Company: AAOI
Filing Date: 2025-04-28
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001104659-25-040212
Chunk: 26

Company: APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-04-28
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 26
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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Respectfully submitted, AUDIT COMMITTEE
Richard B. Black, Chairman
Cynthia (Cindy) DeLaney
Min-Chu (Mike) Chen 16 TABLE OF CONTENTS PROPOSAL NO. 3
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act and related rules of the SEC, we are providing stockholders an advisory vote, or say-on-pay vote, on the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement. At our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, 90.17% of votes cast voted in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers. The compensation committee interpreted stockholder approval of the executive compensation program at such a high level as indicating that a substantial majority of stockholders viewed the Company’s executive compensation program, plan design and governance as continuing to be well aligned with stockholder interests, their investor experience and business outcomes. The say-on-pay vote is a non-binding vote on the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation and accompanying narrative disclosure. The say-on-pay vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. In connection with this proposal, you are encouraged to carefully review the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section as well as the information contained in the compensation tables and accompanying narrative disclosure contained in this Proxy Statement. As described more fully in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section and below, our compensation philosophy, policies and practices seek to pay for performance and align stockholder and executive interests. Consistent with that philosophy, the compensation committee of the Board believes our executive compensation program is reasonable and aligned with stockholder interests. The Board recommends that you vote in favor of the following advisory resolution: “RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement for this Annual Meeting pursuant to Rule 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and accompanying narrative disclosure, is hereby approved.” The vote on this proposal is advisory and nonbinding on the Company. However, the Board and the compensation committee will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions regarding our named executive officers