William J. Way serves as the CEO of Southwestern Energy Company, a position he has held since January 2016 after being promoted from President. With over 30 years in the oil and gas industry, Way earned his B.S. in Industrial...

William J. Way serves as the CEO of Southwestern Energy Company, a position he has held since January 2016 after being promoted from President. With over 30 years in the oil and gas industry, Way earned his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from MIT. He has a strong background, having worked with major companies like BG Group and ConocoPhillips before joining Southwestern in 2011. His leadership style emphasizes performance metrics tied to cash flow, operational efficiency, and environmental performance, reflecting a commitment to long-term shareholder value. Under his guidance, Southwestern Energy has navigated challenges in the industry, leveraging his engineering expertise and strategic vision. Notably, in 2021, Way received total compensation of around $7 million, which was heavily tied to company performance. This aligns with his philosophy of managing the company’s assets for sustainability and growth. An interesting aspect of Way's tenure is the noticeable fluctuation in his holdings, particularly substantial increases in his insider trades during 2020 and 2021, indicating his confidence in the company as he navigated its growth trajectories.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Southwestern Energy CEOs

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William J. Way

Ex-CEO of Southwestern Energy

Education

B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University, MBA from MIT

Field of Expertise

Technology & Engineering - Engineering

Sector of Economy

Energy

Born

January 1, 1958 - 67 years ago

CEO of Southwestern Energy for

5 years 6 months (Jan 2016 - Jul 2021)

Previous Experience

President and Chief Operating Officer of Southwestern Energy Company

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of William J. Way

Holdings

See how much did William J. Way make over time.

William J. Way has seen significant fluctuations in his stock holdings. For example, in 2020, he had notable insider trades, peaking in December when his trades totaled around $9 million. His trades have shown a generally increasing trend, indicating strong...

William J. Way has seen significant fluctuations in his stock holdings. For example, in 2020, he had notable insider trades, peaking in December when his trades totaled around $9 million. His trades have shown a generally increasing trend, indicating strong confidence in his company's performance. In 2021, his holdings reached impressive levels, with monthly trades often exceeding $10 million, showcasing his commitment to Southwestern Energy. Throughout his tenure, there have been times when a large part of his wealth was tied to his company's stock, reflecting his belief in the company's future prospects. His trading activities are not just routine but suggest a deep engagement with the company’s strategic direction and market performance.

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Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of William J. Way.

SWN

1,044,654 shares

SWN

Feb 22, 2022

Received

SWN

484,525 shares

SWN

Feb 23, 2021

Received

SWN

$191.00K

SWN at $1.91/share

Aug 9, 2019

Purchase

SWN

$627.31K

SWN at $4.41/share

Feb 25, 2019

Received

SWN

$111.77K

SWN at $3.72/share

Feb 26, 2018

Received

SWN

$821.17K

SWN at $4.34/share

Jan 1, 2017

Received

SWN

58,140 shares

SWN

Jan 26, 2016

Received

SWN

81,320 shares

SWN

Dec 4, 2015

Received

SWN

25,900 shares

SWN

Dec 4, 2014

Received

SWN

20,820 shares

SWN

Dec 5, 2013

Received

Compensation History

See how much did William J. Way make over time.

In 2021, William J. Way’s total compensation was approximately $7 million, which included a base salary of $900,000 and a significant annual cash bonus of $1.65 million based on performance metrics. This compensation structure highlights his focus on aligning executive pay with company success. He also realized around $2.87 million in vested stock, which underscores the importance of equity in his pay package. Over the years, his compensation has varied; for instance, in 2019, it was over $10 million due to a strong performance by the company. This reflects his ability to drive growth and enhances the connection between his earnings and the company's success. Way's compensation strategy is designed to reward long-term performance rather than just short-term achievements, reinforcing a culture of accountability and sustained effort within Southwestern Energy.

Year

2021

Total Compensation

$5.51M

Salary

$900.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy emphasizes long-term shareholder value and includes a significant portion of at-risk compensation tied to performance metrics.

Bonus

$1.65M

Board Justification

Annual cash bonus based on company performance metrics and individual contributions, with a target of 125% of salary.

Other

$93.77K

Board Justification

Includes car allowance, financial planning reimbursements, and life insurance premiums.

Restricted Stock

$2.87M(708.74K RSU)

Board Justification

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) that vested in 2021, with a total value realized of $2,870,397.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include annual cash flow, safety, environmental performance, and operational efficiency.

Other Southwestern Energy CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Southwestern Energy

Steven L. Mueller

Ex-CEO of Southwestern Energy

December 2006 - January 2016

Carl Giesler, Jr.

CEO of Southwestern Energy

July 2021 - Present