David W. Kemper has been a significant presence at Commerce Bancshares since he started there in 1991. He's known for his strong background in finance, backed by a Harvard College degree. After nearly three decades as CEO, he stepped down...
David W. Kemper has been a significant presence at Commerce Bancshares since he started there in 1991. He's known for his strong background in finance, backed by a Harvard College degree. After nearly three decades as CEO, he stepped down from that role in 2018, but he's still active as the Executive Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership, the company grew substantially, with his compensation peaking significantly during his final years as CEO, with a total of $4.1 million reported in 2017. David's family ties are strong in the company; his son, John W. Kemper, now leads as CEO. Interestingly, in 2019, he was involved in more than $100 million worth of insider trading transactions, showing a strong confidence in the company's stock. David has consistently aligned his interests with the long-term goals of shareholders, which is at the heart of his compensation philosophy.