DEF 14A 1 d357923ddef14a.htm DEF 14A DEF 14A
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

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

Oracle Corporation

 

 

(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 the appropriate box):

 

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.

 

 


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

September 23, 2022

To our Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Oracle Corporation. Our Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., Central Time. The 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be a virtual meeting. At our virtual Annual Meeting, stockholders will be able to attend, vote and submit questions via the Internet.

We describe in detail the actions we expect to take at the Annual Meeting in the following Notice of 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement. We have also made available a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2022. We encourage you to read the Form 10-K, which includes information on our operations, products and services, as well as our audited financial statements.

This year, we will again be using the “Notice and Access” method of providing proxy materials to stockholders via the Internet. We believe that this process provides stockholders with a convenient and quick way to access the proxy materials and vote, while allowing us to conserve natural resources and reduce the costs of printing and distributing the proxy materials. We will mail to most of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access our proxy statement and the Form 10-K and vote electronically via the Internet. This notice will also contain instructions on how to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials. All stockholders who are not sent a notice, or who otherwise request, will be sent a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail or an electronic copy of the proxy materials by email. See “Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting” beginning on page 67 for more information.

Please use this opportunity to take part in our corporate affairs by voting your shares on the business to come before this meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please vote electronically via the Internet or by telephone, or, if you requested paper copies of the proxy materials, please complete, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. See “How Do I Vote?” on page 6 of the proxy statement for more details. Voting electronically, by telephone or by returning your proxy card does NOT deprive you of your right to attend the virtual meeting and to vote your shares during the meeting for the matters acted upon at the meeting. If you cannot attend the virtual meeting, we invite you to listen to a recording following the Annual Meeting through November 23, 2022 by going to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022 or our website at www.oracle.com/investor.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

 

Lawrence J. Ellison

Chairman and Chief Technology Officer

 


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LOGO

2300 Oracle Way

Austin, Texas 78741

NOTICE OF 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

TIME AND DATE

 

1:00 p.m., Central Time, on Wednesday, November 16, 2022

LOCATION

 

The meeting will be held in a virtual format only. Please visit

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022.

REPLAY

 

A recording of the meeting will be available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022 and on our website at www.oracle.com/investor following the Annual Meeting through November 23, 2022.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

 

(1)   To elect 15 director nominees to serve on the Board of Directors until our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

(2)  To hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

(3)  To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2023.

 

(4)  To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

RECORD DATE

 

September 19, 2022

PROXY VOTING

 

It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. You can vote your shares electronically via the Internet, by telephone or by completing and returning the proxy card or voting instruction card if you requested paper proxy materials. Voting instructions are provided in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or, if you requested printed materials, the instructions are printed on your proxy card and included in the accompanying proxy statement. You can revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions in the proxy statement.

MEETING ADMISSION

 

You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting online, vote and submit one question during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022 and entering the 16-digit control number included on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card (if you requested printed materials), or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. You will only be entitled to vote and submit a question at the Annual Meeting if you are a stockholder as of the close of business on September 19, 2022, the record date. More details on how to participate in this year’s virtual meeting can be found on pages 6 and 7 and in the “Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting” beginning on page 67. In the event of a technical malfunction or other situation that at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board of Directors may affect the ability of the Annual Meeting to satisfy the requirements for a meeting of stockholders to be held, the Chairman or Corporate Secretary of Oracle will convene the meeting at 4:00 p.m., Central Time on the same date and at the location specified above solely for the purpose of holding the adjourned meeting at this later time. Under the foregoing circumstances, we will post information regarding the announcement on the Investors page of Oracle’s website at www.oracle.com/investor.

 

LOGO

 

Brian S. Higgins

Senior Vice President and Secretary

September 23, 2022


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

     1  

HOW DO I VOTE?

     6  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     8  

Nominees for Directors

     8  

Communications with the Board

     15  

Board Meetings

     15  

Committees, Membership and Meetings

     16  

Director Compensation

     19  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     21  

Corporate Governance Guidelines

     21  

Proxy Access and Director Nominations

     22  

Majority Voting Policy

     22  

Prohibition on Speculative Transactions and Pledging Policy

     23  

Board and Committee Performance Evaluations

     25  

Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors and Senior Officers

     26  

Board Leadership Structure

     26  

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

     27  

Board of Directors and Director Independence

     28  

Director Tenure, Board Refreshment and Diversity

     28  

Stockholder Engagement

     29  

Human Capital Management

     30  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS  AND MANAGEMENT

     31  

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

     32  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     33  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     33  

Executive Summary

     33  

Objectives of Our Executive Compensation Program

     40  

Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program

     40  

Determination of Executive Compensation Amounts for Fiscal 2022

     44  

Other Factors in Setting Executive Compensation

     46  

2021 Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

     48  

Other Compensation Policies

     48  

Compensation Committee Report

     49  

Fiscal 2022 Summary Compensation Table

     50  

Grants of Plan-Based Awards During Fiscal 2022 Table

     51  

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2022 Year-End Table

     52  

Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal 2022 Table

     53  

Fiscal 2022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table

     53  

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

     54  

Equity Compensation Plan Information

     55  

CEO PAY RATIO

     56  

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

     57  

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     59  

PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     61  

PROPOSAL NO. 2: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     62  

PROPOSAL NO.  3: RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     64  

REPORT OF THE FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE  OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     65  

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING

     66  

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

     67  

NO INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     72  

OTHER BUSINESS

     72  

HOUSEHOLDING

     72  

 

   2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders   LOGO   


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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. For more complete information about these topics, please review our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2022 and the contents of this proxy statement. Fiscal 2022 began on June 1, 2021 and ended on May 31, 2022. Fiscal 2023 began on June 1, 2022 and ends on May 31, 2023.

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction card, including an Internet link to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2022, were first made available to stockholders on or about September 23, 2022.

 

 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

 

 

Date and Time

 

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

1:00 p.m., Central Time

 

Location

 

Online via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022

 

Record Date

 

You will only be entitled to vote and submit a question for the Annual Meeting if you are a stockholder as of the close of business on September 19, 2022, the record date.

 

Replay

 

A recording of the meeting will be available on our website at www.oracle.com/investor and at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022 following the Annual Meeting through November 23, 2022.

 

 

    

 

Voting and Attendance

 

You may vote on the Internet, by telephone, by mail or during the Annual Meeting if you are a stockholder as of the close of business on the record date. You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022 and entering the 16-digit control number included on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card (if you requested printed materials), or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.

 

Submitting a Question

 

You may submit one question either in advance of or during the Annual Meeting if you are a stockholder as of the close of business on the record date. You may submit a question in advance of the meeting at www.proxyvote.com by logging in with your 16-digit control number. During the Q&A session at the Annual Meeting, we will endeavor to answer as many stockholder-submitted questions as time permits that comply with the meeting rules of conduct.

 

 

 Voting Roadmap

 

 

Agenda Item  

Board Recommendation

   Page    

   Election of 15 directors

  For Each Nominee    61  

   Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers (NEOs)

  For    62  

   Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2023

  For    64  

 

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 Director Nominees

 

In Proposal No. 1, we are asking you to vote FOR each of the 15 director nominees listed below. Each director attended at least 75% of all Board meetings and applicable committee meetings during fiscal 2022.

 

Nominee   Age   Director
Since
  Independent     Current Committees

Awo Ablo

Executive Director, External Relations, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

  50   2022     LOGO    

 

Jeffrey S. Berg

Chairman, Northside Services, LLC; Former Chairman and CEO, International Creative Management, Inc.

  75   1997     LOGO    

   Independence (Chair)

   Finance and  Audit

   Governance

Michael J. Boskin

Tully M. Friedman Professor of Economics and Wohlford Family Hoover Institution Senior Fellow, Stanford University

  76   1994     LOGO    

   Finance and  Audit (Chair)

Safra A. Catz

CEO, Oracle Corporation

  60   2001  

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce R. Chizen*

Senior Adviser, Permira Advisers LLP; Venture Partner, Voyager Capital; Former CEO, Adobe Systems Incorporated

  67   2008     LOGO    

   Governance (Chair)

   Finance and  Audit

George H. Conrades

Executive Advisor and Former Chairman and CEO, Akamai Technologies, Inc.; Managing Partner, Longfellow Venture Partners

  83   2008    
LOGO
 
 

   Compensation (Chair)

   Independence

Lawrence J. Ellison

Chairman, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Founder, Oracle Corporation

  78   1977  

 

 

 

 

 

Rona A. Fairhead

Former Minister of State, U.K. Department for International Trade; Former Chair, BBC Trust; Former Chair and CEO, Financial Times Group Limited

  61   2019     LOGO    

   Finance and  Audit

Jeffrey O. Henley

Vice Chairman of the Board, Oracle Corporation

  77   1995  

 

 

 

 

 

Renée J. James

Chairman and CEO, Ampere Computing LLC; Operating Executive, The Carlyle Group; Former President, Intel Corporation

  58   2015  

 

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Moorman

Senior Advisor and Former CEO, Amtrak; Former CEO, Norfolk Southern Corporation

  70   2018     LOGO    

   Compensation

   Independence

Leon E. Panetta

Co-founder and Chairman, Panetta Institute for Public Policy; Former U.S. Secretary of Defense; Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

  84   2015     LOGO    

   Compensation

   Governance

William G. Parrett

Former CEO, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

  77   2018     LOGO    

   Governance

Naomi O. Seligman

Senior Partner, Ostriker von Simson, Inc.

  84   2005     LOGO    

   Compensation (Vice Chair)

Vishal Sikka

Founder and CEO, Vianai Systems, Inc.; Former CEO and Managing Director, Infosys Limited

  55   2019    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

*

Current lead independent director. See “Corporate Governance—Board Leadership Structure” on page 26 for more information.

 

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 Corporate Governance Highlights

 

 

Board of Directors   Stockholder Rights and Engagement   Governance Best Practices
     

   LOGO   Ongoing Board refreshment: 5 new directors added in the last 5 fiscal years

 

   LOGO   Separate Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) roles

 

   LOGO   Lead independent director

 

   LOGO   Majority of independent directors (10 out of 15)

 

   LOGO   100% independent Board committees

 

   LOGO   40% of Board members are women and/or come from a diverse background

 

   LOGO   Annual director elections

 

   LOGO   Director majority voting and mandatory resignation policy

 

   LOGO   Annual Board and committee performance evaluations, including individual director interviews

 

 

   LOGO   Single class of voting stock

 

   LOGO   No supermajority voting provisions

 

   LOGO   Stockholder proxy access

 

   LOGO   Stockholder right to call a special meeting (20%)

 

   LOGO   Stockholder right to act by written consent

 

   LOGO   Active stockholder outreach and engagement program

 

   LOGO   Anti-pledging policy with two exceptions adopted in January 2018 with quarterly risk reviews

 

   LOGO   Robust director and senior officer stock ownership guidelines

 

   LOGO   Anti-hedging policy applicable to all employees and directors

 

 Stockholder Engagement and Board Responsiveness

 

We have a long tradition of engaging with our stockholders to solicit their views on a wide variety of issues, including corporate governance, environmental and social matters, executive compensation and other issues.

 

Ø  

Independent Director Engagement. On a regular basis, representatives of our independent directors hold meetings with our stockholders covering a wide range of topics, which have recently included executive compensation, Board refreshment and leadership structure, diversity and inclusion and other corporate governance matters. The meetings tend to be between our largest institutional stockholders and all of the members of our Compensation Committee. Neither our Chairman nor our CEO participate in these meetings. We provide an open forum to our stockholders to discuss and comment on any aspects of our executive compensation program and governance matters. The Board believes these meetings are important because they foster a relationship of accountability between the Board and our stockholders and help us better understand and respond to our stockholders’ priorities and perspectives.

In fiscal 2022, certain of our independent directors held meetings with seven large institutional stockholders. Thus far in fiscal 2023, we have reached out to nine large institutional stockholders to set up meetings with members of the Compensation Committee and the full Compensation Committee has already held video conference meetings with six large institutional stockholders.

 

Ø  

Executive Director Engagement. As part of our regular Investor Relations engagement program, our executive directors hold meetings with a number of our institutional stockholders throughout the year. We traditionally hold an annual financial analyst meeting where analysts are invited to hear presentations from key members of our management team, including our executive directors. Although we were not able to hold in-person analyst days during fiscal 2021 and 2022 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we presently intend to resume the in-person financial analyst meeting at Oracle CloudWorld in fiscal 2023.

 

Ø  

Legal and Investor Relations Engagement. Members of our Legal and Investor Relations teams also engage with stockholders throughout the year. After the proxy statement is filed, there is a further attempt to re-engage with stockholders in order to discuss matters on the annual stockholder meeting agenda and solicit feedback. When appropriate, independent directors join these discussions.

 

Ø  

Say-on-Pay Vote Outcome and Board Responsiveness. Stockholders approved our advisory say-on-pay proposal at our 2021 Annual Meeting with 60% of the votes cast voting in favor of the compensation of our NEOs. The Board remains committed to understanding stockholder views and looks forward to increasing levels of support in the future. All members of the Compensation Committee have met with and continue to engage with stockholders in order to actively understand what actions the Compensation Committee may take to address stockholder concerns. The Compensation Committee and the Board take the views of our stockholders and their feedback into account throughout the year.

 

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Below is a summary of the Board’s response to the most critical feedback received from stockholders.

 

 

What We Heard

  The Board’s Response

LOGO

 

Many of our largest stockholders provided feedback on the performance-based stock options (PSOs) held by Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz.

 

 Several of our largest stockholders were pleased that Oracle has continued to honor its commitment not to grant any equity awards to Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz during the performance period of the PSOs.

 

 Certain of our largest stockholders expressed support for the PSOs and agreed that the operational performance goals are fundamental driving goals for Oracle’s performance.

 

 Stockholders had differing views on the rigor of the PSO goals. Some stockholders expressed concern about the possibility that the PSOs will have high pay outs during the performance period, while other stockholders discussed concerns that the PSO goals are too rigorous and that our most senior executive officers might be disincentivized by a lack of vesting.

 

 Although some stockholders supported the extension of the PSO performance period, other stockholders expressed concern that the performance period was extended with no change to the performance metrics and indicated that they generally do not support mid-cycle changes to equity compensation.

 

 

  After taking into consideration stockholders’ feedback regarding the PSOs, the Compensation Committee believes that the current design of the PSO program with the extended performance period directly links the long-term incentive compensation of our most senior executive officers with challenging goals related to our cloud offerings and stockholder returns and aligns with the Board’s long-term strategic plan.

 

  The Compensation Committee honored its commitment to our stockholders to not grant any new equity awards to Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz during the extended eight-year performance period of the PSOs, which runs through May 31, 2025, and decided to maintain the existing terms applicable to the outstanding PSOs rather than make additional mid-cycle changes.

 

  In reaching this decision, the Compensation Committee gave weight to several considerations, including:

 

 No equity awards have been granted to Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz since the PSOs were granted in July 2017.

 

 Oracle’s cloud business is an important part of the company’s long-term success and the PSOs were carefully designed to drive performance in the areas that the Board believes would be most beneficial to our stockholders.

 

 The extended PSO performance period encourages a longer-term focus on Oracle’s performance.

 

 The matching of operational performance goals with sustained 30-day market capitalization goals ensures that the PSOs will only vest if Oracle’s cloud business grows sufficiently and our stockholders will also benefit from the achievement of the goals.

 

 One tranche of the PSOs vested in June 2021 upon the achievement of the stock price goal and, although three of the market capitalization goals were achieved as of May 31, 2022, internal projections demonstrate that the unachieved performance goals are rigorous and not easily attainable during the extended performance period.

 

 If and when the remaining PSOs vest, stockholders will have achieved significant long-term value.

 

  The annualized value of the modified PSOs is approximately $16.2 million per year for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz over the eight-year performance period. The Compensation Committee was advised by its independent compensation consultant that this annualized amount is below the median equity compensation paid to the CEOs of Oracle’s peers.

 

See pages 36 and 37 for additional details regarding the PSOs.

 

 

Some stockholders requested additional disclosure regarding the rationale for granting time-based equity to certain of our NEOs.

 

  The Compensation Committee awarded time-based long-term incentive compensation in the form of RSUs to Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley due to the critical nature of their roles at Oracle and the fact that both focused on compliance matters rather than overseeing revenue-generating lines of business. In granting these awards, the Compensation Committee sought to provide strong retention incentives with upside tied to stockholder returns.

 

  The Compensation Committee believed that awarding performance-based long-term incentive compensation to these NEOs could have created undesirable incentives. See page 41 for additional details on the Compensation Committee’s decision to grant time-based long-term incentive compensation to Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley.

 

LOGO

 

Stockholders appreciate that Oracle has a female CEO and several women on the Board and expressed a desire for even greater Board diversity in the future.

 

 

During fiscal 2022, Ms. Ablo was elected to serve on the Board. Following Ms. Ablo’s election, 40% of our Board members are women and/or come from a diverse background.

 

There is concern that several members of the Board are long tenured.

 

The Board believes it is desirable to maintain a mix of longer-tenured, experienced directors that have developed increased institutional knowledge of and valuable insight into the company and its operations and newer directors with fresh perspectives. In furtherance of this objective, the Board has worked diligently to identify and interview qualified candidates. The Board most recently elected Ms. Ablo in fiscal 2022, Dr. Sikka and Mrs. Fairhead in fiscal 2020 and Messrs. Moorman and Parrett in fiscal 2018.

 

 

Several stockholders asked for clarity regarding the role of the lead independent director.

 

In fiscal 2022, the Board updated our Corporate Governance Guidelines to include the duties of the lead independent director, which include, among others, serving as a liaison between our non-management and management directors, facilitating discussion among non-management directors on key issues and concerns outside of Board meetings, being available, when appropriate, for consultation and direct communication with large stockholders and performing such other additional duties as the Board sees fit. See “Corporate Governance—Board Leadership Structure” on page 26 for more information.

 

 

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 Fiscal 2022 Named Executive Officers (NEOs)

 

 

Lawrence J. Ellison

Chairman and CTO

Safra A. Catz

CEO*

Edward Screven

Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Architect

Dorian E. Daley

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

* Ms. Catz also serves as our principal financial officer

 

 Human Resources and Compensation Best Practices

 

Best Practices We Employ

 

LOGOCompensation Committee reviews attrition data and diversity metrics for employees at all career levels

 

LOGODiversity metrics and EEO-1 statement are publicly available on our Diversity and Inclusion website

 

LOGOModern approach to work, including a flexible employee work location policy

 

LOGOHigh proportion of compensation for our CEO and CTO is performance-based and aligned with stockholders’ interests

 

LOGOCaps on maximum payout of bonuses and performance-based equity awards

 

LOGORobust stock ownership guidelines

 

LOGODisciplined dilution rates from equity awards

 

LOGOCompensation recovery (clawback) policy for cash bonuses in the event of a financial restatement

 

LOGOIndependent Compensation Committee

 

LOGOAnnual risk assessment of compensation programs

 

LOGOIndependent compensation consultant

 

LOGOAnti-pledging policy

 

LOGOAnti-hedging policy applicable to all employees and directors

 

     

Practices We Avoid

 

LOGO  No severance benefit arrangements except as provided under our equity incentive plan to employees generally or as required by law

 

LOGO  No “single-trigger” change in control vesting of equity awards

 

LOGO  No change in control acceleration of performance-based cash bonuses

 

LOGO  No minimum guaranteed vesting for performance-based equity awards granted to our NEOs

 

LOGO  No discretionary cash bonuses under the Executive Bonus Program applicable to our CEO and CTO

 

LOGO  No “golden parachute” tax reimbursements or gross-ups for our NEOs

 

LOGO  No payout or settlement of dividends or dividend equivalents on unvested equity awards

 

LOGO  No supplemental executive retirement plans, executive pensions or excessive retirement benefits

 

LOGO  No repricing, cash-out or exchange of “underwater” stock options without stockholder approval

 

 

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LOGO

PROXY STATEMENT

We are providing these proxy materials in connection with Oracle Corporation’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting). The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the Notice), this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction card, including an Internet link to our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, were first made available to stockholders on or about September 23, 2022. This proxy statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the Annual Meeting. Please read it carefully.

HOW DO I VOTE?

 

Your vote is important. You may vote on the Internet, by telephone, by mail or during the Annual Meeting, all as described below. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders by use of a control number and to allow you to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you vote by telephone or on the Internet, you do not need to return your proxy card or voting instruction card. Telephone and Internet voting facilities are available now and will be available 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 15, 2022.

 

Ø  Vote on the Internet

If you are a stockholder of record, you may submit your proxy by going to www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions provided in the Notice. If you requested printed proxy materials, you may follow the instructions provided with your proxy materials and on your proxy card. If your shares are held with a broker, you will need to go to the website provided on your Notice or voting instruction card. Have your Notice, proxy card or voting instruction card in hand when you access the voting website. On the Internet voting site, you can confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you vote on the Internet, you can also request electronic delivery of future proxy materials.

 

Ø  Vote by Telephone

If you are a stockholder of record, you can also vote by telephone by dialing 1-800-690-6903. If your shares are held with a broker, you can vote by telephone by dialing the number specified on your voting instruction card. Easy-to-follow voice prompts will allow you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. Have your proxy card or voting instruction card in hand when you call.

