Publications
Publications
- January 2010 (Revised April 2013)
- HBS Case Collection
Aubrey McClendon's Special Incentive Compensation at Chesapeake Energy (A)
By: Paul Healy, Clayton S. Rose and Aldo Sesia
Abstract
Aubrey McClendon, founder and CEO of Chesapeake Energy, was, according to Fortune Magazine, the highest paid U.S. CEO in 2008 receiving over $100 million in total compensation. McClendon received this compensation despite a significant drop in the company's stock price and financial performance during the year. The (A) case addresses the specifics of the compensation and the rationale for the compensation from the perspective of Chesapeake's board and its compensation committee including McClendon's role in consummating several joint ventures, which the board and committee believed positioned the company for future growth in the relatively young industry of unconventional natural gas exploration and extraction. In addition, the (A) case describes the role of the compensation committee and the company's executive performance measurement factors.
Keywords
Financial Statements; Financial Reporting; Price; Stock Options; Valuation; Joint Ventures; Business Growth and Maturation; Economic Growth; Growth and Development Strategy; Change Management; Energy Industry; United States
Citation
Healy, Paul, Clayton S. Rose, and Aldo Sesia. "Aubrey McClendon's Special Incentive Compensation at Chesapeake Energy (A)." Harvard Business School Case 110-047, January 2010. (Revised April 2013.)