David Schaeffer is the CEO, Chairman, and President of Cogent Communications Holdings, a telecom company where he has been leading since January 2023. With a degree in Computer Science from UC Berkeley, he brings technical expertise to his role. He...
David Schaeffer is the CEO, Chairman, and President of Cogent Communications Holdings, a telecom company where he has been leading since January 2023. With a degree in Computer Science from UC Berkeley, he brings technical expertise to his role. He is known for his strong performance-based compensation structure, earning over $9 million in compensation for 2023 through equity awards tied to company success rather than a traditional base salary. His pay relies on the company's growth metrics, which include revenue and EBITDA increases, aligning his interests with those of the shareholders. Schaeffer holds significant stock awards, with his recent grants including 160,000 shares available if he hits key performance targets tied to revenue growth compared to industry benchmarks. An interesting fact is that he has a flexible vesting schedule for his stocks that rewards long-term success; portions of these awards will only vest years from now, showing his commitment to Cogent's future. Schaeffer's background as a tech professional and his data-driven approach to leadership reflect a modern CEO style that prioritizes both innovation and results.