UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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| ITEM 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On August 1, 2024, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (the “Company”) expanded the size of the Board from seven to eight members and appointed Stephanie Pugliese as a Class III director of the Company, each effective immediately. Ms. Pugliese was nominated by the Company’s Nominating, Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee (the “Nominating Committee”) after a formal search for nominees. She was selected after a thorough review of all of the candidates’ backgrounds, relevant experience and professional and personal reputations. Ms. Pugliese will serve on the Board for a term expiring at the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting. The Board also appointed Ms. Pugliese to serve as a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating Committee.
The Board determined that Ms. Pugliese is independent under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Pugliese and any other person pursuant to which Ms. Pugliese was appointed as a director. There are no family relationships between Ms. Pugliese and any director or executive officer and there are no transactions between Ms. Pugliese and the Company that would be required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Ms. Pugliese will receive compensation for her service on the Board consistent with the Company’s current non-employee director compensation program, a description of which is set forth on page 39 of the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed on May 17, 2024. The Board also approved (i) a pro rata grant to Ms. Pugliese of an equity award in fully vested shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of $33,333, subject to the terms of the Company’s 2023 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, and (ii) $20,833 representing a pro rata Board and committee cash retainer amount. Ms. Pugliese is expected to enter into the Company’s standard form of indemnification agreement with the Company which, subject to certain exceptions, generally provides that the Company will indemnify her, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in connection with any claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of service as a director of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, including against third-party claims and proceedings brought by or in right of the Company.
Ms. Pugliese is the former President of the Americas at Under Armour Inc. from 2019 to 2023. Prior to that, she spent eleven years at Duluth Holdings, most recently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Board Member from 2015 to 2019.
| ITEM 7.01. | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On August 1, 2024, the Company issued a press release announcing Ms. Pugliese’s appointment to the Board. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference under this Item 7.01.
| ITEM 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit Number |
Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release dated August 1, 2024 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. | ||||||
| (Registrant) | ||||||
| Date: August 7, 2024 | By: | /s/ Beth Henke | ||||
| Beth Henke | ||||||
| Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer | ||||||
Exhibit 99.1
AEO Inc. Appoints Stephanie Pugliese to its Board of Directors
August 1, 2024
PITTSBURGH (BUSINESS WIRE) American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) today announced the appointment of Stephanie Pugliese to the companys Board of Directors, as an independent director, effective August 1, 2024. This new appointment builds on the boards extensive experience, strategic expertise and diversity of backgrounds and thought. The addition of Ms. Pugliese increases AEOs board to eight directors, seven of whom are independent.
I am incredibly excited to welcome Stephanie to AEOs Board to Directors. With over three decades of brand-building experience as an executive leader and board member across a number of enduring businesses, Stephanie is a proven strategist, operator and adviser,commented Jay Schottenstein, AEOs Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Stephanies appointment further augments what is already a highly qualified, world-class Board of Directors. Her passion for innovation and ability to build highly-successful consumer-centric omni-channel brands will be invaluable as we execute on our powering profitable growth plan and driving long-term shareholder returns.
Ms. Pugliese served as President of the Americas at Under Armour Inc. from 2019 to 2023. Prior to that, she spent eleven years at Duluth Holdings, most recently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Board Member from 2015 to 2019. She led Duluth Holdings through its initial public offering in 2015. Leading up to this role, Ms. Pugliese held executive and senior positions across various functions at the company as President and Chief Operating Officer, President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer and Vice President of Product Development and Merchandising. She spent her early career as a Vice President and General Merchandise Manager at Lands End, Inc., and Vice President of Merchandising at Ann Inc.
Ms. Pugliese currently serves as an independent Board member of Fortune Brands Innovations and Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurants. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle.
Ms. Pugliese holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from New York University Stern School of Business.
For more information about AEOs board of directors, please visit www.aeo-inc.com.
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About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle® and Aerie® brands. Our purpose is to show the world that theres REAL power in the optimism of youth. The company operates stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Hong Kong and ships to approximately 80 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle and Aerie merchandise also is available at more than 300 international locations operated by licensees in approximately 30 countries. To learn more about AEO and the companys commitment to Planet, People and Practices, please visit www.aeo-inc.com.
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