April 24, 2007
SEC Chairman Christopher Cox
Dear [ SEC Commissioners ],
I am writing to urge the Securities and Exchange Commission to act on its proposed rule making on executive compensation disclosure. Too often executives are richly rewarded even when their companies' performance is below par. Without better disclosure, shareholders, employees and the general public cannot evaluate whether executive pay packages are unjustly enriching executives at shareholder cost or providing fair compensation.
The newly proposed rules will make this crucial information more accessible to shareholders and the public. The new requirements to disclose total compensation figures, pensions and detailed compensation breakdowns will make it clear exactly how much top executives are earning and why.
I believe that CEO pay should be set by independent directors. Under the proposed rule, a director could secretly do $120,000 in business with a company, an amount that is more than four times the average worker's annual pay of $27,460. Shareholders should be told if directors have potential conflicts of interest, no matter what the amount.
I also urge the SEC to require that companies disclose pay-for-performance data. In order for investors to understand how pay and performance match up, companies need to explain more clearly what level of performance is necessary for a particular level of pay. I urge the SEC to require companies to disclose both the performance criteria and the performance targets they use when setting executive pay.
I also urge simultaneous disclosure of worker compensation and compensation increases compared to directors compensation and increases. And, the number and value of jobs outsourced to other countries. This will allow shareholders and the public to track company intent and impact not just on values of shares but on how the vast middle class is maintained or destroyed.
I would appreciate hearing your response.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Carroll Boone