Christopher T. Metz has been the CEO of Vista Outdoor Inc. since October 2017. With a degree in Business Administration, he brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including President and CEO of Arctic Cat, a company focused...

Christopher T. Metz has been the CEO of Vista Outdoor Inc. since October 2017. With a degree in Business Administration, he brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including President and CEO of Arctic Cat, a company focused on recreational vehicles. Before that, he spent almost a decade as a Managing Director at Sun Capital Partners, honing his business acumen in private equity. Under his leadership at Vista Outdoor, he has focused on aligning executive pay with company performance, emphasizing financial targets like EBIT and free cash flow. Christopher's strategy has driven significant growth, particularly in the company's Ammunition division, seeing over 100% increases in EBIT compared to previous years. He holds a significant stake in Vista Outdoor, reflecting his commitment to the company's success, especially during a transformative period for the business. He also sits on the board of Acushnet Holdings, indicating his strong connections within the industry and governance experience. His corporate philosophy centers around performance metrics that create long-term value for shareholders, which fits well with modern business practices.

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1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Vista Outdoor CEOs

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Christopher T. Metz

Ex-CEO of Vista Outdoor

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Consumer Cyclical

Born

January 1, 1965 - 60 years ago

CEO of Vista Outdoor for

1 year 5 months (Oct 2017 - Mar 2019)

Previous Experience

President and CEO of Arctic Cat Inc.; Managing Director of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.; various roles at Black & Decker

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Christopher T. Metz

Holdings

See how much did Christopher T. Metz make over time.

Christopher T. Metz has built a noteworthy portfolio through his role at Vista Outdoor, particularly gaining prominence during his tenure. As the CEO, he has seen his holdings fluctuate significantly, reflecting the company’s shifting fortunes in the outdoor recreational market....

Christopher T. Metz has built a noteworthy portfolio through his role at Vista Outdoor, particularly gaining prominence during his tenure. As the CEO, he has seen his holdings fluctuate significantly, reflecting the company’s shifting fortunes in the outdoor recreational market. At one point, his compensation package in 2019 peaked at around $6 million, driven by his performance incentives linked to robust company metrics. His focus on a performance-driven culture has allowed him to secure substantial restricted stock units (RSUs), with approximately 236,983 units vesting partially in 2020 alone. This not only showcases his commitment but also aligns his personal wealth with the success of Vista Outdoor. His strategic decisions are closely watched as they impact both his financial standing and the company’s investors, marking a keen insight into the leadership dynamics at Vista.

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Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Christopher T. Metz.

No insider trades found for this CEO.

Compensation History

See how much did Christopher T. Metz make over time.

In fiscal year 2019, CEO Christopher T. Metz earned total compensation of approximately $6.1 million. This included a base salary of around $1 million and a significant performance bonus of $1.4 million, driven by reaching key financial targets. A notable part of his compensation came from stock awards totaling over $4 million, highlighting the company's growth and his role in that success. His salary and bonuses are structured to ensure that they are directly tied to the company's financial performance metrics like EBIT and free cash flow, aligning his incentives with those of Vista Outdoor's shareholders. This approach reflects a modern trend in executive pay, emphasizing accountability and results over mere tenure or title.

Year

2019

Total Compensation

$4.89M

Salary

$1.00M

Board Justification

Vista Outdoor's compensation philosophy emphasizes performance-based pay, aligning executive compensation with the company's financial performance and shareholder interests.

Bonus

$1.42M

Board Justification

Annual cash incentive compensation based on performance targets for EBIT and free cash flow, with payouts determined by the Management Development and Compensation Committee (MDCC).

Other

$158.56K

Board Justification

Includes contributions to the Defined Contribution Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (DC SERP), 401(k) plan contributions, and other perquisites.

Restricted Stock

$2.32M(236.98K RSU)

Board Justification

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) granted on March 10, 2020, vesting in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for the CEO's compensation included EBIT and free cash flow targets, with a focus on achieving significant improvements in financial performance.

Other Vista Outdoor CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Vista Outdoor

Michael Callahan

Ex-CEO of Vista Outdoor

July 2017 - October 2017

Jason Vanderbrink

CEO of Vista Outdoor

March 2023 - Present