Gregory J. Yurek, born in 1948, is a notable figure in the field of materials science, having earned his Ph.D. from MIT. He co-founded American Superconductor in 1987 and served as CEO from 1989 until his retirement in 2011. Under...

Gregory J. Yurek, born in 1948, is a notable figure in the field of materials science, having earned his Ph.D. from MIT. He co-founded American Superconductor in 1987 and served as CEO from 1989 until his retirement in 2011. Under his leadership, the company became a leader in high-temperature superconductor technology, which is crucial for modern energy solutions. Dr. Yurek's background includes teaching at MIT for 12 years before venturing into the private sector. His strategic vision helped shape the company's direction in developing innovative products like fault current limiters and superconducting cables, which are essential in energy systems. Interestingly, during his time at the helm, his compensation included significant stock vestings, with nearly $1 million reported in some years. Dr. Yurek's journey reflects a strong commitment to technology and sustainability in energy, positioning the company favorably amidst intense competition from larger firms. Even after stepping down, he continued to play a role as a senior advisor for two years, showcasing his ongoing influence in the industry.

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1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other American Superconductor CEOs

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Gregory J. Yurek

Founder and Ex-CEO of American Superconductor

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Field of Expertise

Technology & Engineering - Engineering

Sector of Economy

Industrials

Born

January 1, 1948 - 77 years ago

CEO of American Superconductor for

24 years 5 months (Jan 1987 - Jun 2011)

Previous Experience

Founder of American Superconductor

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Gregory J. Yurek

Holdings

See how much did Gregory J. Yurek make over time.

Throughout his career, Gregory J. Yurek had substantial holdings in American Superconductor stock. At its peak, he had over 750,000 shares from various stock option grants. His wealth fluctuated alongside the company’s performance, with notable stock value reaching approximately $1...

Throughout his career, Gregory J. Yurek had substantial holdings in American Superconductor stock. At its peak, he had over 750,000 shares from various stock option grants. His wealth fluctuated alongside the company’s performance, with notable stock value reaching approximately $1 million in a single year. After his retirement in 2011, he transitioned to an advisory role for two years, during which he maintained some of these holdings while forgoing new stock grants. Interestingly, prior to his retirement, he had cash severance benefits totaling around $2 million, reflecting his long-standing commitment to the company's growth and his significant impact on its trajectory. Since then, the value of his remaining stocks continued to change with market trends, reflecting the dynamic nature of the technology sector.

Charitable Transactions

AMSC

110 shares

AMSC

Recent Charitable Transactions

AMSC

500 shares

AMSC

Mar 31, 2011

Charity

AMSC

3,000 shares

AMSC

Mar 31, 2010

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Gregory J. Yurek.

AMSC

500 shares

AMSC

Mar 31, 2011

Charity

AMSC

3,000 shares

AMSC

Mar 31, 2010

Charity

Compensation History

See how much did Gregory J. Yurek make over time.

In 2011, Gregory J. Yurek's total compensation was about $931,233, mainly from a cash severance package as he transitioned to retirement. His salary that year was significantly lower than in previous years, where he earned upwards of $600,000 annually before 2011. A large part of his compensation came from vested stocks, which contributed nearly $700,000 to his total that year. Dr. Yurek’s compensation was shaped by performance metrics related to the company's financials and operating efficiency. Although he didn't receive bonuses in his final years as CEO, he once earned bonuses that reached up to 156% of his target based on company performance metrics. His compensation strategy aligned with the company's goals, incentivizing growth and shareholder value while ensuring retention of top executive talent.

Year

2011

Total Compensation

$1.63M

Salary

$99.23K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy aims to attract and retain superior employees while maximizing stockholder value, with a significant portion of pay tied to performance.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

Dr. Yurek was not a participant in the fiscal 2011 executive incentive plan and was not eligible to receive a performance-based cash bonus payment with respect to fiscal 2011.

Other

$832.00K

Board Justification

This includes severance payments and benefits received by Dr. Yurek in fiscal 2011, consisting of cash and continued health care benefits.

Restricted Stock

$696.65K(61K Restricted Stock)

Board Justification

The shares of restricted stock that vested during fiscal 2011, which were granted prior to the fiscal year.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for fiscal 2011 included Non-GAAP Net Loss, operating loss, operating expense, and individual contributions to financial and non-financial objectives.

Other American Superconductor CEOs

Here are other CEOs of American Superconductor

Daniel P. McGahn

CEO of American Superconductor

June 2011 - Present