John Absmeier
Sensata Technologies HoldingAbout John P. Absmeier
Independent director since 2019; age 50; currently Chair of the Growth & Innovation Committee. Background spans nearly 30 years in autonomous, electric, and connected vehicle technology with senior roles at Woven by Toyota (CTO), Lear (CTO), Samsung (VP, Smart Machines), and Delphi/Aptiv; U.S. Marine Corps service. Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering (Purdue) and M.S. Mechanical Engineering and Management of Technology (UC Berkeley) . Independence affirmed by the Board in January 2025; all current directors attended more than 75% of meetings in 2024 .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven by Toyota | Chief Technology Officer | 2022–present | Leads Toyota’s transformation into a mobility company; deep autonomy/EV connectivity expertise |
| Lear Corporation | Chief Technology Officer | 2018–2022 | Technology leadership in automotive seating/electrics |
| Samsung Electronics | Vice President, Smart Machines | 2015–2018 | Advanced software/AI/automation initiatives |
| Delphi (now Aptiv) | Managing Director – Delphi Labs & Automated Driving; Business Director – Electronic Controls, APAC; other roles | 1996–2015 | Autonomous driving; electronic controls; international leadership |
| U.S. Marine Corps | Various | N/A | Meritorious promotions and honors |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voltaiq (private) | Director | Since 2022 | Battery intelligence software |
| Woven by Toyota (subsidiary of Toyota) | Director | Since 2023 | Subsidiary board, not a public company board |
| Other public company boards | — | — | Count of other public boards for Absmeier: 0 |
Board Governance
- Committee assignments: Chair, Growth & Innovation; not listed as member of Audit, Compensation, Finance, or Nominating & Corporate Governance .
- Attendance: Each current director attended ≥75% of applicable meetings in 2024; Board held 8 meetings and committees held 27; all current directors attended 100% of Board meetings; directors attended >80% of applicable committee meetings .
- Independence: Board affirmed independence for all nominees except the CEO; Absmeier is an independent director .
- Years of service: Director since 2019 (≈6 years as of 2025) .
- Executive sessions: Regular non-management executive sessions led by the Chairman or relevant committee chair .
Fixed Compensation
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual retainer and committee fees ($) | $110,500 | $118,333 |
| Benefits ($) | $6,177 | $28,085 |
| RSU Award ($, UK single figure method) | $127,731 | $144,881 |
| RSU Award ($, GAAP grant-date fair value) | N/A | $175,000 |
| Committee chair/member fee framework | G&I member $5,000; G&I chair $12,500; Audit $10,000; Compensation $9,000; N&CG $7,500; Finance/G&I members $5,000 | |
| Annual cash retainer ($) | $100,000; Chair of Board receives +$140,000 (not applicable to Absmeier) | |
| UK meeting attendance fee | $5,000 per UK meeting (if applicable) |
Note: UK “single figure” RSU value uses fiscal three-month ending closing price ($32.47 for 2024); GAAP table shows grant-date fair value; RSUs granted to non-executive directors elected at the 2024 AGM were 4,462 units (vest 100% at next AGM) .
Performance Compensation
| Element | Structure | Metrics | 2024 Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director equity | Time-based RSUs only | None (no performance conditions for non-executive director grants) | Granted June 11, 2024: 4,462 RSUs; vest at 2025 AGM |
No PSUs/options or performance-linked metrics are used for director compensation; performance-based PRSUs apply to executives, not non-executive directors .
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Potential Interlock | Description | Governance View |
|---|---|---|
| Woven by Toyota | Absmeier is CTO and director; Toyota is a major OEM potentially in Sensata’s end markets | Board independence review deemed any transactions involving companies where directors are officers immaterial (below greater of $1M or 2% of the other company’s revenue) and affirmed independence; Audit Committee oversees related-person transactions policy |
Expertise & Qualifications
- Deep domain expertise in autonomous, electric, and connected vehicle markets; senior leadership, international business, M&A, software, manufacturing/operations, and strategy .
- Education: BS Mechanical Engineering (Purdue); MS Mechanical Engineering and Management of Technology (UC Berkeley) .
- Military leadership experience; meritorious recognition .
Equity Ownership
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Beneficially owned shares | 17,579 |
| Ownership % of shares outstanding | <1% (based on 146,017,933 shares as of 3/30/25) |
| Unvested RSUs/stock options | Unvested RSUs: 4,462; Options: none |
| Vested but unexercised options | None |
| Pledged shares | Not permitted under Company insider policy (no pledging/hedging) |
| Director ownership guideline | 5× annual cash retainer ($500,000 requirement); retention of 50% net after-tax shares until met; compliance timeline 5 years |
| Compliance status (12/31/2024) | 100% guideline achieved for Absmeier |
Governance Assessment
- Committee leadership: Chairs Growth & Innovation Committee, which oversees technology and innovation initiatives, M&A for growth areas, and new technology risks; alignment with his technology background and industry network enhances board effectiveness .
- Independence and conflicts: Independence affirmed; related-party transactions policy requires Audit Committee approval; Board found any ordinary-course dealings with companies tied to directors immaterial (below $1M/2% thresholds) .
- Engagement and attendance: Board and committee engagement strong; all current directors attended 100% of Board meetings and >80% of applicable committee meetings in 2024; Absmeier attended ≥75% of assigned meetings .
- Ownership alignment: Meets director stock ownership guidelines; RSU grants align director incentives with long-term shareholder value; hedging/pledging prohibited .
- Director pay structure: Balanced cash retainer, committee fees, and annual RSU grant; no performance-linked director equity; transparent policy subject to shareholder approval under UK regime .
Appendix: Committee Overview (for context)
- Growth & Innovation Committee (Chair: Absmeier): Oversees technology/innovation initiatives, related investments/M&A, impact on growth, profitability, and competitive position; monitors new technologies and competitive trends .
- Audit, Compensation, Finance, Nominating & Corporate Governance: Fully independent committees with defined remits for financial reporting, human capital/compensation, capital structure/transactions, and governance/ESG oversight .