 

Ø  Vote by Mail

If you have requested printed proxy materials, you may choose to vote by mail, by marking your proxy card or voting instruction card, dating and signing it, and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided. If the envelope is missing and you are a stockholder of record, please mail your completed proxy card to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. If the envelope is missing and your shares are held with a broker, please mail your completed voting instruction card to the address specified therein. Please allow sufficient time for mailing if you decide to vote by mail.

Please note that if you received a Notice, you cannot vote by marking the Notice and returning it. The Notice provides instructions on how to vote by Internet and how to request paper copies of the proxy materials.

 

Ø  Voting at the Annual Meeting

The method or timing of your vote will not limit your right to vote at the Annual Meeting if you attend the Annual Meeting and vote on the virtual meeting platform. The shares voted electronically, telephonically, or represented by the proxy cards received, properly marked, dated, signed and not revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting.

 

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Ø  Attending the Annual Meeting

This year’s Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual format only. The accompanying proxy materials and the meeting’s website, www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022, include instructions on how to participate in the meeting and how you may vote your shares of Oracle stock. To be admitted to the Annual Meeting online, vote and submit a question during the meeting, you must enter the 16-digit control number included on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card (if you requested printed materials), or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.

The virtual meeting platform is fully supported across browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari) and devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, and cell phones) running the most updated version of applicable software and plugins. Participants should ensure that they have a strong WiFi connection wherever they intend to participate in the meeting. Participants should also give themselves enough time to log in and ensure that they can hear streaming audio prior to the start of the meeting.

We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting before it begins. Online check-in will start 15 minutes before the meeting on November 16, 2022. If you have difficulty accessing the meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the meeting log-in page. We will have technicians available to assist you beginning at 12:30 p.m., Central Time, on November 16, 2022.

 

 

Q&A AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

During the question and answer session, we will include questions submitted in advance of, and questions submitted live during, the Annual Meeting. You may submit one question either in advance of or during the meeting. You may submit one question in advance of the meeting at www.proxyvote.com after logging in with the 16-digit control number included on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card (if you requested printed materials), or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Alternatively, you may submit one question during the Annual Meeting through www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022.

 

Please identify yourself when submitting a question. We will endeavor to answer as many stockholder-submitted questions as time permits that comply with the meeting rules of conduct. The meeting rules of conduct will be available during the Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022. We reserve the right to edit any inappropriate language and to exclude questions regarding topics that are not pertinent to meeting matters or Oracle’s business. If we receive substantially similar questions, we may group such questions together and provide a single response to avoid repetition in the interest of time and fairness to all stockholders.

 

The question and answer session will be accessible following the meeting as part of the recording of the meeting that will be available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ORCL2022 and on our website at www.oracle.com/investor following the Annual Meeting through November 23, 2022.

 

 

 

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 Nominees for Directors

Our Board of Directors (the Board) consists of 15 directors, 14 of whom stood for election at our last annual meeting of stockholders. The Board unanimously elected Awo Ablo as a director effective March 22, 2022, and Ms. Ablo will stand for election at the Annual Meeting along with our other 14 directors. After soliciting and receiving referrals from members of our Board, Ms. Ablo was among several director candidates considered by our Nomination and Governance Committee (Governance Committee), which then recommended her appointment to the Board.

 

Ø  

Director Qualifications

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines (described in “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Guidelines” on page 21) contain Board membership qualifications that apply to Board nominees recommended by the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee strives for a mix of skills, experience and perspectives that will help create an outstanding, diverse, dynamic and effective Board. In selecting nominees, the Governance Committee assesses the character and acumen of candidates and endeavors to collectively establish areas of core competency of the Board, including, among others, industry and technical knowledge and experience; management, accounting and finance expertise; and demonstrated business judgment, leadership and strategic vision. The Governance Committee values a diversity of backgrounds, experience, perspectives and leadership in different fields when identifying nominees. As noted in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Governance Committee is committed to actively seeking directors who are diverse with respect to gender, race and ethnicity for the pool from which director candidates are chosen.

The Governance Committee also takes director tenure into consideration when making director nomination decisions and believes that it is desirable to maintain a mix of longer-tenured, experienced directors that have developed increased institutional knowledge of and valuable insight into the company and its operations and newer directors with fresh perspectives. The Governance Committee and the Board also believe that longer-tenured, experienced directors are a significant strength of the Board, given the large size of our company, the breadth of our product offerings and the international scope of our organization. See “Corporate Governance—Director Tenure, Board Refreshment and Diversity” on page 28 for more information.

Below we identify the key experiences, qualifications and skills our director nominees bring to the Board and that the Board considers important in light of Oracle’s businesses and industry.

 

   

Industry Knowledge and Experience. We seek to have directors with experience as executives or directors or in other leadership positions in the particular technology industries in which we compete because our success depends on developing and investing in innovative products and technologies. This experience is critical to the Board’s ability to understand our products and business, assess our competitive position within the technology industry and the strengths and weaknesses of our competitors, maintain awareness of technology trends and innovations, and evaluate potential acquisitions and our acquisition strategy.

 

   

Management, Oversight of Complex Organizations, Accounting and Finance Expertise. We believe that an understanding of management practices, oversight of complex organizations and accounting/finance expertise is important for our directors. We value management experience in our directors as it provides a practical understanding of organizations, processes, strategies, risk management and the methods to drive change and growth that permit the Board to, among other things, identify and recommend improvements to our business operations, sales and marketing approaches and product strategy. We also seek to have at least one independent director who qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, and we expect all of our directors to be financially knowledgeable.

 

   

Business Judgment, Leadership and Strategic Vision. We believe that directors with experience in significant leadership positions are commonly required to demonstrate excellent business judgment, leadership skills and strategic vision. We seek directors with these characteristics as they bring important insights to Board deliberations and processes.

 

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The Board evaluates its own composition in the context of the diverse experiences and perspectives that the directors collectively bring to the boardroom. Their backgrounds provide the Board with vital insights in areas such as:

 

       

Finance and

Accounting

 

Technology

Industry

 

Cybersecurity and

Risk Management

 

Mergers and

Acquisitions

Operation of

Global Organizations

 

Healthcare

Industry

 

Governmental Affairs

and Regulation

 

Strategic

Transformation

International Tax and

Monetary Policy

 

Intellectual Property and

Artificial Intelligence

 

Executive Leadership and

Talent Development

 

Customer

Perspective

 

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The experiences, qualifications and skills of each director that the Board considered in his or her nomination are included below the directors’ individual biographies on the following pages. The Board concluded that each nominee should serve as a director based on the specific experience and attributes listed below and the direct personal knowledge of each nominee’s previous service on the Board, including the insight and collegiality each nominee brings to the Board’s functions and deliberations. The age of each director is provided as of September 19, 2022, the record date for the Annual Meeting.

 

       
   

AWO ABLO

       
 

 

Independent Director

Director since 2022

Age: 50

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Ms. Ablo has served as the Executive Director, External Relations at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (the Institute), a global non-profit organization, since October 2017 and as an advisor to iceaddis, an Ethiopian innovation hub and technology startup incubator, since 2022. She previously served as Director, External Affairs at the Institute from March 2017 to October 2017. Previously, Ms. Ablo was Director of Development and External Relations for the Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative from May 2016 to March 2017. She has also served on various advisory groups and committees, including the Chatham House Global Health Working Group.

 

Qualifications: Ms. Ablo brings to the Board extensive experience collaborating with senior international government officials, including through her experience at the Institute and through her previous role with the BBC World Service Trust. She also offers valuable perspective on healthcare matters resulting from her past role at the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and her service on the Chatham House Global Health Working Group and other advisory groups and committees. Our Board benefits from Ms. Ablo’s insight into the unique perspectives and needs of our government and healthcare customers throughout the world.

 

 

     
       
   

JEFFREY S. BERG

       
 

 

Independent Director

Director since 1997

Age: 75

 

   

 

Mr. Berg has been an agent in the entertainment industry for over 40 years. Mr. Berg has served as Chairman of Northside Services, LLC, a media and entertainment advisory firm, since May 2015. Mr. Berg was Chairman of Resolution, a talent and literary agency he founded, from January 2013 until April 2015. Between 1985 and 2012, he was the Chairman and CEO of International Creative Management, Inc. (ICM), a talent agency for the entertainment industry. He has served as Co-Chair of California’s Council on Information Technology and was President of the Executive Board of the College of Letters and Sciences at the University of California at Berkeley. He previously served on the Board of Trustees of the Anderson School of Management at the University of California at Los Angeles.

 

Qualifications: As the former CEO of ICM, Mr. Berg brings to the Board over 25 years of leadership experience running one of the world’s preeminent full service talent agencies in the entertainment industry. Mr. Berg’s prior experience as CEO and as a representative of some of the world’s most well-known celebrities offers the Board a unique perspective with respect to managing a global brand in rapidly changing industries and in management, compensation and operational matters.

 

 

 

Board Committees:

Independence (Chair),

Finance and Audit,

Governance

 

 
   
 

    

 
   
   
   
     

    

       
   

MICHAEL J. BOSKIN

       
 

 

Independent Director

Director since 1994

Age: 76

 

   

 

Dr. Boskin is the Tully M. Friedman Professor of Economics and Wohlford Family Hoover Institution Senior Fellow at Stanford University, where he has been on the faculty since 1971. He is CEO and President of Boskin & Co., Inc., a consulting firm. He was Chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers from February 1989 until January 1993. Dr. Boskin currently serves as director of Bloom Energy Corporation and, during the last five years, served as a director of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

 

Qualifications: Dr. Boskin is recognized internationally for his research on world economic growth, tax and budget theory and policy, U.S. saving and consumption patterns and the implications of changing technology and demography on capital, labor and product markets. He brings to the Board significant economic and financial expertise and provides a unique perspective on a number of challenges faced by Oracle due to its global operations, including, for example, questions regarding international tax and monetary policy, treasury functions, currency exposure and general economic and labor trends and risks. In addition, Dr. Boskin’s experience as CEO of his consultancy firm and as a former director of another large, complex global organization provides the Board with important perspectives in its evaluation of Oracle’s practices and processes.

 

 

 

Board Committees:

Finance and Audit (Chair)

 

 
   
 

 

    

 
 

    

    

 
 

    

 
 

    

 
 

    

 

 

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SAFRA A. CATZ

       
 

 

Chief Executive Officer

Director since 2001

Age: 60

 

 

 

  

 

 

Ms. Catz has been our CEO since September 2014. She served as our President from January 2004 to September 2014 and as our Chief Financial Officer (CFO) most recently from April 2011 until September 2014. Ms. Catz was previously our CFO from November 2005 until September 2008 and our Interim CFO from April 2005 until July 2005. Prior to being named President, she held various other positions with us since joining Oracle in 1999. Ms. Catz is currently a director of The Walt Disney Company. She also serves on the U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council.

 

Qualifications: In her current role at Oracle, Ms. Catz is responsible for all operations at Oracle other than product development and engineering. As our CEO and former CFO, our Board benefits from Ms. Catz’s many years with Oracle and her unique expertise regarding Oracle’s strategic vision, management and operations. Prior to joining Oracle, Ms. Catz developed deep technology industry experience as a managing director with the investment banking firm Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette from 1986 to 1999 covering the technology industry. With this experience, Ms. Catz brings valuable insight regarding the technology industry generally, and in particular in the execution of our acquisition strategy. In addition, Ms. Catz’s service as a director of other large, complex global organizations provides the Board with important perspectives in its evaluation of Oracle’s practices and processes.

 

   
   
   
   

 

       
   

BRUCE R. CHIZEN

       
 

 

Independent Director

Director since 2008

Age: 67

 

 

 

  

 

 

Mr. Chizen is currently an independent consultant and has served as Senior Adviser to Permira Advisers LLP (Permira), a private equity firm, since July 2008, as PGO Partner to Permira since June 2018, and as a Venture Partner at Voyager Capital, a venture capital firm, since July 2009. He has also served as an Operating Partner for Permira Growth Opportunities, a private equity fund, since June 2018. From 1994 to 2008, Mr. Chizen served in a number of positions at Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe), a provider of design, imaging and publishing software, including CEO (2000 to 2007), President (2000 to 2005), acting CFO (2006 to 2007) and strategic adviser (2007 to 2008). Mr. Chizen currently serves as a director of ChargePoint, Inc., Informatica Inc. and Synopsys, Inc.

 

Qualifications: As the former CEO of Adobe, Mr. Chizen brings to the Board first-hand experience in successfully leading and managing a large, complex global organization in the technology industry. In particular, Mr. Chizen’s experience in heading the extension of Adobe’s product leadership provides the Board with perspectives applicable to challenges faced by Oracle. In addition, Mr. Chizen’s current roles at Permira and Voyager Capital require him to be very familiar with companies driven by information technology or intellectual property, which allows him to provide the Board with valuable insights in its deliberations regarding Oracle’s acquisition and product strategies. The Board also benefits from Mr. Chizen’s financial expertise and significant audit and financial reporting knowledge, including his experience as the former acting CFO of Adobe. Mr. Chizen’s service as a director of a large, complex global organization, as well as smaller private companies, provides the Board with important perspectives in its evaluation of Oracle’s practices and processes.

 

 

 

Board Committees:

Governance (Chair),

Finance and Audit

 
 

    

    

 
 

    

 
 

    

 

    

 
 

    

 
   

 

   
   

GEORGE H. CONRADES

 

 

Independent Director

Director since 2008

Age: 83

 

 

 

  

 

 

Mr. Conrades has served as an Executive Advisor to Akamai Technologies, Inc. (Akamai), a content delivery network services provider for media and software delivery and cloud security solutions, since June 2018. He previously served as Akamai’s CEO from 1999 to 2005 and Chairman from 1999 to 2018. Mr. Conrades currently serves as Managing Partner at Longfellow Venture Partners, a private venture fund advising and investing in early stage healthcare and technology companies. He also served as a Venture Partner at Polaris Venture Partners, an early stage investment company, from 1998 to 2012 and is currently Partner Emeritus. Mr. Conrades currently serves as a director of Cyclerion, Inc. and during the last five years he previously served as a director of Akamai.

 

Qualifications: As the former CEO of Akamai, Mr. Conrades brings to the Board first-hand experience in successfully leading and managing a large, complex global organization in the technology industry. Mr. Conrades’ experience provides the Board with a perspective applicable to challenges faced by Oracle. In addition, Mr. Conrades’ current role at Longfellow Venture Partners requires him to be very familiar with growth companies, including those driven by information technology or intellectual property, which allows him to provide the Board with valuable insights in its deliberations regarding Oracle’s acquisition and product strategies. Mr. Conrades’ service as a director of large, complex global organizations, as well as smaller private companies, provides the Board with important perspectives in its evaluation of Oracle’s practices and processes.

 

 

 

Board Committees:

Compensation (Chair),

Independence

 
 

    

 
 

 

    

 
 

    

 
   
   
   

 

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  LAWRENCE J. ELLISON

       
 

 

Chairman, Chief Technology
Officer and Founder

Director since 1977

Age: 78

      

 

Mr. Ellison has been our Chairman of the Board and CTO since September 2014. Mr. Ellison served as our CEO from June 1977, when he founded Oracle, until September 2014. He previously served as our Chairman of the Board from May 1995 to January 2004. In the last five years, he previously served as a director of Tesla, Inc.

 

Qualifications: Mr. Ellison is Oracle’s Founder and served as our CEO since we commenced operations in June 1977 through September 2014. He is widely regarded as a technology visionary and one of the world’s most successful business executives. Mr. Ellison’s familiarity with and knowledge of our technologies and product offerings are unmatched. He continues to lead and oversee our product engineering, technology development and strategy. For over 40 years he has successfully steered Oracle in new strategic directions in order to adapt to and stay ahead of our competition and changing industry trends. Mr. Ellison is our largest stockholder, beneficially owning approximately 42.9% of the outstanding shares of our common stock (based on data available as of September 19, 2022), directly aligning his interests with those of our stockholders.

 

     
     
       
   

    RONA A. FAIRHEAD

       
 

 

Independent Director

Director since 2019

Age: 61

 

   

 

Mrs. Fairhead served as Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, Department for International Trade in the United Kingdom from September 2017 to May 2019. She previously served as Chair of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Trust from October 2014 to April 2017. From 2006 to 2013, Mrs. Fairhead was Chair and CEO of the Financial Times Group Limited, which was a division of Pearson plc, and, prior to that, she served as Pearson plc’s CFO. Before joining Pearson plc, Mrs. Fairhead held a variety of leadership positions at Bombardier Inc. and Imperial Chemical Industries plc. Mrs. Fairhead serves as Chair of the Board of RS Group plc (previously Electrocomponents plc) and is a member of the U.K. House of Lords. In the last five years, she previously served as a director of PepsiCo, Inc.

 

Qualifications: Mrs. Fairhead brings to the Board extensive international experience in finance, risk management and global operations gained from her leadership roles at the BBC Trust, the Financial Times Group, Pearson plc, RS Group plc and other multinational companies. She also contributes significant expertise in government affairs from her experience as the U.K. Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion. Mrs. Fairhead also offers her valuable perspectives on risk management resulting from her experiences serving as chair of the risk committee and financial system vulnerabilities committee of HSBC Holdings plc and as chair of the U.K. Government’s Cabinet Office Audit and Risk Committee. In addition, Mrs. Fairhead brings to the Board global marketplace insights and customer perspectives developed through her current and prior service on the boards of directors at multinational public companies across multiple industries.

 

 

 

Board Committees:

Finance and Audit

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
     
       
   

  JEFFREY O. HENLEY

       
 

 

Vice Chairman

Director since 1995

Age: 77

   

 

Mr. Henley has served as our Vice Chairman of the Board since September 2014. Mr. Henley previously served as our Chairman of the Board from January 2004 to September 2014. He served as our Executive Vice President and CFO from March 1991 to July 2004.

 

Qualifications: Our Board benefits from Mr. Henley’s many years with Oracle and his deep expertise and knowledge regarding our strategic vision, management and operations. Mr. Henley meets regularly with significant Oracle customers and is instrumental in closing major commercial transactions worldwide. This role allows Mr. Henley to remain close to our customers and the technology industry generally. Mr. Henley also brings to the Board significant financial and accounting expertise from his service as our former CFO and in other finance positions prior to joining Oracle.

 

 

     

 

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    RENÉE J. JAMES

       
 

 

Non-Employee Director

Director since 2015

Age: 58

      

 

Ms. James is currently the Chairman and CEO of Ampere Computing LLC (Ampere), a company she founded in 2017 that produces high-performance semiconductors for hyperscale cloud, storage and edge computing. Ms. James also has served as an Operating Executive for The Carlyle Group, a global alternative asset manager, since February 2016. In this role, Ms. James evaluates new technology investments for the firm and advises portfolio companies on their strategic direction and operational efficiency. In January 2016, Ms. James concluded a 28-year career with Intel Corporation (Intel), where she most recently served as President. Ms. James is a member and former Chair of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee to the President of the United States. She also serves as a director of Citigroup Inc. In the last five years, she previously served as a director of Sabre Corporation and Vodafone Group Plc.

 

Qualifications: As a seasoned technology executive, Ms. James brings to the Board extensive, international experience managing large, complex global operations in the technology industry. In her distinguished career at Intel, Ms. James held a variety of positions in research and development leadership in both software and hardware and the management of global manufacturing. Our Board benefits from the leadership, industry and technical expertise Ms. James acquired at Ampere and Intel and through her service on the boards of public and private companies in the technology and financial services industries. In addition, Ms. James brings to the Board expansive knowledge of cybersecurity gained through the positions she has held at Intel and as a member and former Chair of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee to the President of the United States.

 

     
     
   
   

      CHARLES W. MOORMAN

 

 

Independent Director

Director since 2018

Age: 70

 

 

 

  

 

 

Mr. Moorman is currently a Senior Advisor to Amtrak, a position he has held since 2018, and he previously served as President and CEO from August 2016 to January 2018. Mr. Moorman was previously CEO (from 2005 to 2015) and Chairman (from 2006 to 2015) of Norfolk Southern Corporation (Norfolk Southern), a transportation company. From 1975 to 2005, he held various positions in operations, information technology, and human resources at Norfolk Southern. Mr. Moorman serves as a director of Chevron Corporation and in the last five years he previously served as a director of Duke Energy Corporation.

 

Qualifications: As the former CEO of Norfolk Southern, Mr. Moorman brings to the Board extensive experience leading and managing the operations of a large, complex Fortune 500 company. Mr. Moorman’s forty-year career with Norfolk Southern included numerous senior management and executive positions requiring expertise in engineering, technology, finance and risk management. Mr. Moorman also brings to the Board significant regulatory expertise and familiarity with environmental affairs gained through his leadership roles at both Amtrak and Norfolk Southern. In addition, Mr. Moorman’s service as a director of other large public companies provides the Board with important perspectives in its evaluation of Oracle’s practices and processes.

