Donald J. Tomnitz served as the CEO of D.R. Horton, Inc. from November 1998 until his retirement in September 2014, making a significant impact on the homebuilding industry during his tenure. With over 31 years at D.R. Horton, Tomnitz saw...

Donald J. Tomnitz served as the CEO of D.R. Horton, Inc. from November 1998 until his retirement in September 2014, making a significant impact on the homebuilding industry during his tenure. With over 31 years at D.R. Horton, Tomnitz saw the company grow into a leader in the market. He was a strong advocate for linking executive compensation to company performance. For example, his last reported salary was $900,000 in 2014, but the bulk of his earnings came from bonuses, which peaked at nearly $4.9 million that same year, based on the company’s pre-tax income. Under his leadership, D.R. Horton mainly focused on building single-family homes and expanded its market reach across 33 states. Interestingly, after his retirement, Tomnitz continued to play a key role in the company as a consultant for a hefty consulting fee of $1 million for the first year. Before his rise to CEO, he held various positions within the company, including Vice President of different divisions. His background also includes experience in banking and a stint as a Captain in the U.S. Army, which added to his leadership skills. Tomnitz's approach was always about aligning company goals with shareholder interests, ensuring that everyone was rewarded for the company's success.