FLXS proxy: director elections, say‑on‑pay, equity plan to 234,149
Flexsteel Industries, Inc. (FLXS) set its virtual annual meeting for December 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. CT. Shareholders of record as of October 13, 2025 may attend and vote.
The Board seeks approval to elect two Class III directors—William S. Creekmuir and M. Scott Culbreth—and to pass two advisory items: a say‑on‑pay vote and the frequency of future say‑on‑pay (Board recommends one year). The Company also requests approval to amend its 2022 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the share reserve by 150,000 shares, bringing the total authorized for future grants to 234,149 shares. Based on the $43.11 closing price on October 13, 2025, the additional 150,000 shares represent an aggregate market value of about $6.5 million.
There were 5,340,446 shares outstanding on the record date. Following Thomas M. Levine’s resignation effective at the December 10, 2025 Board meeting, the Board will be reduced from eight to seven members, and Jeanne McGovern will assume the role of Chair of the Board.
Positive
- None.
Negative
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Insights
Routine proxy with modest equity plan increase and board refresh.
Flexsteel outlines standard annual meeting items: two director elections, say‑on‑pay, and say‑on‑frequency. The notable action is a request to add 150,000 shares to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, taking the plan’s authorized future grant pool to 234,149 shares. Using the stated price of
The company discloses 5,340,446 shares outstanding as of the record date, allowing investors to gauge potential overhang from the requested pool. Governance updates include Mr. Levine’s planned resignation and Ms. McGovern becoming Chair, with the Board moving to seven members. These are presented as continuity steps; actual impact depends on shareholder voting outcomes.
☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | ||
☐ | Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | ||
☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement | ||
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials | ||
☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §.240.14a-12 | ||
☒ | No fee required. | ||
☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | ||
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: | ||
Sincerely, | |||
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Thomas M. Levine Chair of the Board | |||
Record Date: | Monday, October 13, 2025 | |||||
Date of Meeting: | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | |||||
Time: | 10:00 a.m. Central Time | |||||
Place: | Held virtually online via live webcast at | |||||
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLXS2025 | ||||||
1. | To elect two Class III Directors to serve until the 2028 annual meeting and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier director class reassignment, resignation, removal, retirement or termination. |
2. | To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. |
3. | To approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on the Compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. |
4. | To approve an amendment to the Flexsteel Industries, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. |
5. | To consider such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | |||||||||
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Michael J. Ressler | |||||||||
Secretary | |||||||||
• | FOR the election of William S. Creekmuir and M. Scott Culbreth (Proposal I); and |
• | FOR approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal II); |
• | FOR approval, on an advisory basis, the frequency of ONE YEAR for future advisory votes on executive compensation (Proposal III); and |
• | FOR approval of the amendment to the Flexsteel Industries, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (Proposal IV); |
• | granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) using any of the methods described above (and until the applicable deadline for each method); |
• | providing written notice of revocation to our Secretary at Flexsteel Industries, Inc., 385 Bell St, Dubuque, Iowa 52001-7004 prior to or at the meeting; or |
• | attending the meeting and voting virtually. |
William S. Creekmuir Age 70 Director since 2019 | Mr. Creekmuir has been a director since 2019. Mr. Creekmuir is the principal owner and President of Pinnacle Search Partners, LLC, a global executive search firm, and has served in that capacity since December 2015. Mr. Creekmuir served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of private equity-owned Simmons Bedding Company from 2000 to 2011, and publicly traded LADD Furniture, Inc., a furniture manufacturer, from 1992 to 2000. His earlier years were spent with KPMG LLP, where he was a Partner and held responsibilities in both the United States and Ireland. From 2016 to 2023, he served as a director of Party City Holdco Inc., a global leader in the celebrations industry and the largest retailer of party goods in North America; he was also Chair of its Audit Committee and a member of its Restructuring Committee. Mr. Creekmuir has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Creekmuir brings experience in corporate finance, accounting, talent management, and the home furnishings industry to the Board. | ||
