Chih-Hsiang (Thompson) Lin is the CEO of Applied Optoelectronics, a company he founded back in 1997. He has been a key player in the tech world since its early days, showing his dedication by holding multiple roles over the years,...

Chih-Hsiang (Thompson) Lin is the CEO of Applied Optoelectronics, a company he founded back in 1997. He has been a key player in the tech world since its early days, showing his dedication by holding multiple roles over the years, including chairman of the board since 2014. Lin has a solid background in engineering, holding a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston and degrees from prestigious institutions in Taiwan and Missouri. Under his leadership, Applied Optoelectronics has grown significantly, reflecting his ability to adapt and lead in a constantly changing market. Lin’s substantial total compensation of nearly $6 million in 2023 shows he’s not just about ideas; he’s delivering results. He’s also active in the academic community, having roles at the University of Missouri, which shows his commitment to engineering beyond just business. Interestingly, Lin’s personal investments have seen value fluctuations, with peaks in 2020, indicating he stays actively engaged in the financially dynamic environment he operates in.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

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Chih-Hsiang (Thompson) Lin

Founder and CEO of Applied Optoelectronics

Education

BS in Nuclear Engineering from National Tsing Hua University, MS and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of Missouri-Columbia

Field of Expertise

Technology & Engineering - Engineering

Sector of Economy

Technology

Born

January 1, 1963 - 62 years ago

CEO of Applied Optoelectronics for

28 years 3 months (Feb 1997 - Present)

Previous Experience

Research associate professor and senior research scientist at the University of Houston

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Chih-Hsiang (Thompson) Lin

Holdings

See how much did Chih-Hsiang (Thompson) Lin make over time.

Lin's stock holdings have had notable fluctuations over the years. In 2019, his holdings were valued at around $8 million, which steadily increased to a peak of nearly $10 million by mid-2020. After a few years of varying values, his...

Lin's stock holdings have had notable fluctuations over the years. In 2019, his holdings were valued at around $8 million, which steadily increased to a peak of nearly $10 million by mid-2020. After a few years of varying values, his stocks showed significant growth again in 2023, soaring past $24 million in December. This indicates that while there are ups and downs in the market, Lin's long-term investments tend to reflect a solid understanding of market trends and company performance.

Total Stock Sold

$2.86M

AAOI

$2.86M

170,240 AAOI shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Chih-Hsiang (Thompson) Lin didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra AAOI170,240 shares worth $1.73M.
This is -39.26% and $1.12M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Chih-Hsiang (Thompson) Lin.

AAOI

252,844 shares

AAOI

Jun 13, 2024

Received

AAOI

94,786 shares

AAOI

Apr 29, 2024

Received

AAOI

$149.17K

AAOI at $12.66/share

Mar 18, 2024

Purchase

AAOI

$146.90K

AAOI at $9.79/share

Sep 14, 2023

Purchase

AAOI

$74.17K

AAOI at $12.44/share

Sep 6, 2023

Purchase

AAOI

$247.88K

AAOI at $12.39/share

Aug 17, 2023

Purchase

AAOI

$199.17K

AAOI at $12.60/share

Aug 11, 2023

Purchase

AAOI

355,871 shares

AAOI

Jun 26, 2023

Received

AAOI

$97.77K

AAOI at $2.20/share

Nov 8, 2022

Purchase

AAOI

223,214 shares

AAOI

Jun 27, 2022

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Chih-Hsiang (Thompson) Lin make over time.

In 2023, Thompson Lin's total compensation reached about $6 million, including a salary of nearly $600,000 and a significant performance-based cash bonus. His compensation reflects a strong alignment with the company's goals, rewarding him for hitting key performance targets. Notably, a large part of his compensation package is tied to stock units that vest based on long-term performance, ensuring he has a vested interest in the company's success. This model underscores a commitment to maintaining growth and driving shareholder value. His pay has seen fluctuation; in 2020, it was over $2.8 million, before jumping to over $4.2 million in 2021, indicating the company's changing fortunes and his pivotal role in it.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$1.23M

Salary

$596.75K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy emphasizes pay-for-performance, aligning executive compensation with the achievement of corporate objectives and stockholder value creation.

Bonus

$594.33K

Board Justification

Based on achieving corporate performance metrics established by the compensation committee, resulting in a cash bonus of approximately 115% of the target bonus for 2023.

Other

$41.68K

Board Justification

Includes life insurance premiums and 401(k) matching contributions.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 RSU)

Board Justification

No stock was reported as vested in 2023; however, stock awards were granted that may vest in future periods.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for 2023 included operational milestones related to product development and financial restructuring.