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John Schraudenbach

Lead Independent Director at OneWater Marine
Board

About John F. Schraudenbach

John F. Schraudenbach (age 65) has served on ONEW’s Board since the IPO and as Chairman of the Board since 2023. He is a partner at The Goodwin Group (executive retained search), previously spent 37 years at Ernst & Young until retiring in June 2019, holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting from the University of Georgia, and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). The Board cites his substantial financial and business expertise; he is classified as an independent director under Nasdaq and SEC rules .

Past Roles

OrganizationRoleTenureCommittees/Impact
Ernst & YoungVarious positions culminating in senior leadership37 years; retired June 2019Board credits “substantial financial and business expertise”
ONEW BoardDirector; Chairman of the BoardDirector since 2020; Chair since 2023Presides over independent director executive sessions; liaison to management

External Roles

OrganizationRoleTenureCommittees/Impact
Proficient Auto Logistics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAL)DirectorCurrent as of 2025Public company board experience
Printpack, Inc. (private)DirectorCurrent as of 2025Packaging industry board role
University of Georgia FoundationBoard memberCurrent as of 2025Civic/nonprofit governance
The Goodwin GroupPartnerCurrent as of 2025Executive retained search expertise

Board Governance

ItemDetail
Board leadershipSeparate Chair and CEO; Schraudenbach is non-executive Chair
IndependenceSchraudenbach determined independent by Board under Nasdaq/SEC rules
CommitteesNominating & Governance Committee member; not listed on Audit or Compensation
Committee chair rolesNominating & Governance chaired by Bodine (Schraudenbach member)
Executive sessionsIndependent directors “regularly meet” in executive session; Chair presides
Meetings/attendanceBoard met 7 times in FY ended Sep 30, 2024; each director attended ≥75% of aggregate Board/committee meetings; all directors at 2024 annual meeting

Fixed Compensation

Component (FY ended Sep 30, 2024)Amount
Fees earned or paid in cash (Schraudenbach)$155,000
Annual cash retainer (policy)$75,000
Non-Executive Chair retainer (policy)$80,000
Audit Committee Chair retainer (policy)$25,000
Compensation Committee Chair retainer (policy)$20,000
Governance Committee Chair retainer (policy)$20,000
PerquisitesDiscounts and demo boats; no reportable cost in FY2024

Notes:

  • Schraudenbach’s $155,000 cash total reflects base retainer ($75,000) plus Non-Executive Chair retainer ($80,000) .

Performance Compensation

Equity Award (FY ended Sep 30, 2024)Grant DateRSUs (Count)Grant Date Fair ValueVestingStatus at 9/30/24
Director RSU grant (time-based)Oct 1, 20234,880$125,000Vests in full one year after grant (Oct 1, 2024)4,880 unvested RSUs held as of 9/30/24

Performance metrics tied to director compensation:

  • None disclosed; director RSUs are time-based (no performance conditions) .

Other Directorships & Interlocks

CompanyRelationship to ONEWPotential Interlocks/Conflict Notes
Proficient Auto Logistics (PAL)Unrelated auto hauling industryNo ONEW-related transactions disclosed in proxy
Printpack, Inc.Unrelated packaging manufacturerNo ONEW-related transactions disclosed in proxy
The Goodwin GroupExecutive searchCompany reported paying no third-party fees to identify/evaluate director nominees for the 2025 meeting, mitigating search-firm conflict concerns

Expertise & Qualifications

  • Financial/accounting acumen; CPA (inactive); Board matrix flags financial/accounting capability .
  • Extensive operational and leadership experience; public company board experience .
  • Governance leadership as independent Chair, presiding over executive sessions .

Equity Ownership

ItemValue
Shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned (as of Jan 2, 2025)29,232
Ownership as % of shares outstanding<1% of Class A; <1% voting power (Class A and B together)
Unvested RSUs (as of Sep 30, 2024)4,880 (vested Oct 1, 2024)
Director stock ownership guidelinesRequired holdings: $225k within 5 years; $300k within 6 years; $375k (or 5x base retainer) within 7 years of joining the Board

Governance Assessment

  • Strengths

    • Independent, non-executive Chair with authority to convene and preside over independent director executive sessions, supporting robust oversight of management .
    • Member of the Nominating & Governance Committee, which oversees director compensation, related-party transaction approvals, succession planning, and Board performance evaluations—key governance levers for investor confidence .
    • Strong financial/accounting background (CPA, E&Y 37 years), aligning with Board matrix emphasis on financial acumen .
  • Alignment and incentives

    • Balanced director compensation mix with meaningful equity grant ($125,000 RSUs; time-based vesting), aligning director interests with shareholders; cash reflects Chair responsibilities ($155,000 cash including $80,000 Chair retainer) .
  • Independence and engagement

    • Board determined Schraudenbach independent; Board met 7 times with directors attending ≥75% and full annual meeting attendance, indicating engagement .
  • Conflicts and related-party exposure

    • Related-party transactions disclosed in FY2024 involve leases and guarantees tied to Bos and Singleton; no transactions listed involving Schraudenbach .
    • Potential search-firm conflict mitigated by disclosure that the Company did not pay third-party fees to identify/evaluate nominees for the 2025 meeting .
  • Red flags

    • None explicitly disclosed for Schraudenbach in the 2025 proxy regarding related-party transactions, hedging/pledging, or attendance shortfalls. Monitor ongoing director equity ownership guideline compliance timelines (7-year threshold by 2027 for 2020 appointees) .