M. Scott Culbreth Age 55 Director since 2021 | Mr. Culbreth has been a director since 2021. Mr. Culbreth has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and director of American Woodmark Corporation, a publicly held cabinet manufacturer, since 2020. From 2014 to 2020, he served as American Woodmark’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to American Woodmark, Mr. Culbreth served as the Chief Financial Officer at Piedmont Hardware Brands, a provider of home improvement and hardware products, from 2013 to 2014, and held various finance-related roles at Newell Brands, Inc., a global consumer goods company, from 2007-2013. Mr. Culbreth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Virginia Tech, and a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. Mr. Culbreth brings experience in corporate finance, accounting, and public company executive leadership to the Board. | ||
F. Brooks Bertsch Age 35 Director since 2024 | Mr. Bertsch has served as a partner of Intersect Wealth Advisors, LLC, a boutique multi-family office providing customized wealth planning for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families since co-founding the firm in 2022. From April 2024 to December 2024, Mr. Bertsch served as an observer to the Board and each of its committees. Mr. Bertsch served in hockey operations for the Los Angeles Kings from 2016 to 2021, holding roles in analytics, coaching, and management. Mr. Bertsch holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from St. Cloud State University. Mr. Bertsch brings significant experience in small- and micro-cap equity investment management and analysis to the Board. As a fifth-generation heir to one of Flexsteel's founders, he also brings in-depth understanding in the home furnishings industry to the Board. | ||
Kathryn P. Dickson Age 60 Director since 2021 | Ms. Dickson served as President of Manitoba Harvest, a global company that manufactures and markets plant-based-protein foods and beverages, from 2019 to 2020. Prior to Manitoba Harvest, Ms. Dickson served as Senior Vice President for Mattel, Inc., a global learning, development, and play company, and President of its American Girl subsidiary from 2016 through 2018. Prior to Mattel, Ms. Dickson served as Chief Marketing Officer for News America Marketing, a consumer-focused marketing business, from 2015 to 2016. Prior to News America Marketing, Ms. Dickson served in increasingly responsible roles over more than 23 years at General Mills, Inc., a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods. Her leadership there included Vice President, Marketing Excellence, and Vice President, Business Unit Director for global brands including Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and Old El Paso. Ms. Dickson is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Black Rifle Coffee Company, where she serves as Chair for the Compensation Committee and as a member of the Nominating & Governance Committee. She was a member of the Cooper Tire & Rubber Board of Directors from 2018 to 2021. Ms. Dickson has a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy, and a Master of Business Administration from UCLA. She served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, where she achieved the rank of Captain. Ms. Dickson brings expertise in driving growth through omnichannel and digital strategies, global expansion, brand revitalization, and innovation to the Board. | ||
Derek P. Schmidt Age 52 Director since 2024 | Mr. Schmidt was appointed President effective January 2024 and Chief Executive Officer effective July 2024. Mr. Schmidt joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer in April 2020. In June 2022, Mr. Schmidt relinquished the role of Chief Financial Officer as his role of Chief Operating Officer expanded to take on additional responsibilities and strategic ownership of the operations and product groups, including manufacturing, sourcing and procurement, logistics and distribution, product design, and engineering. In May 2023, Mr. Schmidt was appointed as Chief Financial Officer on an interim basis, in addition to his responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer. He relinquished the Chief Financial Officer position in January 2024 and the Chief Operating Officer position in June 2024. Mr. Schmidt has almost 30 years of broad financial leadership and general management experience driving profitable growth across multiple industries, including over 12 years in the furniture industry. Prior to Flexsteel, Mr. Schmidt was the Chief Financial Officer of Crescent Electric Supply Co., one of the nation’s largest electrical distributors. From 2011 to 2018, Mr. Schmidt held multiple | ||
executive positions with HNI Corporation, a leading global office furniture manufacturer. Prior to joining HNI, Mr. Schmidt held financial leadership positions with companies such as Silgan Plastics Corporation, MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., and General Mills Inc. Mr. Schmidt is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Finance. He also earned a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in finance and strategic management from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. | |||
Thomas M. Levine Age 76 Director since 2010 | Mr. Levine has been an Independent Management Advisor from 1995 to present. Previously at Fostin Capital Corp., a venture capital investment management company, he held the position of Executive Vice President from 1982 to 1999. Prior experience includes Vice President of Foster Industries, Inc., a private investment company, from 1982 to 1994, and the corporate law firm of Berkman Ruslander Pohl Lieber & Engel from 1974 to 1982, where he was a Partner of the firm from 1980 to 1982. Mr. Levine has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Levine brings experience in general management, business, and legal matters to the Board. On October 8, 2025, Thomas M. Levine gave the Board notice that he would resign from the Board effective at the conclusion of the Board meeting to be held December 10, 2025. | ||
