Company: JOUT
Filing Date: 2025-01-10
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001140361-25-000715
Chunk: 14

Company: JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC
Filing Date: 2025-01-10
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 14
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 exempt from certain independence requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market rules, including the requirement to maintain a majority of independent directors on the Company’s Board of Directors and the requirement to maintain a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a Compensation Committee composed entirely of independent directors. Notwithstanding such exemption, the Board of Directors has reviewed the independence of the nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting under the applicable standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Based upon this review, of the nine nominees, the Board of Directors has determined that each of the following nominee directors was independent under the NASDAQ listing standards:

| Paul G. Alexander         |
| Katherine Button Bell     |
| John M. Fahey, Jr.        |
| Edward F. Lang            |
| Richard (“Casey”) Sheahan |
| Edward Stevens            |
| Jeffrey M. Stutz          |
| Liliann Annie Zipfel      |

The Board of Directors determined that Ms. Johnson-Leipold was not independent in accordance with the NASDAQ standards because she is an executive officer of the Company. Board Leadership Structure The Board of Directors determines whether it is appropriate to combine or separate the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer depending on the Company’s circumstances at the time. Ms. Johnson-Leipold currently serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ms. Johnson-Leipold possesses extensive experience in the industries in which the Company operates, and in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges the Company faces, and is thus best positioned to develop agendas and highlight issues that ensure that the Board of Directors’ time and attention are focused on the most critical matters. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that this leadership structure is optimal because it believes that having one leader serving as both the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer provides decisive, consistent and effective leadership, as well as clear accountability. Having one person serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer also enhances the Company’s ability to communicate its message and strategy clearly and consistently to its shareholders, employees, and business partners, particularly during times of turbulent economic and industry conditions. Although the Company believes that the combination of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles is appropriate under current circumstances, it will continue to review this issue periodically to determine whether, based on the relevant facts and circumstances, separation of these offices would serve the Company’s best interests and the best interests of its shareholders.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

| CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS |

John M. Fahey