 

 

 

Board Committees:

Compensation,

Independence

 

 
   
 

 

    

 
 

 

    

 
   
     
     
       
   

LEON E. PANETTA

       
 

 

Independent Director

Director since 2015

Age: 84

 

 

  

 

 

Secretary Panetta served as U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2011 to 2013 and as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2009 to 2011. Prior to that time, Secretary Panetta was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 1993, served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget from 1993 to 1994 and served as President Bill Clinton’s Chief of Staff from 1994 to 1997. He is the co-founder and Chairman of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy and currently serves as moderator of the Leon Panetta Lecture Series, a program he created. Secretary Panetta previously served as Distinguished Scholar to Chancellor Charles B. Reed of the California State University System and professor of public policy at Santa Clara University.

 

Qualifications: With a distinguished record of public service at the highest levels of government, Secretary Panetta brings to the Board robust, first-hand knowledge of government affairs and public policy issues. Secretary Panetta’s 16 years of experience in the U.S. House of Representatives and service in the administrations of two U.S. Presidents allow him to advise the Board on a wide range of issues related to Oracle’s interactions with governmental entities. In addition, Secretary Panetta’s service as a leader of large and complex government institutions, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of Management and Budget, provides the Board with important perspectives on Oracle’s operational practices and processes, as well as risk management and oversight expertise.

 

 

 

 

Board Committees:

Compensation,
Governance

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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WILLIAM G. PARRETT

 

 

Independent Director

Director since 2018

Age: 77

 

 

  

 

 

Mr. Parrett served as the CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte), a multinational professional services network, from 2003 until 2007. He joined Deloitte in 1967 and served in a series of roles of increasing responsibility until his retirement in 2007. Mr. Parrett serves as a director of The Blackstone Group L.P. and Thoughtworks, Inc. In the last five years, he previously served as a director of the Eastman Kodak Company, Conduent Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and UBS Group AG. Mr. Parrett is a Certified Public Accountant with an active license.

 

Qualifications: As the former CEO of Deloitte, Mr. Parrett brings to the Board significant experience leading and managing the operations of a large, complex global organization. Mr. Parrett is highly skilled in the fields of auditing, accounting and internal controls, and risk management, and he brings valuable financial expertise to the Board. In addition, Mr. Parrett’s service as a director of other public companies in the technology and financial services sectors provides the Board with important perspectives in its evaluation of Oracle’s practices and processes.

 

 

 

Board Committees:

Governance

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

       
   

NAOMI O. SELIGMAN

       
 

 

Independent Director

Director since 2005

Age: 84

 

 

  

 

 

Ms. Seligman has served as a senior partner at Ostriker von Simson, Inc., a technology research firm which chairs the CIO Strategy Exchange, since June 1999. Since 1999, this forum has brought together senior executives in four vital quadrants of the IT sector. From 1977 until June 1999, Ms. Seligman served as a co-founder and senior partner of the Research Board, Inc., a private sector institution sponsored by 100 chief information officers from major global corporations. In the last five years, Ms. Seligman previously served as a director of Akamai Technologies, Inc.

 

Qualifications: As a senior partner at Ostriker von Simson, Inc., a co-partner of the CIO Strategy Exchange, and a co-founder and former senior partner of the Research Board, Inc., Ms. Seligman is recognized as a thought leader in the technology industry. Ms. Seligman also serves as an independent advisor to some of the largest multinational corporations where she helps oversee global strategy and operations, which allows her to provide our Board with important perspectives in its evaluation of Oracle’s practices and processes. The Board also benefits from Ms. Seligman’s unique experience and customer-focused perspective and the valuable insights gained from the senior-level relationships she maintains throughout the technology industry.

 

 

 

Board Committees:

Compensation (Vice Chair)

 

 

    

 

 

    

 
   

 

       
   

VISHAL SIKKA

       
 

 

Non-Employee Director

Director since 2019

Age: 55

 

 

  

 

 

Dr. Sikka is the founder and CEO of Vianai Systems, Inc., a startup company founded in 2019 that provides advanced software and services in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Previously, he was the CEO and Managing Director of Infosys Limited, a multinational IT services company, from 2014 to 2017. From 2002 to 2014, Dr. Sikka was at SAP SE, a multinational software company, where he served on the Executive Board from 2010 to 2014. Dr. Sikka holds a PhD in computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence from Stanford University. He serves as a director of GSK plc and on the Supervisory Board of BMW Group. Dr. Sikka also serves on the Advisory Council for the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.

 

Qualifications: As the former CEO of Infosys Limited and a former member of the Executive Board at SAP SE, Dr. Sikka brings to the Board extensive leadership experience managing the operations of large, multinational enterprise information technology companies. The Board also benefits from Dr. Sikka’s expertise in the fields of artificial intelligence, information management, distributed systems and related areas. In addition, Dr. Sikka’s service as a director of other multinational companies provides the Board with important perspectives in its evaluation of Oracle’s practices and processes.

 

 
 

    

 

 

    

 
     

 

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Ø  

Recommendations of Director Candidates

The Governance Committee will consider all properly submitted candidates recommended by stockholders for Board membership. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines (available on our website at www.oracle.com/goto/corpgov) set forth the Governance Committee’s policy regarding the consideration of all properly submitted candidates recommended by stockholders as well as candidates recommended by current Board members and others.

Any stockholder wishing to recommend a candidate for consideration for nomination by the Governance Committee must provide written notice to the Corporate Secretary of Oracle by mail at Oracle Corporation, 2300 Oracle Way, Austin, Texas 78741 or by email (Corporate_Secretary@oracle.com) with a confirmation copy sent by mail to the address above. The written notice must include the candidate’s name, biographical data and qualifications and a written consent from the candidate agreeing to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if nominated and elected. By following these procedures, a stockholder will have properly submitted a candidate for consideration. However, there is no guarantee that the candidate will be nominated.

Potential director candidates are generally suggested to the Governance Committee by current Board members and stockholders and are evaluated at meetings of the Governance Committee. In evaluating such candidates, every effort is made to complement and strengthen skills within the existing Board. The Governance Committee seeks Board approval of the final candidates recommended by the Governance Committee. The same evaluation procedures apply to all candidates for director, whether submitted by stockholders or otherwise.

Information regarding procedures for the stockholder submission of director nominations to be considered at our next annual meeting of stockholders may be found in “Corporate Governance—Proxy Access and Director Nominations” on page 22 and “Stockholder Proposals for the 2023 Annual Meeting” on page 66. Submissions must follow the requirements set forth in our Bylaws.

In addition, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) no later than September 17, 2023. However, we note that this date does not supersede any of the requirements or timing set forth in our Bylaws.

 

Communications with the Board

Any person wishing to communicate with any of our directors, including our independent directors, regarding bona fide issues about Oracle may send an email to Corporate_Secretary@oracle.com or may write to the director(s), c/o the Corporate Secretary of Oracle at 2300 Oracle Way, Austin, Texas 78741. The Corporate Secretary will periodically forward relevant communications to the appropriate directors or committees of the Board. In addition, we present all such communications, as well as draft responses, at meetings of our Governance Committee. These communications and draft responses are also provided to the appropriate committee or group of directors based on the subject matter of the communication; for example, communications regarding executive compensation are provided to our Compensation Committee, in addition to our Governance Committee.

 

 Board Meetings

Our business, property and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board. Members of the Board are kept informed of our business through discussions with our Chairman, Vice Chairman, CEO, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and other officers and employees, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating in meetings of the Board and its committees.

 

During fiscal 2022, the Board met five times (four regularly scheduled meetings and one special meeting). Each director attended at least 75% of all Board and applicable committee meetings in fiscal 2022. Board members are expected to attend our annual meeting of stockholders, and all of our directors attended our last annual meeting of stockholders in November 2021.

Number of Board and Committee Meetings
Fiscal 2022

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 

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 Committees, Membership and Meetings

The current standing committees of the Board are the Finance and Audit Committee (F&A Committee), the Governance Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Committee on Independence Issues (Independence Committee).

Each committee reviews its charter at least annually, or more frequently as legislative and regulatory developments and business circumstances warrant. Each of the committees may make additional recommendations to our Board for revision of its charter to reflect evolving best practices. The charters for the F&A, Governance, Compensation and Independence Committees are posted on our website at www.oracle.com/goto/corpgov.

 

Ø  

Committee Membership

The table below identifies committee membership as of September 19, 2022, the record date of the Annual Meeting.

 

         
  Director      Finance and Audit        Compensation        Governance        Independence  

  Awo Ablo

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Jeffrey S. Berg

       LOGO            

 

 

 

       LOGO               LOGO  Chair  

  Michael J. Boskin

       LOGO  Chair       

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Safra A. Catz

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Bruce R. Chizen

       LOGO            

 

 

 

       LOGO  Chair       

 

 

 

  George H. Conrades

    

 

 

 

       LOGO  Chair       

 

 

 

       LOGO        

  Lawrence J. Ellison

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Rona A. Fairhead

       LOGO             

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Jeffrey O. Henley

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Renée J. James

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Charles W. Moorman

    

 

 

 

       LOGO            

 

 

 

       LOGO       

  Leon E. Panetta

    

 

 

 

       LOGO                LOGO             

 

 

 

  William G. Parrett

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

       LOGO            

 

 

 

  Naomi O. Seligman

    

 

 

 

       LOGO  Vice Chair       

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Vishal Sikka

      

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

The Board has determined that all directors who served during fiscal 2022 on the Compensation, F&A, Governance and Independence Committees were independent under the applicable New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing standards during the periods they served on those committees. The Board has also determined that all directors who served during fiscal 2022 on the Compensation and F&A Committees satisfied the applicable NYSE and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) heightened independence standards for members of compensation and audit committees during the periods they served on those committees. See “Corporate Governance—Board of Directors and Director Independence” on page 28 for more information.

The Finance and Audit Committee

The F&A Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit and integrity of our financial statements, assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding audit, finance, accounting, cybersecurity, tax and legal compliance and risk, and evaluates merger and acquisition transactions and investment transactions proposed by management. In particular, the F&A Committee is responsible for overseeing the engagement, independence, compensation, retention and services of our independent registered public accounting firm. The F&A Committee’s primary responsibilities and duties are to:

 

   

act as an independent and objective party to monitor our financial reporting process and internal control over financial reporting;

 

   

review and appraise the audit efforts of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

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receive regular updates from our internal audit department regarding our internal audit plan and compliance with various policies and operational processes across all lines of business;

 

   

evaluate our quarterly financial performance at earnings review meetings;

 

   

consider and review acquisition and investment candidates and opportunities identified by management;

 

   

oversee management’s establishment and enforcement of financial policies and business practices;

 

   

oversee our compliance with laws and regulations and our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct;

 

   

provide an open avenue of communication between the Board and the independent registered public accounting firm, General Counsel, financial and senior management, Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer and internal audit department;

 

   

review and discuss with management privacy and data security risk exposures; and

 

   

produce the Report of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board, included elsewhere in this proxy statement, as required by SEC rules.

The F&A Committee held executive sessions with our independent registered public accounting firm on four occasions in fiscal 2022. The Board has determined that Dr. Boskin and Mrs. Fairhead each qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules.

The Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee’s primary responsibilities and duties are to:

 

   

review and approve all compensation arrangements, including, as applicable, base salaries, bonuses and equity awards, of our CEO and our other executive officers;

 

   

review and approve non-employee director compensation, subject to ratification by the Board;

 

   

lead the Board in its evaluation of the performance of our CEO;

 

   

review and discuss the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) portion of our proxy statement with management and determine whether to recommend to the Board that the CD&A be included in our proxy statement;

 

   

review the Compensation Committee Report for inclusion in our proxy statement, as required by SEC rules;

 

   

review and monitor matters related to human capital management, including talent acquisition and retention;

 

   

review, approve and administer our stock plans and approve equity awards to certain participants;

 

   

annually assess the risks associated with our compensation practices, policies and programs applicable to our employees to determine whether such risks are appropriate or reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Oracle; and

 

   

oversee our 401(k) Plan Committee and amend the Oracle Corporation 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan (the 401(k) Plan) when appropriate.

The Compensation Committee helps us attract and retain talented executive personnel in a competitive market. In determining any component of executive or director compensation, the Compensation Committee considers the aggregate amounts and mix of all components in its decisions. Our legal department, human resources department and its independent compensation consultant support the Compensation Committee in its work. For additional details regarding the Compensation Committee’s role in determining executive compensation, including its engagement of an independent compensation consultant, refer to “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 33. See “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program—Equity Awards and Grant Administration” on page 42 for a discussion of the Compensation Committee’s role as the administrator of our stock plans and for a discussion of our policies and practices regarding the grant of our equity awards.

 

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Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies and Practices

The Compensation Committee, in consultation with management and Compensia, Inc., the committee’s independent compensation consultant, has assessed the compensation policies and practices applicable to our executive officers and other employees and concluded that they do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Oracle. The Compensation Committee conducts this assessment annually.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of the Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of Oracle or of any of our subsidiaries or affiliates. During the last fiscal year:

 

   

none of our executive officers served on the board of directors of any other entity, any officers of which served on our Compensation Committee; and

 

   

none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee of any other entity, any officers of which served either on our Board or on our Compensation Committee.

The Nomination and Governance Committee

The Governance Committee’s primary responsibilities and duties are to:

 

   

review and evaluate the size, composition, function and duties of the Board consistent with its needs;

 

   

identify, consider, recommend and assist in recruiting qualified candidates for election to the Board;

 

   

review and reassess the adequacy of our corporate governance policies and procedures, including our Corporate Governance Guidelines;

 

   

review the performance of the Board and its committees (including reviewing the performance of individual directors);

 

   

review and assess the adequacy of our policies, plans and procedures regarding succession planning;

 

   

oversee compliance with our Policy on Pledging Oracle Securities (see page 23 for details) and risks related to pledging arrangements; and

 

   

oversee and periodically review our environmental, social and governance programs, including environmental sustainability.

The Committee on Independence Issues

The Independence Committee is comprised solely of independent directors and is charged with reviewing and approving individual transactions, or a series of related transactions, involving amounts in excess of $120,000 between us (or any of our subsidiaries) and any of our affiliates, such as an executive officer, director or owner of 5% or more of our common stock. The Independence Committee’s efforts are intended to ensure that each proposed related person transaction is on terms that, when taken as a whole, are fair to us. If any member of the Independence Committee would derive a direct or indirect benefit from a proposed transaction, he or she is excused from the review and approval process with regard to that transaction. The role of the Independence Committee also encompasses monitoring of related person relationships as well as reviewing proposed transactions and other matters for potential conflicts of interest and possible corporate opportunities in accordance with our Global Conflict of Interest Policy. In addition, the Independence Committee evaluates and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the independence of each non-employee director under the applicable NYSE listing standards.

 

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 Director Compensation

 

Ø  

Highlights

 

   

ü  Initial and annual equity awards capped at a maximum dollar value

 

  

ü  Emphasis on equity to align director compensation with our stockholders’ long-term interests

 

ü  No committee chair equity awards

 

  

ü  No per-meeting fees

 

ü  Stockholder-approved limits on equity awards

 

  

ü  No performance-based equity awards

 

ü  Robust stock ownership guidelines (see page 26 for details)

 

  

ü  No retirement benefits or perquisites

 

Ø  

Overview

Our directors play a critical role in guiding our strategic direction and overseeing the management of Oracle. Ongoing developments in corporate governance, executive compensation and financial reporting have resulted in increased demand for highly qualified and productive public company directors. In addition, Oracle’s acquisition program and expansion into new lines of business can demand substantial time commitments from our directors.

These considerable time commitments and the many responsibilities and risks of being a director of a public company of Oracle’s size, complexity and profile have led us to pay appropriate compensation commensurate with our directors’ qualifications and significant workloads. Our non-employee directors are compensated based on their respective levels of Board participation and responsibilities, including service on Board committees. Our non-employee directors display a high level of commitment and flexibility in their service to Oracle. Several of our directors serve on more than one committee. In addition to engaging with our senior management, our non-employee directors personally attend and participate in important customer and employee events, such as Oracle President’s Council forums, and meet with our stockholders throughout the year to better understand their perspectives. Annual cash retainers and equity awards granted to our non-employee directors are intended to correlate with their respective qualifications, responsibilities and time commitments.

Our employee directors, Mr. Ellison, Ms. Catz and Mr. Henley, do not receive separate compensation for serving as directors of Oracle.

 

Ø  

Annual Equity Grant for Directors

Non-employee directors participate in our Amended and Restated 1993 Directors’ Stock Plan (the Directors’ Stock Plan), which sets forth stockholder-approved stock option limits on annual equity awards for service on the Board and as a committee chair or vice chair. The Directors’ Stock Plan provides that in lieu of all or some of the stock option limits set forth in the plan, non-employee directors may receive grants of RSUs of an equivalent value, as determined by the Board. The Board has determined that a ratio of four stock options to one RSU should be used, consistent with its approach for equity awards granted to Oracle employees, and that all non-employee director equity awards would be delivered in the form of RSUs that are granted on May 31 of each year and fully vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

For a number of years, the Board has provided that each equity award will be limited to the lesser of the stockholder-approved equity award limits set forth in the Directors’ Stock Plan or a specified grant value, and has granted equity awards with a value significantly below such stockholder-approved equity award limits. The Board approved further changes to our non-employee director compensation program in fiscal 2020, including reductions in the size of equity awards and the elimination of committee chair equity awards.

 

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Below is a summary of the stockholder-approved equity award limit for annual equity awards compared to the Board-approved grant value limit for such awards and the number of RSUs actually granted to non-employee directors on May 31, 2022. As noted above, no additional equity awards were granted to committee chairs or vice chairs.

 

         
Grant Type   Stockholder-Approved
Equity Award Limit
 

Board-Approved Grant

Value Limit

    Equity Actually
Granted on
May 31, 2022 (1)
   

% Reduction from

  Stockholder-Approved  

Limits (2)

  Board Annual Grant

  45,000 options (or 11,250 RSUs)   $ 350,000       4,866 RSUs     LOGO   57%

 

(1)

Calculated by dividing the grant value limit of $350,000 by the closing price of Oracle common stock on the date of grant ($71.92 per share), rounding down to the nearest whole share.

 

(2)

Percentage reduction in the number of RSUs actually granted on May 31, 2022 compared to stockholder-approved equity award limits.

 

Ø  

Initial Equity Grant for New Directors

The Directors’ Stock Plan also provides for an initial equity award of not more than 45,000 stock options (or 11,250 RSUs) for new non-employee directors, prorated based upon the number of full calendar months remaining in the fiscal year of the director’s appointment. In accordance with the reductions to our non-employee director compensation described above, any new non-employee director will receive an initial equity award equal to the lesser of 11,250 RSUs or RSUs with a total value of $350,000 (calculated by dividing the grant value by the closing price of Oracle common stock on the date of grant, rounding down to the nearest whole share), prorated based upon the number of full calendar months remaining in the fiscal year of the director’s appointment. Initial equity awards fully vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

 

Ø  

Cash Retainer Fees for Directors

 

In fiscal 2022, each of our non-employee directors received (1) an annual cash retainer fee of $52,500 for serving as a director of Oracle and (2) each of the applicable retainer fees set forth in the table on the right for serving as a chair or as a member of one or more of the committees of the Board.

Board members do not receive incremental compensation for meetings they attend.

Annual Committee Member Retainer Fees

 

    

F&A and Compensation Committees

   $ 25,000  

Governance and Independence Committees

   $ 15,000  

Additional Annual Retainer Fees for Committee Chairs

 

F&A and Compensation Committees

   $ 25,000  

Governance and Independence Committees

   $ 15,000  
 

 

Ø  

Fiscal 2022 Director Compensation Table

The following table provides summary information regarding the compensation we paid to our non-employee directors in fiscal 2022.

 

         

  Name

     Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
       Stock Awards
(2) (3) ($)
       All Other
Compensation ($)
       Total ($)  

  Awo Ablo (1)

       10,129          401,305          —                  411,434  

  Jeffrey S. Berg

       122,500          343,880          —                  466,380  

  Michael J. Boskin

       102,500          343,880          —                  446,380  

  Bruce R. Chizen

       107,500          343,880          —                  451,380  

  George H. Conrades

       117,500          343,880          —                  461,380  

  Rona A. Fairhead

       77,500          343,880          —                  421,380  

  Renée J. James

       52,500          343,880          —                  396,380  

  Charles W. Moorman

       92,500          343,880          —                  436,380  

  Leon E. Panetta

       92,500          343,880          —                  436,380  

  William G. Parrett

       67,500          343,880          —                  411,380  

  Naomi O. Seligman

       77,500          343,880          —                  421,380  

  Vishal Sikka

       52,500          343,880          —                  396,380  

 

(1)

Ms. Ablo joined the Board on March 22, 2022, and her fiscal 2022 cash compensation was prorated accordingly. As a new director, in accordance with the Directors’ Stock Plan, Ms. Ablo received two equity grants during fiscal 2022: an initial one-time prorated equity grant of 713 RSUs on the effective date of her appointment, and the annual grant received by all non-employee directors on May 31, 2022.

 

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(2)

The amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair values of RSUs computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (FASB ASC 718). The non-employee directors have not presently realized a financial benefit from these awards because none of the RSUs granted in fiscal 2022 have vested. For information on the valuation assumptions used in our stock-based compensation computations, see Note 12 of Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2022.

 

(3)

The following table provides additional information concerning the outstanding stock awards (in the form of RSUs) and stock options held by our non-employee directors as of the last day of fiscal 2022.

