Ellen R. Gordon is the CEO and Chairwoman of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., a role she stepped into after her husband's passing in January 2015. With her long history at the company, having joined in 1969, she has deep insights...

Ellen R. Gordon is the CEO and Chairwoman of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., a role she stepped into after her husband's passing in January 2015. With her long history at the company, having joined in 1969, she has deep insights into its operations and the candy industry. Ellen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Michigan. Her leadership is backed by a significant personal investment in the company, owning 12.7 million shares of common stock and 14 million Class B shares, highlighting her commitment to Tootsie Roll's success. In 2023, her compensation totaled about $7.3 million, coming mainly from her salary and a large bonus linked to the company's financial performance. The bonus system is designed to reward her contributions and the company's growth, which defines her approach to leadership. Ellen stays actively involved in the company’s strategic direction and has made it clear she has no plans to retire anytime soon, providing stability and continuity in the executive management of Tootsie Roll.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Tootsie Roll Industries CEOs

T

Ellen R. Gordon

CEO of Tootsie Roll Industries

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Michigan

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Consumer Defensive

Born

January 1, 1958 - 67 years ago

CEO of Tootsie Roll Industries for

10 years 4 months (Jan 2015 - Present)

Previous Experience

Director and President of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Ellen R. Gordon

Holdings

See how much did Ellen R. Gordon make over time.

Ellen R. Gordon has major holdings in Tootsie Roll Industries, owning approximately 12.7 million shares of common stock and 14 million Class B shares. That amounts to about 32.3% of the common stock and 49.1% of the Class B stock....

Ellen R. Gordon has major holdings in Tootsie Roll Industries, owning approximately 12.7 million shares of common stock and 14 million Class B shares. That amounts to about 32.3% of the common stock and 49.1% of the Class B stock. Her investments reflect a significant personal financial commitment to the company’s future. Over the years, she has consistently maintained substantial equity in Tootsie Roll, which is more than just a job for her; it’s a part of her identity. While her wealth in the company has remained substantial, the value of these holdings fluctuates with the company’s performance in the market, reinforcing her incentive to steer Tootsie Roll toward sustained growth and profitability.

Mar 17, 2025

T

shares

TR @ $31.63

Total Stock Sold

$1.63M

TR

$1.63M

54,955.65 TR shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Ellen R. Gordon didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra TR54,955.65 shares worth $1.68M.
This is 2.99% and $48.86K more than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

TR

144,200 shares

TR

Recent Charitable Transactions

TR

20,000 shares

TR

Jul 28, 2023

Charity

TR

120,000 shares

TR

Dec 31, 2022

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Ellen R. Gordon.

TR

20,000 shares

TR

Jul 28, 2023

Charity

TR

120,000 shares

TR

Dec 31, 2022

Charity

TR

$2.05M

TR at $38.45/share

Dec 6, 2016

Purchase

TR

$2.05M

TR at $38.45/share

Dec 6, 2016

Sale

Compensation History

See how much did Ellen R. Gordon make over time.

In 2023, Ellen R. Gordon's total compensation reached about $7.3 million. This amount includes a salary of $999,000 and a sizeable bonus of around $4.16 million. The bonus reflects her role in driving the company’s financial results and is part of a Management Incentive Plan aimed at performance metrics like net earnings and sales growth. Ellen did not receive stock options or equity grants this year, which is standard for someone in her position due to her significant ownership stake. Her compensation clearly aligns with the company's success, incentivizing her to push for better results year after year. This structure highlights her commitment not just to the company's past, but to its future as well.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$7.29M

Salary

$999.00K

Board Justification

The compensation program aims to attract, retain, and motivate executives to achieve the company's long-term objectives while maintaining a conservative financial posture.

Bonus

$4.16M

Board Justification

The bonus is earned under the Management Incentive Plan (MIP) based on the company's financial performance and individual contributions.

Other

$2.13M

Board Justification

Includes contributions to retirement plans, use of company apartment, and aircraft travel expenses.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 N/A)

Board Justification

No stock grants or options were vested in 2023 as the CEO does not receive equity compensation due to her significant equity stake in the Company.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for determining compensation include net earnings, earnings per share, sales growth, and operational improvements.

Other Tootsie Roll Industries CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Tootsie Roll Industries

Melvin J. Gordon

Ex-CEO of Tootsie Roll Industries

January 2003 - January 2015