Hawley Challenges Boeing CEO Over $32.8 Million Pay, Deems Continued Employment a ‘Travesty
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) confronted Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun about his salary during a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing regarding whistleblower complaints about Boeing. Hawley inquired about Calhoun’s compensation, which Calhoun noted was publicized in proxy documents. After some back and forth, Hawley stated that Calhoun’s salary was $32.8 million this year, marking a 45% increase from the previous year. Calhoun confirmed the figure, and Hawley continued to probe into the justification for his earnings relative to his responsibilities at Boeing.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) grilled Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun about his multi-million dollar salary at the embattled aerospace company on Tuesday.
“What is it that you get paid currently?” Hawley asked Calhoun during a hearing of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations — which has been looking into Boeing whistleblower complaints.
“Senator, that’s well disclosed in our proxy documents in each of the years that I’ve been employed,” Calhoun said.
Exchange between Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Boeing CEO David Calhoun on compensation and transparency.
Hawley: “What is it that you get paid, currently?”
Calhoun: “It’s well disclosed…it’s a big number.”
Hawley: “It’s $32.8 million this year…that’s a 45% increase…” pic.twitter.com/LM21Th5HCs
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“Yeah, but what is it?” Hawley shot back.
“It’s a big number, sir,” Calhoun said.
“Well, let me help you out,” Hawley responded. “It’s $32.8 million this year. Does that sound right?”
After Calhoun responded in the affirmative, Hawley continued, “That’s a 45% increase over last year.”
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Once again, Hawley asked if the number he recited sounded correct, to which Calhoun said that it did.
“What is it you get paid to do exactly?” Hawley pressed.
“I get paid to run the Boeing company,” Calhoun answered.
“Yeah,” Hawley said. “So just help me understand that. I mean, do you get paid for transparency? If that part of — is that one of the metrics for your income?”
Calhoun explained, “I think the board counts on me for transparency.”
The comment prompted a stern retort in which Hawley listed a number of investigations that Boeing has faced.
“This is all in your tenure. This doesn’t sound like a lot of transparency to me,” Hawley said.
As Boeing has been inundated with controversies, including a door plug incident and plane crashes, Hawley also pressed Calhoun on safety and quality control.
The senator accused Calhoun of trying to “squeeze” profit out of the company while “cutting corners” and endangering lives.
“Senator, I don’t recognize any of the Boeing you described,” Calhoun insisted.
Hawley asked Calhoun why he has not resigned, to which the executive declared he is “sticking this through” and is “proud” of Boeing’s work — including its safety record.
“Wow. There’s some news for you,” Hawley quipped.
“I think the American public, when they fear to get on their airplanes, they understand your safety record,” he added.
“And frankly, sir, I think it’s a travesty that you’re still in your job,” Hawley said.
Also during the hearing, Calhoun made headlines for apologizing to plane crash victims and conceding a “far from perfect” culture at Boeing.
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