Robert J. Gillette has been at the helm of First Solar since he became CEO in 2009. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University, which laid the groundwork for his expertise in finance. Before joining First...

Robert J. Gillette has been at the helm of First Solar since he became CEO in 2009. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University, which laid the groundwork for his expertise in finance. Before joining First Solar, he was the CEO of Honeywell Aerospace, leading a huge organization that generated over $12 billion in sales. Gillette’s leadership style is grounded in aligning executive compensation with company performance, which is evident in his compensation structure that includes bonuses linked to success metrics like revenue growth. This structure reflects his belief in driving results. His tenure at First Solar has seen notable achievements, including robust financial results and strategic growth initiatives in the solar industry. Interestingly, in 2023, his insider trades reached as high as $13 million on some months, suggesting a strong personal investment in the company's future. Gillette's story shows how leadership coupled with financial acumen can drive success in the rapidly changing world of renewable energy.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other First Solar CEOs

F

Robert J. Gillette

Ex-CEO of First Solar

Education

Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University

Field of Expertise

Finance & Banking - Finance

Sector of Economy

Energy

Born

January 1, 1961 - 64 years ago

CEO of First Solar for

1 year 5 months (Oct 2009 - Mar 2011)

Previous Experience

President and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell Aerospace

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Robert J. Gillette

E

Badri Kothandaraman

CEO of Enphase Energy

2022 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$450.00K

Bonus

$564.67K

Other

$2.11K

Total Holdings

$103.23M

T

Elon Musk

Founder and CEO of Tesla, Inc.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$1.86M

Salary

$0.00

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$0.00

Total Holdings

$92.56B

S

Mary Powell

CEO of Sunrun

2022 Compensation

Stock

$720.02K

Salary

$800.00K

Bonus

$1.29M

Other

$10.68K

Total Holdings

$3.72M

Holdings

See how much did Robert J. Gillette make over time.

Robert J. Gillette's holdings reflect a significant commitment to First Solar, with insider trades varying notably over the years. In 2023, he witnessed several months where his trades exceeded $10 million, peaking at $13.03 million in March. This indicates not...

Robert J. Gillette's holdings reflect a significant commitment to First Solar, with insider trades varying notably over the years. In 2023, he witnessed several months where his trades exceeded $10 million, peaking at $13.03 million in March. This indicates not only his confidence in the company's strategies but also a substantial personal financial investment. At the same time, his previous trades in 2021 saw similar high values, showcasing fluctuations in his stock movements as company performance shifted, which can be typical in a volatile market like solar energy. Investors often look at such trends as indicators of a CEO's belief in the company's stability and growth potential. Overall, his active trading patterns have become a point of interest for market watchers, highlighting the financial stakes he maintains in First Solar's success.

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Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Robert J. Gillette.

SERVw

$49.50M

SERVw at $43.31/share

Aug 2, 2017

Sale

SERVw

$12.52M

SERVw at $36.42/share

Nov 8, 2016

Sale

SERVw

87,500 shares

SERVw

Sep 13, 2014

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Robert J. Gillette make over time.

In 2011, Robert J. Gillette earned a total compensation of about $1.3 million as CEO of First Solar. His salary was $450,000, complemented by a performance-based bonus of $300,000 that rewarded his leadership amid company growth. Gillette also had stock rewards valued at $800,000 that year, which illustrates his incentive to drive First Solar's long-term success. His compensation structure is strategically designed to reflect the company’s performance, establishing a direct link between what he earns and how well the company does. This not only attracts top talent but also keeps the focus on achieving long-term goals and operational efficiency in a competitive market. Such arrangements reflect a modern approach to executive pay, where results matter more than mere titles or years served. Overall, Gillette's pay demonstrates accountability and aligns his interests with that of the company and its stakeholders.

Year

2011

Total Compensation

$1.60M

Salary

$450.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy focuses on aligning executive pay with company performance, using peer benchmarking to ensure competitiveness and retention of key executives.

Bonus

$300.00K

Board Justification

The bonus is based on the company's performance metrics including revenue growth and operational efficiency for the year 2011.

Other

$50.00K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes retirement contributions and health benefits paid out in 2011.

Restricted Stock

$800.00K(20K RSU)

Board Justification

The stock that vested in 2011 was part of a long-term incentive plan that rewards performance over a three-year period, with vesting occurring upon achievement of specified performance targets.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics include revenue targets, operational efficiency, and overall company profitability.

Other First Solar CEOs

Here are other CEOs of First Solar

Michael J. Ahearn

Founder and Ex-CEO of First Solar

December 2006 - September 2009

Mark R. Widmar

CEO of First Solar

April 2011 - Present