Tyson Foods Inc. CEO and President Tom Hayes nearly doubled his pay in his first full year in charge of the Springdale company.
Hayes was chief commercial officer and president when tapped to replace Donnie Smith as CEO on Dec. 31, 2016. He earned slightly more than $8.9 million in 2017, according to Tyson’s proxy filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Hayes’ compensation included $1.1 million in base salary, $3.8 million in stock awards and $2.1 million in executive incentives. In 2016, Hayes’ total compensation was $4.6 million, which included $712,954 in salary, $1 million in stock awards and $1.5 million in executive incentives.
Chairman of the board John Tyson had total compensation of $10.4 million in 2017, which included $937,587 in base salary, $4 million in stock awards and $3 million in options and executive incentives. John Tyson’s compensation in 2016 was $9.6 million, which included $928,818 in salary, $3 million in stock awards and $3.6 million in options and executive incentives.
Other executives and their compensation:
- Dennis Leatherby, who is retiring as CFO on Feb. 18: total compensation of $3.9 million, down from $4.3 million in 2016. Includes base salary of $696,470, up from $660,390 in 2015.
- Mary Oleksiuk, executive vice president and chief human resources officer: total compensation of $5.1 million, which included $583,803 in base salary and $2.9 million in stock awards. Oleksiuk joined Tyson in 2014 and her previous years’ compensations were not reported.
- Noel White, president of fresh meats and poultry: total compensation of $5.9 million, down from $6 million in 2016. Includes base salary of $835,786, up from $777,716 in 2016.
- Donnie Smith, former CEO and now consultant: total compensation of $5 million, down from $11.7 million in 2016. Smith signed a three-year, non-compete consulting agreement when he stepped down and he receives base salary with benefits.
Tyson Foods scheduled its annual shareholders meeting for 10 a.m. Feb 8 at its original downtown headquarters at 319 E. Emma Ave.
Shareholders will vote to elect the company’s 11-person board of directors, to ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company’s independent accounting firm and to vote on shareholders’ proposal regarding lobbying disclosure and a policy to reduce wastewater contamination at company and supplier facilities.
The company’s board of directors oppose both proposals.
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