Jeanne McGovern Age 66 Director since 2022 | Ms. McGovern is a retired partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an international firm that provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and tax services. During her tenure from 1980 to 2020, she had leadership responsibilities over audits of global companies in a wide range of industries and demonstrated expertise in financial reporting and internal controls. She also has significant experience with strategic acquisitions and divestitures, initial public offerings, and debt financing and refinancing transactions. Ms. McGovern is a director and chair of the audit committee and member of the nominating and corporate governance committee of Huntsman Corporation, a differentiated chemical manufacturer headquartered in Houston, Texas. Ms. McGovern has also served on several not-for-profit boards. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants and is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts and Washington. Ms. McGovern has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Syracuse University. Ms. McGovern brings 40 years of audit and advisory experience to the board, as well as corporate governance experience through her work with corporate boards, including audit committees. | ||
Terence P. Calloway Age 61 Director since 2025 | Mr. Calloway served as Executive Vice President, Global Product Supply for Energizer Holdings, Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of batteries, autocare, and lighting products in the marketplace from 2020 until his retirement in 2025. From 2015 to 2020, he served Energizer as Vice President, Global Research and Development. Prior to Energizer, Mr. Calloway served as Director, Global Design and Package Development for Colgate-Palmolive Company from 2014 to 2015. Prior to Colgate-Palmolive, Mr. Calloway served as Research and Development Director for The Procter & Gamble Company, a manufacturer of products that sells consumer home and personal care packaged goods from 1987 to 2013. Mr. Calloway has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alabama. Mr. Calloway brings expertise in product innovation, supply chain, organizational leadership, and strategic planning. | ||
• | Increase in Share Reserve. As of the Effective Date, a total of 234,149 Shares will be authorized for awards granted under the Amended 2022 Plan (which amount includes 150,000 additional Shares). |
• | Expands the change in control period during which a service provider termination will result in accelerated vesting of awards. The Amended 2022 Plan expands the time period during which a service provider’s termination will result in accelerated vesting of awards from a 12-month period after a change in control in the 2022 Plan to a period beginning upon signing of the definitive agreement for a change in control and ending 24 months after a change in control. |
• | Certain Administrative and Other Clarifying Changes. The Amended 2022 Plan includes an updated definition of “Disability” for administrative reasons, clarifies that the stated limit of awards to directors is per fiscal year, and contains certain other clarifying and conforming changes. |
• | No Evergreen. The Amended 2022 Plan does not include an “evergreen” or other provision that provides for automatic increases in the number of Shares available for grant under the Amended 2022 Plan. |
• | No Repricing or Exchange of Awards. The Amended 2022 Plan prohibits us from instituting a program to reduce the exercise price of outstanding awards or surrender or cancel outstanding awards for new awards and/or cash. |
• | No Discounted Options or SARs. All options and SARs must have an exercise or measurement price that is at least equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. |
• | No Dividend on Unexercised Options or SARs. No dividends or other distributions will be paid with respect to Shares that are subject to unexercised stock options or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). |
• | Dividends on Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Units and Performance Shares Not Paid Until Award Vests. Dividends or other distributions payable with respect to Shares subject to these awards will not be paid before and unless the underlying Shares vest. |
• | Limit on Non-Employee Director Compensation. In any fiscal year, non-employee directors may not be granted awards and be provided cash retainers or annual or meeting fees for service as a non-employee director in amounts that collectively exceed the limits contained in the Amended 2022 Plan. |
• | No Automatic Vesting of Awards in a Change in Control. The Amended 2022 Plan does not provide for the automatic vesting of awards in connection with a change in control where a successor corporation assumes the awards. Instead, the Amended 2022 Plan allows the administrator to determine the treatment of outstanding awards in connection with a change in control, including whether such awards shall be assumed or substituted by a successor corporation. If the successor corporation does not assume or substitute for an award, the award will fully vest. The Amended 2022 Plan is administered by a committee of independent directors. |
• | Awards Will Be Subject to Clawback. Each award under the Amended 2022 Plan will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, recoupment, reimbursement, or reacquisition under our clawback policy. See “Corporate Governance-Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy.” |