 

       
   Name  

Total Unvested RSUs
Outstanding at

Fiscal 2022 Year End (#)

   RSUs Granted During
Fiscal 2022 (a) (#)
  

Total Option

Awards Outstanding at
  Fiscal 2022 Year End (#)  

   

 

 

  Awo Ablo

  5,579    5,579     

 

 

 

  Jeffrey S. Berg

  4,866    4,866    112,500  

 

 

 

  Michael J. Boskin

  4,866    4,866    225,000  

 

 

 

  Bruce R. Chizen

  4,866    4,866     

 

 

 

  George H. Conrades

  4,866    4,866    67,500  

 

 

 

  Rona A. Fairhead

  4,866    4,866     

 

 

 

  Renée J. James

  4,866    4,866    9,375  

 

 

 

  Charles W. Moorman

  4,866    4,866     

 

 

 

  Leon E. Panetta

  4,866    4,866    37,500  

 

 

 

  William G. Parrett

  4,866    4,866     

 

 

 

  Naomi O. Seligman

  4,866    4,866    22,500  

 

 

 

  Vishal Sikka

  4,866    4,866     

 

 

 

 

  (a)

713 of the RSUs reported in this column for Ms. Ablo were granted on March 22, 2022, the effective date of Ms. Ablo’s appointment to the Board, and vest on the first anniversary of the date of the grant (March 22, 2023). All of the other RSUs reported in this column were granted on May 31, 2022 and vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant (May 31, 2023).

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

We regularly monitor developments in corporate governance and review our processes and procedures in light of such developments. As part of those efforts, we review federal laws affecting corporate governance, as well as rules adopted by the SEC and NYSE. We believe we have in place corporate governance procedures and practices that are designed to enhance our stockholders’ interests.

 

 Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines (the Guidelines), which address the following matters:

 

   

director qualifications;

 

   

director majority voting and mandatory resignation policy;

 

   

director responsibilities, including risk oversight;

 

   

executive sessions and leadership roles, including the duties of the lead independent director;

 

   

director conflicts of interest;

 

   

Board committees;

 

   

director access to officers and employees;

   

director compensation;

 

   

director orientation and continuing education;

 

   

director and senior officer stock ownership requirements;

 

   

CEO evaluations;

 

   

stockholder communications with the Board;

 

   

performance evaluations of the Board and its committees; and

 

   

management succession.

 

 

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The Guidelines require all members of the F&A, Compensation, Governance and Independence Committees to be independent, each in accordance with or as defined in the rules adopted by the SEC and NYSE. The Independence Committee and the Board make this determination annually for all non-employee directors.

The Board and each committee have the power to hire legal, accounting, financial or other outside advisors as they deem necessary in their best judgment without the need to obtain the prior approval of any officer of Oracle. Directors have full and free access to officers and employees of Oracle and may ask questions and conduct investigations as they deem appropriate to fulfill their duties.

Conflict of interest expectations for our non-employee directors are addressed in the Guidelines and provide that each non-employee director must disclose to our General Counsel:

 

   

all of his or her executive, employment, board of directors, advisory board or equivalent positions in other organizations annually;

 

   

any such proposed positions with a public company before they become effective and any such positions with a private company promptly following his or her appointment to such entity; and

 

   

any potential conflicts of interest that may arise from time to time with respect to matters under consideration of the Board.

The General Counsel must report all such disclosures to the Independence Committee, and the Board must consider such disclosures and other available information and take such actions as it considers appropriate. All directors are expected to comply with Oracle’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, except that for our non-employee directors, the provisions regarding conflicts of interest in the Guidelines supersede these same provisions in the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.

The Guidelines provide for regular executive sessions to be held by non-employee directors. The Guidelines also provide that the Board or Oracle will establish or provide access to appropriate orientation programs or materials for the benefit of newly elected directors, including presentations from senior management and visits to Oracle’s facilities.

Under the Guidelines, the Board periodically evaluates the appropriate size of the Board and may make any changes it deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee is required under the Guidelines to conduct an annual review of our CEO’s performance and compensation, and the Board reviews the Compensation Committee’s report to ensure the CEO is providing the best leadership for Oracle in the short and long term.

The Guidelines are posted, and we intend to disclose any future amendments to the Guidelines, on our website at www.oracle.com/goto/corpgov.

 

 Proxy Access and Director Nominations

Under our proxy access bylaw, a stockholder (or a group of up to 20 stockholders) owning at least 3% of Oracle’s outstanding shares continuously for at least three years may nominate and include in Oracle’s annual meeting proxy materials director nominees constituting up to the greater of two individuals or 20% of the Board, provided that the stockholders and the nominees satisfy the requirements specified in our Bylaws.

See “Stockholder Proposals for the 2023 Annual Meeting” on page 66 for information on the requirements for stockholders who wish to submit a director nomination for inclusion in our 2023 proxy statement or submit a director nomination to be presented at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (but not for inclusion in our proxy statement).

 

 Majority Voting Policy

The Guidelines set forth our majority voting and mandatory resignation policy for directors, which states that, in an uncontested election, if any director nominee receives an equal or greater number of votes WITHHELD from his or her election as compared to votes FOR such election (a Majority Withheld Vote) and no successor has been elected at such meeting, the director must promptly tender his or her resignation following certification of the stockholder vote.

The Governance Committee must promptly consider the resignation offer and a range of possible responses based on the circumstances that led to the Majority Withheld Vote, if known, and make a recommendation to the Board as

 

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to whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Governance Committee in making its recommendation, and the Board in making its decision, may each consider any factors or other information that it considers appropriate and relevant, including, but not limited to:

 

   

the stated reasons, if any, why stockholders withheld their votes;

 

   

possible alternatives for curing the underlying cause of the withheld votes;

 

   

the director’s tenure;

 

   

the director’s qualifications;

 

   

the director’s past and expected future contributions to Oracle; and

 

   

the overall composition of the Board.

The Board will act on the Governance Committee’s recommendation within 90 days following certification of the stockholder vote. The Board may accept or reject a director’s resignation. Thereafter, the Board will promptly publicly disclose in a report furnished to the SEC its decision regarding the tendered resignation, including its rationale for accepting or rejecting the tendered resignation. If the Board accepts a director’s resignation, then the Board, in its sole discretion, may fill any resulting vacancy or may decrease the size of the Board, in each case pursuant to our Bylaws. If a director’s resignation is not accepted by the Board, such director will continue to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected, or his or her earlier resignation or removal.

Any director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this policy may not participate in the Governance Committee recommendation or Board action regarding whether to accept the resignation offer. However, if a majority of the members of the Governance Committee received a Majority Withheld Vote at the same election, then the independent directors who did not receive a Majority Withheld Vote must appoint a committee among themselves to consider any resignation offers and recommend to the Board whether to accept such resignation offers.

Through this policy, the Board seeks to be accountable to all stockholders and respects the rights of stockholders to express their views through their votes for directors. However, the Board also deems it important to preserve sufficient flexibility to make sound evaluations based on the relevant circumstances in the event of a greater than or equal to 50% WITHHELD vote against a specific director. For example, the Board may wish to assess whether the sudden resignations of one or more directors would materially impair the effective functioning of the Board. The Board’s policy is intended to allow the Board to react to situations that could arise if the resignation of multiple directors would prevent a key committee from achieving a quorum. The policy also would allow the Board to assess whether a director was targeted for reasons unrelated to his or her Board performance at Oracle. The policy imposes a short time frame for the Board to consider a director nominee’s resignation and make its decision public.

 

 Prohibition on Speculative Transactions and Pledging Policy

 

Ø  

Prohibition on Speculative Transactions. Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits all employees, including our executive officers, and non-employee directors, from purchasing financial instruments (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, short sales, puts, calls, options, collars, straddles, exchange/swap funds and other derivative securities) or otherwise engaging in transactions that are designed to or have the effect of hedging or offsetting any decrease in the market value of Oracle securities. The prohibition does not apply to the exercise of any employee stock options granted by Oracle.

 

Ø  

Pledging Policy. The Policy on Pledging Oracle Securities (Pledging Policy) prohibits Oracle directors, executive officers and their immediate family members from:

 

   

holding Oracle securities in a margin account; and

 

   

pledging Oracle securities as collateral to secure or guarantee indebtedness, subject to two exceptions:

 

 

pledges of securities of a target company that are in place at the time Oracle acquires such company are permitted; and

 

 

Oracle’s Founder may continue to pledge Oracle securities as collateral to secure or guarantee indebtedness, but he may not hold Oracle securities in a margin account.

 

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The Pledging Policy also requires the Governance Committee to review all pledging arrangements, assess any risks to Oracle and its stockholders and report on the arrangements to the F&A Committee and the Board. The Pledging Policy provides that all pledges must comply with Oracle’s Insider Trading Policy and must be pre-cleared as specified in Oracle’s Trading Pre-clearance Procedures. The Governance Committee may periodically seek outside advice and counsel in connection with its oversight of pledging arrangements.

 

Ø  

Review of Pledging Arrangements. As of September 19, 2022, Mr. Ellison, Oracle’s Founder, Chairman, CTO and largest stockholder, had pledged 307,000,000 shares of Oracle common stock as collateral to secure certain personal indebtedness. The Governance Committee has been advised by outside counsel on the Board’s fiduciary responsibilities for overseeing pledging, the potential risks associated with Mr. Ellison’s pledging and developments in pledging practices generally. The Governance Committee periodically seeks outside advice and counsel in connection with the committee’s oversight function of pledging arrangements. With respect to the shares pledged by Mr. Ellison as of September 19, 2022, the Governance Committee believes that Mr. Ellison’s pledging arrangements do not pose a material risk to stockholders or to Oracle, in part because:

 

   

The pledged shares secure personal term loans only used to fund outside personal business ventures.

 

   

None of his shares are pledged as collateral for margin accounts.

 

   

The pledged shares are not used to shift or hedge any economic risk in owning Oracle common stock.

 

   

Mr. Ellison is our Founder and largest stockholder. Mr. Ellison’s stock ownership is more than 4,000 times what he is required to hold under our stock ownership requirements.

 

   

The Board believes that Mr. Ellison has the financial capacity to repay his personal term loans without resorting to the pledged shares.

No other executive officer or director, or any of their immediate family members, holds shares of Oracle common stock that have been pledged to secure any personal or other indebtedness. Every fiscal quarter, the Governance Committee reviews Mr. Ellison’s pledging arrangements from a risk management perspective and regularly provides a report to the F&A Committee and the Board. In accordance with the Pledging Policy, the Governance Committee considers the following when reviewing the pledging arrangements:

 

   

historical information and trends regarding Mr. Ellison’s pledging arrangements;

 

   

the key terms of the loans under which shares of Oracle common stock have been pledged as collateral;

 

   

the magnitude of the aggregate number of shares of Oracle common stock that are pledged in relation to:

 

 

the total number of shares of Oracle common stock outstanding; and

 

 

the total number of shares of Oracle common stock owned by Mr. Ellison;

 

   

the market value of Oracle common stock;

 

   

Mr. Ellison’s independent ability to repay any loans without recourse to the already-pledged shares; and

 

   

any other relevant factors.

 

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 Board and Committee Performance Evaluations

The Board and each of its committees conduct annual self-evaluations to determine whether they are functioning effectively and whether any changes are necessary to improve their performance. The Board believes that the multi-step evaluation process outlined below allows for a constructive review of the Board and is essential to maintaining Board effectiveness.

 

 

LOGO

 

 

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 Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors and Senior Officers

Non-employee directors and senior officers are required to own shares of Oracle common stock to align their interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee oversees and reviews compliance with these ownership requirements, which we refer to as the Stock Ownership Guidelines, and periodically reviews and recommends changes to such requirements.

Under the Stock Ownership Guidelines, our non-employee directors and senior officers must own the following number of shares of Oracle common stock within five years from the date such person becomes a director or senior officer:

 

   
  Title    Minimum Number of Shares 

  Chairman and Chief Technology Officer

       250,000

  Chief Executive Officer

       250,000

  President

       100,000

  Executive Vice Presidents who are Section 16 Officers

       50,000

  All other Executive Vice Presidents

       25,000

  Non-employee directors

       10,000

Each person promoted from within the senior officer positions has one year from the date of his or her promotion to comply with any increased ownership requirement. Shares of Oracle common stock that count toward satisfying the Stock Ownership Guidelines include any shares held directly or through a trust or broker; shares held by a spouse; shares held through our 401(k) Plan and our Oracle Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP); deferred, vested RSUs; and shares underlying vested but unexercised stock options, with 50% of the “in-the-money” value of such options being used for this calculation. Full-value awards, such as RSUs, do not count toward the Stock Ownership Guidelines until they vest.

As of September 19, 2022, we believe all of our non-employee directors and senior officers are currently in compliance with the Stock Ownership Guidelines or have additional time to comply, and many of them maintain holdings of Oracle common stock significantly in excess of the minimum required number of shares. As of September 19, 2022, none of our non-employee directors and senior officers who are beyond the initial five year grace period relied on shares underlying vested but unexercised stock options to comply with the Stock Ownership Guidelines. Consistent with our objective of aligning the interests of our directors and officers with the long-term interests of stockholders, many of our directors and officers do not sell their shares of Oracle common stock when their RSUs vest.

 

 Board Leadership Structure

The roles of Board Chair and CEO are currently filled by separate individuals. Since September 2014, Mr. Ellison has served as our Chairman, and Ms. Catz has served as our CEO (Mark Hurd also served as CEO from September 2014 through September 2019). Previously, Mr. Henley served as Chairman and Mr. Ellison served as CEO.

The Board believes that the separation of the offices of the Chair and CEO is appropriate at this time because it allows our CEO to focus primarily on Oracle’s business strategy, operations and corporate vision. The Board elects our Chair and our CEO, and each of these positions may be held by the same person or by different people. We believe it is important that the Board retain flexibility to determine whether these roles should be separate or combined based upon the Board’s assessment of the company’s needs and Oracle’s leadership at a given point in time. The Board believes our company and our stockholders benefit from this flexibility, as our directors are well positioned to determine our leadership structure given their in-depth knowledge of our management team, our strategic goals, and the opportunities and challenges we face.

We believe that independent and effective oversight of Oracle’s business and affairs is maintained through the composition of the Board, the leadership of our independent directors and Board committees and our governance structures and processes. The Board consists of a substantial majority of independent directors, and all of the standing Board committees are composed solely of independent directors.

As set forth in our Guidelines, on an annual rotating basis, the chairs of the F&A Committee, the Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee serve as the lead independent director at executive sessions of the Board. The lead independent director’s duties include, among others, serving as a liaison between our non-management and management directors, facilitating discussion among non-management directors on key

 

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issues and concerns outside of Board meetings, being available, when appropriate, for consultation and direct communication with large stockholders, and performing such other additional duties as the Board determines. Currently, Mr. Chizen serves as the lead independent director. The directors filling this role take it very seriously and the Board believes the position is strengthened by the particular insights and diversity of viewpoints that the different committee chairs bring to the position. This structure also provides a broader group of directors the opportunity to serve in an additional leadership role.

 

 The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

Management is responsible for assessing and managing risks to Oracle, and, in turn, the Board is responsible for overseeing management’s efforts to assess and manage material risks and for reviewing options for risk mitigation. The Board and its committees assess whether management has an appropriate framework to manage risks and whether that framework is operating effectively. The Board’s risk oversight areas include, but are not limited to:

 

   leadership structure, compensation and succession planning for management and the Board;

 

   strategic and operational planning, including with respect to significant acquisitions, long-term debt financing and Oracle’s long-term growth;

 

   material financial risks;

 

   cybersecurity and information technology;

 

   diversity and inclusion; and

 

   legal and regulatory compliance.

       
     

 

Cybersecurity Risk Oversight

 

Cybersecurity risk oversight is a top priority for the Board. Oracle’s head of Global Information Security and its Chief Privacy Officer regularly brief the F&A Committee on Oracle’s information security program and its related priorities and controls. In turn, the F&A Committee periodically reports to the full Board regarding the committee’s cybersecurity risk oversight activities.

 

   
       

While the Board has the ultimate oversight responsibility for Oracle’s risk management policies and processes, various committees of the Board also have the following responsibilities for risk oversight.

 

   

 

F&A    

Committee    

 

    

  

Oversees risks associated with our financial statements and financial reporting, our independent registered public accounting firm, our internal audit function, tax issues, mergers and acquisitions, credit and liquidity, information technology, privacy and cybersecurity, legal and regulatory matters and Code of Ethics and Business Conduct compliance.

    
   

 

Compensation    

Committee    

    

Considers the risks associated with our compensation policies and practices, with respect to executive compensation, director compensation and employee compensation generally, as well as human capital management, including talent acquisition, development and retention.

    
   

 

 

 

 

 

Governance    

Committee    

    

Oversees risks associated with our overall governance practices and the leadership structure of management and the Board, as well as risks related to the pledging of Oracle securities. Oversees and periodically reviews environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters such as environmental sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and workforce and Board diversity, including through the review of a matrix that breaks down oversight of ESG matters by Board committee.

 

In accordance with our Pledging Policy, the Governance Committee regularly reviews Mr. Ellison’s pledging arrangements from a risk management perspective and provides a report to the F&A Committee and the Board, as described in “Corporate Governance—Prohibition on Speculative Transactions and Pledging Policy” on page 23.

 

The Governance Committee also periodically reviews and assesses the adequacy of our policies, plans and procedures with respect to succession planning for Oracle’s key executive officers, including the CEO and the CTO. At least annually, the Board holds an executive session with each of the CEO and the CTO to discuss potential successors and the performance, strengths and weaknesses of any such candidates.

    
   

Independence    

Committee    

    

Reviews risks arising from transactions with related persons and director independence issues.

 

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The Board is kept informed of each committee’s risk oversight and other activities via regular reports of the committee chairs to the full Board. For example, with respect to acquisitions and depending on the size of the acquisition meeting a threshold figure, the F&A Committee performs the initial review of the proposed transaction—taking into consideration any risks associated with the transaction—and determines whether to recommend that the Board approve the transaction. The F&A Committee also reviews completed acquisitions periodically to determine whether the acquired companies have performed as expected.

In addition, the Board plays an active oversight and risk mitigation role through its regular review of Oracle’s strategic direction. While management is responsible for setting Oracle’s strategic direction, the directors review Oracle’s strategy at every regular meeting of the Board. One Board meeting each year is dedicated to strategy and has historically been held off-site. The Board engages in candid discussions with management with respect to Oracle’s strategic direction. We believe this Board oversight helps identify and mitigate risks associated with our overall business strategy.

 

 Board of Directors and Director Independence

Each of our directors stands for election every year. We do not have a classified or staggered board. If the director nominees are elected at the Annual Meeting, the Board will continue to be composed of three employee directors (Mr. Ellison, Ms. Catz and Mr. Henley) and twelve non-employee directors.

Upon the recommendation of the Independence Committee, the Board determined that each of the following ten current directors is independent (as defined by applicable NYSE listing standards and our Corporate Governance Guidelines): Ms. Ablo, Mr. Berg, Dr. Boskin, Mr. Chizen, Mr. Conrades, Mrs. Fairhead, Mr. Moorman, Secretary Panetta, Mr. Parrett and Ms. Seligman. Therefore, all directors who served during fiscal 2022 on the Compensation, F&A, Governance and Independence Committees were independent under the applicable NYSE listing standards and SEC rules. The Board further determined, upon recommendation of the Independence Committee, that all directors who served during fiscal 2022 on the Compensation and F&A Committees satisfied the applicable NYSE and SEC heightened independence standards for members of compensation and audit committees.

In making the independence determinations, the Board and the Independence Committee considered all facts and circumstances relevant under the NYSE listing standards and SEC rules, including any relationships between Oracle and entities affiliated with the directors. In particular, the following relationships were considered:

 

   

Dr. Boskin is employed by Stanford University, which has historically received donations from both Oracle and various Board members. In addition, certain Board members serve on advisory or oversight boards at Stanford University or are otherwise employed part-time by Stanford University.

 

   

In fiscal 2022, Oracle paid a de minimis amount to Stanford University. The total amount Oracle paid to Stanford University constituted approximately 0.0001% of Oracle’s total revenues in fiscal 2022. Based on a review of publicly available data, we believe the payments represented less than 0.0002% of Stanford University’s total revenues in its last fiscal year. The payments fall within NYSE prescribed limits and guidelines.

The non-employee directors held an executive session following each of the regularly scheduled Board meetings, for a total of four meetings in fiscal 2022.

The F&A Committee has adopted a requirement that if an F&A Committee member wishes to serve on more than three audit committees of public companies, the member must obtain the approval of the F&A Committee, which will determine whether the director’s proposed service on the other audit committee(s) will detract from his/her performance on our F&A Committee. No F&A Committee member currently serves on more than three audit committees of public companies.

 

 Director Tenure, Board Refreshment and Diversity

We believe it is desirable to maintain a mix of longer-tenured, experienced directors that have developed increased institutional knowledge of and valuable insight into the company and its operations and newer directors with fresh perspectives. In furtherance of this objective, the Board elected Ms. Ablo in 2022, Dr. Sikka and Mrs. Fairhead in fiscal 2020 and Mr. Moorman and Mr. Parrett in fiscal 2018, for a total of 5 directors added in the last 5 fiscal years.

