Executive Compensation at the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society (ACS) was established in 1922 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, although there are 11 geographic divisions. As one of the most recognized non-profits in the country, generating more than $800 million a year and with $1.1 billion (!) in net fund assets, the ACS focuses on making research grants (about $170 million annually or 20% of revenue), providing patient support, prevention programs and education along with disseminating information.

To accomplish the above, ACS reported having 6,679 employees in 2016 at a total compensation cost of $455 million (which equates to an average of $68,000 each). 368 individuals received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 12 most highly compensated individuals listed below:

• $2,343,992:  Gregory P Bontrager, COO (former)
• $   975,927:  Joseph C Cahoon, Senior EVP, Field, Outgoing
• $   797,329:  Otis W Brawley, Chief Science Officer
• $   752,379:  Gary Reedy, CEO (plus $68,398 from a related organization)
• $   706,452:  Richard C Wender, Chief Cancer Control Officer
• $  625,270:  Lisa E Roth, SVP, Production and Program Management, Outgoing
• $  599,474:  Catherine E Mickle, CFO (plus $76,296 from a related organization)
• $  578,022:  David C Veneziano, EVP, California Division, Outgoing
• $  537,138:  Susan G Herrington, EVP, Ent Gov and Corp Services
• $  526,906:  Nancy C Yaw, EVP, Lakeshore Division, Outgoing
• $  499,682:  Sharon Byers, Chief Development and Marketing Officer
• $  452,288:  Jung H Kim, EVP, Eastern Division

Six of the above executives are men and six are women. Of the top 5 most highly compensated individuals, all are men. Of the 5 at the bottom of the list, four are women and one is a man.

The Form 990 (2016) reports the following information:

Gregory P Bontrager had other reportable compensation of $1,679,126 (included above) that included a severance payment of $545,000 which was reported as deferred compensation on the organization’s 2015, Schedule J and the final change in the actuarial value of the supplemental employee retirement benefits of $1,134,126, which include the accumulated interest on the benefit.  Bontrager retired from ACS in 2015.  Deferred compensation of $664,866 is the final charge of the qualified retirement benefits.

Lisa E Roth had other reportable compensation of $274,793 (included above) that includes a severance payment of $248,884.

6 individuals participated in a SERP:

• Catherine E Mickle:  $11,531
• Otis W Brawley:  $22,040
• Joseph C Cahoon:  $49,561
• David F Veneziano:  $21,425
• Jung H Kim:  $27,883
• Lisa E Roth:  $24,128

To read the IRS Form 990 (2016), click here.