Compensators
Irving S. Becker, Hay Group
When boards need to navigate the complex waters of executive compensation, they routinely call Irving S. Becker, head of the executive compensation unit of Hay Group. Over the course of his career, Becker has worked with boards and senior management at major companies across multiple industries to design rewards programs that align incentives with the success of the company. He also helps companies to develop effective overall compensation philosophies.
Frederic W. Cook, Frederic W. Cook & Co.
As founding director of the firm that bears his name, Frederic W. Cook is one of the leading advocates for sound compensation strategies. His keen insight into compensation trends and developments has paid off: Cook & Co. is the named compensation committee advisor to half of the companies in the Dow Industrials and almost a quarter of the S&P 500.
David N. Swinford, Pearl Meyer & Partners
Many compensation committee members on boards of the largest companies have David N. Swinford’s number on speed dial. The president and CEO of Pearl Meyer & Partners works closely with compensation and governance committees as well as boards on linking compensation with business strategy, contractual arrangements and incentive plan design, including the development of meaningful performance standards. He provides a strong focus on compensation-related corporate governance, including issues related to board independence and oversight, talent development and succession planning. Over the last 30 years, Swinford has worked in all major industries.
David Chun, Equilar
Need current and reliable compensation data? Call Equilar. Since its inception in 2000, David Chun has established Equilar as one of the most trusted names in the executive compensation industry. Specializing in compensation data and analysis, the firm has identified some important CEO pay trends this year, such as a significant drop in equity awards, a decline in bonus amounts and an increase in the use of options. Clearly, its clients find such research invaluable: Equilar grew revenues by 20 percent in 2009 and now counts more than 800 corporate subscribers.
Russell P. Fradin, Hewitt Associates
Since 2006, Russell P. Fradin has been chairman and CEO of Hewitt Associates, which he recently piloted to a $4.9 billion sale to insurance broker Aon. As a testimony to his ability, Fradin will continue as CEO of the resulting consulting unit after the sale is completed in November 2010. From 2004 until joining Hewitt, he was CEO of BISYS Group, a provider of outsourcing solutions to investment firms, insurance companies and banks.
John J. Haley, Towers Watson
The Hewitt-Aon deal isn’t the only major merger among large HR consulting firms recently. Earlier this year, Towers Perrin merged with Watson Wyatt to form Towers Watson, and John J. Haley was named to run the combined firm as CEO. By all accounts it was a good choice. He has built Towers Watson into a powerhouse since taking the helm in 1999.
Steven E. Hall, Steven Hall & Partners
As founding partner and managing director of his eponymous firm, Steven E. Hall leads one of the premier independent compensation consultants in the United States. He has consulted for more than 30 years with senior management and board compensation committees in planning and implementation of senior executive compensation programs and incentives for corporations. His strong technical background in tax, accounting and finance is of major importance in the design of innovative compensation programs.In addition to managing the firm, Hall personally leads the firm’s practice among global corporations. Managing Director Pearl Meyer was named to the Corporate Governance Hall of Fame, Class of 2009.
Robert C. Cox, Chubb Group
Beginning as a financial institutions underwriter in Chubb’s San Francisco office in 1986, Robert C. Cox has steadily ascended to his current role as executive vice president of Chubb & Son and COO of Chubb Specialty Insurance, the executive protection and professional liability underwriting division of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.
Mark Lamendola, Travelers
As head of the public company liability business unit for the financial and professional services division of Travelers, Mark Lamendola has a lot on his plate. He is responsible for the execution of underwriting strategy for the executive liability lines. Lamendola joined St. Paul Travelers, now Travelers, in 2003 as a regional vice president and was appointed to his current position in 2006.
Timothy J. O’Donnell, ACE
When it comes to D&O insurance, Timothy J. O’Donnell brings his “A” game. As president of professional risk at Ace USA since 2005, he has overall responsibility for the D&O liability, professional liability and commercial surety units. He also serves as chairman of ACE’s Canadian insurance company operations. O’Donnell has served as a senior broker and in underwriting positions at Marsh Inc. and Chubb Insurance Group. He joined ACE from American International Group.
Daniel W. Riordan, Zurich Financial Services
Now the president of Zurich North America Commercial Specialties, Daniel W. Riordan’s expertise is highly sought when companies are evaluating investment risk. He joined the German-based insurer to launch its political risk and trade credit business in 1997. The unit is now one of the leading providers of this type of insurance in the world. His colleague, Chief Innovation Officer Ty Sagalow, is a D&O expert.
Michael W. Smith, Chartis
When directors want to get better sleep at night, they call on Michael W. Smith’s team at Chartis, a property-casualty and general insurance organization. Chartis operates globally, serving 40 million clients in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Michael Smith, who has a background in law, is the president of Chartis’ Executive Liability branch and many leading directors seek his opinion on liability issues.
Richard A. Bennett, The Corporate Library
Gavin Anderson, GovernanceMetrics International
The just-announced merger between The Corporate Library (TCL) and GovernanceMetrics International (GMI) brings together two of the leading governance-specific research and ratings firms. Richard A. Bennett remains president and CEO of the combined entity. Howard Sherman, CEO of GMI, was named head of global business development. Gavin Anderson, recent chairman and former CEO of GMI, has joined the board of the new firm and continues to play a role in its business development. TCL cofounder Robert A.G. Monks was named to the Corporate Governance Hall of Fame, Class of 2008.
Steve Harvey, ISS Governance Services
In what is looking more like a back-to-the-future move, the acquisition of RiskMetrics by MSCI in March will soon see the resurgence of ISS Governance Services as a brand, operated as a subsidiary of its new parent.
What has not changed are the thought leaders at ISS, who remain among the best-known and most influential governance advisors around led by Steve Harvey, the head of ISS.
As head of global research and the global policy board, Martha Carter leads the development and application of proxy voting policy worldwide. As head of the governance institute, Carol Bowie directs research and reports related to governance issues. Patrick S. McGurn continues to provide special counsel to ISS. Considered by industry constituents to be one of the leading experts on corporate governance issues, McGurn plays an integral role in policy development.
Robert McCormick, Glass, Lewis & Co.
The chief policy officer with governance and proxy advisory firm Glass, Lewis & Co. is Robert McCormick. Glass, Lewis’s international practice, a subsidiary of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, attends to governance, risk and proxy voting issues for its more than 18,000 global clients.
I’m wondering where the proxy solicitors are on this list.
This is a good question and one we will take up in our 2011 survey of reader’s choices for the NACD Directorship 100 list. Thank you for bringing to my attention.