Executive Compensation Podcast: Conversations on Executive Pay & Compensation Committee Governance – Details, episodes & analysis

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Partner, Jonathan Szabo, and Principal, Mike Meyer, both of Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC.

Jonathan and Mike dive deep into the complexities of establishing meaningful goals for incentive plans. They share practical strategies for setting both short-term and long-term goals that align company performance with desired executive behaviors.

Key Takeaways:

(02:22) Compensation philosophy provides blueprints for decision-making.

(04:02) Philosophical discussions around goal setting are crucial.

(04:46) Involving members of the audit committee can enhance goal-setting.

(07:17) Adjustments to incentive plans require consistent methodology.

(07:37) Factors like internal budgets and historical performance impact goals.

(12:01) Committees should consider economic predictability when setting goals.

(17:20) Strategies for uncertain times include setting growth rate targets.

(21:40) Approaches differ for short-term vs. long-term incentives.

Resources Mentioned:

Jonathan Szabo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-szabo-13045493/

Mike Meyer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-meyer-626a6071/

Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC - https://www.linkedin.com/company/meridian-compensation-partners-llc/

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting MeridianCP.com.

#Compensation #Wages #SPAC #Equity #ExecutiveCompensation #Clawback

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Laura Hay, Partner at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Laura explores the critical role of compensation in retaining executive talent, discussing the interplay of business conditions, compensation structures and the importance of strategic retention initiatives. She offers insights into identifying retention risks and structuring compensation to mitigate these risks effectively.

Key Takeaways:

(01:16) Change in management increases retention risks.

(01:47) High executive turnover in healthcare and technology sectors.

(03:16) Retention is not about keeping 100% of executives.

(04:20) Lack of a good succession plan can be a retention destroyer.

(05:20) Outdated compensation designs harm retention efforts.

(08:11) Strategic direction and investment in people support retention.

(12:15) Annual compensation programs should drive retention.

(15:33) Special retention awards should be carefully structured and justified.

(18:13) Proactive shareholder communication can mitigate criticism of retention awards.

Resources Mentioned:

Laura Hay - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahay/ Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC - https://www.linkedin.com/company/meridian-compensation-partners-llc/

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting MeridianCP.com.

#Compensation #Wages #SPAC #Equity #ExecutiveCompensation #Clawback

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Ron Rosenthal⁠, Lead Consultant of Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC⁠ and ⁠Michael Powers, Partner of Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC.

Michael and Ryan discuss the nuanced approaches and considerations involved in compensating board members and transitioning CEOs.

Key Takeaways:

(01:10) An overview of the three major components of director compensation: retainers, equity awards and committee pay.

(05:34) Equity grants are the majority of a director's total annual compensation.

(07:55) Exploring the trend of moving away from stock options due to misalignment with a director's fiduciary role.

(08:13) Discussing a lack of incentive or performance-based compensation for directors.

(12:11) Governance considerations around directors approving their own pay packages.

(15:26) Why the recent Tesla lawsuit settlement related to director pay.

(18:01) Exploring compensation for board leadership roles like Chair, Lead Director and Executive Chair.

Resources Mentioned:

Michael Powers - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-powers-6606546/

Ron Rosenthal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-rosenthal-a48ab5ab/ Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC - https://www.linkedin.com/company/meridian-compensation-partners-llc/

S&P 500 Director Pay Trend Report -

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting MeridianCP.com.

#Compensation #Wages #SPAC #Equity #ExecutiveCompensation #Clawback

On today’s episode, we’re joined by James Kzirian and Chris Havey, both Partners at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC.

James and Chris discuss total shareholder return (TSR) as a long-term incentive metric, when to use it and some challenges associated with it.

We focus on:

- What exactly is TSR and what does it measure?

- How frequently TSR is used and which industries use it most.

- The reasons why a company would consider using TSR.

- Common challenges with TSR.

- Using TSR as an absolute metric.

- Key trends around TSR and its use in long-term incentive plans.

James Kzirian - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-jim-kzirian-86132a2/

Chris Havey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-havey-12a5118/

Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC - https://www.linkedin.com/company/meridian-compensation-partners-llc/

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting⁠ MeridianCP.com⁠.

#Compensation #Wages #SPAC #Equity #ExecutiveCompensation #Clawback

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Matthew Isakson and Patrick Powers, both Partners at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC.