However, we do not impose director tenure limits or a mandatory retirement age. The Board has considered the perspectives of some stockholders regarding longer-tenured directors but believes that longer-serving directors with

 

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experience and institutional knowledge bring critical skills to the boardroom. In particular, the Board believes that given the large size of our company, the breadth of our product offerings and the international scope of our organization, longer-tenured directors are a significant strength of the Board. The Board also believes that longer-tenured directors have a better understanding of the challenges Oracle is facing and are more comfortable speaking out and challenging management. Accordingly, while director tenure is taken into consideration when making nomination decisions, the Board believes that imposing arbitrary limits on director tenure would deprive it of the valuable contributions of its most experienced members.

 

 

 

Board Diversity Matrix (as of September 19, 2022)

 Total Number of Directors

   15
 Part I: Gender Identity   

Female

 

  

Male

 

 Directors

   5    10

 Part II: Demographic Background

     

 African American or Black

   1   

 Asian

      1

 White

   4    9

The Board and the Governance Committee value diversity of backgrounds, experience, perspectives and leadership in different fields when identifying nominees. As set forth in our Guidelines, the Governance Committee, acting on behalf of the Board, is committed to actively seeking directors who are diverse with respect to gender, race and ethnicity for the pool from which director candidates are selected. Presently, 40% of our Board members are women and/or come from a diverse background (5 of our 15 Board members are women, including our CEO).

 

 

 Stockholder Engagement

We have a long tradition of engaging with our stockholders to solicit their views on a wide variety of issues, including corporate governance, environmental and social matters, executive compensation and other issues.

 

Ø   Independent Director Engagement.  On a regular basis, representatives of our independent directors hold meetings with our stockholders covering a wide range of topics, which have recently included executive compensation, Board refreshment and leadership structure, diversity and inclusion and other corporate governance matters. The meetings tend to be between our largest institutional stockholders and all of the members of our Compensation Committee.

       

 

Accountability:

One Share, One Vote

 

Oracle has a single class of voting stock, with each share entitled to one vote. Our executives, including our Founder, are thus held accountable to stockholders, who have voting power in proportion to their economic interest in our stock.

 

 

    


Neither our Chairman nor our CEO participate in these meetings. We provide an open forum to our stockholders to discuss and comment on any aspects of our executive compensation program and governance matters. The Board believes these meetings are important because they foster a relationship of accountability between the Board and our stockholders and help us better understand and respond to our stockholders’ priorities and perspectives.

In fiscal 2022, certain of our independent directors held meetings with seven large institutional stockholders. Thus far in fiscal 2023, we have reached out to nine large institutional stockholders to set up meetings with members of the Compensation Committee and the full Compensation Committee has already held video conference meetings with six large institutional stockholders.

 

Ø  

Executive Director Engagement. As part of our regular Investor Relations engagement program, our executive directors hold meetings with a number of our institutional stockholders throughout the year. We traditionally hold an annual financial analyst meeting where analysts are invited to hear presentations from key members of our management team, including our executive directors. Although we were not able to hold in-person analyst days during fiscal 2021 and 2022 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we presently intend to resume the in-person financial analyst meeting at Oracle CloudWorld in fiscal 2023.

 

Ø  

Legal and Investor Relations Engagement. Members of our Legal and Investor Relations teams engage with stockholders throughout the year. After the proxy statement is filed, the Legal and Investor Relations teams re-engage with stockholders in order to discuss matters on the annual stockholder meeting agenda and solicit feedback. When appropriate, independent directors join these discussions.

 

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The feedback received from our stockholder engagement efforts is communicated to and considered by the Board, and, when appropriate, the Board implements changes in response to stockholder feedback. See page 4 for a summary of the recent feedback we have received from our stockholders and the Board’s response to this feedback.

 

 Human Capital Management

 

Ø  

Oversight of Human Capital Management. The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring all matters related to human capital management, including talent acquisition and retention. At Oracle, our success is driven by the quality of our people, who we believe are among the best and brightest in the industry. We strive to create an environment that supports employee success and a culture where everyone has a voice in driving innovation. For information on our workforce, diversity and inclusion efforts, career development opportunities and corporate citizenship initiatives, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2022. Our Diversity and Inclusion website (www.oracle.com/corporate/careers/diversity-inclusion) also provides detailed reporting on the demographic make-up of our workforce and includes a link to our publicly available EEO-1 statement.

 

Ø  

Code of Conduct. In 1995, we adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the Code of Conduct), which is periodically reviewed and amended by the Board. We require all employees, including our senior officers and our employee directors, to read and to adhere to the Code of Conduct in discharging their work-related responsibilities. Our Compliance and Ethics Program, under the direction of our Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer, administers training on and enforces the Code of Conduct. We have also appointed Regional Compliance and Ethics Officers to oversee the application of the Code of Conduct in each of our geographic regions. We provide mandatory web-based general training with respect to the Code of Conduct, and we provide additional live and web-based training on specific aspects of the Code of Conduct from time to time to certain employees. Employees are expected to report any conduct they believe in good faith to be a violation of the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is posted on our website at www.oracle.com/goto/corpgov. We intend to disclose on our website any future amendments of the Code of Conduct or any waivers granted to our executive officers from any provision of the Code of Conduct.

 

Ø  

Compliance and Ethics Reports. With oversight from the F&A Committee, we have established several different reporting channels employees may use to seek guidance or submit reports concerning compliance and ethics matters, including accounting, internal controls and auditing matters. These reporting channels include Oracle’s Integrity Helpline, which may be accessed either over the phone or by way of a secure Internet site. Employees may contact the helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Interpreters are provided to helpline callers who want to communicate in languages other than English, and employees using the online system may file a report in the language of their choice. Employees who contact the helpline, whether over the phone or online, generally may choose to remain anonymous. Certain countries other than the United States, however, limit or prohibit anonymous reporting; employees who identify themselves as being from an affected country are alerted if special reporting rules apply to them.

 

Ø  

Global Conflict of Interest Policy. Our Global Conflict of Interest Policy (the Conflict of Interest Policy), which supplements the Code of Conduct, is applicable to all Oracle employees. The Conflict of Interest Policy is designed to help employees identify and address situations that may give rise to potential conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest. Employees are required to disclose any conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy. On an annual basis, each senior officer of Oracle is required to submit a Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire and Affirmation disclosing any actual or potential conflicts of interest and affirming that the senior officer has read, understands and is in compliance with the Conflict of Interest Policy.

 

Ø  

Corporate Citizenship Report. Information regarding our workforce, charitable activities, environmental policy and global sustainability initiatives and solutions is available in our Corporate Citizenship Report published on our website at www.oracle.com/corporate/citizenship. The information posted on or accessible through our website, including the Corporate Citizenship Report, is not incorporated into this proxy statement (see “No Incorporation by Reference” on page 72).

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table provides information, as of September 19, 2022, the record date of the Annual Meeting, with respect to the beneficial ownership of Oracle common stock by: (1) each stockholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; (2) each director or nominee; (3) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table (SCT); and (4) all current executive officers and directors as a group. Except as set forth below, the address of each stockholder is 2300 Oracle Way, Austin, Texas 78741.

 

       
  Name of Beneficial Owner    Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership (1)
    

  Percent

              of Class

   

  

  Directors and NEOs

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

  Lawrence J. Ellison (2)

     1,157,482,353        42.9%    

 

  Awo Ablo

               

 

  Jeffrey S. Berg (3)

     324,909        *    

 

  Michael J. Boskin (4)

     308,607        *    

 

  Safra A. Catz (5)

     11,368,592        *    

 

  Bruce R. Chizen (6)

     70,956        *    

 

  George H. Conrades (7)

     122,620        *    

 

  Dorian E. Daley (8)

     361,926        *    

 

  Rona A. Fairhead (9)

     30,552        *    

 

  Jeffrey O. Henley (10)

     4,389,990        *    

 

  Renée J. James (11)

     55,706        *    

 

  Charles W. Moorman (12)

     74,874        *    

 

  Leon E. Panetta (13)

     87,421        *    

 

  William G. Parrett (14)

     27,420        *    

 

  Edward Screven (15)

     4,603,985        *    

 

  Naomi O. Seligman (16)

     81,229        *    

 

  Vishal Sikka

     13,939        *    

 

  All current executive officers and directors as a group (18 persons) (17)

     1,179,606,833        43.7%      

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

  Other More Than 5% Stockholders

    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

  The Vanguard Group, 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355 (18)

     142,066,815        5.3%      

 

 

*

Less than 1%

 

(1)

Unless otherwise indicated below, each stockholder listed had sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws, if applicable.

 

(2)

Includes 11,750,000 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date and 307,000,000 shares pledged as collateral to secure certain personal indebtedness, including various lines of credit. See “Corporate Governance—Prohibition on Speculative Transactions and Pledging Policy” on page 23 for more information on Board and committee oversight of Mr. Ellison’s pledging arrangements.

 

(3)

Includes 5,000 shares owned by Mr. Berg’s spouse, 207,409 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Berg and his family, and 112,500 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date.

 

(4)

Includes 1,000 shares owned by Dr. Boskin’s spouse and 225,000 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date.

 

(5)

Includes 10,250,000 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date.

 

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(6)

Includes 5,000 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Chizen and his family.

 

(7)

Includes 67,500 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date.

 

(8)

Includes 361,926 shares held in trusts for the benefit of Ms. Daley and her family.

 

(9)

Includes 11,275 shares held by Mrs. Fairhead’s children.

 

(10)

Includes 1,792,688 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Henley and his family, 197,302 shares held in a trust by the J&J Family Foundation and 2,400,000 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date.

 

(11)

Includes 9,375 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date.

 

(12)

Includes 47,454 shares held in trusts for the benefit of Mr. Moorman’s family.

 

(13)

Includes 49,921 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Secretary Panetta’s family and 37,500 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date.

 

(14)

Includes 22,975 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Parrett’s family.

 

(15)

Includes 10,188 shares held by Mr. Screven’s spouse, 1,600,000 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date and 450,764 vested RSUs (including dividend equivalents) for which settlement has been deferred.

 

(16)

Includes 6,010 shares owned by Ms. Seligman’s spouse of which she disclaims beneficial ownership and 22,500 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date.

 

(17)

Includes all shares described in the notes above. Also includes 201,754 additional shares of Oracle common stock held by an executive officer who is not named in the table.

 

(18)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2022 by The Vanguard Group (Vanguard). The Schedule 13G/A indicates that as of December 31, 2021, Vanguard had shared voting power with respect to 2,772,542 shares, had sole dispositive power with respect to 135,298,441 shares and had shared dispositive power with respect to 6,768,374 shares. The address of The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors and any persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock (collectively, Reporting Persons) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Reporting Persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. As a matter of practice, we assist our executive officers and non-employee directors in preparing initial ownership reports and reporting ownership changes and we typically file these reports on their behalf.

Based solely on our review of the copies of any Section 16(a) forms received by us or written representations from the Reporting Persons, we believe that all Reporting Persons complied with all applicable filing requirements in fiscal 2022, except that a Form 4 reporting the acquisition of 1,286 shares of our common stock by one of Mrs. Fairhead’s children was filed late on behalf of Mrs. Fairhead on October 5, 2021.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

 Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our fiscal 2022 executive compensation program for the following named executive officers (NEOs):

 

 

 

Fiscal 2022

Named Executive Officers

 

Lawrence J. Ellison

Chairman and Chief Technology Officer

 

Safra A. Catz

Chief Executive Officer*

 

Edward Screven

Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Architect

 

Dorian E. Daley

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

 

*Ms. Catz also serves as our principal financial officer

 

          Quick Reference Guide       
   

    Executive Summary

    33  
   

    Eight-Year Performance-Based Stock Options

    36  
   

    Fiscal 2022 Compensation for Mr.  Ellison and Ms. Catz

    38  
   

Fiscal 2022 Compensation for All Other NEOs

    38  
   

     Stockholder Engagement and Compensation Committee Responsiveness

    38  
   

    Fiscal 2022 Pay Outcomes

    39  
   

     Objectives of Our Executive Compensation Program

    40  
   

    Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program

    40  
   

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

    40  
   

Annual Cash Bonus

    42  
   

Base Salary, Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

    43  
   

    Determination of Executive Compensation Amounts

    44  
   

     Other Factors in Setting Executive Compensation

    46  
   

     2021 Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

    48  
   

    Compensation Committee Report

    49  
   

     Compensation Tables

 

   

 

50

 

 

 

Executive Summary

 

 

Fiscal 2022 Executive Compensation Highlights for Named Executive Officers

Mr. Ellison

and

Ms. Catz

 

  In fiscal 2022:

 

 No increase in Mr. Ellison’s base salary of $1 or Ms. Catz’s base salary of $950,000

 

 Each earned $7,799,355 in connection with the annual performance-based cash bonus program

 

 No new equity awards and only one tranche of PSOs have vested over the last five (5) fiscal years

Mr. Screven

and

Ms. Daley

 

  In fiscal 2022:

 

 Modest base salary increases

 

 Each received a cash bonus and a restricted stock unit (RSU) award

 

  The total compensation mix for these two NEOs was heavily weighted toward equity-based awards, whose value correlates with our stock price, thus aligning their total direct compensation with the interests of our stockholders

 

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Oracle’s Performance

 

Fiscal 2022 Performance

 

  GAAP earnings per share of $2.41

 

  GAAP operating income of $10.9 billion

 

  Total revenues of $42.4 billion, up 5% in USD and up 7% in constant currency from fiscal 2021

 

  Cloud services and license support revenues of $30.2 billion, up 5% in USD and up 6% in constant currency from fiscal 2021

 

  Cloud license and on-premise license revenues of $5.9  billion, up 9% in USD and up 12% in constant currency from fiscal 2021

 

  Total cloud revenues (IaaS plus SaaS) for the three months ended May 31, 2022, of $2.9 billion, up 19% in USD and up 22% in constant currency from the same period in fiscal 2021

 

  Infrastructure cloud (IaaS) revenues of $792 million, up 36% in USD and up 39% in constant currency from the same period in fiscal 2021

 

  Fusion ERP cloud (SaaS) revenues of $569 million, up 20% in USD and up 23% in constant currency from the same period in fiscal 2021

 

  NetSuite ERP cloud revenues of $574 million, up 27% in USD and up 30% in constant currency from the same period in fiscal 2021

 

  Other SaaS revenues of $955 million, up 4% in USD and up 7% in constant currency from the same period in fiscal 2021

 

Stockholder Returns

 

  $19.7 billion was  returned to stockholders in fiscal 2022

 

  $16.2 billion in  repurchases of common stock

 

  $3.5 billion in dividends  paid

 

  Under our stock repurchase program, we bought back 1.6 billion shares at an average price of $57.40 and have reduced our total shares outstanding by 33% from the start of fiscal 2019 through the end of fiscal 2022

 

   

 

 

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Human Resources and Compensation Best Practices

 

Best Practices We Employ

 

LOGOCompensation Committee reviews attrition data and diversity metrics for employees at all career levels

 

LOGODiversity metrics and EEO-1 statement are publicly available on our Diversity and Inclusion website

 

LOGOModern approach to work, including a flexible employee work location policy

 

LOGOHigh proportion of compensation for our CEO and CTO is performance-based and aligned with stockholders’ interests

 

LOGOCaps on maximum payout of bonuses and performance-based equity awards

 

LOGO  Robust stock ownership guidelines

 

LOGODisciplined dilution rates from equity awards

 

LOGO  Compensation recovery (clawback) policy for cash bonuses in the event of a financial restatement

 

LOGO  Independent Compensation Committee

 

LOGOAnnual risk assessment of compensation programs

 

LOGO  Independent compensation consultant

 

LOGOAnti-pledging policy

 

LOGOAnti-hedging policy applicable to all employees and directors

 

 

Practices We Avoid

 

LOGO  No severance benefit arrangements except as provided under our equity incentive plan to employees generally or as required by law

 

LOGO  No “single-trigger” change in control vesting of equity awards

 

LOGO  No change in control acceleration of performance-based cash bonuses

 

LOGO  No minimum guaranteed vesting for performance-based equity awards granted to our NEOs

 

LOGO  No discretionary cash bonuses under the Executive Bonus Program applicable to our CEO and CTO

 

LOGO  No “golden parachute” tax reimbursements or gross-ups for our NEOs

 

LOGO  No payout or settlement of dividends or dividend equivalents on unvested equity awards

 

LOGO  No supplemental executive retirement plans, executive pensions or excessive retirement benefits

 

LOGO  No repricing, cash-out or exchange of “underwater” stock options without stockholder approval

 

 

 

 

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Eight-Year Performance-Based Stock Options: A Rigorous Long-Term Equity Program Directly Linked to Performance and Stockholder Value Creation

No equity awards were granted to Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz in fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee granted each of these NEOs an equity award consisting entirely of performance-based stock options (PSOs). Consistent with the long-term nature of our transition toward our cloud business, the PSOs granted to each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz were originally intended to represent five years of equity compensation and were granted with the expectation that these NEOs would receive no additional equity awards until fiscal 2022 at the earliest.

 

Ø  

Modification of the PSOs to Extend the Performance Period

Following the 2020 Annual Meeting, the Compensation Committee considered the feedback from stockholders regarding the PSOs and discussed possible modifications to the PSOs with its independent compensation consultant to address stockholder concerns. After considering the benefits and disadvantages of cancelling or modifying the PSOs to set new long-term performance measures for Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz, the Compensation Committee determined that, on balance, the approach that would be most responsive to stockholder concerns would be to extend the end of the PSO performance period by three fiscal years from May 31, 2022 to May 31, 2025. No modifications were made to any of the other existing terms applicable to the outstanding PSOs, including the goals and the expiration date of the PSOs.

In reaching this decision, the Compensation Committee gave weight to the following considerations:

 

   

The operational performance goals set forth in the PSOs are important drivers of Oracle’s business.

 

   

Extending the PSO performance period by three years would encourage a longer-term focus on Oracle’s performance.

 

   

The matching of operational performance goals with sustained 30-day market capitalization goals ensures that our stockholders will also benefit from the achievement of the goals.

 

   

Internal projections demonstrated that the performance goals are rigorous and not easily attainable during the extended performance period.

 

   

Only one tranche of the PSOs vested in June 2021 upon the achievement of the $80 stock price goal.

 

   

The first three market capitalization goals were achieved in fiscal 2021 and 2022, but no operational performance goals have yet been satisfied, and therefore, no additional tranches of the PSOs have vested.

 

   

If and when the remaining PSOs vest, stockholders will have achieved significant long-term value.

Our cloud business is an important part of our long-term success, and the PSOs were carefully designed to drive performance in the areas that we believe would be most beneficial to our stockholders. As such, after taking into consideration stockholders’ feedback, the Compensation Committee believes that the current design of the PSO program directly links the long-term incentive compensation of our most senior executive officers with rigorous goals related to our cloud offerings and stockholder returns. After reviewing internal projections and forecasts, the Compensation Committee believes that the operational performance goals and the remaining market capitalization goals are appropriately challenging. Furthermore, when designing the PSO program, the Compensation Committee required the matching of operational performance goals with sustained 30-day market capitalization goals because they wanted to ensure that our stockholders will also benefit from the achievement of the goals.

The Compensation Committee intends to honor its commitment to our stockholders and does not expect to grant any equity awards to Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz during the eight-year performance period of the PSOs, which runs through May 31, 2025.

The fair value of the modified PSOs as of the PSO modification date is reflected as fiscal 2022 compensation in the SCT and represents the full value of the as-modified award over the 8-year performance period. The annualized value of the modified PSOs is approximately $16.2 million per year for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz over the eight-year performance period. The Compensation Committee was advised by its independent compensation consultant that this annualized amount is below the median equity compensation paid to the CEOs of Oracle’s peers.

 

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Ø  

PSO Performance Goals

As modified, the PSOs can be earned only upon the attainment of rigorous performance goals over an eight-year performance period running from fiscal 2018 through fiscal 2025. To date, the Compensation Committee has certified that the $80 stock price goal and the first three market capitalization goals (a $16.7 billion, a $33.3 billion and a $50 billion increase in Oracle’s baseline market capitalization) were achieved. As a result of achieving the stock price goal, one tranche (representing one-seventh of the PSOs) vested on June 30, 2021. Because the remaining PSO tranches require matching of operational performance goals with market capitalization goals, no additional vesting will occur as a result of the achievement of the three market capitalization goals until an operational performance goal is also achieved.

 

 

One Tranche of the PSOs (1/7th)

earned based on achievement of a stock price goal

 

Oracle’s average stock price for 30 calendar days must equal or exceed $80 in order for the tranche to be earned

 

The Compensation Committee certified that this goal was achieved and

2,500,000 PSOs vested for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz effective June 30, 2021.

 

 

 

 

Six Tranches of the PSOs (6/7ths)

earned based on achievement of

both (1) operational performance goals and (2) market capitalization goals

 

   One goal of each type (operational and market capitalization) must be satisfied in order for a tranche (i.e., 1/7th of the award) to be earned

 

   If market capitalization goal(s) are satisfied but no operational performance goal(s) are satisfied (or vice versa), then no tranche will be earned until subsequent achievement of the other goal type occurs

 

The Compensation Committee certified that three market capitalization goals were achieved in fiscal 2021 and 2022.

