Lakecia Gunter
IDEX CORP /DE/About Lakecia Gunter
Independent director of IDEX Corporation since 2021; age 52 with 4.2 years of board tenure as of the 2025 proxy. Deep technology and digital innovation background from Microsoft (CTO, Global Partner Solutions; prior VP roles) and Intel (VP, Programmable Solutions; Chief of Staff/Technical Assistant to the CEO). BS in Computer Engineering (University of South Florida) and MS in Electrical Engineering (Georgia Institute of Technology). Appointed to the IDEX board on February 1, 2021, initially joining the Compensation Committee .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | CTO, Global Partner Solutions; VP/GM Device Partner Solution Sales; VP IoT Global & Strategic Engagement | 2020–2024 | Led global technical strategy across $100B partner ecosystem; drove AI/cloud initiatives; commercial leadership with >$4B channel revenue |
| Intel | VP, Programmable Solutions Group; Chief of Staff & Technical Assistant to CEO | 2008–2020 | Architected operating model for PC→data-centric transformation; cited >50% revenue increase within ~18 months |
| U.S. Department of Defense | Various positions | 2004–2008 | Early career technical and leadership roles |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Responsive.io (private) | Board Advisor | Current | PE-backed SRM software company |
| Executive Leadership Council | Member | Current | Leadership network for Black executives |
| Black Women on Boards | Member | Current | Governance advocacy network |
| Sport Oregon | Executive Board | Current | Community leadership |
| Public company boards (other than IDEX) | — | Not disclosed | No other public company directorships disclosed in IDEX proxy . |
Board Governance
- Independence: Affirmatively determined independent under NYSE standards; all standing committees composed entirely of independent directors in 2024 .
- Committee assignments: Compensation Committee (member); Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee (member). Not a committee chair .
- Attendance: Board met eight times in 2024; each director attended >75% of aggregate board/committee meetings; all directors attended the 2024 Annual Meeting .
- Executive sessions: Non-management directors met in executive session at every regularly scheduled board meeting, presided over by the Non-Executive Chair .
- Committee activity: Compensation Committee held six meetings; Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee held five; Audit Committee held eight .
- Related-party oversight: Audit Committee administers the Related Person Transactions Policy; no related person transactions requiring disclosure since Jan 1, 2024 .
Fixed Compensation
| Component (Directors) | 2024 Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cash Retainer | $95,000 | Increased by $5,000 for 2024 after market review . |
| Committee Chair Retainers | $20,000 (Audit); $15,000 (Comp); $15,000 (NCGC) | Not applicable (Gunter is not chair) . |
| Non-Executive Chair additional cash | $100,000 | Not applicable to Gunter. |
| All Other Compensation | $10,000 | Matching gifts under IDEX program . |
| Director-specific 2024 Compensation | Cash Fees | Stock Awards (Fair Value) | All Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakecia N. Gunter | $95,000 | $165,000 | $10,000 | $270,000 |
Performance Compensation
- Equity mix: Annual director equity grants are 100% RSUs; annual grant fair value $165,000 (made at Annual Meeting) with standard vesting; initial appointment grants pro-rated RSUs .
- Vesting features: Annual RSUs vest at the earlier of first anniversary or next Annual Meeting ≥50 weeks after prior meeting; accelerated vesting on death/disability, change-in-control, failure to be re-elected, or after ≥6 years of board service; RSUs are non-transferable until board service ends; directors may elect deferral .
- Performance metrics: None disclosed for director equity; RSUs are time-based (no EPS/TSR hurdles) .
| Equity Grant Details (Directors) | 2024 Grant Value | Vehicle | Vesting | Deferral Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Director Equity | $165,000 | RSUs (100%) | As above | Available |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Company/Entity | Type | Relationship to IDEX | Potential Conflict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Responsive.io | Private (software) | No disclosed business with IDEX | None disclosed . |
| Microsoft (former executive) | Customer/supplier unknown | No related party transactions disclosed | None disclosed . |
| Intel (former executive) | Supplier/customer unknown | No related party transactions disclosed | None disclosed . |
Expertise & Qualifications
| Attribute | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Technology and innovation leadership | Microsoft CTO role leading AI/cloud strategy across partner ecosystem; Intel senior leadership . |
| High financial literacy | Matrix indicates high level of financial literacy among directors . |
| Global operations experience | Roles spanning U.S. and international ecosystems . |
| Strategic transformation | Credited with Intel transformation operating model; >50% revenue increase in ~18 months . |
| Education | BS (USF); MS (Georgia Tech) . |
Equity Ownership
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficial ownership (shares) | 3,225 | Less than 1% of class . |
| RSUs outstanding (incl. vested deferred) | 2,340 | RSUs eligible for dividends; multiple grant tranches with some deferred settlement elections . |
| Ownership guideline | ≥5x annual board retainer | All non-management directors compliant or subject to holding until compliant as of record date . |
| Hedging/pledging | Prohibited for directors and employees | Alignment-positive policy . |
Governance Assessment
- Committee assignments and engagement: Active roles on Compensation and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees, both central to pay design, board refreshment, and sustainability oversight; committees met regularly in 2024 (6 and 5 meetings, respectively), supporting robust governance cadence .
- Independence and attendance: Independent status; strong meeting attendance norms (>75%) and regular executive sessions enhance board effectiveness .
- Compensation alignment: Director pay aligned to market median; modest 2024 increases in cash (+$5k) and equity (+$10k) with equity fully in RSUs and time-based vesting; mandatory stock ownership at 5x retainer with compliance indicates alignment, and hedging/pledging prohibitions reinforce investor-friendly posture .
- Related-party/Conflict oversight: Formal Related Person Transactions Policy administered by Audit Committee with no transactions requiring disclosure since Jan 1, 2024; no disclosed interlocks posing conflicts with IDEX customers/suppliers .
- Compensation committee practices: Independent consultant (F.W. Cook) retained; committee found no consultant conflicts; scope includes incentive design, equity terms, and risk review—strong practice foundations .
- Shareholder sentiment: Say‑on‑pay support exceeded 91% in 2024, signaling broad investor confidence in pay and governance frameworks (company-wide indicator) .
RED FLAGS
- None disclosed: No related-party transactions, no hedging/pledging, no option repricing, no excise tax gross-ups; individual director attendance thresholds met .
Overall signal: Technology/innovation expertise, independent status, and strong ownership alignment support board effectiveness; committee participation in compensation and governance, plus absence of related-party exposures, bolsters investor confidence .