• | Historical Grant Practices. Our three-year average burn rate was 2.93% for fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2025. We define burn rate as the total number of full value shares and the total number of stock options granted to participants over one fiscal year expressed as a percent of the fully diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. We average our burn rate over three fiscal years to determine our three-year average burn rate. We believe our historical burn rates are reasonable for a company of our size in our industry. |
• | Expected Potential Dilution. The potential dilution under our former Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan and the 2022 Plan was 8.9%. The Amended 2022 Plan will increase potential dilution by 2.3 percentage points. Therefore, as of the record date, the total potential dilution with the shares requested for the Amended 2022 Plan was approximately 11.2% in total. We define potential dilution as the sum of the total number of (i) outstanding full value share grants, (i.e., awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights), (ii) outstanding stock options and (iii) shares of common stock available for future grants under the Amended 2022 Plan, expressed as a percentage of the fully diluted common shares outstanding as of October 13, 2025. We believe that the expected potential dilution that will result from the Amended 2022 Plan is reasonable for a Company of our size in our industry. |
Total number of stock options outstanding(1) | 141,858 | ||
Weighted-average exercise price of stock options outstanding | $13.08 | ||
Weighted-average remaining duration of stock options outstanding | 4.4 Years | ||
Total number of full value awards outstanding (includes restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance stock unit awards (PSUs)(2) | 292,343 | ||
Total number of shares remaining available for grant under the 2022 Plan(3) | 84,149 | ||
Total shares of common stock outstanding as of the Record Date | 5,340,446 | ||
(1) | Includes 79,000 shares underlying stock options granted as inducement awards. No stock appreciation rights were outstanding as of October 13, 2025. |
(2) | The number of shares of outstanding PSUs assumes performance at the target performance level. |
(3) | Represents the number of shares remaining available for grant under the 2022 Plan counting PSUs at target payout. The 2022 Plan is our only active equity compensation plan as of October 13, 2025. |
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP | DOLLAR VALUE OF AWARDS ($) | NUMBER OF AWARDS (#) | ||||
All current executive officers as a group(1) | — | — | ||||
All non-employee directors as a group | $600,000(2) | —(3) | ||||
(1) | As awards are subject to the discretion of the administrator, it is not possible to determine the benefits that will be received in the future by any of our named executive officers. Please see our “Executive Compensation” section above for a detailed description of our compensation practices with respect to our named executive officers. |
(2) | Under our current director compensation program, each of our non-employee directors is expected to receive annual stock grants with a grant date value of $100,000, delivered in quarterly installments. The amount shown represents the aggregate amount for the six directors continuing after the annual meeting. |
(3) | The number of shares of stock to be granted to our non-employee directors under the director compensation program on the day after each quarterly meeting is determined by dividing the dollar amount of the award by the closing price of the stock on that date. Accordingly, the number of shares to be issued annually is not determinable. |
Name | Fees earned or paid in cash ($)(1) | Stock awards ($)(2) | Total ($) | ||||||
Thomas M. Levine – Chair of the Board | 151,500 | 96,982 | 248,482 | ||||||
Jeanne McGovern | 80,250 | 96,982 | 177,232 | ||||||
William S. Creekmuir | 77,750 | 96,982 | 174,732 | ||||||
M. Scott Culbreth | 77,750 | 96,982 | 174,732 | ||||||
Kathryn P. Dickson | 76,500 | 96,982 | 173,482 | ||||||
F. Brooks Bertsch(3) | 34,500 | 48,491 | 82,991 | ||||||
Terence P. Calloway(4) | 17,250 | 24,229 | 41,479 | ||||||
Jerald K. Dittmer(5) | 100,000 | — | 100,000 | ||||||
(1) | Each non-executive director, other than Mr. Dittmer, is paid a retainer at the rate of $61,500 per year. The amount increased to $70,000 beginning with fiscal year 2026. In addition, the Chair of the Board is paid an additional retainer of $90,000 per year. The Audit and Ethics Committee Chair is paid a retainer of $15,000 per year. The Compensation Committee Chair is paid a retainer of $10,000 per year. The Nominating and Governance Committee Chair is paid a retainer of $10,000 per year. The Audit and Ethics Committee Chair retainer increased to $20,000 beginning with fiscal year 2026. The Compensation Committee Chair and Nominating and Governance Committee Chair retainers each increased to $15,000 beginning with fiscal year 2026. Audit and Ethics Committee members receive an additional retainer of $7,500 per year. Compensation Committee members receive an additional retainer of $5,000 per year. Nominating and Governance Committee members receive an additional retainer of $5,000 per year. |
(2) | Each director, other than Mr. Dittmer, receives an annual stock grant with a value of $97,000 delivered in quarterly installments and rounded to the nearest share, with no additional vesting requirements. This amount increased to $100,000 beginning with fiscal year 2026. Directors are expected to accumulate Flexsteel shares of common stock valued at five times the annual Director cash compensation. |
