Robert D. Lawler, known as Doug, led Chesapeake Energy Corporation from June 2013 until April 2021. He came to Chesapeake with a solid background, having worked for over 25 years at Anadarko Petroleum and Kerr-McGee. Doug held important roles, including...

Robert D. Lawler, known as Doug, led Chesapeake Energy Corporation from June 2013 until April 2021. He came to Chesapeake with a solid background, having worked for over 25 years at Anadarko Petroleum and Kerr-McGee. Doug held important roles, including Senior Vice President for International and Deepwater Operations, where he handled complex projects across different regions. During his time at Chesapeake, he saw his compensation vary widely. In 2018, for instance, he earned a notable $22.7 million due to a mix of salary, bonuses, and stock awards. However, by 2021, after being terminated, his final compensation dropped to about $7.9 million, mostly from a severance package. What's intriguing is the journey of his wealth tied to company stock. At one point, he held around 356,465 shares of Chesapeake, which, although not a large percentage, represented a significant part of his overall financial picture. Doug's employment agreement came with various perks aimed at aligning his interests with company performance. This included bonuses based on hitting targets and immediate vesting of certain stocks in specific situations. However, it all came to a sudden end when he was let go in 2021, illustrating the rollercoaster ride of being a CEO in the energy sector.