CEO pay watch: Benjamin Fowke III of Xcel Energy

April 9, 2014 at 10:54AM
Benjamin G.S. Fowke III
Benjamin G.S. Fowke III (Associated Press - Business Wir/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

CEO PAY WATCH XCEL ENERGY INC.

Benjamin Fowke III, chairman, president, CEOTotal compensation: $5,974,445 for the year ended Dec. 31

Salary: $986,979

Bonus: $500,000

Non-equity incentive pay: $850,696

Other compensation: $58,142

Exercised stock options: $10,398

Value realized on vesting shares: $3,568,230

Total 2011 return to shareholders: 22.3 percent

Note: Fowke succeeded Richard Kelly as chairman, president and CEO on Aug. 24, 2011.

Xcel annual performance bonus is based on environmental, safety and financial targets, and the company achieved 110 percent of its goals. The compensation committee also awarded Fowke a discretionary bonus of $500,000 for the company's financial and operational results.

Fowke's base salary increased from $690,000 in 2010 in part to reflect his new role as CEO.

Fowke could be affected by a shareholder proposal on the proxy from the Massachusetts Laborer's Pension Fund. It asks the board to adopt a policy that whenever possible the chairman of the board should be an independent director. The Xcel board is recommending a "no" vote on the proposal, saying that a combined chairman-CEO offers "the most effective leadership structure for the company."

PATRICK KENNEDY

about the writer

about the writer

Patrick Kennedy

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Business reporter Patrick Kennedy covers executive compensation and public companies. He has reported on the Minnesota business community for more than 25 years.

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