(3) | Mr. Bertsch was appointed to the Board on December 11, 2024. |
(4) | Mr. Calloway was appointed to the Board effective May 25, 2025. |
(5) | Mr. Dittmer resigned as Chief Executive Officer on June 30, 2024, but continued to serve as a director until his resignation from the Board on December 31, 2024. Mr. Dittmer was paid $16,667 per month from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 for his service as a strategic advisor to the Company. |
• | Directors: | Five times annual director cash compensation | |||||||
• | Chief Executive Officer: | Four times base salary | |||||||
• | Executive Officers: | Two times base salary | |||||||
• | Officers: | Base salary | |||||||
• | The name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice; |
• | The principal occupation or employment of each such nominee; and |
• | The number of shares of stock of the Company which are beneficially owned by each such nominee. |
Jeanne McGovern, Chair | William S. Creekmuir | F. Brooks Bertsch | Terence P. Calloway | ||||||
Derek P. Schmidt Age 52 President and Chief Executive Officer | See biographical information set forth under Proposal I, Election of Directors | ||
Michael J. Ressler Age 42 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary | Mike Ressler joined the Company in April 2006 as Corporate Accountant and has held a number of impactful roles with increasing levels of responsibility over the past 18 years. In January 2024, he was named Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Secretary. He retained his leadership responsibilities for manufacturing and expanded his scope to include executive responsibility for finance, accounting, and risk management. In November 2022, he was named Vice President of Manufacturing, where he was responsible for manufacturing, sales, inventory and operations planning (SIOP), and procurement. Prior to his current position, he was Senior Director of Finance-Supply Chain, and was responsible for overall FP&A, including direct support for manufacturing, SIOP, and procurement. He has worked intimately with manufacturing and has participated at a hands-on level with process development, footprint development and implementation, operational efficiency improvements, labor planning, capital planning, and facility management. He has identified gaps and implemented sustainable processes to increase visibility and reduce risk to the organization. Mr. Ressler is a graduate of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting. | ||
Michael J. McClaflin Age 62 Chief Information and Technology Officer | Mike McClaflin joined the Company in March 2019 as Chief Information & Technology Officer. Mr. McClaflin is responsible for empowering business performance across Flexsteel’s enterprise through strategic technology and information management investments for both internal systems and external go-to-market capabilities. In addition to over 25 years of experience in ERP systems, eBusiness, business intelligence and IT operations, Mr. McClaflin is a versatile executive leader with significant cross-functional expertise in process and performance improvements. Prior to Flexsteel, Mr. McClaflin was the Director of Acquisition Strategy and Integration for the Birmingham-based Industrial Parts division of Genuine Parts Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. McClaflin spent 12 years in the furniture industry where he held various technology leadership positions, including serving as Vice President of eBusiness and IT, for The HON Company. Mr. McClaflin is a graduate of Upper Iowa University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and General Management. He also earned a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Iowa Henry B. Tippie College of Business. | ||
David E. Crimmins Age 44 Vice President, Sales and Product Management | Dave Crimmins joined the Company in September 2019 as Vice President, Sales. In January 2023, Mr. Crimmins was named Vice President, Sales and Product Management as his role expanded to take on additional responsibilities surrounding the product portfolio, including design, engineering, and development of product; and for the product merchandising and messaging supporting all sales channels. He has more than 16 years of experience in the furniture industry, including sales and marketing leadership positions across multiple brands and market segments. Prior to Flexsteel, Mr. Crimmins was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the UK-based North American division of The Senator Group, representing both the Allermuir and Senator brands. His responsibilities included building sales and marketing capabilities, developing and executing go-to-market strategies, and driving improved financial performance across operations in North America. Mr. Crimmins also held multiple sales and general management related roles of increasing responsibility within HNI Corporation across multiple operating companies. Mr. Crimmins is a graduate of The University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore. | ||
