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Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2023

Dec. 30, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Jan. 01, 2021

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table

Pay vs. Performance

The disclosure included in this section is prescribed by SEC rules and does not necessarily align with how the Company or the CC view the link between the Company’s performance and NEO pay. For additional information about our pay-for-performance philosophy and how we align NEO compensation with Company performance, refer to the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section above.

Required Tabular Disclosure of Pay Versus Performance

The following table provides information regarding the relationship between “compensation actually paid” to our Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”), and average compensation actually paid to our other NEOs, and certain financial performance of the Company. The amounts set forth below under the headings “Compensation Actually Paid to PEO” and “Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs” have been calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. Use of the term “compensation actually paid” is required by the SEC’s rules and as a result of the calculation methodology required by the SEC, such amounts differ from compensation actually received by the individuals and the compensation decisions described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section above.


									Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on
Year	Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO⁽¹⁾		Compensation Actually Paid to PEO⁽²⁾		Average Summary Compensation Table Total for non-PEO NEOs⁽³⁾		Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs⁽²⁾			Total Shareholder Return⁽⁴⁾		Peer Group Total Shareholder Return⁽⁴⁾		Net Income		Company Selected Measure - Adjusted EBITDA⁽⁵⁾
2023	$	1,577,003	$	2,679,260	$	744,688	$	1,022,936		$	(31.13)	$	(33.64)	$	10,926,000	$	45,695,000
2022	$	2,086,033	$	(1,401,302)	$	895,360	$	(95,303)		$	(42.81)	$	(39.64)	$	(8,448,000)	$	23,276,000
2021	$	2,990,848	$	959,656	$	757,809	$	270,012		$	12.78	$	102.49	$	(8,417,000)	$	27,526,000
2020	$	2,190,963	$	6,791,079	$	893,569	$	2,130,191		$	33.61	$	41.27	$	(14,496,000)	$	28,126,000

(1)

Dr. Brisbin was our principal executive officer for the years ended 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

(2)

Amounts presented under “Compensation Actually Paid” do not reflect actual amounts of compensation paid to the PEO and other Non-PEO NEOs; rather, “Compensation Actually Paid” amounts are calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The following table presents the detail of amounts deducted and added to the Summary Compensation Table total to calculate “Compensation Actually Paid”. There are no adjustments for pension or dividend payments as the Company does not have supplemental executive retirement plans and does not pay dividends. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values of equity awards did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant.


	2023				2022				2021				2020
	PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs		PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs		PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs		PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs
Total Compensation as reported on Summary Compensation Table	$	1,577,003	$	744,688	$	2,086,033	$	895,360	$	2,990,848	$	757,809	$	2,190,963	$	893,569
Subtract pension values reported in Summary Compensation Table	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Subtract the fair value of stock awards reported in Summary Compensation Table	$	(713,200)	$	(281,714)	$	(992,230)	$	(373,786)	$	(2,242,045)	$	(342,801)	$	(1,183,022)	$	(434,664)
Add pension value attributable to current year’s service and any change in pension value attributable to plan amendments made in the current year	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Add fair value as of end of covered year of equity awards granted in covered year that are unvested and outstanding at end of covered year	$	1,585,647	$	535,619	$	1,115,655	$	345,849	$	3,080,088	$	633,618	$	3,978,389	$	1,290,198
Add dividends paid on unvested shares/share units	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Add change in fair value from end of prior year to end of covered year for equity awards granted in prior years that were outstanding and unvested at end of covered year	$	173,747	$	27,497	$	(325,313)	$	(10,844)	$	(629,051)	$	(142,890)	$	2,180,415	$	487,756
Add equity awards that are granted and vest in the covered year, the fair value as of the vesting date	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Add change in fair value from end of prior year to vesting date for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during covered year	$	56,063	$	(3,154)	$	(3,285,447)	$	(951,882)	$	(2,240,184)	$	(635,724)	$	(375,666)	$	(106,668)
Subtract equity awards granted in prior years that are forfeited in covered year, the fair value of such equity awards as of the end of the prior year	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Compensation Actually Paid	$	2,679,260	$	1,022,936	$	(1,401,302)	$	(95,303)	$	959,656	$	270,012	$	6,791,079	$	2,130,191

