John West, who earned a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from Stanford University, was the CEO of Personalis, Inc. from 2019 until he stepped down in 2022. With a strong background in biotechnology, he co-founded the company and led it through...

John West, who earned a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from Stanford University, was the CEO of Personalis, Inc. from 2019 until he stepped down in 2022. With a strong background in biotechnology, he co-founded the company and led it through significant growth phases. During his tenure, he was known for his deep understanding of DNA sequencing and its application in personalized medicine. His compensation reflected his strategic role, with total earnings peaking at around $590,000 in 2021, including a performance bonus linked to company goals like revenue targets. Notably, John engaged in substantial insider trading before his retirement, peaking at an impressive $20.78 million in January 2021. Even after stepping down, he remained a key advisor, leveraging his extensive experience in the field. John's departure marked the end of a significant chapter for Personalis, as he was instrumental in shaping its direction and success in the biotech industry.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Personalis, Inc. CEOs

P

John West

Founder and Ex-CEO of Personalis, Inc.

Education

Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from Stanford University

Field of Expertise

Healthcare & Life Sciences - Biotechnology

Sector of Economy

Healthcare

Born

January 1, 1967 - 58 years ago

CEO of Personalis, Inc. for

3 years 3 months (Sep 2019 - Dec 2022)

Previous Experience

Co-founder of Personalis, Inc. and various executive roles in biotechnology

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of John West

Holdings

See how much did John West make over time.

John West held a significant equity stake in Personalis, which saw fluctuations in value over time. His holdings peaked at around $20.78 million in January 2021, showcasing his confidence in the company during a robust growth period. However, his wealth...

John West held a significant equity stake in Personalis, which saw fluctuations in value over time. His holdings peaked at around $20.78 million in January 2021, showcasing his confidence in the company during a robust growth period. However, his wealth tied to stock holdings varied as he sold portions throughout his tenure. As of his retirement date in December 2022, his position in Personalis and other financial instruments reflected his deep involvement and belief in the biotech sector's potential. Between 2019 and 2022, his transactions indicated a strategic approach, balancing his personal financial interests with his vision for company growth.

Mar 18, 2025

P

shares

PSNL @ $3.59

Total Stock Sold

$13.63M

PSNL

$13.63M

799,173 PSNL shares

What if they kept their stock?

If John West didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra PSNL799,173 shares worth $9.92M.
This is -27.23% and $3.71M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of John West.

PSNL

230,000 shares

PSNL

Aug 15, 2022

Received

PSNL

$11.70K

PSNL at $4.86/share

May 16, 2022

Sale

PSNL

64,430 shares

PSNL

Apr 13, 2022

Sale

PSNL

$100.00K

PSNL at $1.84/share

Mar 17, 2022

Received

PSNL

$164.44K

PSNL at $1.84/share

Mar 14, 2022

Received

PSNL

$80.56K

PSNL at $1.84/share

Mar 10, 2022

Received

PSNL

$1.14M

PSNL at $11.37/share

Jan 18, 2022

Sale

PSNL

$34.97K

PSNL at $12.80/share

Dec 17, 2021

Sale

PSNL

$1.31M

PSNL at $13.42/share

Dec 16, 2021

Sale

PSNL

$1.37M

PSNL at $13.65/share

Nov 30, 2021

Sale

Compensation History

See how much did John West make over time.

In 2022, John West's total compensation as CEO of Personalis reached $575,000, composed of a $400,000 salary, a performance-based bonus of $50,000, and $150,000 in vested stock value. This structure was aligned with a compensation philosophy designed to attract top talent while encouraging performance that aligned with corporate goals. In previous years, such as 2021, his earnings were even higher at around $590,000, thanks to steeper bonuses tied to company performance metrics like operational efficiency and revenue growth. His salary remained steady while the bonus fluctuated based on the company's success, showing his skin in the game approach.

Year

2022

Total Compensation

$625.00K

Salary

$400.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy aligns with company performance and is designed to attract and retain top talent while ensuring that compensation is competitive with peer companies.

Bonus

$50.00K

Board Justification

The bonus is based on the achievement of specific performance metrics set at the beginning of the year, which include revenue targets and operational milestones.

Other

$25.00K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes health benefits, retirement contributions, and other perquisites.

Restricted Stock

$150.00K(10K RSU)

Board Justification

The vested stock consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) that were granted in previous years and vested in 2022.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include revenue growth, operational efficiency, and achievement of strategic goals.

Other Personalis, Inc. CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Personalis, Inc.

Christopher Hall

CEO of Personalis, Inc.

March 2023 - Present