasonable estimates and assumptions, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to our pay ratio, as other companies have different employee populations and compensation practices and may have used different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their pay ratios.
To identify our median employee from our employee population in 2024, we compared the base pay and annual cash incentive awards of our approximately 146 employees in the U.S. as reflected in our records as of December 31, 2024. This compensation measure was consistently applied to all our employees included in the calculation. For simplicity, we calculated annual base pay using a reasonable estimate of the hours worked during 2024 for hourly employees and actual salary paid for our remaining employees. As of December 31, 2024 our total employee population consisted of approximately 150 individuals, including 4 employees located outside of the U.S. (3 in the United Kingdom and 1 in the Republic of Korea).
The 2024 annual total compensation for the median employee was calculated at $359,712, and the annual total compensation of our CEO, Mr. Davis, was $7,154,323. Therefore, the ratio of annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to our median employee for 2024 was 20 to 1.
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following Pay Versus Performance table (the “PVP Table”) provides information about the executive compensation for our principal executive officers (“PEO”) and non-PEO NEOs for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (each a “Covered Year”). The PVP Table also provides information about the results for certain measures of financial performance during those same Covered Years. In reviewing this information, there are a few important things we believe you should consider:
60 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Pay Versus Performance Table
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of our NEOs in comparison to different financial performance measures.
|
|
Pay Versus Performance |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Year
|
|
Summary
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Summary
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Peer Group
|
|
|
Net Income
|
|
|
Company-
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
||
|
|
2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
||
|
|
2022 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
||
|
|
2020 |
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
||
(1)
(2)
|
First PEO |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020 |
|
2021 |
|
2022 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Summary Compensation Table - Total Compensation (column (b)) |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
Fair Value at Fiscal Year End of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
+ |
|
Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
|
- |
|
Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year End of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
= |
|
Compensation Actually Paid (column (c)) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
61 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
|
Second PEO |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2023 |
|
2024 |
|||
|
|
|
|
Summary Compensation Table - Total Compensation (column (b)) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
- |
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
+ |
|
Fair Value at Fiscal Year End of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
+ |
|
Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
+ |
|
Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
+ |
|
Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
- |
|
Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year End of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
= |
|
Compensation Actually Paid (column (c)) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
Non-PEO NEO Average |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Summary Compensation Table - Total Compensation (column (d)) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
Fair Value at Fiscal Year End of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
+ |
|
Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
|
- |
|
Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year End of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
= |
|
Compensation Actually Paid (column (e)) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(
|
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
62 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
(3)
(5)
Compensation Actually Paid versus Financial Performance
The following graphical comparisons provide descriptions of the relationships between certain amounts included in the PVP Table for each of the Covered Years, including: (a) a comparison between our cumulative TSR and the cumulative total TSR of the Peer Group; and (b) comparisons between (i) the compensation actually paid to each of the PEOs and the average compensation actually paid to our non-PEO NEOs and (ii) each of the performance measures set forth in columns (f), (h) and (i) of the PVP Table, as well as net income from continuing operations outlined in footnote 4 of the PVP Table. In addition, we have included a comparison between (i) the compensation actually paid to the each of the PEOs and the average compensation actually paid to our non-PEO NEOs and (ii) net income from continuing operations, which is not required pursuant to Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, but which we believe provides helpful additional context regarding the link between compensation actually paid to our NEOs and Company performance.
63 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Compensation Actually Paid vs. TSR
64 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Revenue
Relationship Between Pay and Performance
Due to the leverage of our executive compensation program toward long-term incentives through grants of PSU and RSU awards, CAP is most impacted by changes in our stock price over the respective performance and/or vesting period of the awards. The CDA describes in greater detail the Compensation Committee’s emphasis on “pay-for-performance” and how our executive compensation program is designed to link executive compensation with the achievement of our financial and strategic objectives as well as stockholder value creation.
Tabular List of Financial Performance Measures
The financial performance measures listed below are our unranked most important financial performance measures used to link PEO and non-PEO CAP to our Company performance in 2024.
65 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
This proxy statement includes extensive disclosure regarding the compensation of our named executive officers under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation of Named Executive Officers.” Section 14A of the Exchange Act, requires us to submit to our stockholders a nonbinding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the named executive officers disclosed in this proxy statement, commonly referred to as a say-on-pay vote. When determining how often to hold a stockholder advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, the Board took into account the strong preference for an annual vote expressed by stockholders at the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. Accordingly, the Board determined that we will hold an annual say-on-pay vote until the next say-on-pay frequency vote.
Voting and Board’s Recommendation
The Board has approved the submission of the following resolution to our Company’s stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the 2025 Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the disclosure under the headings ‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis’ and ‘Compensation of Named Executive Officers,’ is hereby approved.”