They’re here to talk about the recently finalized SEC clawback rules, which companies must comply with by the end of this year.

We cover:

- The broader impact of the SEC clawback rules.

- High-level principles to consider when designing incentive arrangements and compensation structures.

- Will the new SEC rules impact compensation and incentive design?

- Some potential unforeseen impacts of the rules.

- How the rules could change the metrics that companies focus on.

- Challenges around calculating share-based clawback.

- Will there be a movement toward more deferred settlement in compensation structures and incentives?

Matthew Isakson⁠ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-isakson-71702513/ Patrick Powers⁠ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-powers-678b8694/ Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC - https://www.linkedin.com/company/meridian-compensation-partners-llc/

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting MeridianCP.com.

#Compensation #Wages #SPAC #Equity #ExecutiveCompensation #Clawback

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Jim Heim, Partner at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, and Dean Chaffee, Lead Consultant at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. They’re here to talk about CEO succession, and specifically, the considerations for the departing CEO.

We talk about:

- What does executive compensation have to do with CEO succession?

- Common roles within the company that departing CEOs may transition to.

- How CEO transition dynamics have changed over time.

- Considerations around the executive chair role.

- How to think about compensation when it comes to other potential post-CEO roles.

- Areas where you might need to exercise caution.

- The importance of planning ahead.

Jim Heim - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimheimcompensationconsultant/

Dean Chaffee - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-chaffee-359900101/

Meridian Compensation Partners LLC - https://www.linkedin.com/company/meridian-compensation-partners-llc/

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting MeridianCP.com.

#ceosuccession #ceopay #executivecompensation

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Jeff Keckley, Lead Consultant at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, and Caroline Montalbano, Lead Consultant at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC.

Jeff and Caroline are here to talk about engagement with shareholders on executive compensation issues. We discuss:

- What exactly does shareholder engagement mean?

- What’s driving increased shareholder engagement?

- The benefits of engaging with shareholders.

- How often should you engage with shareholders?

- How to approach and prepare for a meeting with shareholders.

- What kind of feedback to expect and what to do with it?

- Using the information you’ve gathered in proxy disclosures.

Jeff Keckley - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-keckley-a812251a/

Caroline Montalbano - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-montalbano-095b675/

Meridian Compensation Partners LLC - https://www.linkedin.com/company/meridian-compensation-partners-llc/

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting MeridianCP.com.

#Compensation #Wages #SPAC #Equity

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Dan Kaufman and Virginia Rhodes, both Partners at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. They’re here to talk about the compensation implications involved in a CEO transition.

We cover:

- What should companies be doing in advance to plan for a CEO transition?

- Best practices for dealing with an unexpected transition.

- Compensation considerations when making an internal promotion to CEO.

- Do CEOs ever receive large awards on promotion?

- Best compensation practices when hiring a CEO outside the company.

- The value of having a good internal succession plan.

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting MeridianCP.com.

#Compensation #Wages #SPAC #Equity

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Donald Kalfen, Partner at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Donald is here to talk about some of the new rules and regulations introduced over the last six months, and what they mean.

We talk about:

- The new pay-versus-performance disclosures and their impact on companies.

- Unusual outcomes such as large negative compensation amounts.

- Common trends around disclosures.

- How can companies comply with the SEC’s clawback rules?

- Understanding the SEC’s 10b5-1 rules and how to comply.

- What’s on the horizon that companies should be aware of?

Donald Kalfen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-kalfen-baa44b30/ Meridian Compensation Partners - https://www.linkedin.com/company/meridian-compensation-partners-llc/

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting MeridianCP.com.

#compensation #wages #spac #equity

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Tom McNeill and Tracy Glassel. Tom is a Partner at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, and Tracy is a Lead Consultant at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC.

We talk about:

- How to manage compensation in an incredibly uncertain economy.

- The importance of basic standards around compensation plans.

- How companies should think about metrics in uncertain times.

- What adjustments should companies be making?

- Is it ever right to make modifications to long-term rewards?

- Ways to approach long-term and multi-year incentives.

Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC - https://www.linkedin.com/company/meridian-compensation-partners-llc/ Tom McNeill - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcneill-87722312/

Tracy Glassel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-glassel-4683281b/

This episode is brought to you by Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. Learn more by visiting MeridianCP.com.

#compensation #wages #spac #equity