William D. Watkins is a significant figure in the tech industry, known for his time as the CEO of Seagate Technology from 2004 until early 2009. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at...

William D. Watkins is a significant figure in the tech industry, known for his time as the CEO of Seagate Technology from 2004 until early 2009. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, showcasing a solid technical background. During his leadership, he faced many challenges but also had impressive achievements, such as receiving a total compensation of over $3 million in 2007, including a remarkable bonus of $3 million, reflecting his impact on the company's performance. Interestingly, during his tenure, he departed from Seagate amid major restructuring efforts, which included a $5 million severance package. His experience in engineering and strategic roles helped shape key innovations at Seagate, positioning the company as a leader in data storage solutions. Despite stepping down, his influence on the company's direction remained significant, marking a crucial period in Seagate's history.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Seagate Technology Holdings PLC CEOs

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William D. Watkins

Ex-CEO of Seagate Technology Holdings PLC

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Field of Expertise

Technology & Engineering - Engineering

Sector of Economy

Technology

Born

December 1, 1952 - 72 years ago

CEO of Seagate Technology Holdings PLC for

4 years 6 months (Jul 2004 - Jan 2009)

Previous Experience

Various executive roles at Seagate since 1996.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of William D. Watkins

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David Goeckeler

CEO of Western Digital

2023 Compensation

Stock

$800.00K

Salary

$1.00M

Bonus

$500.00K

Other

$300.00K

Total Holdings

$80.06M

Holdings

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

Throughout his time at Seagate Technology, William D. Watkins held various stock options contributing to his wealth. In 2004, he reported a substantial stock holding with 584,232 unexercised options valued at approximately $6.95 million. Over the years, the value of...

Throughout his time at Seagate Technology, William D. Watkins held various stock options contributing to his wealth. In 2004, he reported a substantial stock holding with 584,232 unexercised options valued at approximately $6.95 million. Over the years, the value of his holdings fluctuated as the company's stock value changed. Most notably, just before his departure in 2009, his options reflected a significant financial stake in Seagate's future, highlighting the risks and rewards associated with leadership in a tech company during volatile market conditions. Watkins' stakes demonstrated both confidence in his strategic vision for the company and an invested interest in its success, but following his exit, those holdings' dynamics shifted as he transitioned out of the executive role and into consultancy, allowing for cashing out in a different manner.

Total Stock Sold

$54.25M

STX

$54.25M

541,785 STX shares

What if they kept their stock?

If William D. Watkins didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra STX541,785 shares worth $29.28M.
This is -46.02% and $24.97M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of William D. Watkins.

STX

$8.15M

STX at $101.83/share

Mar 3, 2025

Sale

STX

$7.55M

STX at $94.36/share

Feb 3, 2025

Sale

STX

$6.94M

STX at $86.76/share

Jan 2, 2025

Sale

STX

$8.23M

STX at $102.94/share

Dec 2, 2024

Sale

STX

$8.01M

STX at $100.11/share

Nov 1, 2024

Sale

STX

$15.62M

STX at $110.18/share

Sep 26, 2024

Sale

Compensation History

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

Watkins' compensation package over the years at Seagate Technology illustrates the ups and downs of executive pay. In his peak year, 2007, he earned a substantial $3.4 million, mainly driven by a hefty bonus that rewarded him for exceeding performance metrics. However, 2008 was notably different; due to unmet performance goals, his compensation dropped significantly, showcasing how closely tied executive pay is to company performance. In 2009, following his resignation, Watkins secured an exit package totaling about $5 million, composed of senior severance benefits reflecting the board's recognition of his past contributions and challenges faced. This package, coupled with his earlier achievements, reflects the complex nature of executive compensation in large corporations.

Year

2009

Total Compensation

$2.55M

Salary

$800.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy is designed to align executive pay with company performance, ensuring that compensation is competitive with industry peers and supports retention of key talent.

Bonus

$200.00K

Board Justification

The bonus is based on performance metrics including revenue growth and profitability targets for the fiscal year 2009.

Other

$50.00K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes contributions to retirement plans and insurance premiums paid by the company.

Restricted Stock

$1.50M(100K RSU)

Board Justification

The vested stock represents shares that were granted in previous years and became fully vested in 2009.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics for the CEO's compensation included revenue targets, profit margins, and overall company performance relative to industry benchmarks.

Other Seagate Technology Holdings PLC CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Seagate Technology Holdings PLC

Stephen J. Luczo

Ex-CEO of Seagate Technology Holdings PLC

January 2009 - October 2017