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Michael T. Esser

Managing Director
Los Angeles

Expertise

  • Executive and Board Compensation and Governance
  • Pre-IPO, Private, and Private Equity/Venture-Backed Companies
  • Technology and Biotech/Life Sciences
  • Real Estate and REITs
  • Leasing and Logistics

Education

  • BBA, Loyola University of Chicago

Certification

  • Certified Executive Compensation Professional

"How do we break out of the trend towards the one-size-fits-all approach?"

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Get in touch with Michael

(213) 438-6504 (805) 428-0624 LinkedIn Contact Michael

Commitment To Clients

My focus in working with clients is to develop a deep understanding of their long-term business strategy and challenges in order to craft executive compensation programs that best support their strategic direction. This involves understanding the perspectives of senior management and the board, and applying knowledge of market practices and shareholder advisor perspectives in their proper context to develop recommendations and advice tailored to the unique needs of their businesses.

Biography

Mike Esser is a managing director at Pearl Meyer. Mike has more than 25 years’ experience as an advisor to boards and senior management in executive and board compensation, compensation strategy, and annual and long-term incentive/equity plan design. His consulting experience covers a variety of industries and company organizational and developmental stages, including startup/pre-IPO, privately-held, public, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations.

Prior to his current role, Mike was a consultant and senior manager with Arthur Andersen LLP. Previously, he was an executive compensation consultant and manager with Hewitt Associates, and managed business development for Hewitt’s annual compensation survey business and co-managed that firm’s total compensation measurement database.

He is a frequently published author on compensation topics and a sought-after speaker at numerous forums including the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Directors Forum, NYSE Governance Services/Corporate Board Member West Coast Boardroom Summit, USC Corporate Governance Summit, the Forum for Corporate Directors, and the Corporate Directors Group.

Mike received his BBA with a concentration in Finance from Loyola University of Chicago. He also holds the Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP) designation through the WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals.

Publications and Presentations

Podcast
Michael Esser
April 2022

Winning the Talent War in Life Sciences

Developing an effective compensation strategy can be less than straightforward for companies that are still pre-revenue.

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Advisor Blog
Michael Esser
May 2020

COVID-19 Discussion Points for Your May/June Comp Committee Meetings

As a result of our current crisis, there are three urgent topics that should be covered in the next committee meeting.

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Video
Michael Esser
July 2019

Setting the Stage for Innovation

How boards can establish governance structures that balance the risks and benefits of an innovation culture.

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Advisor Blog
Michael Esser
June 2018

Greater Scrutiny Surrounding Director Compensation

Annual director compensation is fairly stable, but there may be more attention paid to the issue than in previous years. Here is guidance to consider.

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Related Knowledge Share Items

Article
February 2016

2016 Compensation Committee Agenda: Think Strategically, Act Decisively

Get our top five recommendations for the compensation committee's annual agenda, with practical and strategic guidance for creating value.

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Article
Boardmember.com
Michael Esser
December 2012

Say on Pay Game Plan: A Best Practice Process for Overcoming a Negative Vote

Companies that fail to win strong shareholder support need a coordinated plan to win back shareholder support in the next proxy season.

Read More
Advisor Blog
Robert James
Terry Newth
January 2023

Juggling Biotech Equity Grant Size, Dilution, and Retention

A decline in share prices creates challenges in the current equity grant cycle. Our data show how biotech companies are making adjustments.

Read More
Ask the Expert Interview
Ryan Hourihan
January 2023

The Data Confirm It: Director Service is Changing

New data on director compensation and board composition point to a year-over-year decrease in TDC and two emerging trends.

Read More
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