George R. Aylward is the CEO of Virtus Investment Partners, a role he has held since the company was spun off from The Phoenix Companies in 2008. With a solid background in finance, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts...

George R. Aylward is the CEO of Virtus Investment Partners, a role he has held since the company was spun off from The Phoenix Companies in 2008. With a solid background in finance, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Aylward's leadership style is performance-driven, illustrated by his compensation structure, where bonuses are heavily tied to the company's achievements. Notably, in 2020, he earned a spectacular bonus of $4.4 million due to strong company results. His approach has resulted in effective strategies that align executive interests with those of shareholders. Aylward also has a unique compensation philosophy designed to retain top talent while linking pay to performance, reflecting a keen understanding of market demands. Interestingly, George Aylward has a significant focus on stock performance; at one point, his vested stock was valued at over $3 million. However, he did not receive stock options in 2021, sticking to cash compensation instead. Overall, Aylward's background in finance and strong performance metrics highlight his effective leadership at Virtus Investment Partners.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Virtus Investment Partners CEOs

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George R. Aylward

Ex-CEO of Virtus Investment Partners

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Field of Expertise

Finance & Banking - Finance

Sector of Economy

Financial Services

Born

January 1, 1967 - 58 years ago

CEO of Virtus Investment Partners for

12 years 4 months (Dec 2008 - May 2021)

Previous Experience

President and Chief Executive Officer of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of George R. Aylward

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Ali Dibadj

CEO of Janus Henderson Group

2023 Compensation

Stock

$1.90M

Salary

$725.00K

Bonus

$3.08M

Other

$355.56K

Total Holdings

$635.28K

B

Laurence D. Fink

Founder and CEO of Blackrock

2023 Compensation

Stock

$4.03M

Salary

$1.50M

Bonus

$7.90M

Other

$1.09M

Total Holdings

$290.93M

A

Jim Cracchiolo

CEO of Ameriprise Financial

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.25M

Bonus

$8.38M

Other

$0.00

Total Holdings

$101.57M

E

John S. Weinberg

CEO of Evercore

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$500.00K

Bonus

$3.13M

Other

$0.00

Total Holdings

$718.97M

F

Gregory E. Johnson

CEO of Franklin Resources

2023 Compensation

Stock

$2.57M

Salary

$600.00K

Bonus

$1.90M

Other

$0.00

Total Holdings

$108.46M

Holdings

See how much did George R. Aylward make over time.

As of the latest data, George Aylward's holdings reflect his significant investment in Virtus Investment Partners. At one point, his vested stock was valued at over $3 million. This shows that a large part of his wealth has been tied...

As of the latest data, George Aylward's holdings reflect his significant investment in Virtus Investment Partners. At one point, his vested stock was valued at over $3 million. This shows that a large part of his wealth has been tied up in the company's stock performance. Despite variations in salary and bonuses over the years, Aylward has maintained a focus on performance-based incentives, fostering a strong connection between his compensation and the company’s success. His stock holdings saw substantial growth particularly during key company milestones, especially post-acquisition phases, where he received stock awards aimed at retaining leadership talent during transitions. This strategy not only aligns with his financial roots but also ensures that his interests are closely tied to the company’s market performance.

Mar 17, 2025

V

shares

VRTS @ $176.38

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of George R. Aylward.

VRTS

9,232 shares

VRTS

Mar 14, 2025

Received

VRTS

10,212 shares

VRTS

Mar 15, 2024

Received

VRTS

9,352 shares

VRTS

Mar 15, 2023

Received

VRTS

25,804 shares

VRTS

Mar 13, 2023

Received

VRTS

34,705 shares

VRTS

Mar 15, 2022

Received

VRTS

14,353 shares

VRTS

Mar 12, 2021

Received

VRTS

22,450 shares

VRTS

Mar 13, 2020

Received

VRTS

26,199 shares

VRTS

Mar 15, 2019

Received

VRTS

18,893 shares

VRTS

Mar 15, 2018

Received

VRTS

9,062 shares

VRTS

Feb 22, 2018

Received

Compensation History

See how much did George R. Aylward make over time.

George Aylward's compensation as CEO of Virtus Investment Partners has varied over the years, heavily influenced by company performance. In 2021, he earned a total of $560,000 with a base salary of $400,000 and a performance-based bonus of $150,000. This was a significant drop from his 2020 compensation of $5 million, which included an impressive $4.4 million bonus based on performance metrics. Aylward's pay structure is designed to motivate and retain top talent while aligning with shareholder interests, relying mostly on bonuses that can fluctuate widely with company results. His strategic focus on financial metrics reflects a commitment to driving the company's success while managing costs. Despite not reporting stock grants or options in recent years, Aylward's history demonstrates a strong connection between leadership roles and financial incentives, influencing decisions made at the company level and ensuring shareholder satisfaction.

Year

2021

Total Compensation

$560.00K

Salary

$400.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy is designed to attract and retain critical executive leadership, linking compensation to company performance and aligning executives' interests with those of shareholders.

Bonus

$150.00K

Board Justification

The bonus is based on the company's performance against pre-established financial, operational, and strategic objectives for the year 2021, with a maximum funding level set at 7% of operating income, as adjusted, prior to incentive compensation.

Other

$10.00K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes various benefits such as retirement contributions and insurance premiums.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 N/A)

Board Justification

No stock was reported as vested in 2021.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include financial, operational, and strategic objectives that the company aimed to achieve in 2021.

Other Virtus Investment Partners CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Virtus Investment Partners

Richard W. Smirl

CEO of Virtus Investment Partners

May 2021 - Present