Robert J. Keller is the former CEO of Acco Brands Corporation, where he served from 2008 to 2013. With a strong background in management, Keller has extensive experience leading companies in the industry. During his tenure at Acco, he faced...

Robert J. Keller is the former CEO of Acco Brands Corporation, where he served from 2008 to 2013. With a strong background in management, Keller has extensive experience leading companies in the industry. During his tenure at Acco, he faced diverse challenges and managed performance metrics that tied his compensation closely to the company’s operational success. In 2013, his total compensation was around $2.56 million, primarily driven by vested stock and stock options. Interestingly, while he was at Acco, Keller had a notable focus on performance-based incentives, which were aligned with shareholder interests. Before Acco, he also worked at Escalade, showing his capability to lead in various business environments. He navigated ups and downs in compensation based on the company’s results, illustrating a clear link between performance and rewards. Born in October 1954, Keller’s journey reflects a career dedicated to improving organizational outcomes and meeting set goals in competitive landscapes.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Acco Brands CEOs

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Robert J. Keller

Ex-CEO of Acco Brands

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Industrials

Born

October 1, 1954 - 70 years ago

CEO of Acco Brands for

4 years 5 months (Oct 2008 - Mar 2013)

Previous Experience

President and Chief Executive Officer of APAC Customer Services, Inc.; various capacities at Office Depot, Inc.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Robert J. Keller

Holdings

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

Robert J. Keller’s holdings in Acco Brands have seen significant fluctuations during his time as CEO. At the peak of his wealth in stock options, he held around 140,783 options at an exercise price of $7.64 per share. Although the...

Robert J. Keller’s holdings in Acco Brands have seen significant fluctuations during his time as CEO. At the peak of his wealth in stock options, he held around 140,783 options at an exercise price of $7.64 per share. Although the total value shifted with stock performance, he ended his tenure in 2013 with substantial vested options and stock units worth over $2.5 million. Over the years, Keller attested to the changing valuations and performance metrics that were closely related to his rewards, reflecting ongoing adjustments to his wealth based on company growth and market conditions. His strategies and decisions during his executive years seem to echo the classic principle: success in companies can often lead to personal financial gain, depending on how well targets are met.

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Total Stock Sold

$8.12M

ACCO

$8.12M

977,104 ACCO shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Robert J. Keller didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra ACCO977,104 shares worth $7.41M.
This is -8.75% and $709.87K less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Robert J. Keller.

ACCO

$1.11M

ACCO at $9.14/share

Oct 31, 2019

Sale

ACCO

$781.21K

ACCO at $13.46/share

Feb 21, 2018

Sale

ACCO

129,332 shares

ACCO

Mar 1, 2016

Received

ACCO

$4.17M

ACCO at $8.11/share

Jul 29, 2015

Sale

ACCO

$1.27M

ACCO at $7.98/share

Apr 30, 2015

Sale

ACCO

$71.00K

ACCO at $6.25/share

Dec 20, 2013

Sale

ACCO

$68.30K

ACCO at $6.01/share

Dec 6, 2013

Sale

Compensation History

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

Robert J. Keller’s compensation package over the years highlights the link between his performance and the company’s results. In 2013, his salary was set at $587,500, but he did not receive any bonuses due to performance measures not being met. His total compensation that year was about $2.56 million, including vested stock worth around $516,506 and a sizable number of stock options that vested during his leadership. Throughout his time, Keller's compensation fluctuated; in 2011, it peaked at approximately $6.95 million due to performance-based incentives and stock grants, but other years showed lesser amounts when targets weren't reached. The performance metrics for his incentive plan were based on adjusted operating income and net sales, emphasizing the commitment to align executive pay with company achievements. This philosophy of performance-based compensation is not just a trend; it reflects a genuine business insight into aligning interests with company growth.

Year

2013

Total Compensation

$1.15M

Salary

$587.50K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy aims to align executive interests with stockholder returns, emphasizing performance-based incentives.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No discretionary cash bonuses awarded in 2013.

Other

$41.32K

Board Justification

Includes contributions to defined contribution plans and other perquisites.

Restricted Stock

$516.51K(76.86K PSUs)

Board Justification

Value of Performance Stock Units that vested based on performance measures established for the 2011-2013 performance cycle.

Performance Metrics

Compensation based on financial performance measures including adjusted operating income, net sales, and working capital efficiency.

Other Acco Brands CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Acco Brands

Boris Elisman

Ex-CEO of Acco Brands

March 2013 - October 2023