Executive Compensation at the Cruise Lines International Association
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is a Washington, DC-based tax-exempt, non-profit 50 (c) 6 (a trade association) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association with a worldwide reach to promote the interests of the cruise industry.
There are 27 independent voting members (board members) of the governing body (board), 24 (89%) of whom are male; 3 (11%) are female.
CLIA, as measured by revenue, is a small trade association. Over the past 5 years, the organization has raised $25-$30 million annually, most of which comes from membership dues. Expenses have typically matched revenue or been slightly below revenue (allowing the organization to accumulate a small amount – $6 million – of net assets.
In 2019, revenue was $29 million. Expenses were $27 million with most revenue spent on compensation ($8 million), fees – primarily consultants ($5 million), grants – primarily to Europe ($5 milllion, and travel and conferences ($4 million).
57 employees received $8 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of more than $140,000. However, only 19 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 13 most highly compensated reported to be:
- $985,955: Cynthia D’Aoust, Former CEO
- $786,517: Kelly Craighead, CEO and Secretary/Treasurer
- $401,031: Michael McGarry, SVP, Global Government Affairs
- $336,155: Megan King, SVP, Global Strategy, Communication, and Research (until 9/19)
- $325,696: Caroline Johnson, SVP, North American Travel Trade Membership
- $320,036: Joshua Good, SVP, Global Finance and Operations
- $309,026: Brian Salerno, SVP, Maritime Policy
- $278,937: Charles Sylvia, VP, Member and Trade Relations
- $225,629: Donald Brown, VP, Maritime Policy
- $220,492: Robert Griffiths, VP, Maritime Policy
- $212,001: Christian Savelli, VP, Research and Business Analytics
- $196,299: Marla Phaneuf, VP, Industry Relations
- $180,627: Peter Plourd, VP, Information Technology
As illustrated above, the 13 most highly compensated employees received nearly $5 million in compensation, leaving the remaining 44 employees with $3 million in compensation (or an average of $68,000).
16 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five highest reported to be:
- $1,146,848: Alcalde & Fay, of Arlington, VA for legal fees
- $ 586,738: Kaye Rose and Partners, San Diego, CA for legal fees
- $ 287,755: Law Office of James R Border, of Ft Lauderdale, FL for legal fees
- $ 259,090: Aptify Corporation, of McLean VA for consulting
- $ 246,123: Alaska Riverways, of Fairbanks, AK for consulting
It is important to note CLIA spent a total of $1 million on legal fees and $2.6 million on “consultants.” Given that the most highly compensated consultants listed above total about $500,000, there must be many lesser paid consultants paid a total of $2.1 million.
To read the IRS Form 990 (2019), click here.
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