Christopher J. O'Connell served as the President and CEO of Waters Corporation from 2015 until 2020. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Before joining Waters, he was a top executive at Medtronic,...
Christopher J. O'Connell served as the President and CEO of Waters Corporation from 2015 until 2020. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Before joining Waters, he was a top executive at Medtronic, where he played a key role for many years. Under his leadership, Waters Corporation focused on aligning its goals with shareholder value, emphasizing performance-based compensation for executives. Notably, his total compensation for 2020 peaked at over $12 million, primarily driven by stock options and bonuses based on company performance. An interesting turn in his career came in 2020 when he announced his departure from the CEO role but stayed on as a Senior Advisor. On the trading side, O'Connell saw his stock holdings fluctuate significantly while at Waters, reaching a high point of around $25 million in mid-2020. He was also part of a major salary reduction plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which showcased his commitment to the company's financial health during tough times. His executive strategy often centered around aggressive revenue goals, which highlighted a focus on growth and sustainability in the life sciences sector.