Stacy M. Kammes Age 45 Vice President, Human Resources | Stacy Kammes joined the Company in 2014 as Director, Human Resources and was named Vice President, Human Resources in 2017. Ms. Kammes was appointed Assistant Secretary in May 2020. With over 20 years of HR experience, she is responsible for leading the Human Resources function and providing expertise on organizational development, talent acquisition and development, compensation, benefits, and labor relations. Prior to Flexsteel, Ms. Kammes served as an HR Leader-Organizational Effectiveness Talent, Global Supply Chain and OnHighway Business for Cummins Emission Solutions, a global leader in designing, manufacturing and integrating exhaust aftertreatment solutions. In these roles, she drove talent acquisition, performance management, training and development, succession planning, and labor relations across multiple global manufacturing, distribution and corporate locations. Earlier in her career, Ms. Kammes held several plant HR positions within Cummins Emission Solutions and Federal Mogul. Ms. Kammes is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in General Management and Human Resource Management. She also earned a Master of Business Administration from Upper Iowa University. | ||
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary $ | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1) | Option Awards ($)(2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Comp ($)(3) | All Other Comp ($)(4) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||
Derek P. Schmidt President and Chief Executive Officer | 2025 | 570,000 | — | 902,990 | — | 908,010 | 78,195 | 2,459,195 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | 470,000 | — | 446,465 | — | 493,500 | 50,680 | 1,460,645 | |||||||||||||||||
David E. Crimmins Vice President of Sales and Product Management | 2025 | 352,000 | — | 246,378 | — | 373,824 | 54,137 | 1,026,339 | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | 335,000 | — | 234,484 | — | 281,400 | 30,463 | 881,347 | |||||||||||||||||
Michael J. Ressler Chief Financial Officer | 2025 | 325,000 | — | 252,461 | — | 287,625 | 25,575 | 890,661 | ||||||||||||||||
(1) | The amounts shown for fiscal year 2025 include the grant date fair value of three-year performance share awards at target and restricted stock units under the Company’s long-term incentive program. No performance shares will be issued unless the minimum specific performance goals set by the Compensation Committee are met. The 2025 three-year performance period is July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027. The 2024 three-year performance period is July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026. Shares earned, if any, will be issued following each respective three-year performance period. The amounts include the grant date fair value of the performance share awards assuming achievement of the target performance goals. The grant date fair value is determined by taking total units granted for the performance period at target multiplied by the closing market price on date of grant. The maximum share award value that could be issued for fiscal 2025 for Mr. Schmidt is $957,588, for Mr. Crimmins is $295,641, and for Mr. Ressler is $272,973. The amounts shown in the table for fiscal 2025 include the grant date fair value of restricted stock units for Mr. Schmidt – $424,196; for Mr. Crimmins – $98,558; and for Mr. Ressler – $115,974. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units is determined by taking total restricted stock units granted multiplied by the closing market price on date of grant. |
(2) | No option awards were granted in fiscal years 2025 and 2024. |
(3) | The amounts shown represent the cash earned under the Company’s Cash Incentive compensation plan for the fiscal year. |
(4) | The table below presents an itemized account of “All Other Compensation” provided in fiscal 2025 to the named executive officers: |
Name | Year | Tax Preparation $ | Supplemental Medical ($) | Furniture Program ($) | 401K Match ($) | Total All Other Comp ($) | ||||||||||||
D. P. Schmidt | 2025 | — | 25,499 | 32,946 | 19,750 | 78,195 | ||||||||||||
2024 | — | 16,633 | 17,172 | 16,875 | 50,680 | |||||||||||||
D. E. Crimmins | 2025 | — | 24,881 | 11,581 | 17,675 | 54,137 | ||||||||||||
2024 | — | 12,445 | — | 16,875 | 30,463 | |||||||||||||
M. J. Ressler | 2025 | 1,807 | 1,762 | 3,802 | 18,204 | 25,575 | ||||||||||||
• | Target: adjusted operating income: $26.2 million, net sales: $431.6 million. |
• | Threshold: adjusted operating income: $21.0 million, net sales: $388.4 million. |
• | Maximum: adjusted operating income: $30.7 million, net sales: $474.8 million. |
Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2025 | |||||||
• Target | $6.5 | $14.9 | $20.7 | ||||||
• Threshold | $1.5 | $7.4 | $13.2 | ||||||
• Outstanding | $11.5 | $22.4 | $28.2 | ||||||
• Maximum | $14.0 | $26.2 | $31.9 | ||||||
• | tax planning services; |
• | supplemental health insurance; and |
• | furniture program. |
Option Award | Stock Award | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Option Grant Date | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#)(1) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) | Option Exercise Price | Option Expiration Date(2) | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(3) | Market Value of Shares of Units or Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(4) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(5) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(4) | ||||||||||||||||||
D. P. Schmidt | 7/1/2020 | 13,566 | 12.77 | 7/1/2030 | 22,842 | 822,997 | 42,244 | 1,522,051 | |||||||||||||||||||
4/6/2020 | 108,884 | 9.97 | 4/6/2030 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. E. Crimmins | 8,073 | 290,870 | 17,726 | 638,668 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
M. J Ressler | 7/1/2015 | 464 | 43.09 | 7/1/2025 | 7,719 | 278,116 | 7,046 | 253,867 | |||||||||||||||||||
9/1/2016 | 737 | 47.45 | 9/1/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
9/8/2017 | 774 | 45.21 | 9/8/2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
