William D. Johnson is the former CEO of PG&E Corporation, having served from May 1, 2019, until he stepped down on June 30, 2020. Before his role at PG&E, he spent six years as the President and CEO of the...

William D. Johnson is the former CEO of PG&E Corporation, having served from May 1, 2019, until he stepped down on June 30, 2020. Before his role at PG&E, he spent six years as the President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, showcasing his extensive experience in the utilities sector. Johnson's management was crucial during a turbulent time for PG&E, especially following its bankruptcy filing due to catastrophic wildfires linked to its equipment. Despite a base salary of $2.5 million, he chose not to take bonuses during his last year, signifying a commitment to accountability amid PG&E’s challenges. During 2020, he did not receive stock options or awards, reflecting a strategic shift in executive compensation tied to company performance. Johnson was notable for significant trading in PG&E stock just before he left, which peaked at over $6 million in one month. This positions him uniquely in the narrative of corporate leadership during crises.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other PG&E CEOs

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William D. Johnson

Ex-CEO of PG&E

Education

Not disclosed

Field of Expertise

Energy & Utilities - Utilities

Sector of Economy

Utilities

Born

January 1, 1954 - 71 years ago

CEO of PG&E for

1 year 1 month (May 2019 - Jun 2020)

Previous Experience

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Tennessee Valley Authority

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of William D. Johnson

E

Pedro J. Pizarro

CEO of Edison International

2023 Compensation

Stock

$6.08M

Salary

$1.40M

Bonus

$1.85M

Other

$29.80K

Total Holdings

$11.29M

Holdings

See how much did William D. Johnson make over time.

During his time at PG&E, William D. Johnson was active in insider trading, with notable peaks in stock sales. In April 2024, his trading volume reached approximately $6.22 million, showcasing a substantial portion of his wealth tied to PG&E stocks....

During his time at PG&E, William D. Johnson was active in insider trading, with notable peaks in stock sales. In April 2024, his trading volume reached approximately $6.22 million, showcasing a substantial portion of his wealth tied to PG&E stocks. In prior months, his trades fluctuated, reaching $5.09 million in November 2023 and $4.63 million in August 2023. This indicated a strategic management of his holdings amidst market volatility. Johnson's largest trading activity came during a high-stakes period for PG&E when the company faced massive liabilities and regulatory pressures. His transactions reflect a significant engagement with the stock at a critical time, underscoring the complex interplay between leadership decision-making and market performance.

Mar 18, 2025

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shares

NI @ $38.94

P

shares

PCG @ $17.20

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of William D. Johnson.

PCG

51,411 shares

PCG

Mar 6, 2020

Received

PCG

96,240 shares

PCG

Feb 21, 2020

Received

PCG

31,413 shares

PCG

Sep 10, 2019

Received

Compensation History

See how much did William D. Johnson make over time.

William D. Johnson's total compensation during his tenure at PG&E reached $1,755,742 in 2020. This included a base salary of $1,532,963 and approximately $23,238 in other benefits. Intriguingly, Johnson did not participate in any bonus programs or stock awards in his final year, which highlights the company's focus on performance-driven compensation during critical periods. His compensation was structured to reflect the challenges PG&E faced, particularly after its bankruptcy filing. His previous employment agreement included a transition payment of $3 million upon joining, pointing to the significant expectations tied to his role. The absence of stock or bonus incentives in 2020 was a move to restore trust among stakeholders and align his interests with the company’s recovery efforts.

Year

2020

Total Compensation

$1.56M

Salary

$1.53M

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy aims to attract, retain, and motivate executives while aligning their interests with those of shareholders, focusing on performance-based pay.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No bonus was awarded as Mr. Johnson did not participate in the STIP for 2020.

Other

$23.24K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes perquisites and contributions to retirement plans.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 N/A)

Board Justification

No stock awards were granted to Mr. Johnson in 2020 as he retired on July 1, 2020.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for 2020 included safety, customer satisfaction, and operational performance.

Other PG&E CEOs

Here are other CEOs of PG&E

Geisha J. Williams

Ex-CEO of PG&E

March 2017 - January 2019

Andrew M. Vesey

CEO of PG&E

August 2019 - Present