Executive Compensation Podcast: Conversations on Executive Pay & Compensation Committee Governance

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(05:20) Outdated compensation designs harm retention efforts.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

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 Darren Moskovitz, Partner at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC.

Darren dives into the critical aspects of executive compensation arrangements, especially focusing on the implications of executive departures, severance practices and the recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rulings on non-compete restrictions.

Key Takeaways:

(00:20) The importance of considering annual and long-term incentives during executive departures.

(01:04) Overview of typical severance approaches: general severance vs. change-in-control severance.

(03:35) Understanding the commercial and reputational reasons for severance plans.

(06:00) Historical context and evolution of severance practices since the 1980s.

(08:00) Differentiation between general severance and change-in-control severance benefits.

(09:20) The impact of FTC’s new rulings on non-compete provisions.

(13:19) Potential changes in executive compensation programs due to new FTC regulations.

(20:30) Exploring the concept of garden leave as a potential alternative to non-compete agreements.

(24:42) How non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements might be affected by FTC changes.

(27:03) Immediate steps companies should consider in response to potential FTC regulations.

Resources mentioned:

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

Key Takeaways:

(01:33) Michael outlines the typical components of executive compensation packages.

(05:11) Common scenarios where special compensation awards are beneficial.

(07:06) The benefits of accomplishing goals using the existing compensation plan over instituting special equity awards.

(09:39) Principles for designing effective and justified special awards.

(11:58) The importance of aligning special awards with company goals and shareholder expectations.

(16:28) Discussion on setting realistic and strategic performance goals for special awards.

(19:54) Special awards should not be a replacement for solid compensation structure.

Resources Mentioned:

Michael Britton -

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 Andrew McElheran, Partner at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC.

Andrew dives deep into the complexities of establishing resilient executive compensation frameworks amid the uncertainties of the global economic landscape.

Key Takeaways:

(01:33) Managing a corporation involves addressing classic business challenges and creating effective compensation arrangements in uncertain times.

(02:19) Resilient compensation designs are those that stand the test of time and do not require frequent revisions.

(03:46) A balance between market-aligned compensation plans and business objectives is crucial for resilient design.

(05:00) Simplicity in compensation design can lead to resilience, but it must also align with other business goals like shareholder alignment.

(06:07) The resilience of compensation plans can vary based on a company’s pay philosophy and its comfort with using discretion in performance assessment.

(09:20) Incorporating flexibility and discretion in executive compensation plans can add resilience, reflecting the need to adapt to unpredictable circumstances.

(11:21) Setting goals that balance ambition with achievable targets can enhance the resilience of compensation programs.

(13:44) Testing the resilience of compensation frameworks can help ensure they are robust enough to withstand future challenges.

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 Jared Berman, Partner at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. 

Jared discusses the nuances of executive compensation governance, including the appropriate roles of the compensation committee, management team and advisors in the oversight process.

Key Takeaways:

(01:27) Governance involves defining the roles of the compensation committee, management and advisors in overseeing executive pay.

(02:28) Compensation committees typically meet four to five times annually.

(03:54) Clearly defining the committee’s charter and scope is crucial to avoiding ambiguity over decision-making authority.

(06:43) While management should drive incentive plan design aligned with business strategy, the board ultimately approves proposals in shareholders’ interests.

(13:09) Since COVID, incorporating strategic and non-financial priorities in incentive plans has become a growing trend.

(19:46) Advisors should share candid perspectives based on new information to foster thoughtful committee dialogue.

Resources Mentioned:

Jared Berman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-berman-3950884/

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 Jamie McGough, Partner at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC.

Jamie discusses strategies for evaluating the alignment between executive pay and company performance.

Key Takeaways:

(01:15) Total shareholder return is essential, plus profitability and other financial metrics relevant to the company.

(05:30) Treatment of performance plans requires judgment when analyzing pay.

(08:40) Overlapping cycles and grant timing complicate pay-performance analysis. No perfect solution exists.

(13:02) The CEO is central to focus on.

(17:41) Pay versus performance analysis is fundamentally a governance tool for committees.

(20:22) SEC disclosure rules focus on individuals and accounting values rather than pay structures.

Resources Mentioned:

Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC - https://www.meridiancp.com/

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 George Paulin and Gerard Leider, both partners at Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. George and Gerard discuss executive compensation and annual incentive plan design.

Key Takeaways:

(02:33) Typical annual incentive plans use financial metrics tied to business goals and strategy.

(04:13) The most common financial metrics are profits, returns or cash flow.

(08:23) Companies are moving away from formulaic threshold-to-maximum goal ranges.

(11:18) Macroeconomics creates uncertainty in annual planning and goal setting.

(15:16) Realistic goal setting is crucial, especially in down years.

(19:59) Find the balance between performance risk and leverage in payout curves.

(20:42) Set motivational yet achievable goals.

Resources Mentioned:

Gerard Leider -

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 Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC’s Christina Medland, Managing Partner, and Mike Rourke, Lead Consultant. Christina and Mike discuss executive compensation through an activist investor lens.

Key Takeaways:

(01:23) Activist investors view compensation alignment as a barometer of the pay-for-performance relationship. 

(06:48) Activists flag supplemental benefits, tax gross-ups, discretionary adjustments and aspirational peer groups as concerning.

(08:11) Activists want strong links between realized pay and performance.

(13:21) Activists compare incentive targets and resulting payouts to close business comparators. 

(20:17) Be transparent in CD&As using graphics and tables. Provide business context supporting pay outcomes.

(21:30) With diverging investor policies, committees must do what’s right for their business first when setting pay.

(23:15) Underperforming companies with sound business strategies and timing transparency retain more shareholder support.

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 Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC’s Robert Romanchek, Partner, and Mike Withey, Lead Consultant. Robert and Mike discuss executive compensation strategies for mergers and acquisitions.

Key Takeaways:

(02:21) Prepare executive compensation programs in advance for future mergers and acquisitions transactions.

(04:20) Use double trigger vesting for equity awards, except when the buyer won't assume awards.

(08:29) Cover annual incentives and have prorated payout provisions.

(13:16) Ensure severance arrangements address parachute payment tax issues.

(15:15) Use special retention awards selectively for critical talent.

(17:31) Distinguish between pre-close and post-close retention strategies.

(23:45) Understand key concepts of 280G excise tax rules.

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

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