(3)

In 2023 and 2022, our other NEOs consisted of Michael A. Bieber, President, Creighton K. Early, Chief Financial Officer, Micah H. Chen, General Counsel, and Paul Whitelaw, former Senior Vice President, Business Development. In 2021, our other NEOs consisted of Michael A. Bieber, President, Creighton K. Early, Chief Financial Officer, Stacy B. McLaughlin, former Chief Financial Officer, Micah H. Chen, General Counsel, and Paul Whitelaw, former Senior Vice President, Business Development. In 2020, our other NEOs consisted of Michael A. Bieber, President, Stacy B. McLaughlin, former Chief Financial Officer, Daniel Chow, former Chief Operating Officer, and Adam C. Procell, former Chief Strategy Officer.

(4)

Total shareholder return assumes that $100 was invested on the measurement date in Willdan Group, Inc. common stock and the peer group as set forth below. This shareholder return assumes reinvestment of all dividends. The customized peer group for 2023 and 2022 consists of: American Superconductor Corporation, Atlas Technical Consultants, Inc., Bowman Consulting Group Ltd., C3.ai, Inc., Charah Solutions, Inc., Exponent, Inc., FTC Solar, Inc., ICF International, Inc., Limbach Holdings, Inc., Montrose Environmental Group, Inc., NV5 Global, Inc., Orion Energy Systems, Inc., RCM Technologies, Inc., Resources Connection, Inc., and Stem, Inc. The customized peer group for 2021 and 2020 consists of: Ameresco, Inc., Charah Solutions, Inc., Cypress Environmental Partners, L.P., Exponent, Inc., Hill International, Inc., Limbach Holdings, Inc., NV5 Global, Inc., RCM Technologies, Inc., and Resources Connection, Inc.

(5)

The Company has determined that adjusted EBITDA from operations is the financial performance measure that, in the Company’s assessment, represents the most important performance measure (that is not otherwise required to be disclosed in the table) used by the Company to link compensation actually paid to the Company’s NEOs for the most recently completed fiscal year. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and it means the Company’s net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (1) interest expense, (2) income tax expense (benefit), (3) stock-

based compensation, (4) interest accretion, (5) depreciation and amortization, (6) transaction costs, (7) (gain) loss on sale of equipment, and (8) plus or minus the effect of any extraordinary item or extraordinary transaction. See Appendix B for the Company’s reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA.

Company Selected Measure Name

adjusted EBITDA

Named Executive Officers, Footnote


									Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on
Year	Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO⁽¹⁾		Compensation Actually Paid to PEO⁽²⁾		Average Summary Compensation Table Total for non-PEO NEOs⁽³⁾		Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs⁽²⁾			Total Shareholder Return⁽⁴⁾		Peer Group Total Shareholder Return⁽⁴⁾		Net Income		Company Selected Measure - Adjusted EBITDA⁽⁵⁾
2023	$	1,577,003	$	2,679,260	$	744,688	$	1,022,936		$	(31.13)	$	(33.64)	$	10,926,000	$	45,695,000
2022	$	2,086,033	$	(1,401,302)	$	895,360	$	(95,303)		$	(42.81)	$	(39.64)	$	(8,448,000)	$	23,276,000
2021	$	2,990,848	$	959,656	$	757,809	$	270,012		$	12.78	$	102.49	$	(8,417,000)	$	27,526,000
2020	$	2,190,963	$	6,791,079	$	893,569	$	2,130,191		$	33.61	$	41.27	$	(14,496,000)	$	28,126,000

(1)

Dr. Brisbin was our principal executive officer for the years ended 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

(3)

Peer Group Issuers, Footnote

(4)

PEO Total Compensation Amount

$ 1,577,003

$ 2,086,033

$ 2,990,848

$ 2,190,963

PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount

$ 2,679,260

(1,401,302)

