Smith & Wesson Brands : 2022 Proxy Statement 2.7 MB

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Date:	Time:	Location:
Monday,	10a.m. Eastern Time	www.virtualshareholder
September 12, 2022		meeting.com/SWBI2022

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc., a Nevada corporation, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Monday, September 12, 2022 (the "2022 Annual Meeting"). The 2022 Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting of stockholders. You will be able to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting, vote, and submit your questions during the live webcast of the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SWBI2022 and entering the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.

The 2022 Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

1. Election of directors
2. Advisory vote to approve executive compensation
3. Approval of the Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. 2022 Incentive Stock Plan
4. Ratification of appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm
5. Stockholder proposals, if properly presented

And such other business as may properly come before the 2022 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on July 18, 2022 may vote at the 2022 Annual Meeting.

These proxy materials were first made available to our stockholders on the internet on August 3, 2022.

Sincerely,

Kevin A. Maxwell

Senior Vice President,

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Secretary

August 3, 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Proxy Statement Summary .....................................................................................................................	1
Proposal One - Election Of Directors .....................................................................................................	3
Board And Governance Matters .............................................................................................................	7
Compensation Matters ............................................................................................................................	16
Proposal Two - Advisory Vote On Executive Compensation ..............................................................	16
Proposal Three - Approval Of Our 2022 Incentive Stock Plan ............................................................	17
Compensation Discussion And Analysis ..............................................................................................	24
Executive Compensation ........................................................................................................................	38
Audit Matters ...........................................................................................................................................	45
Proposal Four - Ratification Of Appointment Of Independent Registered Public Accountant ...............	45
Proposal Five - Stockholder Proposal ....................................................................................................	47
Proposal Six - Stockholder Proposal......................................................................................................	52
Other Important Information ....................................................................................................................	54
Beneficial Ownership Of Common Stock .............................................................................................	54
Annual Report On Form 10-K...............................................................................................................	55
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports ........................................................................................................	55
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding The 2022 Annual Meeting And Voting .................................	55
Appendix A - 2022 Incentive Stock Plan ................................................................................................	A-1

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. You should read this entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.

MEETING INFORMATION

Time and Date	10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Monday, September 12, 2022
Location	Online via webcast at
	www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SWBI2022
Record Date	July 18, 2022

MEETING AGENDA

		Board
Proposals	Recommendation	Page
1.	Election of Eight Directors	FOR each nominee	3
2.	Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation	FOR	16
3.	Approval of Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. 2022	FOR	17
	Incentive Stock Plan
4.	Ratification of Appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP	FOR	45
5-6.	Vote on Stockholder Proposals	AGAINST	47, 52

Name

Anita D. Britt *

Fred M. Diaz *

	Director
Age	Since
59	2018
56	2021

			Committee
	Experience		Memberships
	Former CFO of Perry Ellis International,		AC **, CC, ESG
	Inc.
	Former President and CEO of Mitsubishi	CC, ESG
	Motor North America, Inc.

Other Public Company Boards

3

3

John B. Furman *

78

2004

Former Senior Member of the law firm ofO'Connor, Cavanagh, Anderson, Killingsworth & Beshears

AC, CC, NCG **

0

Michael F. Golden *§§ 68

2004

Former President and CEO of a

predecessor of Smith & Wesson

Brands, Inc.

ESG**

1

Barry M. Monheit *

Robert L. Scott *§

Mark P. Smith

75

2004

76	2004
46	2020

Senior Managing Director of J.S. Held,

LLC

Former President of a predecessor of Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.

President and CEO of Smith & WessonBrands, Inc.

1. **, NCG
   AC, NCG
   -

1

0

0

Denis G. Suggs *

56

2021

CEO of LCP Transportation LLC

AC, NCG

1

• = Independent Nominee; ** = Committee Chair; § = Chairman; §§ = Vice Chairman

AC = Audit Committee; CC = Compensation Committee; ESG = Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee; NCG = Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee

2022 Proxy Statement I 1