Dennis J. Martin served as the CEO of Federal Signal Corporation from October 2010 to January 2016, when he transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman. His leadership was marked by a strong focus on mergers and acquisitions, as well...

Dennis J. Martin served as the CEO of Federal Signal Corporation from October 2010 to January 2016, when he transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman. His leadership was marked by a strong focus on mergers and acquisitions, as well as investor relations. Before joining Federal Signal, he had a notable tenure as Chairman, President, and CEO of General Binding Corporation for approximately four years. Interestingly, he played a significant role as a director at HNI Corporation since July 2000 and had a term at Coleman Cable until its acquisition in 2014. His compensation reflected this growth; in 2015, he earned over $3.5 million, primarily from a base salary and a substantial performance-related bonus, despite receiving no bonuses in other years during his tenure. An interesting data point in his financial dealings is his impressive stock holdings, which ballooned to over $47 million by August 2024, showcasing a considerable increase compared to prior years. Martin's journey with Federal Signal and his previous experiences illustrate a strategic mindset tailored to business growth and operational efficiency.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Federal Signal CEOs

F

Dennis J. Martin

Ex-CEO of Federal Signal

Education

N/A

Sector of Economy

Industrials

Born

January 1, 1950 - 75 years ago

CEO of Federal Signal for

5 years 3 months (Oct 2010 - Jan 2016)

Previous Experience

Independent business consultant from 2005 to October 2010; Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of General Binding Corporation from 2001 to 2005

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Dennis J. Martin

U

Matthew J. Flannery

CEO of United Rentals

2023 Compensation

Stock

$20.13M

Salary

$1.10M

Bonus

$1.05M

Other

$23.28K

Total Holdings

$64.18M

A

Gunnar Kleveland

CEO of Albany International Inc.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$507.48K

Salary

$300.00K

Bonus

$3.30M

Other

$139.67K

Total Holdings

$879.42K

K

Christopher Rossi

CEO of Kennametal

2022 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$962.06K

Bonus

$195.84K

Other

$0.00

Total Holdings

$8.08M

U

William (Ted) Grace

CEO of United Rentals

2023 Compensation

Stock

$109.18K

Salary

$619.50K

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$8.65K

Total Holdings

$4.26M

I

Nicholas Fanandakis

CEO of ITT

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.09M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$158.98K

Total Holdings

$1.45M

Holdings

See how much did Dennis J. Martin make over time.

Dennis J. Martin’s stock holdings with Federal Signal Corporation show a remarkable journey of financial growth. His holdings were valued at around $6.68 million in September 2019, and he consistently increased his portfolio over the following years. By July 2021,...

Dennis J. Martin’s stock holdings with Federal Signal Corporation show a remarkable journey of financial growth. His holdings were valued at around $6.68 million in September 2019, and he consistently increased his portfolio over the following years. By July 2021, his shares were worth approximately $17.64 million, peaking at $47.36 million in August 2024. This trajectory reflects a steadfast investment strategy, culminating in over $43 million in holdings by September 2024. The journey showcases how his financial commitment has evolved alongside the market performance of Federal Signal, emphasizing a significant increase in wealth over a relatively short period. It’s noteworthy that these fluctuations depict his confidence in the company’s future, aligning his interests as a leader with those of the shareholders.

Mar 18, 2025

F

shares

FSS @ $77.53

Total Stock Sold

$11.72M

FSS

$11.72M

341,842 FSS shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Dennis J. Martin didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra FSS341,842 shares worth $9.43M.
This is -19.49% and $2.28M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

FSS

19,034 shares

FSS

Recent Charitable Transactions

FSS

19,034 shares

FSS

Feb 29, 2024

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Dennis J. Martin.

FSS

1,612 shares

FSS

Apr 23, 2024

Received

FSS

19,034 shares

FSS

Feb 29, 2024

Charity

FSS

$3.06M

FSS at $61.37/share

Aug 1, 2023

Sale

FSS

2,645 shares

FSS

Apr 25, 2023

Received

FSS

$2.15M

FSS at $48.83/share

Nov 21, 2022

Sale

FSS

3,526 shares

FSS

Apr 26, 2022

Received

FSS

2,909 shares

FSS

Apr 27, 2021

Received

FSS

4,465 shares

FSS

Apr 21, 2020

Received

FSS

$1.34M

FSS at $33.58/share

Nov 11, 2019

Sale

FSS

$1.45M

FSS at $30.37/share

Aug 2, 2019

Sale

Compensation History

See how much did Dennis J. Martin make over time.

During his time as CEO of Federal Signal, Dennis J. Martin’s compensation varied year to year, reflecting the company’s performance and his roles. In 2015, he earned a substantial total of over $3.5 million, which included a $800,000 salary and a significant bonus due to exceeding performance targets. In contrast, in 2016, after transitioning to Executive Chairman, his compensation dropped to approximately $600,000 without the high bonuses that marked previous years. Notably, he received restricted stock upon his resignation, which added considerable value to his total compensation package. This strategy is part of Federal Signal’s compensation approach, focusing on aligning executive pay with company success, motivating leaders through performance metrics. His varied compensation packages echo a broader philosophy that links management effectiveness with tangible business outcomes.

Year

2016

Total Compensation

$608.33K

Salary

$385.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, and retain executives critical to the company's success, aligning their interests with those of stockholders through performance-based compensation.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No bonus was paid to Mr. Martin under the STIP for 2017 as he was not employed at the time of the payout.

Other

$0.00

Board Justification

No other compensation was reported for Mr. Martin in 2017.

Restricted Stock

$223.33K(10.28K restricted stock)

Board Justification

Mr. Martin received immediate and full vesting of 10,282 shares of restricted stock upon his resignation.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for the CEO's compensation are based on earnings and individual performance objectives.

Other Federal Signal CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Federal Signal

James E. Goodwin

Ex-CEO of Federal Signal

December 2007 - October 2010

Jennifer L. Sherman

CEO of Federal Signal

January 2016 - Present