Executive Compensation at Wounded Warriors (2019)

The Wounded Warrior Project is one of the most well-known non-profit charitable organizations focused on rebuilding the lives of wounded veterans. Established in 2003, the Wounded Warrior Project (Wounded Warrior) is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida with about 766 employees. A 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, their mission is to “honor and empower wounded warriors.”

Key factors to know about Wounded Warrior include:

• In 2019, Wounded Warrior reported $282 million in total revenue, most of which came from contributions, gifts, and grants.
• Expenses totaled $281 million (not including depreciation) in 2019, with 70% of revenue spent on compensation, direct response mail, television, and on-line expenses, grants, and program/other provider services.
• Wounded Warrior had net assets of $308 million at year-end 2018.

766 employees were compensated $70 million in 2018, which equates to an average compensation of $91,400.  72 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 15 most highly compensated listed below:

• $346,668:  Jennifer M Silva, Chief Program Officer
• $330,719:  Eric S Miller, CFO
• $320,864:  Gary A Corless, Chief Development Officer
• $318,469:  Rene Bardoff, SVP Gov’t and Community Relations (thru 6/19)
• $313,012:  Michael S Linnington, CEO
• $293,399:  Christopher Toner, Chief of Staff
• $274,205:  John T Hamre, III, VP Direct Response
• $264,590:  Michael C Richardson, VP Independence and Mental Health
• $246,103:  Brea Kratzern, VP Development
• $243,797:  Scott Coster, VP Information Technology
• $241,595:  Craig Carroll, VP Finance and Accounting
• $239,148:  Angela Strohl, VP Human Resources
• $236,256:  Tracy Farrell, VP Engagement and Physical Health
• $232,620:  Ayla M Tezel, VP Communications
• $156,629:  Dawn M Boland, Secretary and General Counsel

The 15 most highly compensated employees received $4 million in compensation. Controlling for these employees and their respective compensations, means the other 751 employees were compensated $66 million, which equates to an average compensation of $87,900.

8 of the 15 most highly compensated employees are male while 7 are female. The most highly compensated employee is a female, the Chief Program Officer, Jennifer M Silva.  However, it is important to point out the bonus for the CEO was not paid in the 2018 calendar year but will be reflected in the next year’s Form 990 (2019 for the year ending September 30, 2020).

Amberlie Allred, former Secretary (thru 6/18)  received $159,875 in compensation.

82 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five highest reported to be:

• $16,075,315:  Neuro Community Care of Wake Forest, NC for the Independence Program
• $ 3,880,345:  Creative Direct Response, Inc. of Bowie, MD for direct response (fundraising)
• $ 2,785,602:  Appirio, Inc. of Indianapolis, IN for IT
• $ 2,690,275:  Bis Global of Deerwood, MD for direct response (fundraising)
• $ 2,666,581:  Neuro-Rehab Management, Inc. of Woburn, MA for Independence Program

To read the IRS Form 990 (2018 for the year ending September 30, 2019), click here.