This week a study was reported on compensation analysis firm Equilar, Inc., which looked at CEO compensation increases in public companies with at least $1 billion in revenue. They found that CEOs, on average, enjoyed a leap in compensation of 16% between 2011 and 2012, as reported in public proxy disclosures. An even more interesting factoid was that the CEOs' median 2012 pay package came in at $15.1 million. With all the hub-bub that shareholders are making with corporate boards, one would think that growth in these extraordinary packages would be somewhat tempered year-over-year, especially when the average financial performance of these same companies was only a meager 3% higher than the percentage of pay increase. There were a couple of standout pay packages, but one of the best was Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer who topped out at $31.6 million as the highest-paid woman. I understand that she has made some great moves over her short tenure with the company, but come on, Yahoo remains on the ropes, and a real turnaround is not around the corner. My problem is that companies continue to pay for short-term results instead of rewarding CEOs for investing in innovation and research, or longer-term strategies with pay that is aligned with results.

Tony LoPinto

ROSS STORES, INC.
Director, Real Estate
(PLEASANTON, CA) Duties include directing the analysis, selection, negotiation, administration and coordination of Ross' new store real estate program, and/or the relocation, replacement, expansion and surplus store programs. Specific duties include negotiating the business points for sites approved by the company as well as lease renewals, store expansions, modifications and surplus store space available for sublease; training real estate manager and staff and improving negotiation skills; and traveling to required market areas to visually inspect and evaluate proposed sites, existing stores and competitors within the trade area.