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Daniel M. Wetzel

Managing Director
Los Angeles

Daniel Wetzel Headshot

Expertise

  • Executive Compensation
  • Compensation Governance
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • High Growth Businesses
  • Banking

Education

  • BA, University of California, Los Angeles
  • MBA, University of Southern California

Certification

  • Certified Executive Compensation Professional
  • Professional Director Certification, The American College of Corporate Directors

Get in touch with Daniel

(213) 438-6515 (310) 800-0181 LinkedIn Contact Daniel

Commitment To Clients

While board members and executives are interested in aligning the compensation with the strategic objectives of the company, there are a variety of ways to accomplish those goals. My approach is to first understand the key drivers of each business and to balance those with a deep understanding of the desires of outside influencers, such as shareholders, their advisors, and regulators. This approach facilitates the development of programs best suited for the company and its participants.

Biography

Dan Wetzel is a managing director at Pearl Meyer. With over 30 years of experience in the field of compensation and benefits, Dan assists clients in the areas of executive and non-employee director compensation and employee pay, focusing on the development of annual and long-term incentive compensation programs to meet clients’ strategic objectives. He also provides consultation in the areas of employment contracts and change of control provisions, mergers and acquisitions, expert testimony, reasonableness of compensation, salary administration, performance management, and employee and executive benefits. His client engagements cover a variety of industries and company organizational and developmental stages, including startup/pre-IPO, privately-held, public, subsidiary, foreign-owned, and non-profit organizations.

Prior to his current role, Dan was Watson Wyatt Worldwide’s Southern California practice leader for executive and incentive pay and before joining Watson Wyatt, he was a consultant at KPMG, specializing in compensation and benefits issues.

He is a frequently published author of articles on compensation topics and a sought-after speaker for numerous industry meetings including American College of Corporate Directors, Financial Executives International (FEI), Forum for Corporate Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors, UC Berkeley’s Center for Executive Development, and USC’s Corporate Governance Summit.

Dan received his BA from the University of California, Los Angeles and his MBA from the University of Southern California. He holds the Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP) designation through the WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals and has earned his Professional Director Certification from The American College of Corporate Directors.

Publications and Presentations

Research Report
Daniel Wetzel
January 2023

Looking Ahead to Executive Pay Practices in 2023: Banking Edition

Survey results from 58 public and private bank institutions outlining their expectations for executive compensation programs in 2023.

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Article
Margaret Black
Daniel Wetzel
December 2022

Sizing Up Retention and Transaction Bonus Pools

As a merger, acquisition, or sale takes shape, whether and how much to pay for bonuses is a key decision point for compensation committees.

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Article
Margaret Black
Daniel Wetzel
September 2022

A Fresh Look at the Much Debated “Last-Minute” Excise Tax Gross-Up

Providing an excise tax gross-up is sensitive for boards, given its poor reputation. Here is data providing a clear picture of the practice.

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Presentation
Bank Director Compensation & Talent Conference
Greg Swanson
Daniel Wetzel
November 2021

More Than Simply Moving the Incentive Goal Posts: Make Sure the Relationship Between Rigor and Opportunity is Right

How banks can calibrate performance measures so they provide a critical link between stated business strategy and management’s execution.

Read More

Related Knowledge Share Items

Article
Workspan
Margaret Black
Daniel Wetzel
November 2014

When Performance-Based Payouts Meet Change in Control

Do you know enough about how your long-term incentive program will work during a change-in-control?

Read More
Advisor Blog
Greg Stoeckel
March 2023

A Quick Glance at the Radar for Compensation Committees

Several new regulatory executive compensation developments are taking shape. Here’s what you need to know for Spring and Summer committee meetings.

Read More
Advisor Blog
Deb Lifshey
March 2023

Pay Versus Performance Watch: The First Filers

PVP disclosure data and trends based on this year’s first 60 public filings.

Read More
Advisor Blog
Pete Lupo
February 2023

The Softening Economy and Incentive Design: A Compensation Committee Top Concern

There are still difficulties with goal-setting and investors may become impatient. Here are ideas for creating effective incentives amid uncertainty.

Read More
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