9/13/2018 | 1,524 | 32.80 | 9/13/2028 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Options include both incentive stock options and non-statutory stock options. |
(2) | Options expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. |
(3) | Mr. Schmidt’s unvested restricted stock units vest as follows: 9,444 vest on June 30, 2026; and 13,398 vest on June 30, 2027. Mr. Crimmins’s unvested restricted stock units vest as follows: 4,960 vest on June 30, 2026; and 3,113 shares vest on June 30, 2027. Mr. Ressler’s unvested restricted stock units vest as follows: 2,597 on February 8, 2026, 1,459 on June 30, 2026, and 3,663 on June 30, 2027. |
(4) | The market value of unvested stock awards is based on the closing stock price on June 30, 2025, which was $36.03. |
(5) | The amounts shown represent the potential three-year performance share unit awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan during the three, three-year performance periods in effect during fiscal year 2025. No shares will be issued unless the minimum specific performance goals set by the Compensation Committee are met. Shares earned, if any, will be issued following each respective three-year performance period. Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Crimmins and Mr. Ressler participated in the fiscal year 2025 – 2027, 2024 – 2026 and 2023 - 2025 performance plan periods. Unearned performance shares are shown below assuming target performance for grants made in fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023: |
Name | Fiscal Year 2025(a) | Fiscal Year 2024(b) | Fiscal Year 2023(c) | Total | ||||||||
D. P. Schmidt | 15,123 | 14,166 | 12,955 | 42,244 | ||||||||
D. E. Crimmins | 4,669 | 7,440 | 5,617 | 17,726 | ||||||||
M. J. Ressler | 4,311 | 2,189 | 546 | 7,046 | ||||||||
(a) | Three-year performance period ends June 30, 2027 |
(b) | Three-year performance period ends June 30, 2026 |
(c) | Three-year performance period ended June 30, 2025. |
• | the Eligible Employee’s base salary continuation for 12 months; |
• | a lump sum payment equal to the COBRA premiums necessary to continue the Eligible Employee’s and his or her dependents’ health insurance coverage in effect on the Eligible Employee’s termination date for a period of 12 months, without regard to whether the Eligible Employee or his or her dependents elect continuation coverage under COBRA; and |
• | a lump sum payment equal to the amount of cash compensation that would be payable to the Eligible Employee under the CIP for the fiscal year during which the termination date occurs if the Eligible Employee’s employment had continued through the end of such fiscal year, computed assuming that the “target” level of performance had been achieved, without regard to any discretionary adjustments that would have the effect of reducing the amount of the annual incentive bonus (other than discretionary adjustments applicable to all similarly-situated employees who did not terminate employment). |
Plan Category | (a) Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (#) | (b) Weighted- Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights ($)(3) | (c) Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a) (#)(4) | ||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 593,879(1) | $18.02 | 48,755 | ||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | 79,000(2) | $9.97 | — | ||||||
Total | 672,879 | $13.63 | 48,755 | ||||||
(1) | Includes the shares of common stock and underlying 65,853 outstanding stock options under the Omnibus Stock Plan and 301,232 outstanding performance share awards under the LTIP and 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, assuming maximum performance. |
(2) | Includes 79,000 stock options granted under inducement awards. |
(3) | Represents the weighted average exercise price of outstanding stock options. Outstanding restricted stock units and performance share awards do not have an exercise price. |
(4) | Represents the shares of common stock remaining available for future issuance under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan assuming maximum performance on outstanding performance share awards. |
Year(1) | Summary compensation table total for PEO(2) | Compensation actually paid to PEO(3) | Average summary compensation table total for non-PEO named executive officers(2) | Average compensation actually paid to non-PEO named executive officers(3) | Value of initial fixed $100 investment based on: total shareholder return(4) | Net income | ||||||||||||
2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
(1) |
(2) | Amounts reported in this column represent the total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year. |
(3) | To calculate CAP under SEC disclosure rules, adjustments were made to the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year and the reconciliations of such adjustments are set forth in the table below. |
PEO | NEOs - Average | |||||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
Deduction for Amounts Reported under the “Stock Awards” Column in the Summary Compensation Table | ($ | ($ | ($ | ($ | ($ | ($ | ||||||||||||
Deduction for Amounts Reported under the “Option Awards” Column in the Summary Compensation Table | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Increase for Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that Remain Unvested as of Year end | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Increase for Fair Value of Awards Granted during year that Vest during year | $ | $ | $ | $— | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from Prior Year-end to current Year-end of Awards Granted Prior to year that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Year-end | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Increase/deduction for Change in Fair Value from Prior Year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted Prior to year that Vested during year | $ | $ | ($ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Deduction of Fair Value of Awards Granted Prior to year that were Forfeited during year | $ | ($ | ($ | $ | ($ | ($ | ||||||||||||