As described more fully in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement, our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain talented executives that will drive the Company’s financial, operational and strategic objectives while creating long-term stockholder value. The compensation program is designed to achieve these objectives through a combination of the following types of compensation: base salary, annual performance-based cash incentives, and long-term incentives delivered in the form of equity awards that are earned over a multi-year period. Base salary is intended to provide a baseline level of compensation for our named executive officers. The remaining types of compensation, which in the aggregate represent the majority of our named executive officers’ target total direct compensation opportunities, tie compensation directly to the achievement of corporate and individual performance objectives, increases in our stock price, or both.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal is required to approve the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.
The stockholder vote to approve NEO compensation is an advisory vote only, and it is not binding on the Company, the Board, or the Compensation Committee. Although the vote is non-binding, the Compensation Committee and Board value the opinions of the stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our executive officers. Abstentions have the same effect as negative votes on this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be counted for any purpose in determining whether this proposal has been approved.
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” approval of the foregoing resolution.
66 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
PROPOSAL 3 — RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will attend the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
F ees for Professional Audit Services
The following is a summary of fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
||
|
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
1,645,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,547,000 |
|
|
|
|
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees (3) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
107,000 |
|
(5) |
|
|
All Other Fees (4) |
|
|
47,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
Total Fees |
|
$ |
1,692,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,655,000 |
|
|
Audit Committee Pre-approval Policies
Before an independent registered public accounting firm is engaged by the Company or its subsidiaries to render audit or non-audit services, the Audit Committee shall pre-approve the engagement. Audit Committee pre-approval of audit and non-audit services will not be required if the engagement for the services is entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee regarding the Company’s engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the Audit Committee is informed of each service provided and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities under the Exchange Act to the Company’s management. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more designated members of the Audit Committee the authority to grant pre-approvals, provided such approvals are presented to the Audit Committee at a subsequent meeting. If the Audit Committee elects to establish pre-approval policies and procedures regarding non-audit services, the Audit Committee must be informed of each non-audit service provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. Audit Committee pre-approval of non-audit services (other than review and attest services) also will not be required if such services fall within available exceptions established by the SEC. All non-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during 2024 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the pre-approval policy described above.
67 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Voting and Board’s Recommendation
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present by virtual attendance or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal is required to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Abstentions have the same effect as negative votes on this proposal. We do not expect to have any broker non-votes for this proposal because this proposal is considered a “routine” matter for which the broker has the discretionary authority to vote on behalf of the beneficial owners.
The Board recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2025.
68 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee has furnished this report concerning the independent audit of the Company’s financial statements. Each member of the Audit Committee meets the enhanced independence standards established by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rulemaking of the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market regulations. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at https://investors.adeia.com/corporate-governance/governance-overview .
The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include assisting the Board regarding the oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent registered public accounting firm’ qualifications and independence, and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and the independent registered public accounting firm.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 with the Company’s management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, with and without management present, their evaluation of the Company’s internal accounting controls and overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Audit Committee also discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, as amended (Communication with Audit Committees), as modified or supplemented. The Audit Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence) and the Audit Committee discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from the Company and the Company’s management.
Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee and the Board also have recommended, subject to stockholder approval, the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025.
|
|
March 20, 2025 |
|
|
|
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AUDIT COMMITTEE V. SUE MOLINA, CHAIR RAGHAVENDRA RAU ADAM RYMER |
69 | ADEIA - Proxy Statement
Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers. As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have adopted provisions in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that limit or eliminate the personal liability of our directors to us for monetary damages for a breach of their fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:
Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, we are obligated, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law, to indemnify each of our directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. A “director” or “officer” includes any person who is or was a director or officer of us, is or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another enterprise or was a director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of us or of another enterprise at the request of the predecessor corporation. Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, we also have the power to indemnify our employees to the extent permitted under Delaware law. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that our Board may authorize the advancement of expenses for the defense of any action for which indemnification is required or permitted. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws permit us to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of us or, at our request, served in such a capacity for another enterprise.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers that are, in some cases, broader than the specific indemnification provisions permitted by Delaware law, and that may provide additional procedural protection. The indemnification agreements require us, among other things, to:
At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees in which indemnification is sought, nor are we aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in claims for indemnification.
As provided by the Company’s written Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee must review all related party transactions on an ongoing basis, and approve any related party transaction. The Company’s written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy requires that all directors, officers and employees make appropriate disclosure of any situation that could give rise to a conflict of interest to the Company’s Chief Legal Officer.
