Windstream Holdings Inc. President and CEO Tony Thomas’ salary of $1 million didn’t change from 2015 to 2016, according to the publicly traded telecommunications company’s preliminary annual proxy statement.
Although Thomas earned slightly more in stock awards, $2.2 million compared to $2.1 million, he received slightly less in non-equity incentive plan compensation.
Thomas’ total compensation of $4.41 million dipped by less than $500. It included his salary, stock awards, $1.1 million in non-equity incentive plan compensation, $14,423 for a change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings and $81,718 in other compensation.
CFO and Treasurer Bob Gunderman’s total compensation increased in 2016 by more than $97,000 to $1.62 million. That includes a salary of $450,000 and stock awards of more than $819,000. His salary was unchanged from 2015, but he earned more in stock awards.
John Fletcher, chief human resources and legal officer, received total compensation of $2.11 million, down slightly from $2.14 million in 2015. His 2016 compensation includes a salary of $515,000, unchanged from the year before, and stock awards of almost $1.2 million.
Controller John C. Eichler's total compensation in 2016 was $633,867, down from $766,616 in 2015. He earned a salary of $290,000 in 2016, unchanged from 2015, in addition to stock awards of $224,228.
Sarah Day, president of consumer and small and medium business, replaced David M. Redmond on Jan. 1, 2016. So there is no 2015 compensation data listed for her.
Day’s total compensation was $806,347 last year. It included her $298,615 salary and $279,998 in stock awards.
J. David Works Jr., who had served as president of the Enterprise Business Unit, left Windstream last year. He earned total compensation of about $2.25 million in 2016, including a salary of $320,135 and stock awards of $851,932. His total compensation in 2015 was $1.67 million.
The company plans to hold its 2017 annual meeting via webcast at 11 a.m. May 25. During the meeting, shareholders will consider proposals to:
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Re-elect the company’s 12 directors.
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Vote on a non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation.
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Decide in a non-binding advisory vote to continue voting on executive compensation on an annual basis.
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Approve amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Windstream to enable stockholders to call special meetings under certain circumstances and to eliminate supermajority voting provisions.
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Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Windstream’s independent registered public accountant for 2017.
In other company news, as part of its $1.1 billion merger with EarthLink Holdings Corp. of Atlanta, Windstream expanded its board to 12 effective March 1. Three members of EarthLink’s Board — Julie A. Shimer, Marc F. Stoll and Walter L. Turek — were appointed to the vacancies.
The company has also appointed Alan L. Wells as chairman of the board effective May 1. Windstream’s policy is to review and consider rotating the board chair and committee chair positions on the third anniversary of a member’s appointment to each position.
Wells replaces Jeffrey T. Hinson, who had served as chair for four years and is up for re-election to the board.