No operational performance goals have yet been satisfied and none of the six tranches have vested.

 

 

 

 

6 Operational Performance Goals

 

   Become the largest enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company as measured by an independent third-party report

 

    Attain $20 billion in non-GAAP total cloud revenues in a fiscal year

 

    Attain $10 billion in non-GAAP total SaaS revenues in a fiscal year

 

    Attain $10 billion in non-GAAP total Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) revenues in a fiscal year

 

   Attain non-GAAP SaaS gross margin of 80%

 

   Maintain non-GAAP PaaS/IaaS gross margin of at least 30% for three of the eight fiscal years in the performance period

 

 

 

    

  

 

 

6 Market Capitalization Goals

 

   Increase Oracle’s market capitalization from a baseline of $207 billion by:

 

 $16.7 billion – achieved in fiscal 2021

 

 $33.3 billion – achieved in fiscal 2022

 

 $50 billion – achieved in fiscal 2022

 

 $66.7 billion

 

 $83.3 billion

 

 $100 billion

 

   Shares issued in connection with a material acquisition are to be excluded from the calculation of market capitalization

 

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Fiscal 2022 Compensation for Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz

The Compensation Committee routinely engages with our principal unaffiliated stockholders regarding executive compensation matters and takes stockholder feedback seriously (see below for details). We believe the fiscal 2022 compensation of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz and the modification of the PSOs described above address the feedback received from our stockholders. Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz were awarded no new equity awards in fiscal 2022, and their overall compensation is aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders.

In fiscal 2022, the principal elements of compensation for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz were as follows:

 

   

Base Salary: $1 for Mr. Ellison (unchanged since fiscal 2011) and $950,000 for Ms. Catz (unchanged since fiscal 2012)

 

   

Annual Performance-Based Cash Bonus: $7,799,355 for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz

 

   

Long-Term Incentive Compensation:

 

   

No equity awards were granted in fiscal 2022 because the PSOs granted in fiscal 2018 and extended in June 2021 are intended to represent eight years of equity compensation.

 

  Ø  

The Compensation Committee certified that the $80 stock price goal was achieved and 2,500,000 PSOs vested for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz on June 30, 2021.

 

  Ø  

Oracle’s market capitalization increased by more than $50 billion compared to the baseline market capitalization during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, thereby satisfying the first three of the PSO market capitalization goals. However, due to the rigor and long-term nature of the PSO goals, no operational performance goals have yet been satisfied and none of the other six tranches have vested.

 

  Ø  

The accounting value of the modified PSOs is reported as fiscal 2022 compensation in the SCT on page 50 under “Option Awards.” This does not reflect a new award nor does this amount reflect the actual amount, if any, that Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz will realize from the unvested PSOs.

 

  Ø  

The fair value of the modified PSOs as of the PSO modification date is reflected as fiscal 2022 compensation in the SCT and represents the full value of the as-modified award over the 8-year performance period. The annualized value of the modified PSOs is approximately $16.2 million per year for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz over the eight-year performance period.

Fiscal 2022 Compensation for All Other NEOs

The principal elements of fiscal 2022 compensation for Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley were a base salary, a cash bonus opportunity and an RSU award, as described in further detail beginning on page 41. The total compensation mix for these NEOs was heavily weighted toward equity-based awards, whose value correlates with our stock price, thus aligning their compensation with the interests of our stockholders. In the aggregate, approximately 82% of the fiscal 2022 total direct compensation (as reported in the SCT on page 50) for Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley was equity-based and approximately 95% was at risk.

Stockholder Engagement and Compensation Committee Responsiveness

The Compensation Committee actively solicits the views of our principal unaffiliated stockholders on executive compensation matters. On an annual basis, all of the members of the Compensation Committee hold meetings with our unaffiliated stockholders at which executive compensation and other corporate governance matters are discussed at length. Thus far in fiscal 2023, we have reached out to nine large institutional stockholders to set up a meeting with members of the Compensation Committee, and the full Compensation Committee held video conference meetings with six large institutional stockholders.

Stockholders approved our advisory say-on-pay proposal at our 2021 Annual Meeting with 60% of the votes cast voting in favor of the compensation of our NEOs. The Board remains committed to understanding stockholder views and looks forward to increasing levels of support in the future. All members of the Compensation Committee have met with and continue to engage with stockholders in order to actively understand what actions the Compensation Committee may take to address stockholder concerns. The Compensation Committee and the Board take the views of our stockholders and their feedback into account throughout the year.

 

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For a detailed summary of the Board’s response to the most critical feedback received from stockholders, see the table on page 4. The most critical feedback from our stockholders on our executive compensation program related to the PSO awards. We understand and share our stockholders’ focus on maintaining a long-term incentive program with rigorous and meaningful performance goals that properly aligns Mr. Ellison’s and Ms. Catz’s compensation with the interests of our stockholders. As we discussed with our stockholders during our engagement efforts, we believe that the PSO awards best achieve these goals.

 

   

While the awards resulted in a large amount of reported compensation in both 2018 (at the time of the initial grant) and 2022 (in connection with the modification of the PSOs to extend the performance period), only one of the seven PSO tranches have vested to date—precisely because of the rigor of the goals.

 

   

Certain large stockholders expressed concern that the PSO goals were too rigorous and that Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz might be disincentivized by the lack of vesting. This feedback factored into the Compensation Committee’s decision to modify the awards in June 2021 to extend the performance period of the PSOs by three fiscal years through May 31, 2025. The Compensation Committee believed that the operational performance goals and the remaining market capitalization goals are appropriately challenging.

 

   

As discussed in the description of the PSO program on pages 36 and 37, the Compensation Committee believed that the goals associated with the PSOs are drivers of Oracle’s business and are tailored to focus Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz on the most important long-term strategic and operational goals of the company. The PSOs were carefully designed to drive performance in the areas that we believe would be most beneficial to Oracle and our stockholders.

Fiscal 2022 Pay Outcomes: Pay-for-Performance

A significant portion of the compensation amounts our NEOs ultimately realize are contingent on the achievement of our primary business objectives and the creation of short-term and long-term value for our stockholders. The table below summarizes the fiscal 2022 outcomes for our NEOs’ performance-based compensation. Details regarding the material elements of the PSOs and cash bonus awards can be found on pages 36 and 37 and on pages 42 and 43.

 

     Pay Element   NEO    Fiscal 2022 Outcome       
   

PSOs

 

Lawrence J. Ellison

Safra A. Catz

  

   The $80 stock price goal was satisfied and one tranche (1/7th) of the PSOs vested on June 30, 2021

 

   Although the first three market capitalization goals of the PSOs were satisfied during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, no operational performance goals have yet been satisfied

 

   The accounting value of the modified PSOs is reported as fiscal 2022 compensation in the SCT. This reported amount does not reflect a new award nor does this amount reflect the actual amount, if any, that Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz will realize from the unvested PSOs. The reported amount is equal to the fair value of the modified PSOs as of the modification date and it represents the full value of the as-modified award over the 8-year PSO performance period

       
 

Annual

Cash

Bonus

 

Lawrence J. Ellison

Safra A. Catz

Edward Screven

  

   $7,799,355

   $7,799,355

   $3,899,678

 

  The annual cash bonuses paid to Mr. Ellison, Ms. Catz and Mr. Screven were all   paid at 156% of the target amount

 
        Dorian E. Daley   

   $1,000,000

 

  The annual cash bonus paid to Ms. Daley was paid at 133% of the target amount

       

 

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Objectives of Our Executive Compensation Program

 

The objectives of our executive compensation program are to:

 

   

attract and retain highly talented and productive executive officers;

 

   

align the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders; and

 

   

provide incentives for their superior performance.

The Compensation Committee believes we employ some of the most talented senior executive officers in our industry. Our senior executive officers are routinely recruited as candidates to lead other large, sophisticated technology companies. Given the strength of our NEO group, the Compensation Committee believes it is critical they receive total compensation opportunities that reflect their individual skills and experiences and are commensurate with the management of an organization of Oracle’s size, scope and complexity. Further, the Compensation Committee believes that our NEOs’ compensation levels must be appropriate to retain and properly motivate them. At the same time, however, the Compensation Committee seeks to align our NEOs’ pay with the investment gains or losses of Oracle’s stockholders.

Within Oracle, executive compensation is weighted most heavily toward our most senior executive officers because they have the greatest impact on our business and financial results. However, we strive to offer competitive compensation for employees at all levels of the organization in order to attract, motivate and retain employees in a competitive market for talent.

Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program

 

Each Element of the Program is Closely Linked to Our Business Objectives

Our executive compensation program consists of the three principal elements described in the table below. We believe this compensation mix encourages appropriate decisions that are consistent with our business strategy of constantly improving our performance and building short-term and long-term stockholder value.

 

 

 Compensation Element

 

 

   Designed to Reward

  

 

   Relationship to Business Objectives

 

 

At-Risk 

 

  1. Long-Term Incentive Compensation (page 40)

 

   Success in achieving sustainable long-term results

  

   Align our NEOs’ interests with long-term stockholder interests to increase overall stockholder value

 

   Motivate and reward our NEOs for achieving sustainable long-term results

 

   Attract and retain talented NEOs in a competitive market for talent

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO   

 

 

  2. Annual Cash Bonus (page 42)

 

   Success in achieving annual financial results

  

   Motivate and reward our NEOs for achieving or exceeding annual financial performance goals

 

   Share incremental profits earned by Oracle with our NEOs

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO   

 

 

  3. Base Salary (page 43)

 

   Experience, knowledge of the industry, duties and scope of responsibility

 

  

   Provide a minimum, fixed level of cash compensation to attract and retain talented NEOs who can successfully design and execute our business strategy

 

       

1. Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Our philosophy with regard to granting long-term incentive compensation is to:

 

   

be sensitive to the overall number and value of shares of Oracle common stock underlying the equity awards granted;

 

   

effectively manage the overall net dilution resulting from our use of equity as a compensation tool, by granting equity awards to a relatively small number of employees, with a focus on our senior executive officers, engineers and high performers in other areas of our business; and

 

   

provide the largest awards to our top performers and individuals with the greatest responsibilities because they have the potential and ability to contribute the most to the success of our business and the creation of long-term stockholder value.

 

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Consistent with this philosophy, our cumulative potential dilution since June 1, 2019 has been a weighted-average annualized rate of 1.3% per year. For details on the calculation of our cumulative potential dilution, see Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2022.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation—Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz

In July 2017, the Compensation Committee granted each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz an equity award consisting entirely of PSOs that may be earned only upon the attainment of stock price, market capitalization and operational performance goals. Due to the rigor and long-term nature of the underlying performance goals, none of the goals were achieved until June 2021.

In fiscal 2022, the Compensation Committee did not grant any equity awards to Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz. No equity awards have been granted to Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz since the PSOs were granted in fiscal 2018. The Compensation Committee intends to honor its original commitment to our stockholders and does not expect to grant any equity awards to Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz during the eight-year performance period of the PSOs.

In June 2021, the Compensation Committee extended the PSO performance period by three fiscal years from May 31, 2022 to May 31, 2025. No modifications were made to any of the other existing terms applicable to the outstanding PSOs, including the goals and the expiration date of the PSOs. The accounting value of the modified PSOs is reported in the SCT as fiscal 2022 compensation. However, this amount does not reflect the actual amount, if any, that Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz will realize from the unvested PSOs. The reported amount is equal to the fair value of the modified PSOs as of the modification date and it represents the full value of the as-modified award over the 8-year PSO performance period.

On June 30, 2021, the Compensation Committee certified that the $80 stock price goal was achieved and 2,500,000 PSOs vested for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz. Oracle’s market capitalization increased by more than $50 billion compared to the baseline market capitalization during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, thereby satisfying the first three of the market capitalization goals. However, no operational performance goals have yet been satisfied, and therefore, no additional tranches of the PSOs have vested.

Long-term incentive compensation for these NEOs is 100% performance-based. The PSOs will be earned only if Oracle both significantly grows its cloud business and increases its market capitalization by May 31, 2025. Following the extension of the end of the PSO performance period from May 31, 2022 to May 31, 2025, the PSOs are intended to represent eight years of long-term incentive compensation for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz. The accounting value of the modified PSOs as of the PSO modification date is reflected in the SCT and represents the full value of the as-modified award over the 8-year performance period. The annualized value of the modified PSOs is approximately $16.2 million per year for each of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz over the eight-year performance period. The Compensation Committee was advised by its independent compensation consultant that this annualized amount is below the median equity compensation paid to the CEOs of Oracle’s peers. Performance measured against the goals is evaluated annually. See pages 36 and 37 above for a description of these awards.

Long-Term Equity Compensation—Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley

In fiscal 2022, Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley received long-term equity compensation in the form of RSUs that vest in equal annual installments over four years from the date of grant. The Compensation Committee believes that RSUs serve as an effective performance incentive because they become more valuable as our stock price increases (which benefits all stockholders) and fully vest only if the recipient remains employed through the final vesting date. Because RSUs have value to the recipient even in the absence of stock price appreciation, RSUs help retain and incentivize employees during periods of market volatility, and result in Oracle granting fewer shares of common stock than through stock options of equivalent grant date fair value.

 

   

Mr. Screven received an annual award of 200,000 RSUs in fiscal 2022

 

   

Ms. Daley received an annual award of 150,000 RSUs in fiscal 2022

Long-term incentive compensation for these executive officers is 100% time-based. In determining the long-term incentive compensation to be awarded to Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley, the Compensation Committee desired to provide strong retention incentives with upside tied to stockholder returns. The Compensation Committee considered the critical nature of the roles that Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley perform, their performance in such roles, and the fact

 

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that neither oversees revenue-generating lines of business but instead both have material duties that include compliance matters: Mr. Screven oversees Oracle’s security compliance and Ms. Daley oversees legal compliance. The Compensation Committee believed that awarding performance-based long-term incentive compensation to these particular executive officers could have created undesirable incentives.

Equity Awards and Grant Administration

The Board has designated the Compensation Committee as the administrator of the 2020 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (the 2020 Equity Plan) and the Directors’ Stock Plan. The Compensation Committee, among other things:

 

   

selects award recipients under the 2020 Equity Plan,

 

   

approves the form of grant agreements,

 

   

determines the terms and restrictions applicable to the equity awards, and

 

   

adopts sub-plans for particular subsidiaries or locations.

The Board has delegated to a separate committee comprised of executive officers an annual equity award budget for equity award grants to certain employees. Among other limitations, the executive officer committee cannot grant equity to non-employees or to certain executives. Equity awards approved by either the Compensation Committee or the executive officer committee during a calendar month are typically granted together on a pre-established day of the following month.

The Compensation Committee and F&A Committee also monitor the dilution and “overhang” effects of our outstanding equity awards in relation to the total number of outstanding shares of Oracle common stock. We do not grant equity awards in anticipation of the release of material nonpublic information, and we do not time the release of material nonpublic information based on equity award grant dates.

2. Annual Cash Bonus

Performance-Based Cash Bonuses under the Executive Bonus Plan

Our stockholder-approved Executive Bonus Plan is intended to motivate our senior executive officers by rewarding them when our annual financial performance objectives are met or exceeded. Under the Executive Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee assigns each participant an annual target cash bonus opportunity and establishes the financial performance metric or metrics that must be achieved before an award will be paid to the participant for the year. The Compensation Committee selected year-over-year growth in our non-GAAP operating income as the financial performance metric for determining our NEOs’ bonuses for fiscal 2022 (other than for Ms. Daley whose bonus arrangement is described below). The Compensation Committee selected non-GAAP operating income growth in part because it is the metric that funds our discretionary corporate bonus plan for all eligible employees (including Ms. Daley). The Compensation Committee believes this alignment in bonus metrics is advantageous because it ensures all NEOs are working towards a common goal. Additionally, management regularly uses this metric internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business performance and make operating decisions with a view to the creation of stockholder value. Furthermore, as a measure of profitability, this metric requires our NEOs to manage multiple variables (i.e., revenues and operating expenses) in achieving the goal of growing our non-GAAP operating income, which the Board believes to be an important measure of Oracle’s financial performance and value creation for our stockholders, and does not penalize our senior executives for the impact of items not directly related to our core business operation.

Under the bonus formula, if Oracle’s non-GAAP operating income does not grow year-over-year, then our NEOs will not receive any bonuses under the Executive Bonus Plan even if Oracle has been profitable. The Compensation Committee has discretion to reduce or eliminate but not increase the award determined by the bonus formula. For fiscal 2022, the maximum amount that could be earned was capped at 200% of the target awards.

Between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, our non-GAAP operating income grew by approximately $600 million. Non-GAAP operating income as defined under the Executive Bonus Plan for fiscal 2022 reflects adjustments based on stock-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition related and other expenses and restructuring expenses. For additional explanations of our non-GAAP measures, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 13, 2022.

 

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Based on the growth of our non-GAAP operating income and the bonus plan formula approved by the Compensation Committee, Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz each received a bonus of $7,799,355 (156% of the target amount) and Mr. Screven received a bonus of $3,899,678 (156% of the target amount).

Cash Bonus Opportunity for Ms. Daley

As Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Ms. Daley oversees all legal matters at Oracle and manages a large-scale multinational legal team. Because Ms. Daley is not directly responsible for Oracle’s financial performance, the Compensation Committee determined that it was inappropriate for Ms. Daley to participate in the Executive Bonus Plan described above. At the beginning of fiscal 2022, the Compensation Committee set a target bonus opportunity of $750,000 for Ms. Daley, subject to a $1,500,000 cap, based on, among other things, an assessment of Ms. Daley’s performance of her role and responsibilities, competitive pay data drawn from the companies in our compensation peer group, input from its independent compensation consultant and the recommendation of our CEO. After fiscal 2022 year end, the Compensation Committee granted Ms. Daley a bonus of $1,000,000 (133% of target) in recognition of Ms. Daley’s significant contributions to Oracle’s legal strategy and successes. Ms. Daley’s bonus was paid above target based on Oracle’s overall financial performance in fiscal 2022. Discretionary bonuses were paid to eligible employees company-wide following fiscal year end due to our strong financial performance in fiscal 2022.

3. Base Salary, Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

Base Salary

The base salaries of Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz have not increased in over ten years. Base salary represents the only fixed component of the three principal elements of our executive compensation program and is intended to provide a baseline amount of annual compensation for our NEOs. When setting base salary levels, the Compensation Committee considers the base salaries paid to NEOs in comparable positions at the companies in our compensation peer group, Oracle’s performance and the individual NEO’s contributions to Oracle.

Mr. Ellison’s base salary is set at $1 consistent with the Compensation Committee’s view that his entire total direct compensation opportunity should be “at-risk.” Ms. Catz’s base salary is $950,000 and has not changed in over ten years. Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley each received modest base salary increases in fiscal 2022 after receiving no base salary increases in fiscal 2021, with Mr. Screven’s salary increasing from $800,000 to $900,000 and Ms. Daley’s salary increasing from $875,000 to $890,000.

Limited Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

In fiscal 2022, we provided our NEOs with certain limited perquisites and other personal benefits, each of which the Compensation Committee believes are reasonable and in the best interests of Oracle and our stockholders. The amounts of all perquisites and other personal benefits provided to our NEOs are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column of the SCT below.

 

Ø  

Residential Security

The Board has established a residential security program for the protection of our most senior executives based on an assessment of risk, which includes consideration of the executive’s position and work location. We require these security measures for Oracle’s benefit because of the importance of these executives to Oracle, and we believe these security costs are necessary and appropriate business expenses since these costs arise from the nature of the executives’ employment at Oracle.

The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the residential security budget each year, which includes a review of the actual and credible threats made against our senior executives during the last completed fiscal year. In fiscal 2022, Oracle paid for the annual costs of security personnel at Mr. Ellison’s primary residence. Mr. Ellison pays for all security costs for his other residences. For Ms. Catz, in fiscal 2022 Oracle paid to install a video surveillance system at her primary residence as well as the costs associated with previously leased office space for executive protection staff that was located near her primary residence.

We view the security services provided for our senior executives as an integral part of our risk management program and as necessary and appropriate business expenses. However, because they may be viewed as conveying a personal benefit to these individuals, we have reported the aggregate incremental costs to Oracle of these services in the “All Other Compensation” column of the SCT.

 

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Ø  

Aircraft Use

Our company-owned aircraft are considered a business tool to be used for essential business purposes only. Our policy regarding the use of company-owned aircraft provides that use of the aircraft for non-business travel is prohibited, subject to certain limited exceptions. We permit our NEOs to be accompanied by guests during business trips on company-owned aircraft. We believe there is no aggregate incremental cost to Oracle as a result of our NEOs being accompanied by guests when traveling on Oracle business. However, in certain instances, a portion of the aircraft costs attributable to non-business passengers cannot be deducted by Oracle for corporate income tax purposes. When applicable, we disclose the amount of these incremental forgone tax deductions in the footnotes accompanying the SCT. In fiscal 2022, use of our company-owned aircraft did not result in a loss of a corporate income tax deduction.