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During the year ended December 31, 2024, Ms. O’Connor and Mr. Moloney and Ms. Turner-Brim served as members of the Compensation Committee. None of such Compensation Committee members has ever been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries during their appointment on the Compensation Committee. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2024, none of our executive officers served as a member of the Board or Compensation Committee of an entity that has one or more executive officers serving as members of our Board or our Compensation Committee.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Any stockholder who meets the requirements of the proxy rules under the Exchange Act, may submit to the Board proposals to be presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Such proposals must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and be submitted in writing by notice delivered or mailed by first-class U.S. mail, postage prepaid, to our Secretary and received at our principal executive offices at the address set forth above no later than November 26, 2025 in order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy materials to be disseminated by the Board for such annual meeting.
Our Bylaws, as amended to date, also provide for separate advance notice requirements to recommend a person for nomination as a director or to propose business to be considered by stockholders at a meeting. To be considered timely under these provisions, the stockholder’s notice must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices at the address set forth above not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or from January 8, 2026 to February 7, 2026; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. See “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.”
The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the introduction of any stockholder proposal if it is not made in compliance with the applicable notice provisions.
In addition to satisfying all of the requirements under our Bylaws, any stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees at the next annual meeting must also comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. The advance notice requirement under Rule 14a-19 does not override or supersede the longer advance notice requirement under our Bylaws.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of the common stock of the Company, to file with the SEC reports of ownership of company securities and changes in reported ownership. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company, or written representations from the reporting persons that no Form 5 was required, the Company believes that during 2024 all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors, and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with.
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OTHER MATTERS
We are not aware of any matters that may come before the meeting other than those referred to in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If any other matter shall properly come before the Annual Meeting, however, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote all proxies in accordance with their best judgment.
Accompanying this proxy statement is our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC, are available free of charge on our website at www.adeia.com or you can request a copy free of charge by calling Investor Relations at 408-473-2500 or sending an e-mail request to IR@adeia.com . Please include your contact information with the request.
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By Order of the Board ADEIA INC. |
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Sincerely, KEVIN TANJI Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary San Jose, California |
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March 26, 2025 |
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adeia ADEIA INC. 3025 ORCHARD PKWY SAN JOSE, CA 95134 Your Vote Counts! ADEIA INC. 2025 Annual Meeting Vote by May 7, 2025 11:59 PM ET V63927-P26210 You invested in ADEIA INC. and it’s time to vote! You have the right to vote on proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting. This is an important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the stockholder meeting to be held on May 8, 2025. Get informed before you vote View the Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K online OR you can receive a free paper or email copy of the material(s) by requesting prior to April 24, 2025. If you would like to request a copy of the material(s) for this and/or future stockholder meetings, you may (1) visit www.ProxyVote.com, (2) call 1-800-579-1639 or (3) send an email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. If sending an email, please include your control number (indicated below) in the subject line. Unless requested, you will not otherwise receive a paper or email copy. For complete information and to vote, visit www.ProxyVote.com Control # Smartphone users Point your camera here and vote without entering a control number Vote Virtually at the Meeting* May 8, 2025 10:00 AM Pacific Time Virtually at: https://web.viewproxy.com/adea/2025 *Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance.
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Vote at www.ProxyVote.com THIS IS NOT A VOTABLE BALLOT This is an overview of the proposals being presented at the upcoming stockholder meeting. Please follow the instructions on the reverse side to vote these important matters. Voting Items Board Recommends 1. To elect seven (7) members of the Board of Directors to hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified; Nominees: 1a. Paul E. Davis For 1b. V. Sue Molina For 1c. Daniel Moloney For 1d. Tonia O’Connor For 1e. Adam Rymer For 1f. Phyllis Turner-Brim For 1g. Sandeep Vij For 2. To hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and For 3. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2025. For NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Prefer to receive an email instead? While voting on www.ProxyVote.com, be sure to click “Delivery Settings”.
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ADEIA ADEIA INC. 3025 ORCHARD PKWY SAN JOSE, CA 95134 SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS VOTE VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 7, 2025. 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. During The Meeting - To vote during the virtual Annual Stockholder Meeting, stockholders must register in advance at https://web.viewproxy.com/adea/2025 prior to the deadline of 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 7, 2025. You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. 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 on May 7, 2025. 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. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: V63923-P26210 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY ADEIA INC The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. To elect seven (7) members of the Board of Directors to hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified; Nominees: For Against Abstain 1a. Paul E. Davis 1b. V. Sue Molina 1c. Daniel Moloney 1d. Tonia O’Connor 1e. Adam Rymer 1f. Phyllis Turner-Brim 1g. Sandeep Vij The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: For Against Abstain 2. To hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and 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. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: 3. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2025. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. For Against Abstain Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. V63924-P26210 ADEIA INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS May 8, 2025 10:00 AM Pacific Time THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Paul E. Davis and Keith Jones, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common Stock of ADEIA INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, on Thursday, May 8, 2025, virtually at https://web.viewproxy.com/adea/2025, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Continued and to be signed on reverse side
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