Symantec 2014 Annual Report Download - page 21

DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS AND COMMUNICATION WITH DIRECTORS
Criteria for Nomination to the Board
The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider candidates submitted by Symantec stockholders,
as well as candidates recommended by directors and management, for nomination to the Board. The Nominating
and Governance Committee has generally identified nominees based upon suggestions by outside directors,
management and executive recruiting firms. The goal of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to
assemble a Board that offers a diverse portfolio of perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, knowledge and skills
derived from high-quality business and professional experience. The Nominating and Governance Committee
annually reviews the appropriate skills and characteristics required of directors in the context of the current
composition of the Board, our operating requirements and the long-term interests of our stockholders.
The key attributes, experience and skills we consider important for our directors in light of our current busi-
ness and structure are:
‰Industry and Technology Expertise. Since we are a technology and software provider, understanding
new technologies and emerging industry trends or experience in relevant technology is useful in under-
standing our research and development efforts, competing technologies, the various products and proc-
esses that we develop, the market segments in which we compete, and evolving customer requirements.
‰Global Expertise. We are a global organization with employees and customers in many countries. Direc-
tors with global expertise can provide a useful business and cultural perspective regarding many sig-
nificant aspects of our business.
‰Leadership Experience. Directors who have served in senior leadership positions, as a general manager
of a business, or the functional leader of a global sales, marketing or product development organization,
are important to us, because they bring experience and perspective in analyzing, shaping, and overseeing
the execution of important strategic, operational and policy issues at a senior level.
‰Public Company Board Experience. Directors who have served on other public company boards can
offer advice and insights with regard to the dynamics and operation of a board of directors; the relations of
a board to the chief executive officer and other management personnel; the importance of particular
agenda and oversight matters; and oversight of a changing mix of strategic, operational, and compliance-
related matters.
‰Business Combinations and Partnerships Experience. Directors who have a background in M&A and
partnership transactions can provide insight into developing and implementing strategies for growing our
business through combination with other organizations.
‰Financial Expertise. Knowledge of financial markets, financing operations, and accounting and finan-
cial reporting processes is important because it assists our directors in understanding, advising, and over-
seeing Symantec’s capital structure, financing and investing activities, financial reporting, and internal
control of such activities.
‰Diversity. In addition to a diverse portfolio of professional background, experiences, knowledge and
skills, the composition of the Board should reflect the benefits of diversity as to gender, race, and ethnic
background.
The information provided under “Director Qualifications” below each of the brief biographical descriptions
set forth under Proposal 1. “Election of Directors — Nominees for Director” below includes the key individual
attributes, experience and skills of each of our directors that led to the conclusion that each director should serve
as a member of the board of directors at this time.
Process for Identifying and Evaluating Nominees
The Nominating and Governance Committee considers candidates by first evaluating the current members
of the Board who intend to continue in service, balancing the value of continuity of service with that of obtaining
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