Pension Benefits or Supplemental Retirement Benefits

During fiscal 2022, other than the 401(k) Plan and our deferred compensation programs, we did not provide any pension or retirement benefits to our NEOs and do not believe that these types of benefits are necessary to further the objectives of our executive compensation program.

We offer the 1993 Deferred Compensation Plan (the Cash Deferred Compensation Plan) to certain employees, including eligible NEOs, under which participants may elect to defer all or a portion of their base salary and annual performance-based cash bonus. We also offer certain employees, including eligible NEOs, the ability to defer the settlement of their earned and vested RSUs under the terms of the Oracle Corporation Stock Unit Award Deferred Compensation Plan (the RSU Deferred Compensation Plan). We offer these plans because we believe they are competitive elements of compensation for our NEOs. For a description of our Cash Deferred Compensation Plan and RSU Deferred Compensation Plan, see “Fiscal 2022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table” beginning on page 53.

Severance, Change in Control and Death Benefits

Each of our NEOs is employed “at will.” None of our NEOs has an employment agreement with Oracle that provides for payments or benefits in the event of a termination of employment or in connection with a change in control of Oracle.

If Oracle is acquired, all RSUs and time-based stock options granted to our employees (including our NEOs) under the 2020 Equity Plan and the Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the Prior Plan) will become fully vested if (1) the equity awards are not assumed or (2) the equity awards are assumed and the holder’s employment is terminated without cause within 12 months after the acquisition. The vesting acceleration provisions apply to all employees who receive or have received equity awards under the 2020 Equity Plan and/or the Prior Plan and they are not subject to any other material conditions or obligations.

Pursuant to the terms of the PSO grant agreements, in the event of a change in control of Oracle, any unvested tranches subject to market capitalization goals and operational performance goals will be earned only to the extent any unmatched market capitalization goals have been met on or before the trading date immediately prior to the change in control.

In addition, if any employee of Oracle dies while employed by Oracle, Oracle’s standard forms of RSU grant agreement under the 2020 Equity Plan and the Prior Plan provide for one additional tranche of vesting of RSUs for all grantees, including executives. Pursuant to the terms of the PSO grant agreements, upon the applicable NEO’s death, his or her unvested PSOs remain outstanding and eligible to vest through the next vesting measurement date following his or her death. The Prior Plan also provided for two additional tranches of vesting of time-based stock options upon a grantee’s death, including executives.

Determination of Executive Compensation Amounts for Fiscal 2022

 

Factors Considered in Setting Fiscal 2022 Compensation for Our NEOs

The Compensation Committee approved our NEOs’ fiscal 2022 compensation and determined that the fiscal 2022 compensation levels were appropriate and necessary to reward, retain and motivate our NEOs based on our executive compensation philosophy and the Compensation Committee’s subjective evaluations of:

 

   

the potential future contributions our NEOs can make to our success and our NEOs’ roles in executing our business strategies;

 

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our desired future financial performance in each NEO’s principal areas of responsibility and the degree to which we wish to provide incentives for him or her;

 

   

each NEO’s past performance, experience and level of responsibility;

 

   

the Compensation Committee’s belief that many of the NEOs could lead another company and the goal of protecting against recruiting efforts by other companies;

 

   

the complexity of our business and ongoing increases in workloads and responsibilities for our NEOs;

 

   

each NEO’s expected progress toward goals within his or her areas of responsibility;

 

   

each NEO’s skills, knowledge and experience;

 

   

the appropriate mix of compensation (i.e., short-term versus long-term, fixed versus variable) for each NEO; and

 

   

any other factors the Compensation Committee deems appropriate.

The Compensation Committee does not have a set formula by which it determines which of these factors is more or less important, and the specific factors used and their weighting may vary among individual NEOs and over time. When determining the size of the equity awards, the Compensation Committee considers both the overall size of the awards and the potential value of the awards.

Compensation Decision-Making Process and the Role of Executive Officers

The Compensation Committee deliberates on, determines and approves our NEOs’ compensation based on the collective subjective judgment of its members, which is guided by their significant collective business experience, and their evaluation of the factors above. See “Board of Directors—Nominees for Directors—Director Qualifications” beginning on page 8 for a discussion of the expertise and skills of each of our Compensation Committee members. None of our NEOs determines his or her own compensation.

Fiscal 2022 Compensation for Mr. Ellison, Chairman and CTO

 

   

Long-Term Incentive
Compensation

  

None granted; One tranche of PSOs vested on June 30, 2021 upon achievement of the $80 stock price goal; PSO performance period extended to eight years

 

 Performance-Based Cash Bonus   

A cash bonus opportunity under the Executive Bonus Plan based on the growth in our non-GAAP operating income amount over the preceding fiscal year multiplied by 1.3158%

Mr. Ellison received a bonus payment of $7,799,355

 

 Annual Base Salary

 

  

$1 (unchanged since fiscal 2011)

 

In addition to the factors described above, the Compensation Committee approved this compensation package based on, among other factors, competitive pay data drawn from the companies in our compensation peer group, input from the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant and an assessment of Mr. Ellison’s overall responsibility for business strategy, operations and corporate vision. The Compensation Committee emphasized the objectives of retaining his services and providing meaningful incentives for superior performance and engagement. The Compensation Committee believes that Mr. Ellison, as Oracle’s Founder who has guided the company for over 40 years, is invaluable. Although Mr. Ellison has a significant equity interest in Oracle, the Compensation Committee believes his annual compensation package is necessary to maintain the focus of his visionary drive and his active role in our operations, technology, strategy and growth. The Compensation Committee also believes that Mr. Ellison’s role as an executive at Oracle is distinct from his roles as a director and significant stockholder.

Fiscal 2022 Compensation for Ms. Catz, CEO

 

   

Long-Term Incentive
Compensation

  

None granted; One tranche of PSOs vested on June 30, 2021 upon achievement of the $80 stock price goal; PSO performance period extended to eight years

 

 Performance-Based Cash Bonus   

A cash bonus opportunity under the Executive Bonus Plan based on the growth in our non-GAAP operating income amount over the preceding fiscal year multiplied by 1.3158%

Ms. Catz received a bonus payment of $7,799,355

 

 Annual Base Salary

 

  

$950,000 (unchanged since fiscal 2012)

 

 

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In addition to the factors described above, the Compensation Committee approved this compensation package based on, among other factors, competitive pay data drawn from the companies in our compensation peer group, input from the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant and an assessment of Ms. Catz’s significant role and responsibilities with Oracle. As our CEO, Ms. Catz is responsible for Oracle’s long-term strategy, culture and financial performance. As our principal financial officer, she also has oversight and responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of our financial results.

Fiscal 2022 Compensation for Mr. Screven, Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Architect

 

   

Long-Term Incentive
Compensation

 

   An annual award of 200,000 RSUs
 Performance-Based Cash Bonus   

A cash bonus opportunity under the Executive Bonus Plan based on the growth in our non-GAAP operating income amount over the preceding fiscal year multiplied by 0.6579%

Mr. Screven received a bonus payment of $3,899,678

 

 Annual Base Salary

 

  

$900,000

 

In addition to the factors described above, the Compensation Committee approved this compensation package based on, among other factors, competitive pay data drawn from the companies in our compensation peer group, input from the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant and the recommendations of our CEO and CTO. The Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Screven drives technology and architecture decisions across all Oracle products to ensure that product development is consistent with Oracle’s overall long-term strategy. Mr. Screven also plays a critical role by leading company-wide strategic initiatives, including with respect to industry standards and cybersecurity.

Fiscal 2022 Compensation for Ms. Daley, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

 

   

Long-Term Incentive
Compensation

   An annual award of 150,000 RSUs
 Cash Bonus                                         

A target cash bonus opportunity of $750,000, subject to a $1,500,000 cap

Ms. Daley received a bonus payment of $1,000,000

 Annual Base Salary

 

  

$890,000

 

In addition to the factors described above, the Compensation Committee approved this compensation package based on, among other factors, competitive pay data drawn from the companies in our compensation peer group, input from the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant, the recommendation of our CEO, and an assessment of Ms. Daley’s significant role and responsibilities overseeing all legal matters at Oracle and managing a large-scale multinational legal team in addition to her contributions to Oracle’s commercial business and executive sponsorship program and her ongoing engagement with our large international customer base. In particular, Ms. Daley plays a critical role in setting the strategy for Oracle’s litigation and regulatory matters and provides leadership in the areas of compliance and ethics, data protection and privacy, intellectual property and corporate governance, among other responsibilities.

In June 2022, Ms. Daley announced her intention to retire from Oracle. Ms. Daley and Oracle have elected to extend her employment for a short period of time to further help with the transition of her duties. There has been no change in her intent to retire.

Other Factors in Setting Executive Compensation

 

Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee selected and directly engaged Compensia, Inc. (Compensia), a national compensation consulting firm, as its compensation advisor for fiscal 2022 to provide analysis and market data on executive and director compensation matters, both generally and within our industry. Compensia advised the Compensation Committee on potential replacement equity compensation programs and factors to consider when modifying the PSOs. Compensia also assisted the Compensation Committee with a comparison of our non-employee director compensation policies and practices and our executive compensation policies and practices against a group of peer

 

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companies (as determined and identified below) and with reviewing the annual risk assessment of our compensation policies and practices applicable to our NEOs and other employees. Compensia did not determine or recommend any amounts or levels of our executive compensation for fiscal 2022.

The Compensation Committee recognizes that it is essential to receive objective advice from its external advisors. Consequently, the Compensation Committee is solely responsible for retaining and terminating Compensia. Compensia reports directly to the Compensation Committee and Compensia did not provide any other services to Oracle during fiscal 2022. The Compensation Committee has determined that the work resulting from Compensia’s engagement did not raise any conflicts of interest.

Peer Company Executive Compensation Comparison

The Compensation Committee, in consultation with Compensia, annually establishes a group of peer companies, which are generally in the technology sector, for comparative purposes based on a number of factors, including:

 

   

their size and complexity;

 

   

their market capitalization;

 

   

their competition with us for talent;

 

   

the nature of their businesses;

 

   

the industries and regions in which they operate; and

 

   

the structure of their executive compensation programs (including the extent to which they rely on annual bonuses and other forms of variable, performance-based incentive compensation) and the availability of information about these programs.

For fiscal 2022, the companies comprising the compensation peer group consisted of:

 

Accenture plc

 

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company

 

QUALCOMM Incorporated

Alphabet Inc.

 

Intel Corporation

 

salesforce.com, inc.

Amazon.com, Inc.

 

International Business Machines Corporation

 

SAP SE

Apple Inc.

  Meta Platforms, Inc.  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

 

Microsoft Corporation

 

In determining fiscal 2022 executive compensation, the Compensation Committee considered, among other factors, executive pay information drawn from this group of peer companies for comparative purposes. However, the Compensation Committee did not use such information to tie any executive’s individual compensation to specific target percentiles.

Risk Assessment of Our Executive Compensation Policies and Practices

As part of its annual compensation-related risk review, the Compensation Committee considered, among others, the following factors which mitigate incentives for our executive officers to take inappropriate risks:

 

   

The PSOs granted to Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz are divided into seven equal tranches that are eligible to be earned based on the attainment of rigorous stock price, market capitalization and operational performance goals within eight fiscal years of the date of grant. Consequently, Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz will only realize value from their equity awards through sustained long-term appreciation of our stock price and significant growth in our cloud business, which mitigates excessive short-term risk taking.

 

   

All annual performance-based cash bonuses are subject to a specified dollar cap that limits the maximum amount payable to an NEO and may be decreased in the Compensation Committee’s discretion, which protects against an NEO receiving a windfall or disproportionately large bonus relative to the Compensation Committee’s assessment of our actual financial performance. The cash bonus Ms. Daley was eligible to earn was also subject to a specified dollar cap set by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of each fiscal year.

 

   

The financial metric used in the Executive Bonus Plan for Mr. Ellison, Ms. Catz and Mr. Screven is year-over-year growth in Oracle’s non-GAAP operating income. The Compensation Committee selected non-GAAP operating

 

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income growth in part because it is the metric that funds our discretionary corporate bonus plan for all eligible employees (including Ms. Daley). The Compensation Committee believes this alignment in bonus metrics is advantageous because it ensures all NEOs are working towards a common goal. Additionally, our management regularly uses this metric to understand, manage and evaluate our business and make operating decisions. Using this metric for the annual performance-based cash bonus opportunities further aligns these NEOs’ interests with our business goals.

 

   

We maintain a compensation recovery (clawback) policy that allows us to recover or cancel any cash bonuses paid that are awarded as a result of achieving financial performance goals that are not met under any restated financial results.

 

   

Each of our senior officers is subject to robust stock ownership requirements described in “Corporate Governance—Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors and Senior Officers” on page 26. Our senior officers would experience significant lost value in their holdings of Oracle common stock and potentially all of the value of their Oracle stock options and other equity awards if our stock price suffered an extended decline due to inappropriate or unnecessary risk taking.

Tax and Accounting Considerations

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code places a limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation that we may deduct as a business expense in any year with respect to certain of our most highly paid executive officers. The Compensation Committee considers the deductibility of compensation as one factor in determining executive compensation, including grandfathering rules that apply to certain arrangements that were in effect in November 2017, such as the PSOs. However, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to award compensation that is not deductible as it believes that it is in the best interests of our stockholders to maintain flexibility in our approach to executive compensation in order to structure a program that we consider to be the most effective in attracting, motivating and retaining key executives.

Accounting considerations also play a role in the design of our executive compensation program. Accounting rules require us to expense the grant date fair values of our equity awards (that is, the value of our equity awards based on U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)), which reduces the amount of our reported profits under U.S. GAAP. Because of this stock-based expensing and the impact of dilution to our stockholders, we closely monitor the number, share amounts and the fair values of the equity awards that are granted each year.

2021 Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

 

At our annual meeting of stockholders in November 2021, we conducted our annual advisory vote on the fiscal 2021 compensation of our NEOs (a “say-on-pay” vote). The compensation of our NEOs received support from approximately 60% of the votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal and we want to continue to increase stockholder support for our NEO compensation. To that end, the Compensation Committee engages in regular discussions with our principal unaffiliated stockholders regarding their views on executive compensation matters and takes such input into account in making compensation decisions (see page 38 for details).

Other Compensation Policies

 

Compensation Recovery (Clawback) Policy

We maintain a clawback policy for our executive officers providing that if Oracle restates its reported financial results, we will seek to recover or cancel any cash bonuses paid that were awarded as a result of achieving financial performance goals that are not met under the restated financial results. When the SEC adopts final clawback policy rules under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we will revise our policy to comply with such rules.

 

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Compensation Committee Report

 

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this proxy statement. Based upon this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

 

Submitted by:

 

    George H. Conrades, Chair

    Naomi O. Seligman, Vice Chair

    Charles W. Moorman

    Leon E. Panetta

 

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Fiscal 2022 Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table provides summary information concerning cash, equity and other compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our NEOs in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020.

 

  Name and Principal Position   Fiscal
Year
    Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
    Stock Awards
($) (1)
    Option Awards
($) (2)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
  All Other
Compensation
($) (3)
  Total
($)

  Lawrence J. Ellison

 

 

2022

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

129,275,000

 

 

7,799,355

 

1,577,707

 

138,652,063 

Chairman and Chief Technology Officer

 

 

2021

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,584,656

 

2,189,131

 

  11,773,788 

 

 

2020

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,716,114

 

    1,716,115 

  Safra A. Catz

 

 

2022

 

 

950,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

129,275,000

 

 

7,799,355

 

  167,677

 

138,192,032 

Chief Executive Officer*

 

 

2021

 

 

950,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,584,656

 

    96,567

 

  10,631,223 

 

 

2020

 

 

950,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    14,055

 

      964,055 

  Edward Screven

 

 

2022

 

 

883,333

 

 

 

 

 

17,312,000

 

 

 

 

 

3,899,678

 

      8,277

 

  22,103,288 

EVP, Chief Corporate Architect

 

 

2021

 

 

800,000

 

 

 

 

 

10,722,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,916,931

 

      5,951

 

  13,444,882 

 

 

2020

 

 

800,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      6,555

 

       806,555 

  Dorian E. Daley

 

 

2022

 

 

887,500

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

12,984,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

      8,142

 

  14,879,642 

EVP and General Counsel

 

 

2021

 

 

875,000

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

9,381,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

      8,276

 

  11,265,026 

   

 

2020

 

 

875,000

 

 

 

 

 

9,256,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

      8,422

 

  10,139,922 

*

Ms. Catz also serves as our principal financial officer.

 

(1)

The amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair values of RSUs (for Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley) granted during the relevant fiscal years computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718. For information on the valuation assumptions used in our computations, see Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2022. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program—Long-Term Incentive Compensation—Long-Term Equity Compensation—Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley” on page 41 for a discussion of these awards. The amounts reported do not reflect whether the NEO has actually realized or will realize an economic benefit from these awards.

 

(2)

The amounts reported in this column for Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz for fiscal 2022 represent the fair values of the PSOs as of the date of the modification to extend the performance period through May 31, 2025, computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718, and valued based on the probability of achievement of the performance goals as measured at the time of the modification. The reported amount is equal to the fair value of the modified PSOs as of the modification date and it represents the full value of the as-modified award over the 8-year PSO performance period. Assuming maximum achievement of the performance goals, the fair value of the PSOs as of the date of the modification would be approximately $330 million each for Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz. We estimated the fair values of the PSOs modified during fiscal 2022 using a Monte Carlo simulation approach as of the modification date with the following assumptions: a risk-free interest rate of 0.68%, an expected term of 4 years, an expected volatility of 25.48% and a dividend yield of 1.64%. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Our Compensation Program—Long-Term Incentive Compensation” beginning on page 40 for a discussion of these awards. The amounts reported do not reflect whether Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz have actually realized or will realize an economic benefit from these awards.

 

(3)

For fiscal 2022, the amounts reported in this column include:

 

  (a)

Company matching contributions under our 401(k) Plan of $5,250 for Mr. Screven and $5,100 for each of the other NEOs. Our employees, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in our 401(k) Plan and we match 50% of an eligible salary deferral up to the first 6% of such deferrals, not to exceed $5,100 in a calendar year and subject to a multi-year vesting schedule.

 

  (b)

Flexible credits used toward covering the premiums for cafeteria-style benefit plans, including life insurance and long-term disability benefits, in the amount of $648 for Mr. Ellison, $9,546 for Ms. Catz, $2,873 for Mr. Screven and $2,888 for Ms. Daley. All Oracle employees are eligible to receive flexible credits.

 

  (c)

Security-related costs and expenses of $1,564,394 for Mr. Ellison’s residence and $152,877 for Ms. Catz’s residence. As described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program—Base Salary, Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits—Limited Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits—Residential Security” on page 43, the Board has established a residential security program for the protection of our most senior executives. We believe these security costs and expenses are necessary and appropriate business expenses.

 

  (d)

Legal counsel fees of $7,565 for Mr. Ellison and $154 for each of Ms. Catz, Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley. We hire legal counsel to assist our executives with complying with reporting obligations under applicable laws in connection with their personal political campaign contributions.

 

  (e)

We permit our NEOs to be accompanied by guests on private aircraft leased or owned by Oracle, which are expected to be used for business travel. This may be deemed to be a “personal benefit” for our NEOs although we believe there was no aggregate incremental cost to us during fiscal 2022. This use in fiscal 2022 did not result in a loss of a corporate income tax deduction.

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards During Fiscal 2022 Table

 

The following table shows equity and non-equity awards granted to our NEOs during fiscal 2022. The equity awards identified in the table below are also reported in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2022 Year-End Table.

 

              

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-

Equity Incentive Plan Awards

 

      

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards

 

 

 

All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units

(3) (#)

 

Exercise
or Base Price

of Option
Awards
($/Sh)

 

Grant Date  

Fair Value of  

Stock and  

Option  

Awards  

(4) ($)  

 
  Name   Grant Date   Award Type   Threshold
($)
 

Target

(1) ($)

 

Maximum

(1) ($)

       Threshold
(#)
 

Target

(2) (#)

  Maximum
(#)

  Lawrence J. Ellison

 

6/30/2021

 

PSOs

         

 

17,500,000

 

   

51.13

 

 

129,275,000

 

   

Cash Bonus

 

 

5,000,000

 

10,000,000

             

  Safra A. Catz

 

6/30/2021

 

PSOs

         

 

17,500,000

 

   

51.13

 

 

129,275,000

 

   

Cash Bonus

 

 

5,000,000

 

10,000,000

             

  Edward Screven

 

8/3/2021

 

RSUs

               

200,000

   

 

17,312,000

 

   

Cash Bonus

 

 

2,500,000

 

5,000,000

             

  Dorian E. Daley

 

8/3/2021

 

RSUs

                             

150,000

     

 

12,984,000

 

 

(1)

The target plan award amounts reported in these columns are determined based on our internal profitability expectations for the fiscal year multiplied by the individual’s bonus percentage under the Executive Bonus Plan. The maximum plan award amounts are equal to 200% of the applicable target. The actual payout amount for fiscal 2022 under the Executive Bonus Plan was $7,799,355 each for Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz, and $3,899,678 for Mr. Screven, as reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the SCT above. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program—Annual Cash Bonus” beginning on page 42 for a discussion of the material features of the Executive Bonus Plan for fiscal 2022.

