James A. Burke is the CEO of Vistra Corp., having transitioned into his role in August 2022 after serving as the President and Chief Financial Officer. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and has...
James A. Burke is the CEO of Vistra Corp., having transitioned into his role in August 2022 after serving as the President and Chief Financial Officer. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and has extensive experience in the energy sector. Before joining Vistra, he played significant roles at TXU Corp. and Energy Future Holdings, where he was President and CEO of TXU Energy from 2008 to 2016. Burke is known for aligning company performance with compensation, ensuring that his earnings are closely tied to the success of Vistra. For 2023, his total compensation reached about $10.6 million, with a salary and a substantial performance-based bonus reflecting his leadership in achieving financial goals. Interestingly, Burke has seen fluctuations in his wealth through insider trading, peaking at $49.98 million in March 2024, showing a strong alignment with stockholder interests through significant ownership of Vistra stock. His focus on financial metrics and operational performance characterizes his leadership approach at Vistra.