Increase based upon Incremental Fair Value of Awards Modified during year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Increase based on Dividends or Other Earnings Paid during year prior to Vesting Date of Award | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
+Total Adjustments | $ | $ | ($ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
(4) | Cumulative total shareholder return (“TSR”) is calculated based on a hypothetical $100 investment beginning July 1, 2022 and reinvestment of all dividends. The TSR is reported on a cumulative basis over fiscal years 2023 to 2025. Specifically, TSR for fiscal year 2023 in the table will represent TSR over fiscal year 2023. TSR for fiscal year 2024 will represent the cumulative TSR over fiscal years 2023 and 2024. TSR for fiscal year 2025 will represent the cumulative TSR over fiscal years 2023, 2024 and 2025. |
Name | Title | Amount of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (#)(1) | Percent of Common Stock Outstanding | ||||||
Derek P. Schmidt(2) | President & Chief Executive Officer | 341,059 | 6.2% | ||||||
F. Brooks Bertsch(3) | Director | 37,186 | 0.7% | ||||||
Thomas M. Levine(4) | Director | 33,936 | 0.6% | ||||||
David E. Crimmins | Vice President, Sales and Product Management | 32,688 | 0.6% | ||||||
William S. Creekmuir | Director | 30,856 | 0.6% | ||||||
Kathryn P. Dickson | Director | 20,089 | 0.5% | ||||||
Michael J. Ressler | Chief Financial Officer | 18,453 | 0.3% | ||||||
M. Scott Culbreth(5) | Director | 12,556 | 0.2% | ||||||
Jeanne McGovern | Director | 10,284 | 0.2% | ||||||
Terence P. Calloway | Director | 1,294 | 0.0% | ||||||
All Directors, and Executive Officers as a Group (12) | 613,061 | 11.2% | |||||||
(1) | Includes the following number of shares, which may be acquired as of October 13, 2025, or within 60 days of such date by exercise of stock options: Mr. Schmidt – 122,450; Mr. Ressler – 3,035; All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group – 134,223. |
(2) | Includes 1,081 shares held by the IRA of Mr. Schmidt’s wife, 1,096 shares held in Mr. Schmidt’s IRA and 60, 913 held in his 401k. |
(3) | Includes 37,186 shares held by Mr. Bertsch as Trustee for the Frank Brooks Bertsch Revocable Trust. |
(4) | Includes 30,936 shares held by Mr. Levine as Trustee for the 2013 Revocable Trust of Thomas M. Levine and 3,000 shares held by Mr. Levine within a SEP IRA. |
(5) | Includes 12,566 shares held by Mr. Culbreth as Trustee for The Culbreth Family Revocable Joint Trust. |
Name | Address | Amount of Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1) | Percent of Class | ||||||
Carolyn T. Bertsch Bleile | 200 W Madison St. Chicago, IL 60606 | 446,303(2) | 8.5% | ||||||
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP | 6300 Bee Cave Road, Bldg One, Austin, TX 78746 | 403,395(3) | 7.7% | ||||||
Steven H. Bertsch | 200 W Madison St. Chicago, IL 60606 | 410,815(4) | 7.8% | ||||||
BlackRock, Inc. | 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001 | 335,367(5) | 6.5% | ||||||
Jeffrey T. Bertsch | 200 W Madison St. Chicago, IL 60606 | 310,241(6) | 5.9% | ||||||
(1) | To the best knowledge of the Company, no beneficial owner named above has the right to acquire any additional beneficial ownership. |
(2) | The number of shares beneficially owned is based on information provided in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2025. The 446,303 shares are owned by the Carolyn T. Bleile Declaration of Trust. |
(3) | The number of shares beneficially owned is based on information in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2024, which reflects sole dispositive power for 403,395 shares and sole voting power for 396,447 shares. |
(4) | The number of shares beneficially owned is based on information provided in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2025. The 410,815 shares are owned by the Steven H. Bertsch Declaration of Trust. |
(5) | The number of shares beneficially owned is based on information in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2024, which reflects sole dispositive power for 335,367 shares and sole voting power for 339,179 shares. |
(6) | The number of shares beneficially owned is based on information provided in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2025. The 310,241 shares are owned by the Jeffrey T. Bertsch Amended and Restated Trust. |
(in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
Audit Fees(1) | $770 | $675 | ||||
(1) | Professional fees and expenses for the audit of financial statements for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 consisted of (i) an audit of the Company's annual consolidated financial statements; (ii) reviews of the Company’s quarterly consolidated financial statements; (iii) consents and other services related to Securities and Exchange Commission matters; (iv) consultations on financial accounting and reporting matters arising during the course of the audit and reviews. |
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | ||||||
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Michael J. Ressler | ||||||
Secretary | ||||||
• | attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility; |
• | provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants; and |
• | promote the success of the Company’s business. |