 

(2)

The PSOs reported in this column were originally granted to Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz in fiscal 2018 and were modified in fiscal 2022 to extend the end of the PSO performance period from May 31, 2022 to May 31, 2025. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program—Long-Term Incentive Compensation” beginning on page 40 for a discussion of the material features of these awards.

 

(3)

The RSUs reported in this column were granted under the 2020 Equity Plan. The RSUs vest 25% per year over four years on the anniversary of the date of grant.

 

(4)

The amounts reported in this column for Mr. Ellison and Ms. Catz represent the fair values of the PSOs as of the date of the modification to extend the performance period through May 31, 2025, computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718, and valued based on the probability of achievement of the performance goals as measured at the time of the modification. We estimated the fair values of the PSOs modified during fiscal 2022 using a Monte Carlo simulation approach as of the modification date with the following assumptions: a risk-free interest rate of 0.68%, an expected term of 4 years, an expected volatility of 25.48% and a dividend yield of 1.64%. The amounts reported do not reflect whether Mr. Ellison or Ms. Catz have actually realized or will realize an economic benefit from these awards.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2022 Year-End Table

 

The following table provides information on the outstanding PSOs, RSUs and time-based stock options held by our NEOs as of May 31, 2022.

 

                    

 

Option Awards (1)

             

 

Stock Awards (1)

 
  Name   

Grant

Date

            Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
  

Equity

Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options

(2) (#)

  

Option
Exercise

Price
($)

     Option
Expiration
Date
            Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(3) (#)
     Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(4) ($)
    

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, 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

(4) ($)

 

  Lawrence J.

  

 

7/20/2017

 

    

 

2,500,000

 

  

  

15,000,000

  

 

51.13

 

  

 

7/20/2025

 

             

  Ellison

  

 

7/24/2014

 

    

 

2,250,000

 

  

  

  

 

40.47

 

  

 

7/24/2024

 

             
  

 

7/1/2013

 

    

 

7,000,000

 

  

  

  

 

30.11

 

  

 

   7/1/2023

 

             
  

 

7/5/2012

 

    

 

7,000,000

 

  

  

  

 

29.72

 

  

 

  7/5/2022

 

             

  Safra A. Catz

  

 

7/20/2017

 

    

 

2,500,000

 

  

  

15,000,000

  

 

51.13

 

  

 

7/20/2025

 

             
  

 

10/5/2014

 

    

 

500,000

 

  

  

  

 

38.89

 

  

 

10/5/2024

 

             
  

 

7/24/2014

 

    

 

2,250,000

 

  

  

  

 

40.47

 

  

 

7/24/2024

 

             
  

 

7/1/2013

 

    

 

5,000,000

 

  

  

  

 

30.11

 

  

 

   7/1/2023

 

             
  

 

7/5/2012

 

    

 

5,000,000

 

  

  

  

 

29.72

 

  

 

   7/5/2022

 

             

  Edward Screven

  

 

8/3/2021

 

                     

 

200,000

 

  

 

14,384,000

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

8/4/2020

 

                     

 

150,000

 

  

 

10,788,000

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

12/5/2018

 

                     

 

125,000

 

  

 

8,990,000

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

6/27/2018

 

                     

 

62,500

 

  

 

4,495,000

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

7/24/2014

 

    

 

700,000

 

  

  

  

 

40.47

 

  

 

7/24/2024

 

             
  

 

7/1/2013

 

    

 

700,000

 

  

  

  

 

30.11

 

  

 

   7/1/2023

 

             
  

 

11/30/2012

 

    

 

200,000

 

  

  

  

 

32.18

 

  

 

11/30/2022

 

             
  

 

7/5/2012

 

    

 

700,000

 

  

  

  

 

29.72

 

  

 

   7/5/2022

 

             

  Dorian E.

  

 

8/3/2021

 

                     

 

150,000

 

  

 

10,788,000

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  Daley

  

 

8/4/2020

 

                     

 

131,250

 

  

 

9,439,500

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

6/27/2019

 

                     

 

85,000

 

  

 

6,113,200

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

6/27/2018

 

                                                       

 

40,625

 

  

 

2,921,750

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

All time-based stock options and RSUs vest or vested 25% per year over four years on each anniversary of the date of grant.

 

(2)

The amounts in this column reflect unearned and unvested PSOs as of May 31, 2022. The PSOs are divided into seven equal tranches that are eligible to be earned based on the attainment of certain stock price, market capitalization and operational performance goals within eight fiscal years of the date of grant. The $80 stock price goal was satisfied and one tranche (1/7th) of the PSOs vested on June 30, 2021. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program—Long-Term Incentive Compensation” beginning on page 40 and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Executive Summary—Eight-Year Performance-Based Stock Options” on pages 36 and 37 for a discussion of the material features of these awards, including the vesting criteria.

 

(3)

For Mr. Screven, this column reflects unvested RSUs, which vest in equal annual installments over four years. Ms. Daley’s unvested RSUs will be forfeited upon her retirement. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program—Long-Term Incentive Compensation—Long-Term Equity Compensation—Mr. Screven and Ms. Daley” on page 41 for a discussion of the material features of these awards, including the vesting criteria.

 

(4)

Value calculated using the closing market price of Oracle common stock on May 31, 2022 ($71.92 per share).

 

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal 2022 Table

 

The following table provides information on our NEOs’ exercise of stock options and the vesting of our NEOs’ RSUs during fiscal 2022.

 

    

 

Option Awards

 

      

 

Stock Awards

 

   Name   Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise (#)
  Value Realized on Exercise
(1) ($)
       Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#)
 

Value Realized on Vesting 

(2) ($)

  Lawrence J. Ellison

 

 

   

 

  Safra A. Catz

 

 

   

 

  Edward Screven

 

 

   

159,375

 

25,940,750 (3)

  Dorian E. Daley

 

450,000

 

18,782,790

     

167,500

 

14,013,363

 

(1)

The value realized on exercise is calculated as the difference between the market price of Oracle common stock at the time of exercise and the applicable exercise price of the stock options multiplied by the number of exercised shares. The value realized on vesting is not necessarily indicative of value actually received by the NEO, as the NEO may choose to hold (rather than sell) some or all of the shares acquired upon exercise.

 

(2)

The value realized on vesting equals the closing market price of Oracle common stock on the vesting date multiplied by the number of vested shares. The value realized on vesting is not necessarily indicative of value actually received by the NEO, as the NEO may choose to hold (rather than sell) some or all of the shares acquired upon vesting.

 

(3)

Includes the value of the vested portions of RSU awards granted on September 5, 2017 and December 5, 2018 for which Mr. Screven elected to defer receipt under the RSU Deferred Compensation Plan. The value of the deferred RSUs realized on vesting is also reflected in the “Executive Contributions in FY 2022” column of the Fiscal 2022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table below. The actual value of the RSUs realized upon settlement may be different than the value reflected in this table.

Fiscal 2022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table

 

Our NEOs and certain other highly compensated employees are eligible to enroll in our Cash Deferred Compensation Plan and RSU Deferred Compensation Plan.

Cash Deferred Compensation Plan

Under the Cash Deferred Compensation Plan, employees may elect to defer annually the receipt of a portion of their compensation and thereby defer taxation of these deferred amounts until actual payment of the deferred amounts in future years. Participants may elect to defer base salary, bonus and commissions earned during a given year. The maximum amount of compensation permitted to be deferred is the amount remaining after all deductions for other benefits and taxes are first deducted from the gross payment. Participants may defer payment until age 5912 or until termination of employment, subject to earlier payment in the event of a change in control of Oracle or death. Distributions may be made, at the participant’s option, in a lump sum payment or in installments over a period of five or ten years.

Participants may receive market returns on their deferred compensation amounts based on the performance of a variety of mutual fund-type investments selected by them. Almost all of the investment options in our Cash Deferred Compensation Plan are identical, subject to certain asset class variations, to the investment options in our 401(k) Plan.

RSU Deferred Compensation Plan

Under the RSU Deferred Compensation Plan, employees may elect to defer the receipt of either 0% or 100% of their earned and vested RSUs and thereby defer taxation of the awards. Participants may elect to defer receipt for five or ten years from the grant date of the award, or until termination of employment, subject to earlier payment in the event of death and certain other circumstances. Distributions may be made, at the participant’s option, in a lump sum payment or in installments over a period of five or ten years. Dividend equivalents are credited to participants’ accounts after deferred RSUs have vested.

 

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The table below provides information on the non-qualified deferred compensation of our NEOs in fiscal 2022.

 

  Name    Executive
Contributions in
FY 2022 ($)
   Registrant
Contributions in
FY 2022 ($)
   Aggregate
Earnings in
FY 2022 ($) (1)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals /
Distributions ($)
  

Aggregate   

Balance at   

FY 2022-end ($)   

  Lawrence J. Ellison

Cash Deferred Compensation (2)

  

  

  

(3,817,418)

 

  

38,864,014

  Safra A. Catz

  

  

  

 

  

  Edward Screven

             

Cash Deferred Compensation (3)

  

  2,364,719

  

  

   (644,321)

 

  

 5,759,661

RSU Deferred Compensation (4)

  

12,436,250

  

  

(3,978,191)

 

  

32,279,399

  Dorian E. Daley

  

  

  

 

  

 

(1)

The amounts shown in the “Aggregate Earnings in FY 2022” column are not included in the SCT for fiscal 2022 because such earnings were not preferential or above-market.

 

(2)

Mr. Ellison is not currently eligible to participate in the Cash Deferred Compensation Plan or the RSU Deferred Compensation Plan because his base salary is $1. Amounts shown for Mr. Ellison relate to contributions made when he was eligible to participate in the Cash Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

(3)

Mr. Screven participates in the Cash Deferred Compensation Plan. The amount shown in the “Executive Contributions in FY 2022” column represents a portion of the base salary reported for Mr. Screven in the SCT for fiscal 2022. The amount shown in the “Aggregate Balance at FY 2022-end” column for Mr. Screven includes $704,000 reported in the SCT for fiscal 2021, $587,917 that was previously reported in the SCT for fiscal 2019 and $328,000 that was previously reported in the SCT for fiscal 2018.

 

(4)

Mr. Screven deferred receipt of RSU awards granted on September 5, 2017 and December 5, 2018 under the RSU Deferred Compensation Plan. All contributions shown are attributable to the value of 140,625 deferred RSUs realized on vesting in fiscal 2022. All earnings shown are attributable to credited dividend equivalents and a decrease in our stock price as measured on May 31, 2022. No amounts shown were reported in the SCT compensation for fiscal 2022. The grant date fair value of Mr. Screven’s deferred RSU award granted on September 5, 2017 ($2,961,875) was previously reported in the SCT for fiscal 2018. The grant date fair value of Mr. Screven’s deferred RSU award granted on December 5, 2018 ($23,050,000) was previously reported in the SCT for fiscal 2019.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 

Typically, we have entered into an employment offer letter with each of our NEOs upon hire that provides the executive is employed “at will.” None of these employment offer letters with our NEOs provide for payments or benefits upon a termination of employment or in connection with a change in control of Oracle. Only the 2020 Equity Plan, the Prior Plan and the PSOs provide for acceleration of equity awards upon a qualifying termination of employment or a change in control, as described below.

No “Single-Trigger” Change in Control Benefits Under Our Equity Plan and Equity Awards

Under the 2020 Equity Plan and the Prior Plan, the vesting of RSUs and time-based stock options, including those held by our NEOs, will accelerate only if both of the following events occur:

 

   

Oracle is acquired; and

 

   

either the equity awards are not assumed, or the equity awards are assumed and the recipient’s employment is terminated without cause within 12 months following the acquisition.

Pursuant to the terms of the PSO grant agreements, in the event of a change in control, any unvested tranches subject to market capitalization goals and operational performance goals will be earned to the extent any unmatched market capitalization goals have been met on or before the trading date immediately prior to the change in control.

 

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The following table provides the intrinsic value as of May 31, 2022 (the last trading day of our fiscal year) of the unvested RSUs and “in-the-money” time-based stock options held by our NEOs that would accelerate under the circumstances described in the preceding paragraphs. The intrinsic values of the unvested RSUs were calculated by multiplying the unvested RSUs by the closing market price of Oracle common stock on May 31, 2022 ($71.92 per share). The intrinsic value of the stock options was calculated by multiplying the number of unvested shares by the amount by which the closing market price of Oracle common stock on May 31, 2022 exceeded the exercise price of the related option. The table also includes the intrinsic value of three tranches of unearned PSOs as the first three PSO market capitalization goals were achieved as of May 31, 2022 but no operational performance goals have yet been satisfied.

 

   Name   

Intrinsic Value of Unvested  

Equity Awards ($)  

  Lawrence J. Ellison

  

155,925,000

  Safra A. Catz

  

155,925,000

  Edward Screven

  

  38,657,000

  Dorian E. Daley

  

  29,262,450

Death Benefits

If any employee of Oracle dies while employed by Oracle, two additional tranches of time-based stock options (if any) granted pursuant to the Prior Plan will vest upon his or her death. Oracle’s standard form of RSU grant agreement also provides for one additional tranche of vesting of RSUs for all grantees, including executives. Pursuant to the terms of the PSO grant agreements, upon the applicable NEO’s death, his or her unvested PSOs are subject to the same vesting terms through the next vesting measurement date following his or her death.

The following table provides the intrinsic value as of May 31, 2022 (the last trading day of our fiscal year) of unvested RSUs and “in-the-money” time-based stock options held by our NEOs that would accelerate on death. The intrinsic values of the unvested RSUs were calculated by multiplying the accelerated RSUs by the closing market price of Oracle common stock on May 31, 2022 ($71.92 per share). The intrinsic value of the stock options was calculated by multiplying the number of accelerated shares by the amount by which the closing market price of Oracle common stock on May 31, 2022 exceeded the exercise price of the related option. The table excludes the intrinsic value of the unearned PSOs as none of the PSOs would have been earned under the circumstances described in the preceding paragraphs based on performance through the end of fiscal 2022.

 

   Name   

Intrinsic Value of Unvested  

Equity Awards ($)  

  Lawrence J. Ellison

  

  Safra A. Catz

  

  Edward Screven

  

20,677,000

  Dorian E. Daley

  

  11,821,850

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table provides information regarding our equity compensation plans as of May 31, 2022 (shares in millions).

 

   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 (#) (1)

  Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

  224   17.52   411 (2)

  Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

     

           Total

  224 (3)(4)       17.52 (3)(4)   411

 

(1)

Excludes the shares listed under the column heading “Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights.”

 

(2)

Includes approximately 371 million shares available for future issuance under the 2020 Equity Plan, approximately 1 million shares available for future issuance under the Directors’ Stock Plan and approximately 39 million shares available for future

 

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issuance under the ESPP, including the shares subject to purchase during the offering period which commenced on April 1, 2022 (the exact number of which will not be known until September 30, 2022, the end of the offering period). Under the 2020 Equity Plan, each share issued pursuant to an option reduces the number of shares available for future issuance by one share, and each share issued pursuant to full-value awards (including RSUs) reduces the number of shares available for future issuance by 2.5 shares.

 

(3)

Excludes approximately one million stock options and RSUs that were assumed in connection with our acquisitions having a weighted average exercise price of $27.29 per share. No additional awards were or can be granted under the plans pursuant to which these awards were originally issued.

 

(4)

Of the approximately 224 million shares to be issued, approximately 97 million reflect shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding stock options (including PSOs) with a weighted average exercise price of $40.70 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.30 years. The remaining portion represents RSUs, which have no purchase price. PSOs are reflected as though all PSOs outstanding will vest.

CEO PAY RATIO

 

In accordance with SEC rules, we are providing the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the annual total compensation of our median compensated employee worldwide (the median global employee).

The SEC rules allow us to identify our median global employee once every three years unless there has been a change in our employee population or employee compensation arrangements that we reasonably believe would result in a significant change in our pay ratio disclosure. Since May 31, 2020, there has been no change in our employee population or employee compensation arrangements that we believe would significantly impact the pay ratio disclosure. We therefore used the same median global employee to calculate our 2022 pay ratio as was used for purposes of our 2020 and 2021 pay ratios. The fiscal 2022 total compensation of our median global employee was $75,043.

Using Ms. Catz’s fiscal 2022 total compensation as set forth in the SCT, the ratio of CEO to median global employee annual total compensation is 1,842 to 1. Using the annualized value in lieu of the aggregate accounting value of the modified PSOs, the ratio of CEO to median global employee annual total compensation, as adjusted, would be 334 to 1.

The fiscal 2022 total compensation of Ms. Catz as set forth in the SCT was $138,192,032. This total compensation amount was atypically high due to the modification of the PSOs in fiscal 2022 to extend the PSO performance period by three fiscal years (see pages 36 and 37 for details). Following the extension of the end of the PSO performance period from May 31, 2022 to May 31, 2025, the PSOs are intended to represent eight years of long-term incentive compensation for Ms. Catz. The annualized value of the modified PSOs is $16.2 million per year over the eight-year performance period. If this annualized value of the modified PSOs was reported in the SCT (instead of the aggregate accounting value of the modified PSOs) and used in calculating fiscal 2022 total compensation (which includes Ms. Catz’s salary, performance-based bonus and all other compensation), Ms. Catz’s fiscal 2022 total compensation would equal approximately $25.1 million.

In calculating the CEO pay ratio, the SEC rules allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, apply certain exclusions, and make reasonable estimates and assumptions reflecting their unique employee populations. Therefore, our reported CEO pay ratio may not be comparable to CEO pay ratios reported by other companies due to differences in industries and geographical dispersion, as well as the different estimates, assumptions, and methodologies applied by other companies in calculating their CEO pay ratios.

 

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TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

 

From time to time, we enter into transactions with entities in which an executive officer, director, 5% or more beneficial owner of our common stock or an immediate family member of these persons has a direct or indirect material interest. As set forth in its charter, the Independence Committee reviews and approves each related person transaction or series of similar transactions exceeding $120,000, including material amendments thereto.

Prior to approving any transaction, the Independence Committee must be informed or have knowledge of:

 

   

the related person’s relationship or interest; and

 

   

the material facts of the proposed transaction, and any material amendments thereto.

The proposed transaction, and any material amendments thereto, must be on terms that, when taken as a whole, are fair to Oracle.

We annually survey our non-employee directors and executive officers to identify any entities they are affiliated with that may enter into a transaction with Oracle that may require disclosure as a related person transaction. We prepare a list of related person entities, which we post internally for reference by our sales force and our purchasing groups. On a quarterly basis, we also review and update this list with Mr. Ellison’s advisors, as many of the entities on this list are direct or indirect investments of Mr. Ellison. Potential transactions are compared against this list by management to determine if they require review and approval by the Independence Committee. With respect to sales of products and services, we also compare transactions posted to our general ledger against this list to determine if any related person transactions occurred without pre-approval and the reason pre-approval was not obtained, whether inadvertent or otherwise.

For sales of products and services to be approved by the Independence Committee, we provide the Independence Committee with data indicating that the proposed discounts and terms are consistent with the discounts and terms provided to unrelated customers. For purchases, we provide the Independence Committee with data points showing that the rates or prices are comparable to the rates or prices we could have obtained from an unrelated vendor or are consistent with pricing the vendor uses with other unrelated parties.

Mr. Ellison has entered into a written price protection agreement with us that applies to any related person transaction involving a purchase of goods or services from an entity in which Mr. Ellison has a direct or indirect material interest and with which we enter into a transaction while Mr. Ellison is one of our executive officers or Chairman of the Board. Under this agreement, if we present Mr. Ellison with reasonable evidence of a lower price or rate for the same goods or services offered by the related company, which would have been available to us at the time we entered into the applicable transaction, then Mr. Ellison will reimburse us for the difference. This agreement expires three years after the date on which Mr. Ellison is neither an executive officer of Oracle nor Chairman. The Independence Committee may approve certain other transactions where it can conclude that such transactions are otherwise on terms that are fair to us.

The Independence Committee also reviews and monitors ongoing relationships with related persons to ensure they continue to be on terms that are fair to us. On an annual basis, the Independence Committee receives a summary of all transactions with related persons, including transactions that did not require approval. Total related person transaction revenues were approximately 0.01% of our total revenues and total related person operating expenses were approximately 0.1% of our total operating expenses in fiscal 2022.

 

 Sales of Products and Services to Ellison Related Persons

In the ordinary course of our business, we sell products and services to companies in which Mr. Ellison or a member of his immediate family directly or indirectly has a material interest. In fiscal 2022, the total amount of all purchases by these companies was approximately $3.8 million. Listed below are our transactions with such companies that purchased more than $120,000 in products and services from us in fiscal 2022.

 

   

Annapurna Releasing LLC purchased approximately $433,000 in cloud SaaS products. Mr. Ellison and his daughter, Megan Ellison, each have a direct material interest in this entity.

 

   

Autonomous Medical Devices, Inc. purchased approximately $1.0 million in cloud SaaS, PaaS and IaaS products.

 

   

Ellison Institute, LLC purchased approximately $847,000 in cloud SaaS, PaaS and IaaS products.

 

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Four Seasons Resorts Lanai purchased approximately $432,000 in cloud SaaS products, software licenses, training and support.

 

   

Sensei AG Holdings, Inc. purchased approximately $4