959,656

6,791,079

Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote


	2023				2022				2021				2020
	PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs		PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs		PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs		PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs
Total Compensation as reported on Summary Compensation Table	$	1,577,003	$	744,688	$	2,086,033	$	895,360	$	2,990,848	$	757,809	$	2,190,963	$	893,569
Subtract pension values reported in Summary Compensation Table	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Subtract the fair value of stock awards reported in Summary Compensation Table	$	(713,200)	$	(281,714)	$	(992,230)	$	(373,786)	$	(2,242,045)	$	(342,801)	$	(1,183,022)	$	(434,664)
Add pension value attributable to current year’s service and any change in pension value attributable to plan amendments made in the current year	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Add fair value as of end of covered year of equity awards granted in covered year that are unvested and outstanding at end of covered year	$	1,585,647	$	535,619	$	1,115,655	$	345,849	$	3,080,088	$	633,618	$	3,978,389	$	1,290,198
Add dividends paid on unvested shares/share units	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Add change in fair value from end of prior year to end of covered year for equity awards granted in prior years that were outstanding and unvested at end of covered year	$	173,747	$	27,497	$	(325,313)	$	(10,844)	$	(629,051)	$	(142,890)	$	2,180,415	$	487,756
Add equity awards that are granted and vest in the covered year, the fair value as of the vesting date	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Add change in fair value from end of prior year to vesting date for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during covered year	$	56,063	$	(3,154)	$	(3,285,447)	$	(951,882)	$	(2,240,184)	$	(635,724)	$	(375,666)	$	(106,668)
Subtract equity awards granted in prior years that are forfeited in covered year, the fair value of such equity awards as of the end of the prior year	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Compensation Actually Paid	$	2,679,260	$	1,022,936	$	(1,401,302)	$	(95,303)	$	959,656	$	270,012	$	6,791,079	$	2,130,191

Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount

$ 744,688

895,360

757,809

893,569

Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount

$ 1,022,936

(95,303)

270,012

2,130,191

Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote


	2023				2022				2021				2020
	PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs		PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs		PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs		PEO		Average of Non-PEO NEOs
Total Compensation as reported on Summary Compensation Table	$	1,577,003	$	744,688	$	2,086,033	$	895,360	$	2,990,848	$	757,809	$	2,190,963	$	893,569
Subtract pension values reported in Summary Compensation Table	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Subtract the fair value of stock awards reported in Summary Compensation Table	$	(713,200)	$	(281,714)	$	(992,230)	$	(373,786)	$	(2,242,045)	$	(342,801)	$	(1,183,022)	$	(434,664)
Add pension value attributable to current year’s service and any change in pension value attributable to plan amendments made in the current year	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Add fair value as of end of covered year of equity awards granted in covered year that are unvested and outstanding at end of covered year	$	1,585,647	$	535,619	$	1,115,655	$	345,849	$	3,080,088	$	633,618	$	3,978,389	$	1,290,198
Add dividends paid on unvested shares/share units	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Add change in fair value from end of prior year to end of covered year for equity awards granted in prior years that were outstanding and unvested at end of covered year	$	173,747	$	27,497	$	(325,313)	$	(10,844)	$	(629,051)	$	(142,890)	$	2,180,415	$	487,756
Add equity awards that are granted and vest in the covered year, the fair value as of the vesting date	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Add change in fair value from end of prior year to vesting date for equity awards granted in prior years that vested during covered year	$	56,063	$	(3,154)	$	(3,285,447)	$	(951,882)	$	(2,240,184)	$	(635,724)	$	(375,666)	$	(106,668)
Subtract equity awards granted in prior years that are forfeited in covered year, the fair value of such equity awards as of the end of the prior year	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Compensation Actually Paid	$	2,679,260	$	1,022,936	$	(1,401,302)	$	(95,303)	$	959,656	$	270,012	$	6,791,079	$	2,130,191

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure

Tabular List, Table

As described in detail in the CD&A, the Company’s executive compensation program consists of several compensation elements reflecting the Company’s pay-for-performance philosophy. The most important financial performance measures used to link compensation actually paid to the Company’s NEOs with the Company’s performance for 2023 are as follows:

§ Adjusted EBITDA

§ Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share

§ Net Revenue

§ Relative Total Shareholder Return

Total Shareholder Return Amount

$ (31.13)

(42.81)

12.78

33.61

Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount

(33.64)

(39.64)